Rick Steves Budapest Paperback – April 25, 2017

Rick ROCKS!!! From his great shows to his excellent books. (I love his carry-on bags, too, but that's for another review.)Tip: If Rick doesn't suggest you go to an attraction, there's probably a REALLY good reason. I had to learn this the hard way. Budapest is famous for its Turkish baths, and has 21 of them, according to our tour guide. I went on the city's website, clicked on the "English" version of the site, picked a bath that sounded good, close to our hotel, and the first clue that this wasn't a great idea was the taxi driver who didn't know where the bath was! He got us there, and the person at the front desk spoke nearly no English. It was a comedy of errors for there, we didn't get the services we wanted, the baths were clean but in real need of renovation. The next day we went to one of the ones Rick recommended, and the experience was terrific, and we got a lovely relaxing soak! Thanks, Rick!Using the maps in this book, we easily navigated and walked from The Great Synagogue to the House of Terror (it's a museum and a very serious one at that).Take every word Rick says about the taxi situation seriously. There are many rogue taxi drivers in Budapest--they will take you for a ride in the "way overcharge you" sense. Do not flag a "taxi" --it may not be a real taxi. No meter. Grossly inflated prices. And, perhaps, not even very safe, although thankfully we didn't have that experience. (They all drive as fast as they can, and bare inches from the other vehicles. If you're Catholic, pack a St. Christopher's--you'll want and need his intervention!)It was a great visit--our first in Hungary, and we decided Budapest was our favorite city of our trip, which included Vienna and Prague (and Rick's books on those cities, too!). The other two cities were great, but Budapest was best.This guide was worth every penny. Thank you, Rick!

Planning a 2nd Trip to Budapest, our 1st was19 years ago. Got a new Rick Steve's Budapest book. Note; He also gives info on other cities/towns beyond Budapest, which would be good 2nd, 3rd or more destinations / Day Trips. He gives great info, relating on many facets of planning your trip, hand drawn maps, a few black and white photos, and lots of thoughtful info, the other books don't. Rick's are written in a easy to read, often amusing manner. However, I very often use another book, for a different point of view, sometimes Baedeker's, sometimes DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, both of which have magazine quality paper, color photos, maps, and DK has color diagrams of exterior of a Cathedral, for example, with cut out views of the inside, explaining locations points of interest inside & out. .Still, Rick's Books, walk you up the Right aisle of the Church, for example, pointing out what to look for there; important paintings, tombs, and more. Then takes you to other noteworthy sights coming back down the other aisle. Interior, and exterior.As for planning your time... We are lucky enough to travel within Europe 1-2 times a year, last 30 years. We plan more time in one location than Rick suggests, and we 'digest' it slower, and deeper. That's were the 2nd book sometimes is very useful.But, if I had to rely on, only one book, I go with Rick Steves. Most Useful Tips, store your old underwear in your suitcase, take it traveling, and toss it out as you go.. This saves repacking it, makes room for other purchases. We travel spring / fall.. Jacket/Windbreaker Weather. I NEVER carry a purse... Lip gloss, + more, goes in jacket pockets, and I carry a mid sized muslin shopping bag, for book, sunglasses, maps. Rick suggests a money belt, which IS A GOOD IDEA, in some locations far more than others.

We are just back from our Budapest vacation, and took two copies of Rick Steve's Budapest along. We found this to be a very useful practical guide. He includes many practical details, that one would have to had actually done, to know. Also included, for example, is an expanded narrative about the "House of Terror" tour (other museums or attractions are also expanded on). The 'House of Terror' (which really should just be called "House of History" - I think their PR firm tried to enhance the excitement) has an audio guide and printed English pages in each room; however Rick Steve's expanded information in Budapest Guide enables one to grasp and understand the material or subject more readily, efficiently, and thoroughly. The book includes a good summary of historical background and events, to put things in context. He has a lot of good honest assessments of various places and attractions, and good information about getting around, local behavior, etc. As in his other guides, for each attraction or place, he includes information about hours, Days open, costs, how to get there, and finding it on the map. We carried this around and used it all the time. Well organized, honest points of view, and effective.