My Solo Travel to Budapest was the BEST - My Complete Guide

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Budapest

Budapest is the kind of city that can surprise you, especially if you travel alone. One moment you are walking across the calm Danube River, and the next you are sharing hot fries covered in paprika with new friends at 2 a.m.

I wrote this guide after many nights like that. My goal is to help other solo travelers find an affordable bed, move around safely, and gather stories they will keep long after the paprika stains disappear.

Ready to see why Budapest feels easy, welcoming, and fun? Let’s dive in.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Budapest

Best for Hostel Newbies

Mustache Hostel9.7

from $13.99 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Maverick Central Market9.2

from $8.28 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Onefam Budapest9.5

from $14.05 | More Details

This is not an ad. We help you find the perfect hostel and compare prices from Hostelworld and Booking. You can save up to 23.7%

Why Budapest Is Great for Solo Travelers

The city is small enough to cross quickly but full of life. Most major sights sit within a fifteen-minute tram ride, so you get more time exploring and less time staring at maps.

• Many cafés and restaurants have English menus, and locals are usually patient if you make language mistakes.
• Contactless cards work almost everywhere—from tiny bakeries to fancy coffee shops.
• You can soak in a warm bath at sunrise, climb castle walls by lunch, and dance in a ruin bar at night without rushing.
• Pest is flat and easy for walking; Buda has hills and great views if you want a little workout.
• Tram 2 rides along the river and costs the same as a soft drink.
• Thermal baths mix travelers, locals, and students—easy places to start a chat.
• Food is cheap, tasty, and served in big portions that could feed a small dragon.

A Simple 2–3 Day Plan

Day 1

• Morning: Start at Deák Ferenc tér and join a free walking tour that covers Parliament, Chain Bridge, and St. Stephen’s Basilica.
• Afternoon: Cross to Buda, ride the funicular, and walk the cobbled streets of Castle Hill. Rest on Fisherman’s Bastion for river views.
• Evening: Back in the Jewish Quarter, join your hostel’s goulash night. Later, explore Szimpla Kert, the first ruin bar, where plants, bikes, and lamps hang from the ceiling.

Day 2

• Morning: Eat a sausage roll inside the Great Market Hall and look for paprika, honey, and cheap espresso on the upper floor.
• Afternoon: Relax in Széchenyi Baths under yellow arches. The water stays hot even in winter.
• Evening: Try local street food or cook with hostel friends. If you want fresh air, walk Andrássy út and watch the Opera House light up.

Day 3 (Optional Day Trip)

• Morning: Take a 30-minute train to Szentendre, a small town with bright houses and art shops. Taste a big chimney cake.
• Afternoon: Rent a bike and ride along the Danube bend to Visegrád. Climb the old citadel for wide river views.
• Evening: Return to Budapest for a late-night lángos from Király utca food trucks. Share a table—new friendships start fast over fried dough.

Extra Day 4 (If You Have Time)

• Morning: Walk around City Park. Visit Vajdahunyad Castle and meet the statue of Anonymous holding a pen like a sword.
• Afternoon: Learn about Hungarian history at the House of Terror Museum. It is serious but well presented.
• Evening: Hike up Gellért Hill to the Liberty Statue for sunset. Bring snacks and watch the city lights turn on below.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Budapest

1. Mp Hostel - best for Groups (10+ people), Solo Traveller
2. Red Bus Hostel - best for Family-Friendly Hostel
3. Hotel & Hostel Rila - best for Digital Nomads, Family-Friendly Hostel, Solo Traveller
4. Station Guesthouse Hostel
5. Eitan's Guesthouse & Hostel - best for Digital Nomads, Family-Friendly Hostel, Older travelers (+50), Quiet Rest, Solo Traveller

Mp Hostel

8.2

District 5

Nyár u. 6... more

from

$9.35

Red Bus Hostel

8.7

"…There is a Match supermarket across the way, about a 2-3 minute walk, where you can buy some added more

Hotel & Hostel Rila

8.2

"…In summer 2004 I stayed in this hostel. They give you a nice breakfast. The neighborhood isn't more

Station Guesthouse Hostel

8.5

District 14

"It's not really a hostel; it's an island in its own right. It comes intact with all of the above, more

Eitan's Guesthouse & Hostel

8.3

"Eitans Guesthouse is situated on one of the grand boulevards of Budapest downtown among the more

from

$27.89

Hostels in Budapest

Budapest hostels make meeting people easy. Beds start cheap, common rooms stay open late, and receptionists often act as tour guides.

• Expect pasta nights, ruin-bar crawls, cooking classes, and group trips to the baths.
• Dorms usually have privacy curtains and lockers big enough for a large backpack.
• Kitchens help you save money—shop at markets, cook together, and share the cost.

Is Budapest Safe for Solo Travelers?

I walked alone after midnight on main streets and felt fine. Still, keep your phone and wallet zipped when trams are busy.

• Use official taxis or ride-share apps; some street cabs skip the meter.
• Take cash from ATMs inside banks, not outdoor machines.
• Women might carry a door-stop alarm and avoid empty river paths late at night.
• If a bar feels strange, trust your gut and leave.

Easy Ways to Meet People

• Chat in the hostel kitchen—debating whether paprika belongs in oatmeal breaks the ice fast.
• Join free walking tours; new group chats often form before lunch.
• Go to bath parties at Széchenyi on weekend nights.
• Try craft-beer tasting at Élesztőház or join language-exchange evenings advertised in cafés.
• Book a street-art bike tour that ends with coffee in a loft gallery.

Still not sure? Pick my Favorite Hostel in Budapest

#1 Top Hostel in Budapest: Mustache Hostel

This is the overall best rated hostel in Mustache Hostel. The overall rating is 9.7. You cannot go wrong here.

It is your safest bet in case you are not sure which hostel to pick.

The price for a dorm at Mustache Hostel starts from $13.99.

Check out Mustache Hostel here

Best Areas to Stay

• Jewish Quarter (District VII): Ruin bars, street art, 24-hour falafel. Loud but full of life.
• Belváros (District V): Near Parliament and river walks. Well lit, easy transport, a bit pricier.
• Palace District (District VIII): Tree-lined streets, student vibe, quiet at night but close to action.
• Újlipótváros (District XIII): Local parks, jogging paths, calm mornings, relaxed wine bars at night.

Where to Eat and Drink

• Central Market Hall: Upstairs food stalls serve big, cheap meals.
• Karaván Street-Food Court: Benches plus choices from vegan gyros to fried cheese.
• Cserpes Tejivó: Simple dairy bar for budget breakfasts and sweet pastries.
• Fekete: Quiet courtyard café with strong coffee and good Wi-Fi.
• Kádár Étkezde: Old-style canteen—order the daily special and a pickle.
• Ruin Bars: Try Szimpla, Instant, or smaller Csendes for a calmer vibe.
• Élesztőház: Craft-beer hall inside a former glass factory.

5 Hidden Gemz in Budapest (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Final Tips and Surprises

• Pack quick-dry swimwear; you will visit more baths than you expect.
• Always validate tram tickets—inspectors give big fines.
• Bring earplugs if you stay near ruin bars; the music lasts until dawn.
• Budapest is hard to leave—I extended my stay twice. Sunset views, jazz in cellar bars, and friendly strangers make it easy to stay longer.

Backpacking Budapest? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

Must-Read

Where to stay in Budapest for First Time

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Where to Stay in Budapest as a Solo Traveler

Best Areas and how to get around

Backpacking Budapest

All those cool and unique experiences we are looking for!

How to Pick a Hostel in Budapest

What to Expect (and what not!)

I stayed in a Backpacker Hostel in Budapest

My experience and what you can expect

About the author: Anna Kiefer

My travels have taken me from the vibrant streets of Vietnam to the tranquil beauty of Spain, each destination adding a new chapter to my journey. For me, travel isn’t about counting countries or ticking off lists; it’s about the freedom it brings and the stories that unfold with each new adventure. At Hostelgeeks, my goal is to infuse our brand with this sense of freedom and discovery.

Whether it’s finding the perfect 5 Star Hostel or sharing a hidden gem in a bustling city, I’m here to ensure that our travelers get more than just a journey – they get an experience that resonates with the joy of exploration and the freedom of the open road.