Overview

In Budapest for the Football, the Tartan Army are instantly recognisable wherever we go and the Hungarians were no different. The City is made up of many different quarters based on manny things from working status, ethnicity, cost of housing and living, so no great surprise other than districts that are really run down are and profoundly so, compared to new developments for wealthier people. We stayed on the Eastern side of the Buda considered to be the less invested part of the City, the Firenze Hotel was clean, well appointed but the service and the way of doing things in the area, perhaps relegated to a more austere Eastern Europe era. The architecture very mix d from lovely Viennese style buildings to concrete block construction. The people great, keen to speak to us and ask about our Tartan paraphernalia and where we were from, reserved at first became more friendly. There is more to Hungary than Goulash and each neighbourhood had its own specialities whether it be Jewish, Italian or Turkish based.

Transport & Parking

All we used were Taxi and Bus, both plentiful and reliable, with the Taxis order a yellow cab, others tend to charge more recognising your a tourist, beware of cars with signs saying taxi but with no meters, they are illegal rip off merchants. There were no buses that we got on that had lowering floors, spaces for wheelchairs. In fact during our visit no one came across anyone in a wheelchair. Beware most of the pavement areas outwith the Tourist Center are profoundly uneven and in need of repair.

Access

Only in the central Tourist area was there universal signage, wide and broad areas on either side of the river, lots of steps, very tiring but worth it.

Toilets

Again only noticeable in the tourist area, our hotel brochure said there was a disabled toilet but it had no modifications, neither did any in the restaurant , lounges or lobby. However they were all spotless, clean and well serviced.

Staff

Only one spoke limited English, service anywhere we went was very slow they have a fair bit to catch to standards in other countries. We were in a Crowne Plaza to fists freinds, from what they said and what we noticed the same as our Hotel, 2 stars less. In saying that really nice folk.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

If you are going in a group be aware, our bar bill began to rise every additional round that was bought, of the 3.5k other Scots who were there many experienced tha same thing. Unless you point this out and say you are going to leave they will apologise and reduce the price. They more than appreciate your custom if you become regular as our group did, we were told by the owner he made more money in our 7 days than he could in 6 months. Like a number of Countries you need to be careful where you are and what you are doing. This review contains little in the way outright tourist spots and destinations which reflects most of the Tartan Army’s preferred options - bar, drink, eat, sleep, bar, drink....................... I would certainly go back and highly recommend it, the exchange rate is superb.