Budapest Hire Car Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Discover Budapest by Hire Car

Budapest is a metropolis on the picturesque Danube River in the heart of Hungary, with nearly 1.7 million inhabitants spread over an area of 525 square kilometers.

Originally, the Hungarian capital Budapest divided into the towns of Buda and Pest, but they were united as early as 1873, although the region’s numerous thermal springs are mainly found in Buda.

The city is rich in attractions, but there are all sorts of things to discover in the surrounding countryside too. The best way to do this is by hire car. We have put together a few tips for renting and travelling.

Taking over the hire car

Numerous hire car companies can be found at Budapest Airport in the so-called “bud:skycourt”. You should only make sure that the hire car company you want to book with is also there. If the station of your rental company is outside the airport, it can take a long time until a shuttle takes you there.

Choosing the right hire car

The road traffic in Budapest is dense, parking spaces are scarce. It’s better to choose a small car that allows you to navigate well and also makes it easier to find a parking space

Hire car prices

Hire cars are rarely cheap to get in Budapest. You can usually get the cheapest deals by booking well in advance and using our convenient price comparison tool.

hire car price comparison Budapest

Insurance

In Budapest’s heavy traffic, a small accident can happen quickly. Protect yourself and hire car with comprehensive insurance without deductible.

age limit

You must be 21 years old to hire car from most rental companies. And many rental companies won’t rent cars to drivers older than 75.

Drivers under 25 are often charged an additional fee. Check out your rental company’s terms before renting the car.

Accessories

A sat nav can serve you invaluably in Budapest’s maze of streets. However, you should reserve the sat nav and other accessories such as child seats well in advance.

This is the only way to ensure that the items you want will be available on the day you pick up the car.

Language barrier

To avoid having to deal with communication difficulties at the hire car station, you should make a note of the telephone number of your rental company’s Hungarian head office. There you can ask for translation help in case of emergency.

Free kilometers

If you want to move with the hire car only in the city area of Budapest and the immediate surroundings, you can reach for a cheaper hire car with limited kilometers. However, if distant destinations are to be explored, it is worth booking a car with all kilometres free.

Bail

Make sure you book with a rental company that only blocks the deposit on your credit card. After all, if the amount is actually charged, it can take a long time for the money to be returned to your account after the trip.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Most customers are satisfied with the hire car in Budapest. However, some complain about long waiting times. Plan enough time and read the customer reviews on this portal before booking the hire car to avoid renting from a black sheep of the industry.

Safety Hire Car

Some cars in Budapest already have a higher mileage. In addition, the vehicles are not necessarily as well maintained as they are in this country.

Be sure to test all of your car’s lights before driving and do a quick brake test while still in the parking lot.

Sights in Budapest

Danube: Majestic Bridges
The main attraction in Budapest is actually the Danube itself and its nine bridges that span it imposingly.

First and foremost here is the city’s landmark, the Chain Bridge. Majestically, the bridge’s two piers rise out of the water and two massive lions perch at the ends.

By the way, the sculptor of these two beasts is said to have committed suicide after realizing he had forgotten the tongues on the cats.

Váci Utca: Famous Shopping Mile
Almost all of Budapest’s other sights are also located on the banks of the cityscape-defining river.

Such as the Fisherman’s Bastion and the picturesque Buda Castle District, which is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the Pest side, don’t miss a visit to the market halls and Váci Utca, Budapest’s most popular promenade, which runs parallel to the Danube.

Andrassy Street: Magnificent Avenue
A truly magnificent avenue is Andrassy Street, which has also been a World Heritage Site since 2002. Extremely impressive numerous residential palaces line the 2.4 kilometer long street here.

Also located here is the Hungarian State Opera House and the neo-Renaissance-style “House of Terror” museum, which commemorates crimes committed during Hungary’s communist dictatorship.

Suggestion of a round trip

Siófok: Bathing fun at Lake Balaton
Perhaps you drive with your hire car first to Siófok at Lake Balaton, which many also know as Lake Balaton. In one hour you are there.

In Lake Balaton you can enjoy a relaxing swim during the summer months. The rest of the time it is wonderful to hike along the shore.

You can also take the walk in the lake, because in Lake Balaton you have to go far from the shore before the water reaches swimming depth.

Székesfehérvár: ancestral home of kings
Next stop on your trip could be Székesfehérvár. In a good half hour you will be there. The first Hungarian kings lived in this town, which was founded in 972. Today, it’s worth taking a stroll around the town hall square, where you’ll still find some historic buildings.

Velence: Hungary’s Bathtub
Now before you steer your hire car back to Budapest, you should take the opportunity to stop off in Velence. Your hire car will take you there in less than half an hour. You can also enjoy swimming in Velence, as Lake Velence is considered the warmest in Europe.

During the summer months, you can relax in the 26 to 28°Celsius water as if you were in a bathtub. The drive to Budapest now takes another three quarters of an hour. There you can park your hire car and plan your next trip by hire car over a glass of Tokay.