The Big Guide to Your BUDAPEST Stag Weekend

Did you know that Budapest is made up of two districts on either side of the river: Buda and Pest?

And together, these districts make up one of the greatest stag cities on the planet.

From the famous ruin bars and thermal baths to a load of chaotic stag activities waiting to be conquered, you won't be short of things to do in the Hungarian capital.

Find out everything you need to know about a Budapest stag weekend below and avoid all the mistakes other stags make when they're partying in this European powerhouse!

Contents

Is Budapest Right for Your Group?

Budapest ticks pretty much every box for a legendary stag weekend.

If you're looking for somewhere chilled, we'd advise looking elsewhere because Budapest is fast and furious from the moment you land until the moment you leave.

It's also pretty budget-friendly, so your hard-earned cash will go a lot further here.

What's not to love?

The Places in Budapest You Need to Know About

District VII - Erzsébetváros

The 7th District or 'Jewish Quarter' is Budapest's party central! It's here that you'll find the famous ruin bars. For those not in the know, ruin bars are exactly what they sound like - bars set into the ruins of old, abandoned ghettos. The funky open-air bars are now the place to party. Not only are the drinks well priced, but the food is good and there's plenty of choice to be found.

Getting There - M2 (red Metro) and trams 4 and 6 all stop in the 7th District.

District I - Buda Castle

Home to some of the city's most famous landmarks, by day it's where you'll find most tourists. Things get quiet pretty quickly in the evening and while you'll get some great team photos, it's 'Snoresville'. If you're looking for action, keep moving.

Getting There - Trams are the best way to get to District 1. You can also get there by Metro (underground train) - take M2 line (red on the city's underground map) heading west and there are two stations you can go to (Batthyány Tér is the largest). The area is easily accessible by foot, crossing over the river by footbridge.

District V - Belváros

Translating as 'downtown', Belváros runs along the east bank of the river and is packed with more of the city's historic sights, but it's not what you'd normally think of as downtown. It's one of the city's most affluent areas, packed with the best shops and restaurants. It's also pricey, so our advice is 'look but don't touch' - there are better places to grab a beer which won't drown the budget.

Getting There - Tram 2 or Metro M3 (blue on the underground map) runs the length of the district.

District VI - Terézváros

Budapest 6 might sound like a really bad sci-fi film, but it's actually a great area that is a real contrast. Fancy hotels and bars sit side-by-side with rundown cafés and shops. The area is ripe for redevelopment and the smart-set are moving in, bringing trendy bars and restaurants with them. A good place for a bite to eat and starter drink, but not where you'll want to end your night.

Getting There - The main station is Nyugati Station which trains, trams and Metro M3 all run to.

If you're wondering what happened to Districts II, III and IV - no, you didn't blink and miss them - these are residential districts without much going on.

Top Budapest Pubs, Bars & Clubs

The Best Time to Go

According to our StagWeb stats database, 50% of all our groups who have partied in Budapest have gone between May and July making it our most popular season by far.

Why is that time so busy?

Well, the answer to that is threefold:

1. With highs of 28°C, the weather really starts to pick up
2. You beat the price hike of the summer holidays (mid-July-Sept)
3. You leave enough of a buffer between your weekend and the wedding

How Long Do People Go For?

58% of our stags go to Budapest for 3 nights and a fair chunk of groups go for longer, but we wouldn't recommend any less than 3.

Given it's a 3-hour flight, it's a bit of a way to for just a 2-night trip.

3 nights gives you enough travel time and gives you 2 full days to explore the daylife and the nightlife.

How Soon Do People Book?

Guys heading to Budapest in 2023 with StagWeb booked, on average, 3 months before they were due to go.

According to our end-of-year report, the average for all destinations was 4 months, so people are actually booking Budapest a lot later.

Whilst Budapest is a big city, so availability for accommodation and activities are decent, we'd still advise booking a lot sooner than 3 months.

Why?

Well, for one, flights are generally cheaper the earlier you buy them. And, secondly, you won't risk missing out on your chosen activities to a more organised group.

Where to Stay in Budapest

The 7th district is party central, so it's always a good idea to stay within walking distance of here.

Here at StagWeb, we work with some of the best stag-friendly accommodation in Budapest, so have a browse and see if any match your requirements.

What to Do in Budapest

You won't be short of things to do here, with all the ruin bars and epic sights, but we do have over 60 Budapest stag do ideas to help you elevate your weekend.

From boozy to booze-free, lively to low-key, we have a range of activities to suit all groups.

Things to See in Budapest

Thermal Baths

Budapest is famed for its geothermal springs and has 123 in the city alone (Hungary has over 500 in total).

Parliament Building

The impressive, gothic-styled parliamentary building is well worth checking out for any sightseers! Get the best views from across the Danube.

Heroes' Square

An iconic monument in the heart of the city and an awesome squad-selfie spot.

St. Stephen's Basilica

Another spectacular piece of architecture that's well worth a visit!

Laszlo Papp Sports Arena

Pretty sci-fi looking for a sports stadium that's worth a drive-by.

How to Get to Budapest...

What Airport to Fly To...

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.

How Long is the Flight from the UK?

Flight times to Budapest from the UK vary from 2.5-3 hours depending on the airport you fly from. Be sure to check in advance if your nearest airport offers flights here.

Getting from the Airport to the City Centre...

The airport is situated 20 kilometres from the city, meaning you can reach the centre in roughly half an hour (traffic dependent).

And getting to the city centre is pretty straightforward:

• Taxi - a taxi will cost around €30 and take 35 minutes
• Bus - the 100E bus takes 45 minutes but will cost you a lot less at around €4
• Airport Transfer - to save a lot of hassle, we can sort transfers to pick you up from the airport and take you straight to your accommodation. Simply select the option at the bottom of your stag enquiry.

The Budapest Airport website is where to head for the most up-to-date info on getting to the city centre.

Tips On Getting Around Budapest

Trams - It's hard to miss these yellow trams that cover the city. A very easy way of getting from bar A to bar B.

Underground - Like a mini-London Underground, there are four lines that connect up pretty much the entire city. It's such an easy way to bounce about.

Walking - The only downside to using the Metro system is that you won't see many sights underground. Walking around is a great way to get to know the city and stumble across the best sights, bars, etc.

Taxis - There are numerous taxi firms operating throughout the city, but always remember to tell them to turn on the meter so you don't get overcharged.

A good #staghack for your weekend is to get yourselves a Budapest Card that allows you unlimited access on public transport for your trip.

Common Budapest FAQs

Is Budapest good for a stag do?

Budapest is a great place for a stag do. Not only is it a good opportunity to explore a brilliant city, but it's also the perfect place to give the groom a send-off he'll never forget. With its incredible range of activities on offer plus its unrivalled nightlife, including its famous ruin bars, the Hungarian capital has everything you could want from a European stag city.