Going to Budapest in early October with my girlfriend, 3 nights total. We can’t figure out which side to stay on. Pest seems like where all the ruin bars and restaurants are, but Buda looks prettier with the castle and hills. We’d rather walk than take transit everywhere. Is crossing the bridge at night a pain or totally normal? Any specific neighborhood recs would help, feeling kind of lost.
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Stay in Pest for the ‘nightlife’ and go up to Buda for the day to appreciate the views.
Yellow trams go across the bridge.
I’d also say Pest is the better base, especially for a first visit. It’s much more lively, with restaurants, cafes and ruin bars all close to each other.
Buda is beautiful, but quieter — more of a place to explore during the day as @TravelNotes said. And crossing the bridge is totally fine and actually really nice at night, the views are amazing 