Shopping in Budapest?  Better Remember These Tips

In comparison with other North American and West European capitals, the shopping experience in Budapest may not be as varied, as frenzied and as fabulous but still, you are assured of an interesting and rewarding one.  After all, this is the city with two characters - one in Buda and one in Pest - and so you get to enjoy two almost dissimilar shopping experiences in one day!  How interesting is that? 

Cash and Credit

Budapest stores and shops usually charge slightly higher prices than those found in the surrounding countryside as well as in the neighboring countries.  This should not be a surprise because the city is a place of commerce and, hence, very capitalistic in many ways.

Thus, it pays to take down notes of the prices in the stores and shops before buying into anything.  Better yet, go for the factory outlets that offer significantly lower prices than the tourist traps, er, shops.  At the very least, you can save on a few Hungarian forints that can then be used to buy the famous Hungarian beer - definitely a nice reward after a day of strenuous shopping on your feet.

International credit cards are widely accepted in the large department stores and shops.  So, just max it out, if you can afford to.  Still, do carry some cash with you in case you have to make small purchases in the smaller stores. 

Opening and Closing Hours

If you are used to the American way of doing business where competition is fierce and, hence, business hours are maximized, you had better change your thinking in Budapest.  Usually, shops open at 10 in the morning and close at 6 in the evening on weekdays, with considerably shorter hours on weekends when shops close at 1 in the afternoon. 

To compound to your culture shock, shops also close for 1-2 hours during lunchtime. Now, if the owner deems it necessary to go into the post office, have a beer with friends going home and then back to the business of earning a living, you might just find yourself looking at a closed shop even during supposedly business hours!  It's charming if you are not in hurrying but frustrating most of the time. 

Fortunately, the friendliness of the shop owners more than makes up for such an easy approach to business.  Just be sure to be your friendly self, too, and the favor will be amply returned.

Places to Shop

Yet another thing that more than makes up for the failings of Budapest in the shopping aspect is that the areas for shopping are well planned, distinct and easily accessible even on foot.  The most elegant shops are concentrated along the Váci Utca that, you will soon discover, is solely dedicated to pedestrians.  Seek out the Nagy Körút and the Kiskörút as well for more fashionable picks.

For a bit more of the traditional Hungarian shopping experience, we suggest the Nagy Vasarcsarnok market hall where authentic handicrafts and souvenirs are a-plenty.  Antiques can be found at the Falk Miksa Utca.

The Budapest way of shopping is one of relaxed camaraderie between shopper and shop owner, almost bordering on the small town ambience.  Only the modern structures and the modern goods will remind you that this is the modern Bulgaria we are talking about. 

Budapest has lots to offers to its guest, book online one of the holiday apartments Budapest and enjoy this city at its best!

 

Get Ready Rentals offers a wide range of strategically located Budapest apartments for rent ideal for those who want to explore the city by its own! We are experts in holiday lettings.

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