Budapest Stag Do's

Getting around

Budapest is a large city, so it’s lucky that it has an excellent public transport system. We also recommend simply walking around the city’s central historic districts to take in the atmosphere, and the architecture. Similar to Paris, the city is made up of 23 districts, but as most of Budapest’s best nightlife is located in two main areas, you also don’t need to worry much about getting around at night.

The Liszt Ferenc Airport is a 40-minute drive from the city centre. After you’ve got through customs, look out for Fotaxi (the oldest taxi company in the world, fact fans). It should cost around 9,000 Forint (HUF) for a one-way journey into town, which is about 25-30 Euros. You can usually pay by card too. There are unlicensed operators about - always confirm the fare before you get in. 

Going by bus directly to Deak Square in the centre of Budapest takes a little longer, but costs a fraction of a taxi. Or, you can simply let us take care of the legwork - we can arrange your return airport transfers to ensure there’s no hanging around waiting, and you’re delivered direct to your Budapest stag hotel. 

Once you’re there, you’ll find it easy to navigate Budapest. The city has a fast and efficient metro system with four lines as well as trams (streetcars), trollies and buses. Grab a Budapest Card which covers all public transport for the best value, with free entry to many museums included too in case you fancy a little culture. However, you should keep in mind that the system isn’t as reliable as some other EU cities. We recommend investing in a public transportation map which you can buy at any BKV ticket sales desk. 

The Danube River Ferry Service sees you travelling alongside local commuters and is an excellent way to do a little sightseeing while getting from A to B. Hiring bikes is another fun way to get around Budapest. The Mol Bubi scheme (haha, Bubi) has docking stations around the city and costs around 20HUF a minute.

Most public transport shuts down by around midnight in Budapest, after which night buses operate, or you can hail a taxi. Ubers are also an option. Remember that we offer convenient return transfers for all of our Budapest stag do activities that are reliable, safe and with English-speaking drivers, so you can have total peace of mind.

Tips and ideas

Budapest has long been a favourite amongst our stag groups, and although the price of beer is definitely one reason, there are plenty more. The city has stacks of amazing experiences that the whole bunch of lads will enjoy, many of them that are typical for Eastern Europe which tends to have more of an ‘anything goes’ attitude that you don’t get so much in the UK. Of course all of your classic stag do activities like Bubble Football or Go-Karting can be found in Budapest and we’ll be very happy to arrange them. But if your tastes lie elsewhere, such as Shooting Ranges, or watching a couple of gorgeous ladies as they oil themselves up before getting in the wrestling ring, then we can also oblige.

Something else which we highly recommend in Budapest is visiting one of the city’s many thermal baths for a relaxing steam and spa. It’s been a Budapest tradition since Roman times, so who are we to argue with that kind of history? Great before a night out too, as it will leave you feeling fresh and clean. 

For day drinking, if you fancy trying something quintessentially Hungarian, then you should head for a Borozo. These Hungarian wine pubs offer tasty, wallet-friendly Hungarian wines on tap (especially if you venture off from the main city square tourist traps). Bulls Blood is a must-try, but you should also sample the Hungarian spirit Palinka which is a fruit-based spirit that will certainly get your night off to a roaring start. 

Budapest also has many café terraces, beer gardens and Ruin Pubs where you can join locals as they chill with a few bevvies. Hungry afterwards? Grab a slice from Pizzica on the go - one of our favourite fast food joints in Budapest.

Budapest is great for sightseeing on foot, or from the river. One building you should definitely see if you have the chance is the spectacular Hungarian State Opera. 15 minutes’ walk away is another Budapest landmark, the New York Cafe, which many people consider to be the most beautiful coffee shop in the world. Seriously - this 19th century building has high, painted ceilings supported by marble columns, gold trim all around, and all manner of other period detailing. It’s not cheap - expect to pay around 8 Euros just for a coffee, but worth it for the experience. You don’t see this kind of place very often.

Nightlife

Budapest’s nightlife scene is justifiably legendary. Generally speaking, much of the action as far as stag groups are concerned is focused on two central areas: the 6th District and the 7th District, which are right next to each other, so you can wander between them easily. If you want to get your Hungary stag do off to the ideal start, why not book one of our private Guided Bar Crawls, accompanied by an attractive local lady, to show you around?

Unique to Budapest are its ‘Ruin Pubs’. In parts of the city, especially the 7th District, some creatively minded entrepreneurs started taking advantage of the number of derelict buildings around. They bunged in a load of old furniture they had managed to scavenge, added sound systems in some cases, and these buildings have now become some of the city’s most lively and popular bars and clubs. 

In the 6th District, a place we’d definitely suggest you check out in summer is the Farm Gastrobar, which has a sun-drenched beer garden, and excellent food. 

Most of our Budapest stag weekends base themselves in the 7th District however. Here you’ll find Szimpla, one of the city’s most famous Ruin Pubs, with live music, and eclectic crowd, a beer garden, and a late finish. Just next door is Karavan, where you’ll find loads of street food vans. Another good place for a tasty bite to go in Fuego, a Spanish chicken rotisseries, the birds spiced then spit-roasted for two hours, making for a succulent meal.

Hotsy Totsy is a cool underground cocktail bar, where the bartenders are expert at whipping up bespoke creations. It’s one for early in the evening, and you’ll want to think about entering in twos and threes rather than arriving as a big group. 

Gozsdu Courtyard, also in the 7th, is another really exciting place to have a few drinks, lined with Ruin Pubs, cafes, bars and little eateries. Expect to find a lot of locals here unwinding on a weekend evening. 

Late-night, we recommend Aether, which opens at 11pm and is one of the most popular Budapest nightclubs for stag groups. The music seems to mainly revolve around techno, so if that's your cup of tea,  then this is the place for you. An alternative and a highly popular option is the Akvarium Klub, located at Erzsebet Ter. This cutting-edge venue is also extremely popular with Budapest locals on the weekends, and has a public pool open in the daytimes.

And lastly, what we think may be the best night out in Budapest, and something that our Event Planners always suggest to stag groups. Taking over the city’s largest thermal spa every Saturday night, Sparty sees crowds of revellers gathering for a wet and wild evening set against a backdrop of electronic music and crazy visuals. You trade your cash for tokens on arrival - no need to worry about your money getting damp - then stow everything in lockers before joining the fun. Don’t miss this - it could easily be the most memorable night of your year. Talk to our expert team about how to get tickets and what’s involved.

FAQ

Is Budapest good for a stag do?

Budapest is one of the great European cities for a stag do. Astoundingly cheap booze in atmospheric ruin bars, all your classic stag do activities, traditional thermal baths to enjoy, and all framed against the city’s magnificent architecture. We love it, we know you will too. 

What is there to do in Budapest for a group of lads?

You and the lads will find a massive amount to do in Budapest, whether it’s Paintball, Quad Biking or an afternoon at a Shooting Range, Pub Crawls, Escape Rooms or a Steak Dinner with a Striptease for dessert. Whatever you’re in the mood for, we can arrange it for you, as well as convenient door-to-door transfers for all of your activities. And bring your Speedos, because you don’t want to miss one of the top Budapest things to do, which is a few hours in one of city’s many thermal baths.

Can we trust your Budapest stag do reviews?

Our Budapest stag do reviews are provided, unfiltered, through Trustpilot, so you can be sure they’re 100% genuine. We’re immensely proud that we have an average rating of 9.6 / 10 from over 1,300 reviews, and we’d love to hear how you got on in Budapest when you get back. Every review we get is helpful to stag do’s in the future looking for honest, reliable advice.

Can you arrange a Budapest beer bike?

Among the many Budapest stag do activities we can arrange is a fun beer bike tour. Essentially, you and the lads do the pedalling, while a driver / guide does the steering. You can drink as you go along, travelling from bar to bar on a fun and well-lubricated sightseeing adventure. 

Can we visit a shooting range on a Budapest stag do?

We can arrange a shooting range trip in Budapest for your group - something that is very rare in the UK. You’ll be able to fire up to 9 (9!) different weapons, including a glock, a Remington 870 a Walther-HK MP5 and of course the famous Colt M4, with a professional instructor at hand to show you how to handle the guns. Make it even more exciting by turning it into a competition - lowest score has to down his first beer of the night.