Before coming to Budapest, my husband and I arranged with Janos to have a driver pick us up at the train station. No problems finding our driver and Janos kept in touch with him to meet us at the apartment. This was worth the Euros to have transportation without knowing the city. We were very impressed at how attentive and gracious Janos and Jozeph were from the start and throughout our visit. All questions were answered with ease and familiarity of the area. On our arrival, we were provided with a map, were given the "lay of the land" and important sights to see. We chose not to rent a car, so Janos gave detailed bus and tram routes and numbers, which was very helpful and gave us more confidence going from the Pest to the Buda side and back. The metro system is also very efficient and easily traversed. Rick Steves travel books were provided for reference and Janos and Jozeph were featured in one of them.
The apartment was just a few blocks and 5 minute walk to the tram and a block from the Danube. Janos also gave us a few of his favorite restaurants nearby. One was Kiskakukk. Delicious. Brios and Vegan Garden for breakfast. Both were very good. I don't believe we ever had a bad meal or coffee anywhere. Prima grocery stores are close by.
The apartment was spotless and very roomy; bedroom was quiet and cozy, even with the windows open. The kitchen had all that was needed to make a meal and eat comfortably. The washing machine was in this area with a rack to dry your clothes.
The following is just extra, but we found it helped. The day before leaving Budapest, we went to the Nyugati, the metropolitan train station to buy our tickets for Vienna. It was closer to the apartment to get a ticket than going to the Budapest-Keleti train station.
On our day of departure, we were going to take several metro trains to go back to the train station. However, Jozeph suggested walking us to a bus stop nearby, that went directly to the long distance Budapest-Keleti train station. He being with us, left no room for doubt or any anxiety and gave such peace to start a long day.
There is so much more to add but hopefully, this review relayed to any that wish to visit Budapest, to contact Janos. You will not be disappointed. If we should every return to this beautiful city, we would stay with these most knowledgeable and gracious hosts.
