we went to budapest from 7th to 11th november 2011 going through an online operator named beatthebrochure.com as ive used them before this summer and trust me you wont find a cheaper deal anywhere.we paid just £198 each plus £31 return journed so £220 each all told which EVEN included half hoard(eve meal).this though we wasnt told(but wasnt any problem atall) had to be taken at a restaurant just 5 mins away and was just a set choice.the resaurant though was lovely,friendly too and out the 4 times we didnt want the set choice twice and chose off the normal but non overpriced anyway menu and they halved the bill as we had already kind of pre paid for our food anyway so hows that for service?,superb.thats was called the magdelena resaturant nearby.the hotel doesnt look much when you arrive but its lovely and quiet in a side street and the staff were extremy friendly indeed.the room was large,comfy enough and the kitchenette was ideal for making your own tea and coffee etc.the tap water is safe and im normally im very sceptical when im told this but it is so dont bother ignoring that statement as its rated 14th cleanest quality i read either in europe or the world,cant remember which but its crystal clear,WAY better than ours in the u.k and we made our own drinks loads and never had one problem drinking it.overall it was a lovely stay,the city was great we walked everywhere.yes you can use the easy hop on odd bus and trams but we couldnt see the point it was so easy to get around walking and excercise costs nothing.we went both sides of the city,pest we were in already and over the danube to budap the older non commercial side(steepish,so beware,)we visited in all the history museum,transport museum the park and zoo and were dead cheap to get in.one was just £2.50 to get in each and we were in there around an hour and a half,so again way cheaper than at home.one last tip.the currencey.we NEVER buy through a travel agent,worst rates around,we book online through travelex as they are deffo the best rates around and you pick it up from the airport commission free.we got 323 forints to a pound,uk high street was 311 so on £100 we gained around £5 plus extra,it all helps.HOWEVER......... over there nearly every single change bureaux and theres tons of them,the rate was between 350 and up to 366!couldnt believe it and again was commision free,that again would have given us and extra £8 to£10 on £100 changed up.incredible.i guess its called getting ripped off,taxed up uk!!i hope this all helps and would we use the city hotel if we ever returned?absolutely,its central to everything you need and remember to try beatthe brochure.com like i said.you wont find cheaper,they are fully bonded and sum.let me know what you think.have fun if you go there,oh and just before we left although sunny it was getting darn cold.-7 at night!take care,mike and shelly