Website http://astoriacityhostel.com/
Address 1072 Budapest, Rákóczi út 4
Tel: +36 1 950 64 80
email: staff@astoriacityhostel.com

How to get to

We arrived in Budapest by train so we took M2 from Keleti pu to Astoria. And now we walked around our tail because we knew to exit on Rakoczi…however, we didn’t exit to the correct number. But once we did, we found the hostel (the email from them only said to exit on Rakoczi, but that damn boulevard is huge).

Once checked in – and money deposited (5000HUF or 20 euros) for the keys – Laszo (working the reception) walked us to the building where the private rooms are located; which was at nr. 18, really close to the train station.

The room

The double room had ensuite bathroom, a double bed (two singles united), a small table, a chair, and a cupboard. The bed linen and towels were also included; and we had free wi-fi. There was a shared kitchen with fridge, microwave and whatever else you might need.

I can compare the size of the room with the one in Rome …in other words: tiny!

Our experience

Aside from the fact that Laszo came in the middle of the night with some new guests and he talked very loudly – enough to wake us up – , I liked the room. It was small and definitely not worth the 40 euros we paid for it (via Hostelbookers) though. When I looked up places to stay in Budapest, all private rooms with bathroom ensuite started at 40 euros per night and most were 60 euros.

Note: the website lists the privates as starting from 12 euros. And when you book via hostelbookers you are told about the deposit AFTER you pay for the booking (you get an email with details on how to find the reception and that you have to either leave our documents or money for the keys until you check out). The private double is listed at 36 euros / night on the website (and you can reserve via the website).

Laszlo gave us a discount card for Bali Cafe, which we gladly used because we really like the place! And when we left – and I gave him my business card from work – he gave me a discount card to use at Astoria City Hostel when we’d go back.

The good

• very close to Astoria Metro station and within walking distance of Keleti pu, as well as Vaci utca
• bathroom ensuite
• shared kitchen with fridge, microwave, dishes, etc
• bed linen and towels included in the price
• free wi-fi

The bad

• breakfast not included (or available?) for private rooms
• the noise: when the guy working the reception comes in the middle of the night with guests. And it’s not the guests which talk very loudly…
• money deposit (or official papers such as ID card?!) required for the keys
• you cannot check out the night before you leave because you cannot get out of the room & building without keys

Our rating

Photos by Alex P.