The rising popularity of the road trips offers a strong alternative to party tourism In Budapest
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Thousands of Budapest’s residents have moved away from Bulinegyed over the last few years  to escape the party tourism that has flooded the city. The district is now looking towards a more sustainable and local-friendly tourism model for Budapest, with Bulinegyed’s district mayor, Peter Niedermuller, passing stricter regulations for party tourism. The focus for promotion is likely to be more centered on cultural and nature tourism, taking into account current trends in travel. One such trend is the road trip, which has grown in popularity over recent years, whether  taken in an RV or a smaller vehicle. Road tripping offers the advantage of allowing tourists to travel further afield and discover lesser known gems, while still getting the most of what famous tourist hotspots like Budapest have to offer.
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First: a note on road trips
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For travelers who are new to the road tripping scene, there are some considerations to take into account before settling on an itinerary. Vehicle choice is particularly important for a long road trip, especially if it involves foreign travel. The car or RV should be reliable to travel long distances, regardless of its age. Organizations that review and evaluate used cars give a  clear indication of the mileage the vehicle has already done, so this should be possible to ascertain even with secondhand models.
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It’s also important that the driver is confident and  familiar with local driving laws. For example, traffic drives on the right throughout Hungary, and speed limits are shown in km/hour. Traffic lights are limited to the basic trio of red, amber and green – there is no rule to allow a right turn on an otherwise red signal as there is in some countries. Within Budapest itself, there are no tolls, but travelers using the motorway will need to pay for a pass from a gas station. Drivers are advised to familiarize themselves with local laws before embarking on a road trip.
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Popular road trip must-sees from Budapest
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One of the most popular day trips from Budapest is to Szentendre.
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Offering postcard scenes of cobbled streets and baroque architecture, it offers a quiet contrast to the buzz of Budapest. Szentendre was home to a large Serbian community during the 18th century, and in the 1920s, gained notoriety as an artist colony. There are galleries and museums aplenty, as well as a network of enticing side streets offering hidden architectural gems. It’s a straightforward 20 minute drive from Budapest, allowing road trippers most of the day to explore.