UK airport has new TUI flights to quirky European capital dubbed 'city of baths'
The airline is launching a new direct flight from Birmingham to the historic Hungarian capital Budapest next year.
The weekly service, which will run from May 4 until September 2026, will serve TUI's summer River Cruise programme, many of which leave from Budapest.
In 2026, three of TUI River Cruises' ships, Isla, Maya and Skyla, will be based on the Danube River all summer.
From Budapest, the cruises wind through Hungary, Serbia and Croatia, stopping in cities like Novi Sad, Belgrade and Vukovar.
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Not a cruiser? The Birmingham-Budapest route is also intended to connect travellers with Lake Balaton, a freshwater lake in western Hungary that's part of TUI's Lakes & Mountains collection.
The area is home to beaches, volcanic hills, hiking trails and even a wine-growing region.
But, if you're just after the city break, return flights from May 11 next year start at £241.
This includes 15kg of checked-in luggage and 10kg of hand luggage per person, so you don't have to worry about fitting everything into a tiny carry-on!
Birmingham airport aviation director Tom Screen added: 'It is great to see that Tui will be launching a new weekly flight to Budapest, opening up more options for travellers direct from Birmingham.
'A popular city break destination, this route is yet another addition to Tui's great portfolio of destinations from Birmingham airport.'
Nicknamed the 'City of Baths' since the 1920s, Budapest is built on over 100 thermal springs, and a trip here isn't complete without a soak.
The city's iconic bathhouses are just as beautiful as they are relaxing. The most popular and well known is Szechenyi, while quieter options include Gellert, and Rudas.
Szechenyi is massive, with multiple indoor and outdoor pools, and home to the famous 'Sparty', basically an electronic music themed pool party.
However, the baths are thought to attract over 1.5 million visitors annually, so you'll want to bring some flip-flops with you.
Once you're done relaxing, there's plenty of history to explore. The Fisherman's Bastion in the Buda Castle District is a must-see. More Trending
Built in the 19th century, this fairytale-like monument is described as an 'architectural marvel' and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These are the top things to see in Budapest, according to Tripadvisor. Hungarian Parliament Buildings – a neo-Gothic structure which serves as a city landmark and government centre. Fisherman's Bastion – a 19th-century mock bastion featuring pointed towers and turrets, reminiscent of a fairytale castle. Shoes on the Danube Banks – a memorial to WWII victims, featuring rows of shoes. St Stephen's Basilica – a historic basilica featuring stained glass and art. Central Market Hall – a historic market brimming with stalls.
If you don't have time for a full river cruise, you can take a sightseeing or cocktail cruise aboard the Danube. Most set sail before sunset and offer stunning views along the river.
After all the exploring, travellers can head to one of Budapest's ruin bars. These 'quirky' bars, as described so by Lonely Planet, are typically found in Budapest's Jewish Quarter, located in formerly abandoned buildings, are and are now a key part of Budapest's nightlife and draw in travellers from all over the world.
And if you're hungry after all that sightseeing, Metro's Lifestyle Editor, Kristina Beanland recently visited the city, and said you have to get a table at Mazel Tov, located inside a ruin bar.
Kristina says: 'Mazel Tov looks oh-so-chic, with exposed brick walls, fairy lights and house plants in every corner. But luckily, the food matches up to the interiors.
'Mazel Tov describes itself as a 'Middle Eastern' restaurant, and the hummus, with spiced lamb shoulder, was my favourite.
Creamy, with perfectly seasoned lamb. Be sure to get some of their sourdough pita bread on the side – you will not regret it.
Other standout choices were the green spiced feta (whipped feta is my new obsession) and fattoush salad that was perfectly crunchy and served with yuzu vinaigrette.
'Afterwards, head to Szimpla Kert for a drink, the first ruin bar in Budapest. It's massive, with multiple bars spread across two floors. The quirky decor and lively crowd will keep you entertained all night long.'
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