Why the Beer Bike in Budapest Isn't Worth It?

Budapest is a city that has a lot of history and culture and of course, beautiful architecture. No wonder visitors come in large numbers to take in the ambience, all year round. Among the numerous services that are available for tourists, the beer bike has become one of the most popular attractions that will help to get acquainted with the city. But, before you get on one, let me tell you why you might not want to do this to see Budapest. Without further ado, here are some of the main reasons why it is better to avoid the beer bike.

1. Beer Bikes Are Banned in the City Center

Since 2018, the authorities have prohibited beer bikes from riding in the city centre of Budapest. This was done in response to the residents’ complaints as well as the interference these huge, noisy vehicles posed in crowded areas. All in all, beer bikes are no longer allowed to ride within the city center of Budapest and therefore can only be found in the outskirts of the city, where none of the famous sights and the lively atmosphere of Budapest can be found. In place of driving by the lovely Parliament building or along the beautiful Danube river, the participant will be driving through the not-so-attractive and sometimes even the industrial areas of the city.

2. The Route Takes You Far From the Action

Due to the fact that beer bikes are not allowed in the city center, the routes which can be taken are rather mundane. It won’t be a ride through Budapest’s most picturesque and well-kept streets as the cycling paths chosen are less maintained and less attractive than those of the central districts. These routes can take travellers through slums, through the industrial sections of Budapest, or areas that are not at all charming. If you want to find the city’s highlights, there are much more effective ways of doing that.

3. An Underwhelming Experience - Beer Bike Budapest

The beer bike might sound like a great idea – a group of friends sipping on a beer while cycling around beautiful city. But the truth of the matter is usually different. The places where are allowed to ride beer bikes are not very close to the vivid and noisy streets of the central part of Budapest. What you may instead discover is that you are bike riding in areas with not much to look at or to do. It can become rather tedious quite quickly, particularly when considering the other things to do in Budapest, including taking a cruise on the Danube or soaking in one of the city’s thermal spas.

4. Safety and Cleanliness Concerns

The places where beer bikes are allowed are not only not very attractive, but they may also be less safe. These areas are not in the central business district or the common tourist areas hence, they may not be as neat or as secured. This can be a source of health concern and can be uncomfortable especially when one has to use them at night. As you sit on a slow moving beer bike through some parts of Budapest that are not very familiar, you are likely to feel more exposed than you would be in some of the most popular areas of the city during the day.

5. Better Ways to Explore Budapest

The transport in Budapest can be done on foot, by cycling or by using the cheap and efficient means of transport. There are guided walking tours that will take you through the history and architectural geniuses of the city while a bike ride along the banks of the Danube gives you a view of the city’s skyline. For those who prefer some passive leisure, it is possible to take a river cruise, the route of which also includes the views of the Parliament building, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge. These alternatives will give travelers a much more genuine and fun way of appreciating the beauty of Budapest.

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Conclusion

Even though beer bike may sound like a great and exciting way to get around Budapest, more often than not, it can be quite disappointing. Routes that lead you to the outskirts of the most beautiful parts of Budapest and accompanied with the issues of safety and hygiene, it may be more advisable to search for other ways to spend your time in this beautiful city. It is, therefore, possible to have a better experience of the city in other ways such as by a walking tour, a bike tour alongside the Danube, or even a boat ride. Before you sign up for a beer bike, remember what you want to get out of your Budapest experience and how much of it you want to be sitting on a bike drinking beer.