Meininger Budapest Great Market Hall Review

Budapest is one of the most famous—and frequently visited—cities in Europe. But like most major European cities, it’s not always easy to know where to stay. For some, location is everything, while others consider hospitality or pricing as top considerations. And the golden nugget is something that offers excellent hospitality in a central location on a budget.

I recently visited Budapest for the first time and stayed at the Meininger Budapest Great Market Hall. This place functions as either a hotel or hostel, depending on the type of room you book. While I booked a private room all to myself, my dad went for the four-person dorm option. I’ll share my thoughts on the Meininger Budapest Great Market Hall as a hotel, along with the hostel side of things based on my dad’s experience.

Meininger Budapest Great Market Hall Location
The Meininger Budapest Great Market Hall is in a central location, which was important to me. It’s right next to the city’s Great Market Hall, a large food hall where you can get all sorts of foods from local vendors. The Meininger is also right by bus stops and the Danube river, and it’s walkable to different sites around town. 

Now, depending on what site you want to visit and the weather, you may prefer to take a bus. Some examples of this are Budapest Castle, shoes on the Danube, Parliament, and Fisherman’s Bastion. However, we could easily walk to places like Doheny St. Synagogue, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Christmas market. 

For those coming from the airport, you can take the 100E shuttle bus to Kálvin tér; it’s the first stop but roughly a 20-25-minute ride. You can buy a ticket for the shuttle right outside the airport arrivals terminal.

Meininger Budapest Great Market Hall Pricing
The cost to stay at the Meininger Budapest Great Market Hall was actually pretty great. For a three-night stay in a private room during mid-November I paid 144 euros (the equivalent of $169). It’s important to remember that November isn’t the busy summer season, but they had the Christmas market up and running, which is popular in Europe. Of course, going the hostel route here would be much cheaper, but I think it’s a steal for those who want the hotel experience without the extravagant prices.

Meininger Budapest Check-In
Check-in at the Meininger Budapest was pretty straightforward. I got my keycard and didn’t have to worry about towels or anything since they’re all provided in the room for you (if you book a private room). Check-in is anytime after 3 p.m., and the staff here were very helpful.

Meininger Budapest Hotel Rooms
I honestly had no complaints about my room. It was clean and quiet, and while European hotels aren’t known for having lots of space, it was bigger than I expected it to be. That said, if there were more people in the room with me, it might feel a little cramped. I had booked a single private room, but they had two twin beds pushed together and an additional single bed against the wall. I really only needed one twin bed, but I’m guessing the extra beds are for folks who book a private room for multiple people.

On the flip side, I was able to get a peak at the shared dorm-style room my dad was staying in. My dad loves saving money, but this room just wasn’t it. The main reason? The sewer smell in their bathroom. It was awful! I had a similar experience with a hostel in Córdoba, Spain, but thankfully there was a second bathroom as a backup. 

Meininger Budapest Pros

• Incredible breakfast — They had one of the best breakfasts, and it’s worth every penny. For just 10.50 euros, you can get all kind of incredible foods, including eggs, bread, sausage, cheese, vegetables, fruit, etc. I definitely recommend getting it at least once while you’re there.
• The staff — The staff here went out of their way to make us feel welcome. My favorite employees were Eurico from Portugal and Jeanne from Switzerland. 
• Lots of communal spaces — They have a lot of communal space here. There’s the breakfast area, the lobby, and then additional seating on the second floor that’s by the kitchen and laundry machines.
• The location — I really appreciate how central this hotel/hostel is. If location is important to you, I think this one is a great option.

Meininger Budapest Cons

• Sewer smell in some dorm bathrooms — Considering the awful sewer smell from my dad’s dorm room here, I’d recommend going with a private room if you can.
• Not walkable to all destinations — Depending on the weather and how much you love to walk, you may need to take public transportation to get to some famous sites further down the Danube.
• Laundry machines — During our stay, my dad used the laundry machines to wash his clothes. Unfortunately the dryer barely worked and my dad was left with clothes that were still pretty wet. They also only have one washer and one dryer, so if someone else is using them, you’ll have to wait a while.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Meininger from Budapest center?
The Meininger is very close to Budapest center. It’s right next to the Great Market Hall and about a five-minute walk from Kálvin tér. You can also walk to sites like St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Danube river from there.

Is Meininger a hotel or hostel?
The Meininger is both a hotel and hostel. They offer private rooms for more of a traditional hotel experience, along with dorm options that are much cheaper and like a traditional hostel.

​Transparency Disclosure — The opinions on this website are independent and based on my own personal experiences. I may receive a referral fee for stays booked through the links on this site.

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