Budapest to Zurich LOT Polish Flights

  About Budapest

Budapest, in Hungary, is one of the most beautiful places to go on vacation. You can head to Budapest with your family, your friends or even on a solo backpacking trip. The city has nightclubs for the party animal in you, and it also has architectural marvels that date back to the Renaissance, neo-Gothic, Ottoman and Roman times. Not to mention, you also have a lot of castles to visit and learn all about Budapest's history. The city is also known for its Jewish heritage and Danube river. It is an exciting European destination to visit, and the city does not bore you one bit. You will constantly find yourself admiring the beautiful buildings or learning more about the city without burying yourself in books or the internet. There is always something you can do in Budapest, and you will never want your holiday to end.

Best Time to Visit Budapest

March to May and May September to November are considered to be the best months to plan a trip to Budapest. March to May is the spring season, and the weather remains quite pleasant. You will get cheap flight tickets to Budapest during this time as compared to the rates in summer. You can also book a hotel in Budapest at a minimal price. The temperature ranges from 2 to 21 degree Celsius during these months. There are chances of mild rains at the end of spring, though. If you are planning a spring vacation to Budapest, you can also attend a lot of events and festivals held in the city like the Budapest Dance Festival, Budapest Spring Festival, Rosalia Festival and Budapest Beer Week. There will be a lesser tourist crowd during this time, making it ideal to go sightseeing or take up other activities that you might find restrictive otherwise, owing to a larger tourist crowd.

September to November is fall season, and it is ideal because it is right after summer. The number of tourists reduces, and hotel prices drop yet again. There are quite a few interesting festivals and events during this time that make it the best time to go to Budapest. You can attend events like the Jewish Cultural Festival, Budapest Wine Festival, Oktoberfest Budapest, Design Week Budapest and a ton of Christmassy things that happen before the big day.

Summer hits Budapest from June through August, and it is also a popular time for tourists to head to the city. You might want to book your flight tickets to Budapest in advance along with your accommodations since the prices increase in summer. Not to mention, do check the hotel facilities before booking one because not every hotel has air conditioning. It is also expected to rain in summer in Budapest. If you are taking off to Budapest in summer, you can attend a couple of festivals and events during this time like the Budapest Summer Festival, Danube Carnival, Budapest Pride (highly recommended), Sziget Festival and Festival of Folk Arts. The temperature ranges from 13 to 26 degree Celsius in summer. The climate will not be intolerable, but the increase in tourists will only make your plans difficult to execute.

The city sees snowfall from December to February and though it's not the worst times to take a trip to Budapest, the other seasons are much better. Budapest sees a major dip in the number of tourists during this time.

Places to Visit in Budapest

Buda Castles is one of the most important tourist attractions in the city. It is the perfect blend of Gothic, Roman and Baroque architectures. The castle looks far beautiful and spectacular at night. It is also a UNESCO Heritage site. Underneath the castle, you will find Hospital In The Rock, which was created during World War 2 and the Cold War as a shelter. It is recommended that you hire a guide for this one to know more about the hardships faced by people of that era. This section only opened to the public in 2008 and is one of the many exceptional places to visit in the city. Matthias Church is another popular tourist spot in Budapest and dates back to 1014. You will find peace here and be marvelled at the stunning architecture. The Hungarian State Opera is another masterpiece in the city that you must visit, even for sightseeing. Fisherman Bastion, near Matthias Church, is another place in Budapest rich with history. The complex has seven towers, several courtyards and colonnades that represent the Magyar tribes. It is named after the group of fishermen since they were the ones who saved Buda Castle from this part of the city during the middle ages. Not to mention, you will also catch a scenic view of the Danube river from up top.

Gellert Spa is one of the most popular thermal spas in the city. Spending some time here will only help you rejuvenate your body, and water also has healing properties. This is a highly recommended place in the city and a very relaxing one, too. Heroes Square was built in 1896 to celebrate Hungary's 1000th anniversary and is one of the most popular places in Budapest.

Things to do in Budapest

Take a walking tour at Castle Hill that is right above the Danube river. You can also visit Buda Castle, an activity that is not to be missed in the city. A lot of tourists also take a cruise at the Danube river, which you won't regret one bit. Try to go for a cruise around sunset and the beautiful view will leave an imprint in your mind. Budapest has a lot of different tours that you can take. You can opt for a guided historical tour or just plain sightseeing. You can also take up hiking or other activities in the city. Thermal baths are a rage in Budapest, and it would be a shame not to experience it here. The city is also known for its nightlife and has several nightclubs. You can also spend a day or two to just party till you drop. It will not burn a hole in your pocket at all. If you are taking a cruise, make it romantic by opting for a candlelit dinner cruise. You can visit the Museum of Fine Arts if you want to take a break from exploring the old parts of the city. Head over to Hungarian State Opera House, and while you are at it, you can also book tickets to a show and enjoy the musical experience.

Food and Restaurants in Budapest

While Budapest has a place for all different kinds of taste buds, you can also give Hungarian food and the local street food a try. Cupákos is popular among meat lovers and is quite affordable, too. A lot of food critics recommend that you use your hands to eat instead of a fork and knife. Be it sausages, ribs, pork or duck, and this restaurant serves the best of everything. Bable is known for its Romanian and Hungarian cuisine. It's a Michelin-star restaurant and a popular one, so you might have to reserve a table before entering. The restaurant also has a seven-course meal for vegans. Két Szerecsen is a great place for a cup of coffee or breakfast. The bistro is open all day and has a great ambience. TOPRUM Rooftop Bar, which is on the seventh floor of Hotel Rum Budapest, is where you go for a couple of drinks and food, of course. You will also experience the best views of the city from the bar. Mazel Tov is known for its Israeli and Mediterranean cuisine. It is a glass-roof restaurant that also has a huge courtyard. Do try the chicken shawarma here. You will find a lot of restaurants and cafes here that serve delectable Hungarian food.

How to reach Budapest (Transportation)

The Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is the largest one in Hungary and is well-connected to the rest of the world as much as to Europe. The flight connectivity to Budapest from India is excellent. While there are no direct flights to Budapest, there are several airlines that fly to the city and have layovers in their home cities. Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Lufthansa fly to Budapest quite frequently with layovers at Istanbul, Doha and Munich. Cheap flight tickets to Budapest are available from Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai as compared to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi or Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Budapest is also connected to other international cities like Paris, Dubai, Zurich, Ibiza, Vienna, Cairo and so on. However, if you are travelling to Budapest during winter, there are possibilities of flight delays and cancellations since the city experiences high snowfall during this time. December and January see the most snowfall in Budapest. Like most airports, Budapest airport also has VIP lounges, children's play areas, shopping areas, a prayer room, smoking room and restaurants. If you have to wait some more to board your flight, you won't get bored here.

  About Zurich

Switzerland is a dream vacation for a lot of people and for the ones who have been there, it's a place they would always willingly go back to for a holiday. Zurich is one destination where you can really splurge. The city has great weather, nightlife to look forward to and breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. The city is also a gateway to central Switzerland. Zurich also has a lot of typical sightseeing spots and activities for tourists. You can admire the medieval architecture here, head to museums, plan a picnic near the Zurich lake or just party all night before you head to the mountains. It is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland and highly recommended, too. If you are covering a lot of other European countries or cities in your itinerary, Zurich will be a pleasant break before you head for your next adventure.

Best Time to Visit Zurich

Though a lot of people think that Zurich is best visited during winter since it allows you to go skiing, it's actually summer that is a peak season in Zurich. A lot of tourists prefer summer, and it is a high season to visit the city. Flights tickets to Zurich are expensive in summer, and you cannot even book a hotel in Zurich at an affordable price unless you do so way in advance. June to August is when Zurich experiences summer, and while everything is expensive, the city makes it worth every penny spent. This is probably the only time you can go swimming at the Zurich lake or sailing if you don't want to take a dip in the water. There are quite a few festivals and parades, too, that happen in Zurich in summer. You can be a part of those if you are visiting Zurich between June and August. The temperatures range from 11 to 22 degree Celsius.

September to November is autumn, and though you won't find a lot of tourists in Zurich as compared to summer, you will enjoy your stay. You might even get a good deal on flights to Zurich, along with accommodation. The Zurich Film Festival takes place in September and October. If you are a cinema lover, you would love to attend this. You can also attend the Contemporary Art Fair Zurich that happens in September or the Swiss Cup Zurich. The temperature ranges from 10 to 7 degree Celsius. It even drops to as low as 1 degree Celsius in November, since it is inching towards winter.

It snows heavily from December to February, courtesy winter. This season sees a dip in the number of tourists, but everyone who enjoys skiing or snowboarding plans a trip to Zurich in winter. This is one of the reasons that the hotel prices remain high, along with the flight rates. Make sure you carry a lot of layers of warm clothes. The temperature ranges from -1 degree Celsius to 4 degree Celsius. March to May is the spring season and one of those times that you will find hotel rooms at affordable prices. The temperature ranges from 0 to 17 degree Celsius. It also rains a lot in May, so you might want to pack your umbrella, too, if you are travelling to Zurich in May. You can enjoy sightseeing and other activities that spring has to offer to you and leave the city right before the high season begins. Apart from the heavy showers in May, the weather remains quite pleasant during the spring and autumn seasons.

Places to Visit in Zurich

The Fraumunster Church is one of the major tourist attractions in Zurich. It translates to Women's Church and has quite an interesting piece of history attached to it as well. You can also visit St Peter's Church that has the largest clock face in Europe. It is an old church that dates back to 1880. Zurich is also home to several museums like the Rietberg Museum and Schweizerisches Landesmuseum (also called the Swiss National Museum). You will have to pay a certain entry fee to get inside the museums and a little extra if you want to hire a guide. The museums have preserved a lot of the history of the city be it objects that were used every day in the prehistoric times or handicrafts. You will also find Swiss masks and cult objects from across the world. There are objects from South America, and there is Buddhist Art from Asia and a lot of stunning sculptures from Africa. Both of these museums are highly recommended tourist attractions in Zurich. They are also a part of tour packages that are offered to you in the city. You can also visit the Money Museum to catch a glimpse of antique coins and currencies. The Zurich Opera House is another marvellous tourist spot in the city. If you are lucky, you might even catch a performance here.

If you are a fan of performance art, you can head to Theatre Neumarkt. The theatre also hosts plays that are apt for kids, in case you are travelling with your little ones. Chinese Garden is another tourist attraction in Zurich that you must visit. It is a beautiful Chinese temple garden that also has a beautiful pond and a small island inside. The Zurich lake is one of the main reasons why tourists decide to stop in the city for a day or two before they head to the mountains. If you are travelling to Zurich in summer, you can swim in the lake or go sailing with your family. You can also catch a mesmerizing sunset by the lake in the evening. You will certainly be treated to a beautiful view of the Alps from here.

Things to do in Zurich

One of the major and popular activities is taking a day trip to Mount Titlis. You can opt for a cable car ride that offers you an amazing view of the mountains. Zurich is also known for its beautiful churches and museums. Zurich is one place where you can really splurge since it is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. You can also go out partying; the nightlife scene in Zurich is excellent. You can even go bar hopping with your friends and have the craziest night of your vacation. One thing the city is famous for is the Swiss cheese and Swiss chocolates. You can go cheese tasting or even visit a chocolate factory, pack some of these to take back home to your friends and family. You can also plan a picnic by the Zurich lake or go swimming if it is summertime.

Foods and Restaurants in Zurich

Zurich is known for its cheese and chocolates, but there is more to food here than just Swiss cheese and chocolates. A lot of cuisines in Zurich have German roots since it is quite close to the German border. You can try the Nach Zurcher art, which is made of meat, mushrooms, butter, potatoes and cream. If you want to try traditional Zurich cuisine, you can go to Old Town and try a few restaurants there. You can try Zeughauskeller or Haus zum Rüden or Kindli. Make sure you try the rosti, which is basically shredded fried potatoes and burli, which is crusty bread rolls. You will also find a lot of spots where you can try traditional cheese fondue. Zurich also has a Fondue Tram that you must certainly try. It travels throughout the entire city from November to February. Swiss Chuchi Restaurant and Kreis 8's Chasstube Rehalp are some of the popular restaurants to try authentic Swiss cheese fondue. Make sure you also pack some chocolates to take back home if you are taking a tour of the chocolate factory. Make sure you also try Champagne truffles in Zurich at Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland. Since Zurich is also known for its nightlife, you will also find a lot of pubs here.

How to reach Zurich

Zurich International Airport is the largest airport in Switzerland and a preferred way to reach the city, too. The flight connectivity to Zurich from India is excellent. Since Zurich is the hub for Swiss International Air Lines, you will also find direct flights to Zurich from India. Though they aren't very frequent, there is at least one direct flight to Zurich every day. Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and LOT Polish Airlines are some of the most numerous airlines that you can pick. While it is difficult to get cheap flight tickets to Zurich, you might come across interesting flight deals to Zurich online. If you are covering other European cities as well, taking a train from Germany, France, Netherlands or Italy are some of the popular routes to Zurich. The international airport in Zurich has quite a few facilities for your convenience like shopping areas, lounges, buses or taxis from the airport and guided tours, too, in case you need it. The services offered here are excellent.

  About LOT Polish Airlines

LOT Polish Airlines which is legally incorporated as Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT S.A., is the official flag carrier of Poland. The airline is based out of Warsaw in Poland and came into existence in 1928. It is recognised as one of the oldest airlines in the world that is still operating. The airline celebrates an illustrious fleet comprising about 100 aircraft and is known to connect to over 120 destinations spread across the continents of North America, Europe and Asia. LOT Polish Airlines' hub is at Warsaw Chopin Airport as well as Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. It is also a member of the Star Alliance group. Established as a self-governing corporation by the Polish government in 1928, the airline initially started with a focus mainly on domestic routes and to take over operations from Aerolot and Aero. The first aircraft to be added to the LOT Polish Airlines fleet were Junkers F.13 and Fokker F.VII. They soon began their international route services in 1929 by chartering a plane to Vienna. Around the same time, the airline also incorporated the famous logo designed by Tadeusz Gronowski, which is still in use.

The airline is recognised to have expanded its operations over the years by exploring new international routes and domestic routes to enhance their business and goodwill. In 2008, the airline introduced a new flight to cater to Beijing. However, within a month the airline pulled the plug on the international route owing to it being an unprofitable long haul service. They commenced new services to Yerevan, Armenia, Lebanon and Beirut while restarting some of its routes to destinations such as Gottenburg in Sweden, Tallinn in Estonia, Bratislava in Slovakia and Kaliningrad in Russia. Further, they also resumed flight services to Asian destinations such as the weekly Warsaw - Hanoi route. In 2010, the airline announced the cancellation of several flight operations between Krakow and major US cities such as New York and Chicago, citing lack of profitability and demand issues. Meanwhile, the Warsaw - Hanoi route picked momentum and turned profitable for LOT Polish Airlines. Simultaneously, the airline also started works on replacing its existing fleet to bring in better aircraft and a stronger fleet.

During the 2010-11 period, LOT Polish Airlines also announced or rather introduced a new East meets West route as part of its expansion plans. Basically, several new Asian destinations were scheduled to be added to the airline's list in the following years. A new premium economy class was also introduced in all of LOT Polish Airlines' Boeing 787 aircraft. They further added the lie-flat seats in the business class cabins of their long-haul aircraft along with personal entertainment decks. Returning to resume the services to American destinations, the airline stated that they would be centralising their services from Newark and New York City - JFK's Terminal 4 to JFK Terminal 1. They also entered into a codeshare agreement with the American low-cost carrier, JetBlue, to multiply its connections for customers. While charting out its restructuring plan to enhance the profitability of LOT Polish Airlines, the airline announced to reinstate some of its old routes while accommodating the E.U. sanctions. They also ensure to continue services of its long haul routes to North America and Asia.

Fleet size of LOT Polish Airlines

The current fleet size of LOT Polish Airlines stands at 78 aircraft. It is a mixed fleet which comprises of Boeing 737-700, seven Boeing 737-800, five Boeing 737 MAX 8, eight Boeing 787-8, seven Boeing 787-9, a Bombardier CRJ900ER, twelve De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400, six Embraer 170, twelve Embraer 175, four Embraer 190 and fifteen Embraer 195. They are yet to receive orders for ten Boeing 737 MAX 8 and two Boeing 787-9. In 2005, the airline ordered seven Boeing 787-8s to cater to its long haul operations. Two years alter the airline planned to convert its order by calling for eight 787s instead. The manufacturers delayed the delivery of the 787s by a year. In 2013, LOT Polish Airlines operated the 787 for its Warsaw - Chicago route.

However, they had to ground the aircraft on the same day, citing battery issues. The same year, the airline announced continued services of the 787 after rectifications were made to the battery issues. In 2016, the airline signed a deal to lease eleven Boeing 737 MAX 8s and started receiving deliveries of the same by 2017. Additionally, in 2018, LOT Polish Airlines purchased three more Boeing 787-9 aircraft to bring its total to fifteen Boeing 787s in the airline's fleet.

Baggage Allowance

Baggage allowance on LOT Polish Airlines differ tremendously based on the flight routes and countries that the passenger is travelling to/from. The baggage allowance by LOT Polish Airlines for flights to and from India are quite standard. The airline allows about three pieces of baggage that passengers travelling by business class cabins should follow for checked baggage. The weight per piece of baggage should not extend beyond 32 kg. As for passengers travelling from premium economy and economy class, the airline allows a weight of 23 kg per baggage. While the premium economy ticket allows passengers to carry two checked baggage, the economy class only allows one piece of checked baggage. Additionally, if you do have any of the frequent flyer membership provided by LOT Polish Airlines or even are a member of the Star Alliance programme, you will be given special benefits in terms of baggage allowance. Hand baggage allowance on LOT Polish Airlines includes two pieces for business class passengers that should weigh no more than 9 kg, premium economy is also allowed to carry two pieces which should weigh about 8 kg. Same goes for the economy class cabin.

In-flight services

LOT Polish Airlines has upgraded much of its facilities to match with the services of its contemporaries. They have also bolstered their stand to provide excellent in-flight services to passengers travelling from LOT Polish Airlines. With an upgrade of the fleet, the airline's in-flight services have also seen a jolt of enthusiasm with better onboard staff and amenities to offer. The seats in the airline's aircraft are supremely comfortable with decent recline. They recently introduced flatbed seats too that are only available in the airline's first and business class. Meanwhile, the other in-flight services such as meals and entertainment are also duly met with by the airlines.

Popular routes and top cities for LOT Polish Airlines

Over the years, LOT Polish Airlines has vastly expanded its domestic routes and international routes. They have consistently opted to add more destinations to their list and further enhance connectivity. A majority of their focus has been to bolster their North American connectivity as well as Asian cities. Over the years, the airline has also introduced various popular routes such as the Warsaw - Hanoi route, the East meets West route and more. Some of the top cities for LOT Polish Airlines are Vienna, Minsk, Brussels, Sofia, Toronto, Zagreb, Prague, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Nice Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Rhodes, Delhi, Goa, Tel Aviv, Venice, Tokyo-Narita, Riga, Luxembourg City, Amsterdam, Warsaw, Moscow, Singapore, Saint Petersburg, Seoul, Colombo, Zurich, Stockholm, Istanbul, London, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark and Ho Chi Minh City. A few of the destinations mentioned have flights from LOT Polish Airlines travelling on a seasonal basis. These include Goa, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Mombasa and Rio de Janeiro. They have terminated a few destinations but plan to resume operations soon.

Why travel by LOT Polish Airlines?

LOT Polish Airlines' highlight is the number of destinations and the international routes that the airline takes to fly its passengers. It is easily one of the best well-connected airlines in Europe which caters to domestic routes within the E.U. spectrum as well as major Asian destinations. The airline might be old, but it has been working with time and upgrading its services and facilities. Right from the fleet of aircraft to the range of in-flight services, LOT Polish Airlines has enhanced its serviceability. Passengers can now book a LOT Polish Airlines flight ticket on their website or any other travel portal as it is available everywhere. The airline also allows passengers to do web check-ins, receive a prior intimation about the flight status and to get access to LOT Polish Airlines' flight schedules. A detailed copy of baggage allowance and other flight and airline-related information will also be shared by them to the passengers after the ticket is booked.

As a Star Alliance member, the airline's benefits further rise as it provides more discounts, miles offer and lounge access at various international airports. Passengers can either take up their loyalty programmes and collect miles, or they can directly opt to benefit from the perks of collecting Star Alliance miles. Either way, the passenger will be able to splurge a good amount on travel and accommodation as LOT Polish Airlines also has tie-ups with many hotels and accommodations across the destinations it caters to. Further on this, passengers can also earn and avail more miles. It is a pretty sweet deal.