Most people who only arrange a day or two in Budapest find they have shortchanged themselves and pledge to return for a longer visit in the future. However, if your time in the city is limited, you will find ways to maximize your trip. Historic Budapest is basically a small area and many sights are relatively easy to walk to as listed in this book, and you'll have the added pleasure of perusing the architecture along the way. However, if you are severely limited by time, I suggest you invest in a transport pass, covering the number of days you will be here, so you can get around more quickly. Conversely, if you scheduled more than a week in the city, you may want to balance it out with one or two side trips using Budapest as your base. (Be warned that Budapest is my favorite city in Hungary and I will do my best to keep you here.) In an easy day of travel and touring, you can visit the small, quaint villages of Szentendre, Vác, Gödöllo, or Esztergom, each within an hour of the capital.
