Overview · the whole journey
LAX ✈ Toronto ✈ Budapest (both ways), then rail east to Miskolc. Pick a day for its street-level plan.
✈ Flights · LAX–Toronto–Budapest
🚆 Rail · Budapest–Miskolc
① Numbered by visit order
Logistics
Flights · Air Canada · via Toronto · A5QUHN
7:30 AM · Thu Jul 9
LAX T6
AC 782 → AC 942 · via YYZ
9:40 AM · Fri Jul 10
BUD T2B
11:45 AM · Fri Jul 17
BUD T2B
AC 943 → AC 793 · via YYZ
6:53 PM · Fri Jul 17
LAX T6
🚗 Sherman Oaks → LAX ~25–35 min (early morning). Be at LAX ~3 hrs before the 7:30 AM departure — leave home by ~4:00 AM Thu Jul 9. Full outbound timing on the Thu 9 travel day ▸.
Stay · Budapest
Airbnb — Dob utca
Check inFri Jul 10
Check outMon Jul 13
3 nights$410.76
Dob utca 34–36, Budapest, 1072 · 1st floor, apt A108 · Reservation
Host: Thomas +36 30 275 9173 · István +36 30 073 4943
Host: Thomas +36 30 275 9173 · István +36 30 073 4943
Stay · Miskolc
Airbnb — Széchenyi út
Check inMon Jul 13
Check outFri Jul 17
4 nights$295.94
Széchenyi István út 48 3/4, Miskolc, 3530 · Reservation
City Pass · Budapest
Budapest Card — 72h ×2
Voucher1935831222
Paid$194.55
QR to redeem on the Friday arrival screen + full pickup points below.
Getting to Miskolc
MÁV train · Mon Jul 13
Budapest Keleti→ Miskolc
InterCity ~2 hrs · jegy.mav.hu · then the MVK tourist card.
00
- ~4:00 AM · DriveDrive to LAXSherman Oaks → LAX Terminal 6 · ~25–35 min · check-in / bag drop opens 4 hrs priorEconomy Basic — checked bags $75 (1st) / $100 (2nd) each way. Carry-on: 1 personal item + 1 standard bag on the transatlantic legs.
- 7:30 AM · FlightFly to Toronto 7:30 AMAC 782 · LAX T6 → Toronto-Pearson T1 · lands 3:17 PM · Airbus A220-300 · 4h 47m
- Layover · TorontoLayover in Toronto~3h 40m at YYZ Terminal 1 · clear the connection, grab a real dinner before the long leg
- 7:00 PM · FlightOvernight flight to Budapest 7:00 PMAC 942 · YYZ T1 → Budapest BUD T2B · lands 9:40 AM +1 · Boeing 787-9 · 8h 40mSleep on this one — you land Friday morning and go straight into Budapest.
01
Redeem the Budapest Cards on arrival. Show this QR at the Terminal 2B BKK desk before leaving the airport, so transit is free from your first ride. Tap to enlarge. Voucher 1935831222.
- 9:40 AM · LandLand in BudapestBUD — Ferenc Liszt Airport, Terminal 2B · collect the Budapest Cards at the BKK desk
- Airport → AirbnbGet to the Airbnb🚗 Private transfer booked through the Airbnb — the host's driver meets you at BUD and takes you straight to the flat. (Backup: 100E bus → Deák Ferenc, then ~10 min walk.)Check-in is 3 PM. If it's not ready when you arrive, stash the bags nearby — hostAID Luggage Storage (Klauzál tér 8) or Stow Your Bags (Wesselényi u. 2) — then brunch.
- BrunchNew York CaféErzsébet krt. 9–11 · "the most beautiful café in the world"
- Afternoon · BathsSzéchenyi Thermal BathÁllatkerti krt. 9–11 · one bath entry included with the Budapest Card
- 7:00 PM · DinnerEssência — 7:00 PMSas utca 17, 1051 · Portuguese–Hungarian tastingBooked for 2 · DinnerBooking #61443587.
Self check-in · Dob utca 34–36 (apt A108)
- EntranceKeypad by the street door: press "Key button", then 0204
- InsideStraight ahead — the 2nd door on your right is the elevator → take it up to the 1st floor
- 1st floorOut of the elevator turn RIGHT, down the corridor → 2nd door on the right, marked "A108"
- KeysafeOn the wall by the door: dial 0918 and pull open (pull firmly). Take the keys, then set it back to 0000 and lock it
- Videobit.ly/3Ya4c4o — the host's self-check-in video
- Check-outA/C off · lock the door · keys back in the box, dials to 0000
- Wi-FiIn the apartment (from the host); after 9 PM keep noise down for neighbors
Apartment house rules
- 🕒 Check-in after 3 PM · checkout before 10 AM · self check-in with the lockbox.
- 👥 2 guests max · 🐾 no pets · 🎉 no parties or events.
- 🚭 No smoking inside — balcony only.
- 🤫 Many elderly residents in the building — keep it quiet and respectful.
- 🧹 Leave it as you found it; you're liable for any damage during the stay.
- 🔑 Before you go: lock up, return the keys to the lockbox, and set the dials to 0000.
02
- Morning · MarketCentral Market Hall ~10:00 AMVámház krt. 1–3, Fővám tér · lángos + paprika upstairsOpen till 3 PM Sat, closed Sun — Saturday is the window. Then cross Liberty Bridge / metro to the castle for the 2 PM tour.
- Late morning · MuseumLudwig MuseumContemporary art at Müpa · optional if the market runs long
- ~12:30 PM · LunchLeo RooftopRooftop over Vörösmarty tér · book a terrace table — before you cross to Buda
- 2:00 PM · TourBuda Castle Walking Tour — 2:00 PMMeet: Matthias Church, Holy Trinity Column · Szentháromság tér 2, 1014$125.26 · booked. Bring the confirmation.
- DinnerSzázéves ÉtteremOne of the oldest restaurants in Budapest
- Night · CruiseDanube Night Cruise — 9:00 PMJane Haining Quay, Vigadó tér, Dock No. 6Hourly 11 AM–9 PM; last departure 9 PM — take the last one for Parliament lit up.
03
- BreakfastPárisi PassageCafé & Brasserie in a restored Art Nouveau arcade
- Morning · MuseumHungarian National MuseumMúzeum krt. 14–16
- AfternoonDohány Street SynagogueLargest synagogue in Europe · minutes from Dob utca
- DinnerMazel TovMiddle-Eastern garden restaurant in a ruin-bar courtyard
- Evening · ConcertSt. Stephen's Basilica — 8:00 PMSzent István tér 1 · classical concert under the domeTickets on GetYourGuide — book the July 12 date.
- NightcapSzimpla KertKazinczy u. 14 · the original ruin bar, open lateLast Budapest night — 2 min from the flat. Open nightly till ~4 AM.
04
- 10:25 AM · TravelTrain to Miskolc 10:25 AMMÁV IC 186 · Budapest Keleti → Miskolc-Tiszai · arrives 12:27 PM (~2 hrs) · book a seat on jegy.mav.hu
- Afternoon · ArriveCheck into the AirbnbSzéchenyi István út 48 · tram → "Villanyrendőr" stop, then the host meets you in front of Széchenyi 48 (between the OFOTÉRT & MY77 shops)Hosted check-in — they don't live on-site, so send your arrival time ahead. Grab the MVK tourist card for the week.
- Afternoon · UnwindMiskolctapolca Cave BathThermal bath inside a natural cave, ~15 min out (🚌 bus 1) — the perfect reset after the travel day
- OptionalAvas Lookout Tower + Cellar RowShort uphill walk from the center — panorama, then a glass in the historic wine cellars
Chroma Festival · into the swing of it
Text Andy when you land in Miskolc — 216-548-0742
Shuai is running things remotely this year (family — see note), so Andy's your on-site contact. If the train's in by early afternoon, catch the Piano Masterclass (Kim), 2–4 PM, then the Panel Discussion "Topics in Career Building," 7:30 PM. The group photo is set for Tuesday ~4 PM (Shuai's emailing everyone) — good to confirm with Andy tonight.
- DinnerGajdóModern Hungarian bistro — easy first-night dinner (festival dinner is 5–6:30)
Chroma schedule · Mon Jul 13
- 7:30–9:00Breakfast
- 9:00–11:30Composition Forum (Beacom, Aguilar) · piano-duet coaching to 12
- 11:30–1:00Lunch
- 1:00–2:00Composition lessons (Wendt)
- 2:00–4:00Piano Masterclass (Kim)
- 5:00–6:30Dinner
- 7:30 PMPanel — "Topics in Career Building"
Apartment house rules
- 🚭 No smoking / IQOS inside — terrace only, door closed. No candles or incense.
- 🐾 No pets in the apartment.
- 🔑 Mind the keys; lock the windows & doors whenever you head out.
- 🍽️ Eat only at the dining or terrace table — keep food & drink off the bed, furniture, and electronics.
- 🗑️ Bins are under the kitchen sink & in the bathroom. Only toilet paper down the toilet — no wet wipes.
- 🌙 Quiet 10 PM–8 AM · no parties · you're responsible for your own valuables.
- ✨ Treat the place as your own — keep it clean and tidy.
05
Chroma Festival · the prime capture day
8:30 AM check-in — full festival day
Guest-artist masterclass (Bálint Zsoldos) 9:30–11:30, then lectures — Cherwin 2–3, Burleson 3–4. Push the student + faculty interviews for Shuai's promo video today (they must wrap by Wed). Interview Andy about Mirages, and the concert faculty.
- 3:00 PM · LectureBurleson lecture"Improvisation for Classical Pianists" · 3–4 PM · Bartók Institute · then straight to the group photo
- 4:00 PM · Group photoFestival group photoAfter the lectures, before dinner · Bartók Institute (or the square if it's nice)Set for today — Shuai's emailing everyone to gather. You're shooting: set up wide, get everyone in.
- 7:00 PM · Booked dinnerVégállomás Bistro&Wine — 7:00 PMKiss tábornok út 50–52 · party of 2 · confirmed for Tue 7/14Rebooked to tonight so Wednesday stays free for the outdoor concert. The 7:30 PM Guest Artist concert is the same evening — you'll be at dinner instead.
Chroma schedule · Tue Jul 14
- 7:30–9:00Breakfast
- 9:30–11:30Masterclass — guest artist Bálint Zsoldos
- 11:30–1:00Lunch
- 1:00–2:00Composition lessons (Beacom)
- 2:00–3:00Lecture (Cherwin) — "Skill Building for the Creative Musician"
- 3:00–4:00Lecture (Burleson) — "Improvisation for Classical Pianists" · attending
- 4:00 PMGroup photo (before dinner)
- 5:00–6:30Dinner
- 7:30 PMGuest Artist Piano Concert (Zsoldos) — you're at Végállomás
06
Chroma Festival · the marquee night
8:30 AM check-in — wrap any last interviews during the day
Keep the evening clear for the outdoor concert — this is the one to shoot properly.
- 9:00 AM · Forum (tentative)Composition forumMaria Tegzes · 9–11:30 (catch ~9–10) · likely reslotted here from the 16th
- 2:00 PM · MasterclassPiano masterclassCatherine Kautsky · 2–4 PM · Bartók Institute · likely reslotted here from the 16th
- 7:30 PM · Faculty Concert IIOutdoor faculty concert 7:30 PMFaculty Concert II · Városház tér · outdoor stage, two grand pianos · promoted by the Miskolc Cultural MinisterThe marquee capture of the week — expected to draw a big crowd. Program includes Beethoven's "Quasi una fantasia," Chopin's Ballade No. 3, Dvořák Slavonic Dances, Ligeti, Schumann's Kreisleriana — and Andy Rindfleisch's own Mirages.
Chroma schedule · Wed Jul 15
- 7:30–9:00Breakfast
- 9:00–11:30Composition Forum (Tegzes)
- 1:00–2:00Composition lessons (Moniz)
- 2:00–4:00Piano Masterclass (Kautsky)
- 5:00–6:30Dinner
- 7:30 PMFaculty Concert II — OUTDOOR, Városház tér (the marquee night)
- ↺Daytime is the 16th's, reslotted here when the outing moved — confirm on-site with Andy.
07
Chroma Festival · the group outing (all day)
Cave + Eger with the festival
The outing moved to today (was the 15th). Great for relaxed, off-stage footage of the group. Shuai vouches for Eger — a charming old town, full of the old-city feel.
- 7:00 AM · Early breakfastEarly breakfastFestival breakfast is 7 AM today (not 7:30) — the coach leaves early for the full day
- All day · OutingCave + EgerGroup day-trip west of Miskolc — cave visit + the town of Eger
- Evening · FreeLast night in MiskolcNo concert tonight — an easy evening back in town after the outing.
Chroma schedule · Thu Jul 16
- 7:00 AMBreakfast (early)
- All dayOuting — Cave + Eger (group coach)
08
- 5:20 AM · TravelTrain back to Budapest 5:20 AMMÁV D 5019 · Miskolc-Tiszai → Budapest-Keleti · arrives 7:45 AM · then Keleti → BUD airport (M2 to Deák + 100E, or a taxi ~35 min), at BUD by ~8:45The only train that makes the flight — the next (7:35) lands too late. Very early start: check out ~4:45 AM, tram to Tiszai. Book the seat ahead.
- 11:45 AM · FlyFly homeBUD 11:45 AM → Toronto → LAX · land LAX 6:53 PM the same day
Budapest Card · 72h ×2
Tap to enlarge for scanning
Pick up the physical cards by showing the QR at: BUD Airport Terminal 2A/2B · Városháza Park (Budapest Card Centre) · Deák Ferenc tér · or the Keleti / Kelenföld / Déli station BKK service centres. The voucher is personal and non-transferable — bring it on your phone.