Hop-on Hop-off vs Public Transit in Budapest

Today I address the question about which is better to use in Budapest: Hop-on Hop-off buses or the regular public transit system?

I personally don't like to make judgment calls about is A or B better, but here is what I will say.

 My strategy in Budapest is to buy a public transit pass at the airport.  It is a strategy I have no regrets about.  The public transit system in Budapest is excellent.  Waits for the subway are extremely short (although there can be weekend track work-but buses will run frequently replacing the trains).  On weekdays wait times for trams are also extremely short and still not too long on the weekends.  Not to mention the public transit system in Budapest also features trolley buses, buses, and boats.  I don't think I've spent more than 30 US dollars on transportation in Budapest for a week (and that is even a high estimate probably).

I personally think there is great value to having a public transit pass in Budapest verses individual tickets.  Bathrooms in Budapest (and for that matter much of Europe) aren't always easy to find for free, especially when you are going to outdoor attractions.  When you have a public transit pass you can just zip back to your hotel, use the bathroom for free, and then go on to the next thing.  Maybe this is just too much information though!

Anyway back to the hop-on hop-off buses, to clarify, about the hop-on hop-off "bus", there isn't just one hop-on hop-off bus company.  But in general from all the companies I have researched and their timetables, you are just going to be able to get places faster using public transportation, especially the subway and the trams.  Also keep in mind, the hop-on hop-off buses don't go to every attraction in Budapest either.  Even more than this, many of the vegan restaurants and vegetarian restaurants with good vegan options are not located on the hop-on hop-off bus routes, but are easily accessible by the public transportation system.