Public Transportation in Budapest
Walking is the best means of transportation in Budapest; however the city also offers a great transportation system with trams, trolley buses, metro system, trains, and taxis.
Walkability of Budapest
Most of Budapest's city center and historic districts are perfect for walking. There are pedestrian precincts in downtown Pest and all traffic is restricted in Castle Hill.
Subway (Metro) in Budapest
The metro system is very easy to use and can get you anywhere in the city fairly quickly. Budapest has 4 subway lines. Three main lines converge at Deák tér station in the city center, where you can change for any of the two other lines or continue your travel by bus, or tram. It takes you to the center part of the city so you can easily get off the metro and explore the city.
- Millennium Underground (M1, yellow line) runs between Vörösmarty tér (Budapest's city center) and Mexikói út, connecting the city center with Budapest City Park.
- M2 is the second line. The Eastern Railway Station (Keleti Pályaudvar) is also on this line. Be sure to look for the red signs that say M2.
- M3 is the blue line. The Western Railway Station (Nyugati Pályaudvar) is on this line. Look for the blue M3 signs.
- M4 is the green line long connects two main train stations (Kelenföld in West Buda and Keleti Station in the eastern part of the city center), with interchange points to the other two metro lines and above-ground travel services.
Lines run from approximately 4:30AM until 11:30PM every day.
Tickets
A single metro ticket cost 350 HUF valid on the metro, tram, bus, trolleybus, and cogwheel tram.
Streetcars and Trolley Buses in Budapest
Streetcars are available all throughout Budapest and are easily accessible and affordable. There are 5 yellow streetcars that ride to different parts of the city.
Trolley bus service is available on 13 different routes in Pest only.
Buses in Budapest
The majority of people in Budapest using mass transit choose to travel by bus. The buses drive over 200 different routes throughout Budapest.
Ticket
Tickets are available at any subway station, but to avoid lines you can buy them at street stands or news stands. You can buy a single ticket, a transfer ticket, or a 10-trip coupon book at a discounted price. All of these also apply to the metro and train system.
River Boats and Ferry Services in Budapest
The Danube River Ferry Service offers access to sites Újpest to Millenniumi Városközpont. The route is a beautiful commute for locals who travel this way everyday and a perfect way for tourists to get a view from the Danube.
River boats operate from May to September and are operated by the Budapest Transport Company (BKV) also operates riverboats between Boráros tér and Pünkösdfürdo. The boats depart approximately every hour and a half between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from HUF 250 to HUF 1,000.
Trains in Hunagry
There are three main international train systems in Budapest:
- Eastern (Keleti),
- Western (Nyugati)
- Southern (Déli)
Over 50 trains a day provide connection to Budapest and other European cities. All three of the international train stations are part of the Budapest metro.
Tickets
Tickets can be bought at the stations or online. Visit The Hungarian Railways for more information.
Plane
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (Hungarian: Budapest Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repüloté; IATA: BUD, ICAO: LHBP) is Budapest's primary airport. It is located east-southeast of Budapest. It offers international connections within Europe and Africa and the Middle East. Malév Hungarian Airlines is the main airline used in domestic flights.
International airports in Hungary:
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport - located in Budapest
- Debrecen International Airport - located in Debrecen
- Hévíz-Balaton Airport - located in Sármellék
- Gyor-Pér International Airport - located in Gyor-Pér
- Pécs-Pogány International Airport - located in Pécs-Pogány
Domestic airports in Hungary:
- Fertoszentmiklós Airport - located in Fertoszentmiklós
- Nyíregyháza Airport - located in Nyíregyháza
- Siófok-Kiliti Airport - located in Siófok
- Szeged Airport - located in Szeged
Transport to/from City from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
- Public Transport: The most inexpensive option and takes about 40 minutes from terminal 1 and up to an hour from Terminal 2. Take the 200E bus to Kõbánya-Kispest metro stop. This is the terminal of the blue metro line (M3) and from here you can travel into and around the city.
- Train: The closest train station to Budapest Airport Terminal 2 is Ferihegy, with trains operating to and from the Nyugati railway station in Budapest. Nearly 100 trains per day, including InterCity services, provide easy access to and from the city in less than half an hour, for a few hundred HUF.
- Mini bus - Less costly than a taxi or private driver, this is a shared-ride service that operates 24 hours a day. For one passenger, expect to pay 1,900 to 6,900 one-way depending on your final destination. Fare info.
- Taxi - Readily waiting outside of the airport. Taxis generally run at fair rates from the airport, especially for a capitol city. Expect to pay between 16-20 EUR depending on your destination.
- Drive - 20 to 60 minutes from the city depending on final destination and traffic
Taxis in Budapest
Taxis are a fast and easy way to get around the city, especially late at night with limited transportation. Taxis can be hailed on the street of called ahead of time. Budapest residents rarely hail down taxis in the street and instead call them. It is suggested that you do the as there is a higher chance of getting an independent taxi when flagging flagged one down, and a higher chance of poor business practices.
If you have any issues with a taxi, call the tourist police: 36-1-438-8080.
Taxi Companies in Budapest
Citytaxi: (+36-1) 211-1111
Fotaxi: (+36-1) 222-2222
Budataxi: (+36-1) 233-3333
Tele5 taxi: (+36-1) 355-5555
Rádiótaxi: (+36-1) 377-7777
Taxi Fares in Budapest
Base fare - HUF 450
Price per minute - HUF 70
Price per kilometer - HUF 280
Tips are not common, but rounding up to the nearest 100ft increments is standard practice.
Car Hire in Budapest
In order to rent a car in Hungary you must be 21 years of age (although age requirement can vary depending on the category of the vehicle). You must have had your driver's license for at least a year and most car suppliers require an international driver's license.
The price of rental cars is comparable to Western counties and depends on the type of vehicle. Prices can range from 5500 Ft - 55000 Ft daily.
Rental companies include:
Budapest Map: https://www.google.com/maps/
Hungary Map:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hungary
Update 18/02/2021
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