Getting Around in Budapest

Getting around in Budapest is easy thanks to the city’s excellent public transport links. Budapest has an extensive transport system consisting of buses, trolleybuses, trams, a metro system and taxis.

The Danube River splits the city into two areas, Buda and Pest. Numerous landmarks in the city, including the Royal Castle and the various bridges crossing the Danube, can help you orient yourself.

Public transport in Budapest

Budapest Transport Limited Company (BKV) manages public transport in the city. Its website provides useful information on ticketing, schedules, and routes for all the city’s public transport. Different modes of transport are assigned different colours: trams are yellow, trolleybuses are red, buses are blue, and trains are green.

Tickets for public transport in Budapest are valid for all means of public transport, including the metro, buses, trams, trolleybuses, and trains. There are different ticket options available, from single to multiple-journey tickets, which are often the cost-effective option.

Discounts apply to certain passenger groups, such as pensioners and students. Tickets can be purchased at ticket kiosks, metro stations, train stations, newspaper stands, and ticket vending machines.

Trams

Budapest has more than 25 tram lines. While these are a slower means of getting around Budapest than alternative public transport options, they do offer a more scenic trip around the city. Some tram lines operate throughout the night.

Trains

Budapest’s suburban railway lines (HÉV) connect central Budapest with several suburbs. Regular public transport tickets are only available on trains within the city limits. Those planning to travel to the outskirts of Budapest are advised to purchase a supplementary ticket at the train station.

Metro

Budapest has four metro lines that collectively span most of the city. All the lines meet at Deák Tér station in central Pest. The metro operates daily from 4.30am until around 1am on weekends and 11pm on weekdays.

Buses

Budapest has an extensive bus network that connects the city’s suburbs with many metro and train stations and the city centre. Buses are a particularly popular form of transport in Budapest, and there are also numerous night routes.

Trolleybuses

There are trolleybus routes operating in the northeast and central Pest. Trolleybuses look much like normal buses but are powered by electrical lines. Trolleybuses in Budapest are all numbered and offer passengers a picturesque and eco-friendly journey.

Useful links

• BKV
• HÉV
• BKK
• Volánbusz

Taxis in Budapest

Several taxi companies operate in the city. Taxis offer a fast and affordable way of getting around Budapest. Not all taxi drivers can speak English, so it’s a good idea to have your destination written down in Hungarian to show the driver and avoid any confusion. Although taxis can be hailed on the street, it is often cheaper to call ahead and order a taxi in advance.

Hungarian legislature has limited the expansion of ridesharing apps such as Uber. Still, app-based transport services such as Főtaxi and Bolt operate in Budapest. As these services follow Hungarian regulations, fares are similar to traditional taxi services.

Useful links

• Főtaxi
• City Taxi
• Bolt

Driving in Budapest

Traffic in Budapest is frequently heavy, and parking can be a problem. It’s not always easy for expats driving in Budapest to find their way around the city, and it may take some time to become oriented with the road system. With the extensive and effective public transport system, many expats find it unnecessary to own a car while living in Budapest.

If you do decide to drive, you will eventually need to secure a Hungarian licence and budget for Budapest’s tolled motorways. EU citizens can drive in Budapest with their national driver’s licence. Non-EU nationals can drive in Budapest for a year with an international and national driver’s licence, after which they must apply for a Hungarian licence.

Cars in Hungary drive on the right-hand side of the road. Hungary has a zero-tolerance policy regarding drinking and driving, so roadblocks and traffic police checks are fairly common.

Cycling in Budapest

Cycling is becoming more popular in Budapest as a form of recreation and personal transport. There are many scenic routes and beautiful hilly areas, mostly in Buda, that can be explored by bicycle, including a cycle-friendly route running alongside the Danube River. Pest is mostly flat, which makes urban cycling an easy and convenient way of getting between places.

Budapest also has a successful bike-share system and almost 1150 miles (1,850km) of bike lanes and paths. Bicycles can be transported on selected trains (those marked with a bicycle icon on the timetable) for an extra fee.

Useful links

• MOL Bubi

Walking in Budapest

As a largely flat and pedestrianised city, Budapest is ideal for exploring on foot, with many of its most famous attractions within easy walking distance of one another. That said, for longer distances, you may need to use another mode of transport.

Pedestrians should note that many pavements are shared with cyclists. If a pedestrian obstructs a cyclist’s path, the cyclist will usually alert them by ringing their bicycle bell. Cars are generally respectful of pedestrians, but caution should nonetheless be taken.

Most people who visit Budapest find it a safe environment for walking around, even after dark, but you should nevertheless remain on the lookout for pickpockets and always keep your valuables out of sight.