Transport and Driving in Hungary

Hungary’s public transport system is comprehensive, and you’ll find it relatively easy and affordable to get around the country. Most cities have far-reaching bus and tram systems, and Budapest also has a metro system.

Alternatively, cycling is a popular means of getting around most cities, while taxis and select ride-sharing services allow you even greater freedom of movement.

Public transport in Hungary

Hungary has an extensive public transport system that is efficient and affordable. Frequent commuters can buy monthly passes covering all modes of transport at all main transport hubs. Discounted rates are available for students and pensioners.

Trains

Budapest is the central hub for Hungary’s train network. All rail lines fan out from the city’s three railway stations, Keleti, Deli and Nyugati. Major cities in Hungary and other European cities are linked to Budapest by intercity and express train lines.

Intercity trains are the fastest way to travel, and booking one at an MAV office is easy. You can buy tickets for domestic departures on the day of your trip, but it’s best to book ahead for international trips. When you purchase a ticket, it’s essential to specify if you want a one-way (egy útra) or a return ticket (retur or oda-vissza).

Metro

Budapest’s city centre has a metro system with four lines running through 48 stations. This includes the historically significant Line 1, mainland Europe’s oldest underground railway. The metro connects major train stations and seamlessly integrates with other forms of public transport in the city.

BKK operates the metro system and most of the public transport in Budapest. You can buy tickets 24 hours a day at BKK ticket vending machines with cash or a bank card.

Buses

Volánbusz operates most of the buses in Hungary. The country has a developed and comprehensive bus network spanning the entire country. Some bus routes reach further than the railway lines, making bus transport a viable means of getting around Hungary.

The bus network consists of both inner-city and intercity routes, including routes to other European cities. City-to-city tickets can be bought directly from the driver.

Trams

Several Hungarian cities have trolley-bus and tram lines, including Budapest, Debrecen, Szeged, and Miskolc. Budapest is home to route 4/6, the busiest tram line in the world, with trams arriving at 60- to 90-second intervals during peak time.

Useful links

• MAV Group
• BKK
• Volánbusz

Taxis in Hungary

Taxis offer a fast and reasonably cheap way of getting around Hungarian cities and towns. There are numerous operators, and fares vary depending on the company and time of day. You should note that Hungarian taxi drivers are notorious for trying to overcharge foreigners, so it’s important to ensure that the meter is turned on and running correctly. Otherwise, agreeing on the fare before embarking on a journey is best.

Local legislation and an established public transport network have limited the expansion of ride-share services in Hungary. That said, app-based transport services such as Főtaxi, City Taxi and Bolt have flourished in Budapest. Ride-sharing services are often preferred to taxi services, as they give expats more control over routes and service prices.

Useful links

• Főtaxi
• City Taxi
• Bolt

Driving in Hungary

Hungarian highways and urban roads are generally in excellent condition. Thanks to the country’s compact size, most domestic destinations can be reached within two to three hours. Be that as it may, driving in Hungary can be a stressful experience due to the erratic nature of Hungarian drivers, who frequently ignore the rules of the road.

Traffic is heavy in Budapest and other cities, and parking can be an issue. With the country’s extensive public transport system and urban transport links, it may be unnecessary to own a car while living in Hungary.

Cars in Hungary drive on the right-hand side of the road. The country has a zero-tolerance policy regarding drinking and driving, and the traffic police frequently set up roadblocks and checks.

Toll motorways connect cities and towns, and expats driving in Hungary need an e-vignette to use the tolls. These can be purchased online and are valid immediately. Such e-vignettes are available for four-day, one-week, one-month, or one-year periods.

Driver’s licences

EU citizens can drive in Hungary with their national driver’s licence. Non-EU nationals can drive in Hungary for a year with an international driver’s licence and their home country’s driver’s licence, after which they must apply for a Hungarian licence.

If you’re from a country signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention, you can easily exchange your home country’s driver’s licence for a local one. Expats from non-Convention countries must pass a medical exam as well as theoretical and practical tests to obtain a Hungarian driver’s licence.

Useful links

• Central Office for Administrative and Electronic Public Services

Cycling in Hungary

Cycling is a popular pastime and mode of transport in Hungary. The country’s high daily cycling volume is comparable to that of global cycling capitals such as Amsterdam and Denmark. Plenty of dedicated cycle paths and a widespread bicycle rental scheme in Budapest make cycling an easy and convenient way to get around.

Useful links

• MOL Bubi

Walking in Hungary

Most parts of Hungary are relatively flat, making it highly pedestrianised, but you should take proper precautions to stay safe. Opportunistic crime does happen, so pedestrians should stick to areas that are known to them and keep valuables well out of sight. Drivers in Hungary often behave erratically, so extra caution should be taken when walking near traffic.