In Europe, you’re often better off just using public transport for moving from one part of the city to the next. Cars tend to be slow and not all can often stand in a jam. With that in mind, we want to compile some of the basic information about Budapest’s public transport.
Budapest’s public transport includes busses, metro, trams, trolley busses, and suburban railway lines (called HÉV). Apart from the last one, the means of public transport are fully integrated, meaning that they need a single ticket type to use them.
Budapest public transport – tickets
The first is the single ticket which, when stamped, is valid for up to 80 min (or 120 min on the night bus). It also only provides a single trip from one destination to the next and does not cover the return trip.
Then there is the transfer ticket, which lets you transfer once between two types of public transport. They are valid for 100 min (120 min at night) after stamping and need to be re-stamped when you transfer.
There is also the short section metro ticket which only covers 30 min and three stops. You may transfer from one metro line to the next but only for the duration and number of stops it covers.
Next is the single boat ticket which covers a single trip across the river. No returns nor transfers.
Then there are daily tickets, from one day to seven days. These let you transfer and return at will. They include all the means of transportation, including boats, and even give you some discounts in museums, in thermal baths, and for cultural events.
Lastly, there are monthly, quarterly, and annual passes. These need to be purchased in a ticket office and usually require you to have a valid ID/passport, photo, etc… If you want to stay in Budapest for longer than a week, these are definitely worth your money. They cover all modes of transportation and have all kinds of discounts for juniors, students, and the elderly, so they tend to be the most affordable.
Public transport Budapest price
| Type | Price |
| Single ticket | €1 (€1.29 if bought at the driver) |
| Block of ten single tickets | €8.60 |
| Transfer ticket | €1.50 |
| Short section metro ticket | €0.85 |
| Single boat ticket | €2.15 |
| Daily tickets (24/72/7-day) | €4.75 / €11.95 / €14.25 |
| Monthly pass | €27.45 |
| Quarterly pass | €82 |
| Annual pass | €627 (€330 for metropolitan area, €296 in Budapest city) |
Bus and Metro prices Budapest
Both bus and metro in Budapest use the same tickets. All the prices are above.
Train prices Budapest
The HÉV suburban trains are also included in the above tickets, though there are more companies providing train services that have their own prices. If you wish to travel outside of Budapest, then the prices fully depend on where you want to travel.
Taxi prices Budapest
The reputable taxi services, ones that have company names on their cars and are required by law to be yellow, charge €2 initial charge, plus €0.85 per kilometer and €0.20 per idle minute. It’s also a common practice to add a 10% tip if you were satisfied with the services.
Public transport in Budapest at night
Budapest has a highly praised system of night busses. The lines start with the number 9, so they are easily identifiable, and they usually begin at midnight until 4 in the morning. Some lines go every ten to fifteen minutes while others, especially those that go to the suburbs, only go once or twice per hour.
Public transport Budapest App
Budapest has a handy site called BKK Futár which helps you plan your trip. It includes trams, busses, and metro, and it even shows you the number of bikes in bicycle sharing racks around the city. It’s also home to all the time-tables and shows the movement of all the vehicles in real-time. And it exists as a phone app, too.
Taxi Budapest App
People often recommend Fotaxi, Taxify, or the well-known alternative, Uber. Each will do the trick. Just make sure not to hail a cab in the street, as Budapest has a problem with overcharging taxis preying on unsuspecting tourists.
