Public Transport and Taxis in Budapest

When travelling to a foreign country for a more extended period, it is always helpful to know how the transport system works in the city because different people prefer different kinds of transport. If you are a supporter of sustainability, you might pick the borrow-bike transport, which is also available in Budapest.

And there is, of course, the low-cost urban public type of transport like buses, metro, trolley bus, railway lines called “HÉV lines” and even boat transportation or classic taxis. Whichever you might prefer, we’ve prepared a summary of how the public transport system works in Hungary’s capital city. Public

The Centre for Budapest Transport (Budapesti Közlekedési Központ - BKK) is responsible for the main transport services in Budapest. You always have to count on buying a ticket when choosing public transport. Tickets are available at metro stations, tram stations, or street kiosks all around Budapest, so there’s no need to worry you would struggle to find a spot where to buy your daily or season ticket.

Yet there is an option of a single ticket that you can buy from the driver onboard the bus, but you will pay a little extra fee. The good news is, you can use the same type of ticket for all forms of public transport but you need to validate a new ticket for each journey. A single ticket costs 350 HUF (forints), but for a long-term stay in Budapest, we recommend buying a monthly pass (3 450 HUF) or quarterly pass (10 350 HUF), plus if you happen to be a student with a valid student card you are eligible to discount.

Also, if you’d like to use metro public transport, the short section metro ticket for up to 3 stops costs 300 HUF, and if you’d instead prefer boat transport, the single ticket costs 750 HUF. Be cautious about the inspectors who might occasionally appear aboard to control the valid tickets of passengers. Nobody wants to get any fines for having a non-valid ticket. For example, you are not able to even enter underground stations without having your ticket or pass.

The city centre and suburban areas are covered with more than 200 bus routes, some of which offer express services marked by an “E” written right after the bus number. Bus services are also available during night hours on the main routes. HÉV lines Budapest is connected with its suburban areas by the train service called “HÉV lines”.

It is a trendy kind of transport for tourists, but also the locals. Taxis in Budapest Taxi services are always available in the streets of any city, including Budapest. But be sure to avoid unmarked taxi cars even with the sign on the roof or parked in the taxi ranks, unless there is a company's name on the outside of the car. You can easily find taxis in the streets, but it is always cheaper and safer to book one via a phone app.