Budapest Transportation

Getting There

By Air

Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (+36 1 296 7000 / http://www.bud.hu) is located approximately 28 km (17 mi) from the city and provides direct service and connections to domestic and international destinations from airlines including:

Air Berlin (+36 1 296 5959 / http://www.airberlin.com/)
Air France (+36 1 483 8800 / http://www.airfrance.com/hu/)
Alitalia (+36 1 483 2172 / http://www.alitalia.com/)
American Airlines (+36 1 411 2190 / http://www.aa.com/)
Austrian Airlines (+36 1 327 9080 / http://www.austrianairlines.com/)
British Airways (+36 1 411 5555 / http://www.britishairways.hu/)
Condor (+1 800 524 6975 / http://www7.condor.com/)
Easy Jet (+33 (0)8 25 08 25 08 / http://www.easyjet.com/)
Germanwings (+44 870 252 12 50 / http://www1.germanwings.com/)
KLM (+36 1 373 7700 / http://www.klm.com/)
Lufthansa (+36 1 429 8001 / http://www.lufthansa.com/)
Norwegian (+47 21 49 00 15 / http://www.norwegian.no/)
Sky Europe (+421 2 4850 1111 / http://www.skyeurope.com/)
Swiss International Airlines (+36 1 328 4060 / http://www.swiss.com/)
Tunis Air (+36 1 266 3424 / http://www.tunisair.com.tn/)
Turkish Airlines (+36 1 266 4291 / http://www.thy.com/)

From the Airport

Public Transport: Budapest Transfer (+36 203 264 306 / http://www.budapesttransfer.com/) offers safe airport transfers to and from the airport. Public buses (+36 1 461 6500 / http://www.bkv.hu/) run regularly to and from Airport Terminals 1 and 2 and Kobanya-Kispest.

Airport Minibus: Budapest Airport Minibus (+36 1 296 8555) provides door-to-door service and charges HUF2100 per person one way within Budapest. Reservations should be made at least 24 hours before arriving.

Rental Cars: Several rental car companies are located at the Ferihegy Airport. The Budapest Ring connects motorways M1, M5 and M7.

Americana (+36 1 350 2542 / http://www.americanarentacar.com/)
Avis (+36 1 318 4240 / http://www.avis.com/)
Budget (+36 1 214 0420 / http://www.budget.hu/)
Fox Autorent (+36 1 382 9003 / http://www.fox-autorent.com/)
Hertz (http://www.hertz.hu/)
National (+36 1 477 1083 / http://www.nationalcar.hu/) Sixt (http://www.sixt.hu/)
Thrifty (+36 1 237 7323 / http://www.thrifty.com/)

By Train

The Hungarian State Railway (MAV) (http://www.mav.hu/) links to the European rail network. Budapest has three international railway stations including the Eastern (Keleti), Western (Nyugati) and Southern (Deli). The following rail passes are valid in Hungary: Inter Rail, Bij, Euro Domino, Res, City-Star and Eurail. Most international trains arrive and leave from Keleti station.

By Bus

Volanbusz Rt. is a part of Eurolines (http://www.eurolines.com/) and services 15 European countries. The three main bus stations in Budapest are Nepliget, Nepstadion and Aprad hid.

Getting Around

Public Transport

Budapest Transport Limited (BKV Rt.) (+36 1 461 6500 / http://www.bkv.hu/) provides public transportation throughout the city and surrounding communities via bus, tram, metro, suburban railway and trolley bus. The company also runs the cogwheel railway and the funicular (authentic-style carriages), popular with tourists.

The Budapest Subway system is the second oldest subway in the world, after London. The original subway line is the M1 and has been restored as a historical ride.

Taxi

Taxis are available throughout Budapest, however it is recommended to call by phone as most companies tend to charge lower fees up-front than if hailed off the street. Major taxi companies in Budapest include:

6x6 Taxi (+36 1 266 6666)
Buda Taxi (+36 1 233 3333)
City Taxi (+36 1 211 1111)
Fo Taxi (+36 1 222 2222)
Radio Taxi (+36 1 377 7777)
Taxi 2000 (+36 1 200 0000)
Tele 5 Taxi (+36 1 355 5555)
Tourist Taxi (+36 1 365 5555)
Volan Taxi (+36 1 433 3322)

By Car

It is advisable not to drive in Budapest unless you know the city well. If driving, be aware of frequent traffic jams and road closures near construction sites.

Budapest has an extensive, efficient, and inexpensive public transportation system, but locals without global experiences, disagree with this. If you have some patience and minimal skills with reading maps, you can easily learn the system. It is not that difficult to master. Public transportation, however, is not without its drawbacks. Due to the construction of a fourth metro line, there have been interruptions throughout parts of the city at various points in time and this is likely to continue until 2010. In addition, for the last 3 years, remodeling has taken place on the Red metro line in 6-to-8-week increments, sometimes with only 2 weeks warning. They are efficient enough to provide buses to replace the stations being worked on, but it can be confusing. The biggest disadvantage, however, is that metros and tram routes shut down for the night at around 11:30pm. Some areas of the city, most notably the Buda Hills, are beyond the reach of some night bus service making taxi drivers happy to provide those late-night journeys. BKV, the company that runs the whole transportation network, has dramatically increased the night bus service to overcome some of these problems, but it still is not perfect with some long waits at dark and lonely bus stops. During rush hours, all forms of transport are crowded making it best to plan your travel around these times. A disadvantage, mostly pertinent to travelers, is that Castle Hill can be reached in only three ways by public transportation and all of these modes of transportation are quite crowded in the high seasons. Most importantly, crowded public transport is the place where you are most likely to be targeted by Budapest's professional pickpockets.

Fares -- All forms of public transportation (metro, bus, tram, trolleybus [an electric bus evident by the connection to wires above], some portions of the HÉV railway lines, and cogwheel railway) in Budapest require the self-validation of prepurchased tickets (vonaljegy), which cost 230 Ft ($1.25/65p) apiece (children under 6 travel free); single tickets can be bought at metro ticket windows, newspaper kiosks, and the occasional tobacco shop, though the latter are on the decline. There are also automated machines in most metro stations and at major transportation hubs, most of which have been recently modernized or installed and provide somewhat reliable service, but I wouldn't depend on them. You can also purchase a 10 pack (tizes csomag) of tickets for 2,050 Ft ($11/£5.85) or a 20 pack (huszas csomag) for 3,900 Ft ($21/£11). However, each time you change lines, you have to validate a new ticket.

I strongly recommend that you buy a transport pass, which does not require validation. They are available for 1 day (napijegy) for 1,550 Ft ($8.40/£4.40) and are good until midnight of the day marked. The other pass options are 3 days (turistajegy) for 3,400 Ft ($18.40/£14.15), 7 days for 4,000 Ft ($21.60/£16.60) or for longer stays, 14 days (kéthétibérlet) for 5,300 Ft ($28.65/£22). The 7- and 14-day passes need to be signed. If your plans are even longer, there is a 30 consecutive day pass (30 napos bérlet) at 8,250 Ft ($44.60/£34.30), which requires a photo. If you are going to be here for 4 to 5 days, the 7-day (hetijegy) pass is still a savings over individual tickets. Passes are so much more convenient than having a handful of tickets that you have to worry about remembering to validate each time or replenishing your stock at odd hours. Honestly, these will save you money in the long run.

While this standard ticket is valid on the metro, there are other types of optional single-ride metro tickets introduced years ago, making ticket buying a bit more complicated for those who want the exactly appropriate ticket for their journey. Personally, I don't think any traveler should waste time caring about this, but I have met some who do. A metro section ticket (metrószakaszjegy), at 180 Ft (.95¢/50p), is valid for a single metro trip stopping at three stations or less. A metro transfer ticket (metróátszállójegy), at 380 Ft ($2.05/£1.10), allows you to transfer from one metro line to another on the same ticket, without any limit to the number of stations that the train stops at during your journey.

Transportation inspectors are those dreaded people who, like the secret police of yesteryear, whip out a hidden blue or red (the old color, but still sometimes used) armband when approaching you or are standing guard at the top or bottom of an escalator at the metro stops, or hop on the tram or buses after the door has closed. Some are uniformed, so you know you are heading into the lion's den. However, they have become trickier and more covert over the years and are often in plainclothes. It is not until they materialize the dreaded armband and greet you, that you realize you have had a false sense of security about having a peaceful ride. There were horror stories for years about how they treated people, screaming and yelling and causing a scene of hysterics when they caught someone without a ticket or an invalid one. Due to the hundreds of letters of complaints filling volumes, the BKV instituted mandatory (but token) customer service in-services meant to file down the teeth of these overly aggressive warriors of transportation justice. For some it has taken hold. We have actually witnessed the miracle of an inspector who captured two unsuspecting and confused Swedish women without a ticket and rather than a fine, offered to sell them a 3-day pass on the spot. This was a difference of a pass worth 3,100 Ft ($17/£8.80) versus a fine of 5,000 Ft ($27/£14). Since they can appear on trams, trolleybuses, and buses, they are impossible to avoid completely. So notorious are these inspectors, a young Hungarian filmmaker made a movie about them called Kontroll (2003). Director Antal Niród received special permission to use the metro underground to shoot the film. We highly recommend you view this movie at least twice.

The fines for not having a validated ticket or pass is 5,000 Ft ($27/£14) if paid on the spot or 10,000 Ft ($54/£28) if paid later; this does not include the embarrassment of getting caught.

We don't recommend the Budapest Card, which is available for 1 or 3 days. It does include transportation, but the other savings are negligible and it is not a good value. Some museums are free with the card, while others are simply discounted. The other discounts with the card don't make it a plausible savings and it is cheaper to pay as you go after buying a transport pass. Realistically, how many museums on the list are you really interested in?

Schedules & Maps -- All public transport operates on approximate schedules, posted at bus and tram shelters and in metro stations. The schedules are a little confusing at first, but you'll figure them out when you realize the time column on the left is weekdays and the list shows the hours of the clock with the list of minutes on the same row. The middle column is usually Saturday's schedule and the right-hand column is Sunday and holidays. Buses and trolleybuses are subject to traffic and traffic lights just like cars are, so expecting them to be exactly on time is never a realistic expectation. Trams are also hostage to traffic lights, which can put them behind too. Note when the last ride of the night departs, and don't miss it. Many unlucky travelers have found themselves waiting alone at a bus or tram stop for long periods of time. This is a clue that you have missed the last opportunity for a ride. If you have Internet service, you can also check the BKV online, which has an excellent English language section (at www.bkv.hu/english/home/index.html) to help you plan your evening accordingly.

The transportation map produced by the Budapest Transport Authority (BKV térkép) is usually available at most metro ticket windows for a small fee. Since transportation routes are extremely difficult to read on most city maps, we suggest that you buy one of these handy maps if you plan to spend more than a few days in the city. In addition, on the map's reverse side is a full listing of routes, including the all-important night-bus routes. Note that there are some popular routes of trams that are being replaced by buses due to construction of metro 4 and these will not be on the maps. Keep your eyes open for signs in English on the tram stops. The Red metro has been closed on and off for reconstruction for the last 3 years and it will continue for the next 2 years at least. Look for signs in English stating that the M2 bus will replace any closed stations.

Night Service -- Most of the Budapest transportation system closes down between 11:10pm or midnight and 4:30am. There are, however, 31 night routes, a dramatic increase over years past, due to consumer demand. They're generally quite safe, though you may find a number of loud and inebriated Hungarian youth continuing their party plans or going home to sleep it off. For the most part, they are harmless. Night routes are posted at bus stops if that route has one. The no. 906 night bus follows the route of the no. 6 tram line. All night buses have a 9 as the first of a three digit number. A few of them share the same numbers as buses on daytime routes or they may actually run different routes. Night buses require the standard, self-validated ticket. Many night buses will skip stops if no one signals to stop and if they do not see passengers waiting, so pay attention and press the button for your stop.

Underpasses -- Underpasses are found beneath most major boulevards in Budapest. Underpasses are often little underground cities with vendors, shops, and bakeries, some with bars. The most confusing part for a traveler as well as some long-time residents is which exit to use. Many of them have as many as five or six different exits, each letting you out onto a different part of the square or street and can be quite disorienting. Signs direct you to bus, tram, trolleybus, and metro stops, often using the word fele, meaning "toward." The signs will also include the street(s) at the top of the stairs. We suggest that before you enter the underground, you take note of the landmarks on the corner of your destination, framing the direction you will need to follow once downstairs. When you think you've found the correct exit, walk halfway up the stairs to see if you recognize the landmarks you want. (I have had so much exercise going up and down stairs needlessly, which has saved a great deal of money on gym membership.) Note: Although Budapest is a very safe city, especially when compared to American cities of comparable size, underpasses tend to be among the more suspect places late at night. There have not been any serious problems, but various undesirable types use these as meeting venues and can be loud, drunk, and boisterous, while others use them for their bedroom. Either way, it makes the uninitiated passerby feel uncomfortable.

By Metro

You may find yourself spending a lot of time in the Budapest metro getting around and time is tight. The system is clean and efficient, with trains running every 3 to 5 minutes on weekdays and 6 to 8 minutes on weekends, from about 4:30am until about 11:10pm. Currently, there are three lines, with only the Red line going under the Danube to Buda. Construction on the long-awaited fourth line has begun, but it will be several years (think 2010) before it becomes functional. In the meanwhile, this construction is causing some chaos in the city at different places and different times. The three existing lines are universally known by colors: Yellow, Red, and Blue. Officially, they have numbers as well (1, 2, and 3, respectively) which is what you will see on maps, but people will refer to them by color, and all signs are color-coded. All three lines converge at Deák tér, the only point where any lines meet. Remember that if you change lines here, you need to validate a new ticket if you are not using a pass.

To make sure you are on the correct side of the tracks, each station has the list of stations posted either on a wall, or more modernly in remodeled stations, above the tracks. There is some distinctive mark like a filled circle showing the station where you are. The stations to follow are in a pronounced colored mark, whereas the stations the train has already left are in pale or lighter colors. Some stations enhance this visually by including arrows too. If you don't see the station you want in a prominent color, look on the other side of the tracks.

The Yellow (1) line is the oldest metro on the European continent and second oldest in the world, having been built in 1894 as part of the Hungarian millennial celebration. It has been refurbished and restored to its original splendor, making it the most attractive and shortest metro line in the city. For trivia buffs, London has the oldest metro line in the world, built in 1863, followed by Budapest, then surprise, the third is Boston. They built their first metro in 1897, eclipsing New York City. Signs for the Yellow line, are different than those for the Red and Blue lines since they lack the M to signify metro. Instead, the stations above ground have large yellow signs above the stairwells with földalatti (underground). Most of the stations entryways are painted yellow as a visual clue that this is a metro station. Each station has two separate entrances, one for each direction. What I've found contradictory and confusing is that some of the stairwell entrances are in the opposite direction from the direction the train will be going. The Yellow line runs from Vörösmarty tér, site of Gerbeaud's Cukrászda in the heart of central Pest, out the length of Andrássy út, past the Városliget (City Park), ending at Mexikói út, in a trendy residential part of Pest known as Zugló. So, depending on the direction you're heading, enter either the side marked IRÁNY MEXIKÓI ÚT or IRÁNY VÖRÖSMARTY TÉR. Incidentally, somewhere in the middle of the line is a stop called Vörösmarty utca; this is a small street running off Andrássy út and should not be confused with the terminus, Vörösmarty tér. (However, at each of these stops you will find the traditional coffeehouses, Gerbaud and Lukács, respectively.) It's worth taking a ride on this line, with its distinct 19th-century atmosphere.

The Red (2) and Blue (3) lines are modern metros, though the outside of the cars tend to look old and decrepit; they are clean inside, which is what counts. To reach them you descend long, steep escalators; the Red line has the longest and steepest. If you are prone to vertigo, you may want to take care. The Red line runs from Örs vezér tere in eastern Pest, through the center, and across the Danube to Batthyány tér, Moszkva tér, and finally Déli Station. Keleti Station is also along the Red line. This line has had its stations remodeled over the last 3 years, but in increments, thus causing some disruption in services. However, M2 buses above ground replace any closed station. There is only a short time warning given when this is going to happen, but the signs are in English giving alternate directions. Hopefully, this will all be completed and back to normal by the end of 2008. The Blue line runs from Kobánya-Kispest, in southeastern Pest, through the center, and out to Újpest-Központ in northern Pest. Nyugati Station is along the Blue line. The Blue line has the ugliest stations of the three lines, but fortunately for travelers, they do not have to use many of them.

On the street above stations of both the Red and Blue lines are distinctive colored M signs. Tickets should be validated at automated boxes before you descend the escalator. When changing lines at Deák tér, you're required to validate another ticket (unless you have a special metro transfer ticket). The orange or red validating machines are in the hallways between lines, but are easy to miss, particularly if there are big crowds. Most of the validating machines are being replaced by electric models. If you need to use the manual type (usually on trams or buses), insert your ticket with the number down first and facing you. Then pull the black ticket holder toward you until you hear a paper cutter sound. If you don't see any visible difference on your ticket, the machine is not working, so look for another. When using the electronic type, make sure your ticket is numbers up and first into the machine. You will hear a little tone as the ticket is printed with the date and time. Failure to do this properly is cause for a fine if caught by an inspector. Once validated, your ticket is good for one hour, so don't dally.

Directions given throughout this guide use a metro station as a starting point whenever possible. In a case where that's simply not feasible, other major identifiable transportation hubs are used as starting points.

By Bus

There are almost 175 different bus (busz) lines in greater Budapest. Many parts of the city, most notably the Buda Hills, are best accessed by bus. Although buses are the most difficult to use of Budapest's transportation choices, with patience (and a BKV map) you'll be able to get around in no time. With the exception of night buses, most lines are in service from about 4:30am to about 11:30pm. Some bus lines run far less frequently (or not at all) on weekends, while others run far more frequently (or only) on weekends. This information is both on the reverse of the BKV transportation map and on the schedules posted at every bus stop.

Black-numbered local buses constitute the majority of the city's lines. Buses with red numbers are express buses that follow the same routes as local buses with the same number, simply skipping minor stops along the way. Check the list at the stop to see if your destination is one of the stops. If the red number on the bus is followed by an E (there are only five routes with an E), the bus makes very few stops between terminals and is best avoided, since they also change the stops periodically and only post it in Hungarian. Depending on your destination, an express bus may be a much faster way of traveling. Buses have always been blue, though now some express buses are beginning to appear in red, while others are bowing to commercialism and are covered in advertisements making it difficult to tell if they are a local or express without seeing the sign in front.

Tickets are self-validated onboard the bus by the mechanical or electronic red box found by each door. You can board the bus by any door, but manners dictate that you stand to the side of the door to allow disembarking passengers out before you start to board. Each time you change buses, you need a new ticket and have to validate it. Again, this is not necessary with a transport pass. Tickets cannot be purchased from the driver.

I have a couple of problems with riding the bus. I think the bus drivers are recruited from former carnival ride operators and thus they have had prior training in making abrupt stops when you least expect it. If you were not lucky enough to find a seat, you can expect to have a body slam experience or a case of whiplash before reaching your desired stop. It is common practice for the drivers to bypass stops when no one is waiting to get on and no one has signaled to get off. If you are uncertain and need a moment to orient yourself, press the stop button regardless to give yourself an opportunity to take note of the stop. Most of the modern buses have buttons on the poles by the seats, so it can be done inconspicuously. If it is not your stop, look innocently away from the door. When you know you want to get off at the next stop, press the button to signal again. The older buses only have buttons above the door that light up after being pressed (beware -- some drivers open only the doors that have been signaled). Few stops have their names posted; some buses have a list of stops posted inside, but if stops are passed up and you are not aware of it, you will lose track. Chances are, though, that the locals riding a given bus will know exactly where your stop is, and will kindly help you to reach your stop. You can also ask the driver to let you know when he has reached your stop.

Avoid buses in central areas during rush hours, since traffic tends to be quite bad. It pays to go a bit out of your way to use a metro or tram at these times instead, or simply to walk.

By Tram

You'll find Budapest's 32 bright-yellow tram lines (known as villamos in Hungarian) very useful, particularly nos. 4 and 6, which travel along the Outer Ring (Nagykörút). These tram lines underwent major reconstruction in 2006, modernizing each tram stop with the name of the stop prominently displayed in etched glass at various points on the tram platform. The platforms were also raised 6cm (2.4 in.) to make them compliant with the new combi-tram, the only routes in the city with these trams. The combi-tram is one long continuous car, modern looking, with clean upholstered seats. The major appeal is two-fold: They are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible and they are air-conditioned. However, the city neglected to order the added cost air-conditioning. Within a week of their being put into service, they blew out the electric lines that were in place for the old trams, but all of the kinks seem to have been worked out with one exception. Routes 47 and 49, which run along the Inner Ring were replaced by buses with the same numbers due to construction of the fourth metro line. Beyond the ring, they change back to trams, but generally in areas that travelers are not interested in going. Tram no. 2, which travels along the Danube on the Pest side between Margit híd and Boráros tér, provides an incredible view of the Buda Hills, including the Castle District, and is far better than any sightseeing tour on a bus. We especially recommend this route at night when the castle is lit on the Buda side and Parliament is spotlighted on the Pest side. It is a romantic ride.

Tickets are self-validated onboard. As with buses, tickets are valid for one ride, not for the line itself. Trams stop at every station, and all doors open, regardless of whether anyone is waiting to get on. Strangely, you will notice Hungarians pressing the green stop buttons to either signal a stop or to make the door magically open faster than it is intended, but neither has any valid results. Important: The red buttons near the tram doors are for emergency stops, not stop requests.

When a tram line is closed for maintenance, replacement buses are assigned the tram route. They go by the same number as the tram, with a V (for villamos) preceding the number.

By Trolleybus

Trolleybuses are electric buses that receive power from a cable above the street. There are only 16 trolleybus lines in Budapest, all in Pest. Of particular interest to train travelers is no. 73, the fastest route between Keleti Station and within a block of Nyugati Station.

By HÉV

The HÉV is a suburban railway network that connects Budapest to various points along the city's outskirts. There are four HÉV lines; only two lines, the Szentendre line and the Gödöllo line (below ), are of serious interest to visitors.

Most hotels, restaurants, and sights in northern Buda and Óbuda are best reached by the HÉV (so indicated in the directions given throughout this guide). To reach Óbuda's Fo tér (Main Sq.), get off at the Árpád híd (Árpád Bridge) stop. For trips within the city limits, the cost is one transit ticket, self-validated as on a bus or tram.

The HÉV suburban railroad connects Budapest's Batthyány tér with Szentendre. On the Pest side, you can catch the HÉV from the Margit Híd, Budai Híd Fo.Trains leave daily, year-round, every 20 minutes or so from 4am to 11:30pm (trip time: 45 min.). The one-way fare is 500 Ft ($2.70/£1.40); subtract 230 Ft ($1.24/65p) if you have a valid Budapest public transportation pass. The trip takes 45 minutes. This HÉV route runs regularly between 4am and 11:30pm.

The HÉV line to Gödöllo begins at Örs vezér tere, the end of the Red metro line. Trains run from 4:30am to 10:00pm. The one-way fare is 830 Ft ($4.50/£2.40); but only 600 Ft ($3.25/£1.70) if you have a valid Budapest public transportation pass. The trip takes 40 minutes.

By Cogwheel Railway & Funicular

Budapest's cogwheel railway (fogaskereku) began running in 1874, becoming electrified in later years. It runs from Városmajor, across the street from the Hotel Budapest on Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor in Buda, to Széchenyi-hegy, one terminus of the Children's Railway (Gyermek Vasút) and site of Hotel Panoráma in 20 minutes. The cogwheel railway runs from 5am to 11pm, and normal transportation tickets (self-validated onboard) are used. The pleasant route twists high into the Buda Hills reaching a height of 327m (1,073 ft.); at 230 Ft ($1.25/65p), it is well worth taking just for the ride and the patches of lovely scenery along the way.

The cable car or funicular (sikló) connects Buda's Clark Ádám tér, at the head of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, with Dísz tér, just outside the Buda Castle. The funicular is one of only two forms of public transportation serving the Castle District (bus no. 10 and bus no. 16 are the other possibilities). An extremely steep and short ride, but fun view, though like a solarium on sunny days, is the funicular. It runs at frequent intervals from 7:30am to 10pm (closed on the second Mon of the month). Tickets cost 700 Ft ($3.80/£2) to go up, and 1,300 Ft ($7.30/£3.70) for a round-trip for adults, while children get a break at 400 Ft ($2.15/£1.15) up and 750 Ft ($4.05/£2.15]) round-trip. After public protest, the funicular now goes slower than it originally did, as riders wanted to enjoy the scenery longer.