Public transport in Budapest includes metro, tram, bus, trolleybus, train and ferry. A cable car, funicular and taxi have also been added to the transport system. Such a wide variety will create complete comfort for you while visiting the city’s attractions and viewing the beautiful landscapes. Public transport in Budapest is provided by BKK. It is he who takes care of its proper work and development. I will provide you with complete information about the cost of travel, tickets, passes, and saving money.
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1. Tickets and passes
Let's start with the fact that in Budapest there is a single ticket that allows you to use almost all types of public transport. It doesn't matter where you buy your ticket: on the subway, from a machine on the street or at a newsstand. It is valid in the metro, bus, tram and trolleybus. This ticket cannot be used to travel by water bus, funicular, or cable car.
Single ticket - costs 350 HUF and allows you to travel alone times on any type of public transport. The ticket must be stamped immediately after boarding ground transportation and before traveling on the metro. Keep your ticket until the end of your trip. It is valid for 80 minutes after composting (120 minutes in overnight transport). A one-way trip isn't cheap, but you'll get comfortable, orderly accommodations and other options. This is what a one-time ticket looks like:
You can buy a single ticket from the driver, but keep in mind that you will have to pay 450 forints, for example on a 200E bus that is moving between Budapest Airport and the nearest metro station.
Single ticket with the right to transfer (transfer ticket) - this ticket allows you to use two types of public transport. For example, if you are at the airport, you first take the bus and then the metro (within the same line). Ticket price 530 forints. Below you can see just such a transfer ticket, or rather, 2 pieces. Compost the first one in the first type of transport and be sure to save it, and the second one - in the second one.
Block of 10 tickets - consisting of 10 tickets. Each of them entitles you to one trip on any public transport. Several people can use it at the same time, for example, 5 pieces each. The cost is 3000 forints, the period of validity after composting is standard: 80 minutes during the day, 120 minutes at night. It is not necessary to store tickets together.
We have already looked at the first three of the above. Let's take a look at the others.
1 Day Travel Card (Budapest 24-hour travelcard) - With this ticket you can travel on public transport as many times as you like within 24 hours. When purchasing, you choose the activation period yourself. No composting required. It is enough to show it to the driver or inspector. This ticket also entitles you to travel on the Danube waterbus, except on weekends. Its cost is 2500 forints. A useful option.
3-day travel card (Budapest 72-hour travelcard) - the method of using this ticket is the same as a 1-day ticket. Its cost is 5500 forints.
7-day travel card (Budapest 7-day travelcard) - the method of using this ticket is the same as for the 1-day and 7-day tickets, but with one important difference. If the first two can be used by another person, then this is a personal one. When purchasing it, you will be asked for a document with a photograph - an international passport or driver's license. Cost 6500 forints.
24-hour group travel card (Budapest 24-hour group travelcard) - this ticket entitles a group of 1-5 people traveling together to unlimited use of public transport for 24 hours. The activation time is indicated on the ticket. Cost 5000 forints.
5-day travel card for one month (5/30 BKK 24-hour travelcard) - these are 5 linked tickets, each valid for 24 hours. You choose the days you are going to use these tickets. You only define a 30-day period in advance and can activate individual days within it whenever you want. To do this, cross out a specific day and time (hour and minute) on your ticket and the time will begin counting down. Cost 4550 forints.
There are other types of travel tickets. You will find their description and price in the ticket machine. If you want to understand everything in more detail, visit Budapest Public Transport Official Website and select your preferred language .
Let's see what the ticket machine looks like.
If you buy a ticket for one or seven days, do not forget the water tram or cogwheel tram. You'll have a lot of fun without having to pay extra money.
You probably already know that there are many types of travel tickets in Budapest. The purpose of this is so that both Hungarians and visiting tourists can save money.
Perhaps you think that you can travel around Budapest without a ticket? Moreover, there are no conductors in ground transport, and there are no turnstiles in the metro and admission is free. I advise you to throw this stupid idea out of your head.
On all public transport routes there are inspectors who will not only ask you to show your ticket, but will also check whether you have stamped it or not. They often stand at metro exits and other transport stops. The fine for traveling without a ticket in Budapest is 25,000 forints (if you pay on the spot, the amount is reduced to 12,000 forints; if you do not pay within 30 days, the amount increases to 50,000 forints). So it’s better to buy a ticket and validate it.
To save money while traveling in Budapest, I recommend:
- if you come to the capital of Hungary for three days and plan to use transport frequently, buy a ticket for 72 hours;
- if you are going to go from the airport to the railway or bus station and leave Budapest, or want to get to a hotel/apartment in the center and then walk, buy a transfer ticket - a ticket with the right transfers;
- if you are a very active tourist and like to visit museums, buy a Budapest Card;
- if you are traveling with three or four, buy a group ticket for 24 hours and save a significant amount of money;
- if you plan to visit Budapest several times during the month, you will need a 5/30 BKK 24-hour travelcard.
Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices at metro stations (although not at all stations), newsstands and post offices. The most convenient way to buy tickets for public transport in Budapest is through ticket machines. They are available at all metro stations, as well as in the center, at almost all ground transport stops. You can pay for bus fare either in cash or by credit card.
At the bottom of the screen there are flags of different countries, according to which you can select the desired language (unfortunately, this does not apply to Georgian).
Please note that all of the above tickets can be purchased at the airport upon arrival in Budapest. When leaving the clear area of the 2A terminal, the ticket office is on the right.
If you are about to get off a bus, tram or trolleybus, press the button at the door before stopping.
2. Tourist cards
In Budapest you can also buy the so-called tourist card - Budapest Card. There is a one-day card - Budapest Card for 24 hours, a two-day card - Budapest Card for 48 hours, a three-day card - Budapest Card for 72 hours, four-day - Budapest Card for 96 hours, five-day - Budapest Card for 120 hours and the second type of three-day card - Budapest Card Plus for 72 hours, the cost of which is 29, 43, 56, 69, 82 and 87 euros, respectively. In addition to free travel on all types of public transport, the owner can take part in two walking tours (with an English-speaking guide), free access to the Lukács Baths, free entry to some museums and other benefits.
For detailed information, see the article Budapest Card.
3. Budapest Metro
The Metropolitan Line opened in the city in 1886. From this point of view, Budapest is the first city in continental Europe to have a metro. The Hungarian capital's metro has 5 lines, one of which is under construction and will connect to all four others. For more information, see Budapest Metro.
4. Bus in Budapest
Buses in Budapest are divided into day and night buses. Daytime buses have numbers from 5 to 298 and run from 04:20 to 23:20. Night bus numbers are 901–999 and run from 11:40 pm to 4:20 am. Everyone has an individual schedule.
As a rule, buses stop at all stops. Entry is through the front door, exit through the back door. Additional flights are marked with the letter A after the number. They appear when you need to unload the main routes. There are also express buses that stop only at the main stops along the route. To identify them, the letter E is written after the number.
The bus No. 100E and the bus No. 200E deserve special attention. They will take you to the airport. For detailed information about them, see the article Budapest Airport.
All bus routes, schedules and additional information can be found on the official Budapest transport website: https://bkk.hu/en/.
5. Tram in Budapest
Budapest's tram lines are among the busiest in the world. It can be said that more people use the tram than the metro. The tram running on rails first appeared in Budapest in 1866, and the first electric tram in 1887.
Trams have numbers from 1 to 69 and run from 04:20 to 00:20 (the schedule depends on the route). The schedule is posted at the stops. The movement interval does not exceed 10 minutes. Boarding occurs through the front door, disembarking through the back door.
All tram routes, schedules and additional information can be found on the official Budapest transport website: https://bkk.hu/en/.
6. Trolleybus in Budapest
The first trolleybus appeared on the Budapest public transport network in 1933. Since then, the trolleybus network in the city has been constantly developing and currently covers the entire territory of Pest. There are a total of 15 trolleybus routes in the capital of Hungary. Entrance to the trolleybus is through the front door, exit through the back door.
Trolleybuses in Budapest operate from 04:20 to 23:30. They don't walk at night. All trolleybus routes, schedules and additional information can be found on the official website of Budapest transport: https://bkk.hu/en/. Their schedules are also posted at stops.
7. Electric train in Budapest
Hungary's railways are mainly run by the state-owned company MAV. There are several train stations in Budapest. The main three are Kellett, Newgate and Delhi. HÉV (Helyiérdekű Vasút) - Budapest commuter trains, or commuter trains. The HÉV system is operated by the city transport company BKV and consists of 5 railway lines (H5, H6, H7, H8, H9)which connect the center of Budapest with the suburbs.
When traveling to HÉV within Budapest, Budapest public transport tickets are valid, but when traveling in the suburbs you must purchase a separate ticket. Electric trains run from 04:20 to 23:20. You can find out the exact schedule at the stations or on the official website of the BKK company: https://bkk.hu/en/. There you will find out other details.
Children's railway
Budapest has a children's railway that has been operating since 1948. It was created with the aim of introducing children to railway specialties. It is located in the western part of the city. The route passes through forested and hilly areas. At 11.7 kilometers long, it is the longest railway line in the world carried by children and commercial services.
There are 9 stations on the route. Travel time is 40-50 minutes. At the main station (Hűvösvölgy) there is a children's railway museum.
Trip cost:
- single trip for adults (+18) - 1000 forints;
- round trip for adults (+18) - 1800 forints;
- one-time trip for children 6-18 years old - 500 Hungarian forints;
- round trip for children 6-18 years old - 900 forints;
- children under 6 years old travel free of charge.
Details and additional information can be obtained on the official website: https://gyermekvasut.hu/.
8. Funicular in Budapest
The Budapest funicular is called "Budavári Sikló". You can use it to reach Buda Castle from Adam Clark Square at the Chain Bridge. The length of the road is 100 meters, the height difference is 48 meters. It was built in 1870 on the initiative of Count Sechen. It should be noted that at first the cars were driven by a steam engine. During World War II, the funicular was badly damaged and did not operate for about 40 years. It was restored only in the 80s of the twentieth century according to the surviving sketches.
Currently, the funicular is an important landmark of the city. There are wonderful views from there.
The funicular operates every day from 08:00 to 22:00. It will take you to Buda Castle in 95 seconds. The funicular runs every 5-10 minutes at the request of passengers.
To get to the lower station, take bus No. 16, 105 or tram No. 19, 41 , and to the top - by bus No. 16, 16A, 116.
Trip cost:
- round trip for adults (+15) - 3000 forints;
- round trip for children 3-14 years old (if not 15) - 2000 forints;
- children under 3 years old travel free of charge.
- If you are traveling in one direction only, you can use the ticket to travel in another direction within one year from the date of purchase.
Detailed information and additional information can be obtained on the official website: https://bkk.hu/en/travel-information/public-transport/funicle/.
9. Cable car in Budapest
The (Libegő) cable car operates in Budapest. With its help you can ascend or descend Mount János. Only works in good weather. There is an observation deck on the mountain with a good view of the city. The cable car is a rather extreme form of transport and is not recommended for older people and families with small children.
The cable car was opened in 1970. The length of the route is 1040 meters, the height difference is 262 meters. Travel time - 12 minutes.
Trip cost:
- round trip for adults (+19) - 2000 Hungarian forints;
- round trip for children from 3 to 18 years old (if not 19) - 1000 forints;
- children under 3 years old travel free of charge.
Detailed information and additional information can be obtained on the official website: https://bkk.hu/en/travel-information/public-transport/chairlift/.
10. Ferry in Budapest
The Danube River flows through Budapest - one of the main arteries of Europe. Since the palaces, churches, interesting buildings and parks of the capital of Hungary overlook the Danube, a walk along the river has become a necessary point in the excursion program of city guests.
Ferry is a form of public transport in Budapest. Since 2019, the operation of some ferries has been limited. Only the ferry runs regularly from D14 Csepel-Királyerdő to Soroksár, Molnár-sziget. Ferry operating hours: 07:00-20:00. Movement interval - 30 min.
Travel cost:
- for adults - 170 HUF;
- for students and pensioners - 110 forints;
– you can use the purchased cards to travel on public transport in Budapest.
Details and additional information can be obtained on the official website: https://bkk.hu/en/travel-information/public-transport/boat-services/.
11. Taxi in Budapest
Taxis in Budapest have yellow license plates and yellow illuminated signs on the roof. All of them are equipped with a taximeter.
The cost of the trip is calculated as follows: landing fee + amount per kilometer according to the meter. Often this will include a waiting time. Waiting also includes moving at a speed of less than 15 km/h.
The official tariff is as follows:
- boarding - 1000 Hungarian forints;
- every kilometer - 400 forints;
- every minute of waiting - 100 Hungarian forints;
Details and additional information can be obtained on the official website: https://bkk.hu/en/travel-information/cars-and-freight-transport/taxi-services/.
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