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Travel to Budapest

 

By train

Budapest is connected to the European rail system. There are direct rail links between Budapest and 13 capital cities of Europe and 47 international scheduled trains arrive daily to Budapest. Many international trains have dining and sleeping cars or couchettes. Most international express trains arrive and depart from the Eastern (Keleti) Railway Station.

By bus

Quite a few international coach service companies operate regular and frequent routes between Budapest and the neighbouring countries (Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Romania etc.) and many other places in Europe. Most international coach lines terminate at the coach terminals of Népliget (metro line M3), Etele Square (at the Kelenföld Railway Station – metro line M4) or the Mexikói Road (metro line M1). 

By boat

Many boat companies run boat lines on the Danube, one of Europe’s busiest and most important waterways. In Budapest, most Danube boat lines moor in the city centre. From June to September, MAHART Passnave, the Hungarian state shipping company, runs a hydrofoil service between Budapest and Vienna, stopping in Bratislava. The service includes a two-day land trip.

By plane

Thanks to its location, Budapest is easily accessible by air in 2-3 hours from most major cities of Europe, 5-6 hours from the Middle East and about 9 hours from the East Coast of the American continent. The major airlines and several low cost airlines are present in Budapest.

The Ferenc Liszt International Airport is located about 20 kilometres south-east of Budapest. The airport has two terminals: 2A and 2B. The airport’s official website https://www.bud.hu/en offers up-to-date flight information, maps and information about the services offered.

Passengers arriving at the Ferenc Liszt Airport can get to the city centre by public transport, car or taxi. There is a direct Bus Line between the Airport and the City (line number 100E). The bus 100E takes passengers directly to the city centre (Deák Ferenc Square), making only two stops en route.

  • at Kálvin Square, offering transfer to metro lines M3 and M4
  • at Astoria, where passengers can transfer to metro line M2, as well as a number of tram and bus lines
  • the route terminates at Deák Ferenc Square, offering options for transferring to metro lines M1, M2 and M3

Buses depart every 10 or 15 minutes, the travel time to the City Center is approx. 40–45 minutes. 
The shuttle bus single ticket is HUF 2200 (approx. € 6) 
For further information and timetable please check the website of the Centre for Budapest Transport at https://bkk.hu/en/travel-information/public-transport/airport-shuttle/

Another bus line, 200E takes you to the Kőbánya-Kispest metro and train station for the prize of a normal bus ticket (HUF 350), from where you can also reach the City Center by metro. If you stay in the south of Budapest and not in the city center, you might also prefer this solution.

Further information about transfer options is available on the airport’s website: https://www.bud.hu/en .

If you decide to take a taxi, please make sure to take the official taxi company of the airport, Főtaxi, which have booths at both terminals.

By car

A high quality public road network offers easy access to Hungary by car. The major expressways start from Budapest and typically head to the state border, constituting a radial network. Hungary has an electronic road toll payment system. You must purchase your e-sticker prior to entering the toll road. E-stickers are available on the internet (payable via bank card), at border crossing points, petrol stations and the customer offices of the National Toll Payment Services PLC. For more information on the road tolls, please visit the National Toll Payment Services PLC website.

Public Transport in Budapest

Although Budapest is a sizeable city with almost two million people, it's easily walkable - most points of interest are within the Grand Boulevard in Pest, and near the Danube bank in Buda. The more far-flung locations are best accessed by public transport or MOL Bubi, the city's bike sharing network or Lime scooters. Budapest has an excellent system of public transport. Today there are four metro lines, as well as a network of trams, trolley-buses and buses. The M1 line is the second-oldest underground railway in the world, and is probably the cutest little subway, and is even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At night you can get around with night buses or Tramline 6, which runs round the clock.

Tickets and passes (which are accepted on all forms of public transport) can be purchased from the vending machines located at most metro and tramway stations, at the airport or some hotels can provide them. They can also be purchased in the BudapestGO application. 

Tickets are available as single tickets (HUF 450/cca. 0.9 Euro), in books of 10 (HUF 4000/cca. 7.5 Euro), or as time-based tickets. You can also buy passes granting unlimited travel for different periods.  For further information check https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/prices/.

If you are a student, you may want to purchase a monthly pass, valid together with an EU student ID card (HUF 3450).

Do not forget to validate your ticket! Ticket inspections are very common and can issue on-the-spot fines if you are travelling with invalidated ticket. At the same time, passes don’t need to be validated. Note that on some buses and trams you can only get on through the front door and you have to present a ticket or pass to the driver.
 

For more information, please check the following website: https://bkk.hu/en/

A trip planner is available online: https://futar.bkk.hu/ or in the BudapestGO application

Click here to download the map of metro and suburban railway system of Budapest.

Taxis

All licenced taxis are painted yellow, they use a uniform charging system, must have a visible meter and they must accept credit card payment. Make sure to get the receipt printed by the taximeter at the end of your journey to ensure a swift remedy for whatever complaint you may have. To avoid any inconveniences please use branded taxi companies such as:

Most of them have an application available for smartphones.