Public transportation

Taxi

Prices

Base fare: 700 HUF
Time-based fare unit 75 HUF/min (<15 km)
Distance-based fare unit 300 HUF/km

These prices are the same for every company. It is customary to tip the driver about 10% of the full fare, if you were satisfied with the service.

Recommended taxi companies

• City Taxi            +36 1 211 11 11
• Taxi 2000           +36 1 200 00 00
• Főtaxi                 +36 1 222 22 22
   

Tips: It is worth noting down the telephone numbers of a few bigger taxi companies in Budapest, and then calling them, because a cab ordered by telephone is less expensive than one hailed on the street. Some drivers are known for notoriously overcharging tourists.

Trains

There are direct railway connections between Budapest and the capital cities of 16 European countries. There are luncheon cars, sleeping cars or compartments on all trains in international traffic. Most of the international express trains depart from and arrive at Keleti pályaudvar (the Eastern train terminal).

Railway Stations

Déli Pályaudvar (Souther Railway Station): Metro line M2, Trams: 17, 19, 41, 59, 59A, 59B, 61
Keleti Pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station): Metro line M2, M4
Nyugati Pályaudvar (Western Railway Station): Metro line M3, Trams: 4, 6

Railway information

On domestic services: +36 1 461 54 00
On international services: +36 1 461 55 00

Tickets are available at

- railway station ticket offices
- Budapest Menetjegyiroda (Budapest Ticket Office): Budapest V., József Attila street 16 Tel/Fax: +36 1 512 79 18 or +36 1 512 79 17
- IBUSZ Utazási Iroda (IBUSZ Travel Agency): Budapest V., Ferenciek tere 2 Tel: +36 1 501 49 08

Air travel

Budapest Airport (Budapest Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér) is the international airport of Hungary. Flights of foreign airline companies depart from and arrive at Terminal 2A and 2B. Terminal 1 is closed since 2012 and now operating as an Event Centre.

Airport information

Flight information:
Telephone: +36 1 296 70 00 (arrivals, departures)
Fax: +36 1 296 60 00 (arrivals, departures)
Webpage: www.bud.hu

Luggage recovery service

Passengers are eligible for compensation if hold baggage is lost, damaged or arrives with some of its content missing. Loss of baggage must be reported to the lost and found customer service immediately upon arrival, at baggage reclaim in the arrivals transit area. Records are taken and, upon request, baggage found or arriving late is sent to the address specified by the passenger. Lost baggage must also be reported to the customer service of your airline.

Customs information (8.00am-4.00 pm): +36 1 296 96 96

In Budapest

Metro/Subway

The subway system is generally clean and efficient, with trains running at regular intervals of 3 - 4 minutes (starting right before 5am until 11.30pm). Some overcrowding occurs at peak times, although it's limited only to the most central stations.  In Budapest, you validate your own ticket at the orange ticket punchers as you enter the station.  Metro stations are easily located on maps and streets by the 'M' symbol: The lines are labeled as follows:

M1 - (yellow line): The oldest part of the network, also known as the Millennium Underground, which was built in the 1890s to celebrate the Hungarian millennium.  It was the first metro line on the Continent and the second in the world, after the London underground. This line runs between Vörösmarty square, near the river and, Mexikói street, just east of the City Park (Városliget).   Stations are easily accessible, being just below ground level.

M2 - (red line): It runs between Déli pályaudvar (Southern Railway Station), and Örs vezér square, connecting the Buda side and the Pest side of the city.

M3 - (blue line): It runs between Újpest, Városközpont and Kőbánya-Kispest.  It runs north and south on the Pest side of the Danube. 
All three lines connect at Deák Ferenc square at the heart of downtown.

M4 – (green line): The newest metro line in Budapest runs between Kelenföld vasútállomás (Kelenföld Railway Station) and Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station) connecting the Buda side and the Pest side.

Tips

M1, M2 and M3 metro lines converge at Deák Ferenc square, on the Pest side.

Buses

More than 200 bus routes cover most of the inner city and the suburbs. Like the tram it allows a visitor the opportunity to see the sites while covering the city, sometimes at great speed.  In the mornings particularly, the buses are very crowded and you should expect to stand for most of the journey.

Tips

- Buses do not automatically stop at stations. In order to let the driver know you wish to get off the bus you will need to press the stop button in good time.
- Likewise, the doors do not open automatically when the bus pulls up at a stop. To open the door you may need to press a small button located next to the door or the bus may take off and leave you standing.
- To punch your ticket on the bus, look for the orange or red ticket puncher-box, usually located near a door.  Stick your ticket into the slot on the top of the box and pull the black lever toward you.  On modern buses, the machine will punch your ticket automatically.

Trams

The trams offer a speedy route, cutting through busy traffic, and run very frequently.  Tram service starts as early as 4.30AM and runs until 11PM or midnight, depending on the route.

Tips

- If you take only one tram journey in Budapest jump on the No 4 or 6 trams over Margit híd (Bridge) as this tram covers the main area of the city.  When traveling over the bridge you will be rewarded with the most spectacular view over the Danube with Parliament on the Pest side and the Castle District and Fisherman's Bastion in the Buda Hills.  This view is especially gorgeous at night, when the main sights are bathed in floodlights.
- To punch your ticket on the tram look for the orange puncher-box, usually located near a door. Stick your ticket into the black slot on top, and pull the whole black handle toward you.  In newer trams the machine will punch your ticket automatically.
HÉV (Suburban Railway)
Local suburban trains (HÉV – green routes on most metro maps) connect metro lines to outlying regions.  The route most commonly used by tourist’s runs between Batthyány square and Szentendre.  

Fares

Fines

Those who travel without a valid ticket or pass, or violate the travel conditions are required to pay fine.
- Paid on the spot: 8,000 HUF
- Paid subsequently by cheque: 16,000 HUF
- Fee of subsequent presentation of a valid pass with photo: 2,000 HUF (Only if presented within 8 days in the ticket office at 22 Akácfa Street)

Tips

- Tickets must be purchased in advance and must be punched at the start of the journey.
- There are small red or orange ticket punchers on the buses and trams, and orange punchers at the entrance of Metro stations.
- You must punch a new single ticket every time you change lines, unless you have a transfer ticket, which is valid for one trip with one transfer in a 90-minute time period.

For more information

www.bkk.hu
Official public transportation website with bus schedules etc.
www.mav.hu
The official webpage of Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) with train schedules.