Private transportation

Public roads and motorways

Hungary has a road network of over 30,000 kilometers. All Hungarian municipalities are accessible via hard surface roads.  Seven of the eight main roads (motorways) start from Budapest.  Motorways are designated by single digit numbers, running clockwise from the Vienna motorway M1.  Secondary roads are marked by two or more digit numbers.

Tips

-In Hungary, drivers must keep their headlights on at all times while driving, even during the day.
-The wearing seat belts are required by law for both front and rear seat passengers.
-It is illegal to drive while using a mobile phone.
-To carry safety vests is required by law.


If you intend to travel on a motorway, for example the M1 (toward the Austrian border) or the M3 (toward the Slovakian border) you can buy a weekly, monthly, or a year pass. 

Passes (matrica in Hungarian) can be purchased at petrol stations on the way out of the city, as well as the 50 offices of the Hungarian Motorists Club (Magyar Autoklub) and some post offices.

Motorway Pass (Matrica) Fees

Speed limits

Traffic Fines

Fines up to 10,000 HUF may be imposed on-site by the police, however, such amounts are payable via a check supplied by the police.  In the case of a major violation of the transport rules, the driver's license may be confiscated on the spot.  Hungary has a zero tolerance law regarding drinking and driving.   That means you may be charged with drunk driving if even the slightest bit of alcohol is detected in your blood at the time you are pulled over.    This nation is very serious about punishing those who are found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.  It is not unusual for police to conduct routine road blocks.  If asked, you must submit to a breathalyzer test.  Those found driving while intoxicated are subject to fines and jail time.  Finally, keep in mind that there is a 30,000 HUF fine for using your mobile phone while driving.

In case of an accident

In case of a minor accident when nobody is hurt, the drivers can settle the case between themselves. It is advisable not to move the cars involved in the accident (use the warning triangle signs) until the Accident Report Form (Kárbejelentő lap) has been filled in. The form is generally referred to as the "blue-yellow form" (kék-sárga lap) and is provided by the insurance company. It should be filled in and the carbon copy must be given to the other party. In the absence of an Accident Report Form, the same information must be noted on a piece of paper and signed by both parties. The following information is required:
- Contact details of the drivers involved (name, address and telephone numbers)
- Details of the cars involved:
•         Make and type
•         Vehicle registration number
•         Number plates
- The name of the insurance company and the insurance number
- The exact place and time of the accident
- Description and a sketch of the accident
- Visibility and road conditions at the time of the accident
- Description of the damage

It is also advisable to take photos of the cars, skid marks, and any other details that could help to settle the case. If there are any witnesses, their names, addresses, and phone numbers should be taken.

The accident report sheet should be sent to the insurance company within a limited time, which differs from one company to another. It is usually five days for the driver responsible and 15 for the victim.
If no parties accept responsibility, the police should be called. If nobody is hurt, the police might take a few hours to arrive, and both parties are obliged to wait for the police. The police fill in their own report, which is accepted by insurance companies.
Most insurance companies have hotlines where they offer help in accidents and most have English-speaking operators.

In case of a serious account check if anybody is hurt and administer first aid immediately, if possible. Call one of the following numbers:
•            Ambulance - 104
•            Emergency - 112
•            Fire brigade - 105
•            Police - 107
Describe the exact location, who is hurt and what happened. Add any important information, for example, if the casualty is pregnant or there is a danger of explosion, and wait for instructions or questions. Only move the vehicles if it is necessary in order to administer first aid.

Hit-and-run

A victim of a hit-and-run should call the police. The damage should be reported to the insurance company and the Association of Hungarian Insurance Companies (Magyar Biztosítók Szövetsége) pays for the damage and tries to find the person responsible.

Parking

There is little free parking on the streets of Budapest.  Between the hours of 8AM and 6PM you will need to purchase a parking permit from the vending machines located on the sidewalk.  The machines accept change or special parking cards.  Some newer machines can accept payment via SMS from your mobile phone.  The machines issue small white receipts which indicate the amount of time purchased.  After purchasing the permit/receipt, place it on the dashboard near the driver’s side of the car where it easily visible to the meter maids. Parking charges vary between 200 HUF and 600 HUF per hour.  Generally there are two vending machines per city block, one on each side of the road.  Be certain to search the closest parking meter, because there are several parking companies and sometimes neighboring streets are related to different companies, with different machines.  Just because one is not readily visible, doesn’t mean it is not there.  Parking is monitored closely in the city limits. 

Cars with outstanding tickets may be booted.  If your car is booted, please go to Peterdy u. 6 in the 7th District with the paperwork that is glued to your vehicle's windshield and pay the fine to the porter as soon as possible.  They are open 24 hours.  The boot will only be removed after the appropriate fines have been paid.

Tips

- If you get a penalty, don't wait too long time to pay, as the amount is the lowest on the same day, but on the second day and third day the amount has already increased.

Budapest's Park and Ride lots are conveniently located near metro stations, outside of the city center.

P+R locations in Budapest

- I. Batthány square lower embankment
- I. Batthyány square upper embankment
- I. Déli (Southern) Railway Station. Kuny Domonkos u.
- II. Margit bridge Buda bridgehead (Árpád fejedelem útja)
- II. Hűvösvölgy (BKV terminus)*
- XII. Szépilona - Hűvösvölgyi Street
- II. Hidász street.
- II. Pesthidegkút, Báthory street.
- III. Békásmegyer, Ország street (Szentendre HÉV [urban railway])
- III. Vörösvári út-Szőlő u.
- IV. Újpest Városkapu, Bocskai street (3rd underground line)
- VIII. Nagyvárad square (3rd underground line)
- IX. Pöttyös street (3rd underground line)
- IX. Ecseri street (3rd underground line)
- X. Határ street (3rd underground line)
- X. Kőbánya-Kispest (3rd underground line terminus)*
- X. Fehér street (Örs vezér square)
- X. Örs vezér square (2nd underground line)
- X. Üllői street - Könyves K. boulevard. (Népliget 3rd underground line)
- X. Kerepesi street -Pillangó street (2nd underground line)
- XIII. Árva street Újpest-Városkapu (3rd underground line)*
- XIII. Margit bridge, Pest lower embankment
- XIII. Váci street, under the flyover (3rd underground line Árpád bridge)
- XIV. Mexikói street - Kacsóh Pongrác street (Millennium railway)
- XIV. Budapest Sportaréna (2nd underground line)**
- XVI. Ostoros street (Cinkota HÉV station)
* guarded, parking charges
**parking charges (multi-storey)

Other Parking Garages in Budapest

- I. Kosciusco Tádé u., WIPARK Krisztina Garázs
- V. Aranykéz u. 4-6.
- V. Szervita square 8.
- V. Roosevelt square
- V. Szent István square
- V. Sas street, Bazilika Mélygarázs
- V. Erzsébet square
- VII. Osvát u. 5., Sky-Park
- VIII. Kálvin square (entrance from Baross Street)
- VIII. Futó u. 52., Corvin Parkolóház
- IX. Mester u. 30-32., Páva Parkolóház
- IX. Lechner Ödön fasor 6., Millenium Office Towers
- XII. Csőrsz u. 45., MOM Park


Finally, if you ever need help with parking in Budapest, you can call the BKK hotline at: (+36-1) 317-1173 or visit their website at http://www.fovinform.hu/szabalyozasok/tarifak.php?lang=en, where you can find a map with the different prices according to the different zones of the city.

Car rental

The well-known multinational car-rental companies have agencies and offices in Budapest. They typically speak English and because they are well known, they tend to be on the pricier side. The following home-pages provide information on price, availability and rental conditions.

www.budget.hu
www.sixt.hu
www.avis.hu
www.hertz.hu
www.fox-autorent.com
www.autorent.hu  
www.europcar.hu  
www.gascar.hu  
www.amdream.hu  - American Dream Budapest Limousine Service Ltd.
www.limuzin.hu - Limousine Service Hungary

Driver Services

Arthur Driver Service

If you are tired or you have consumed alcohol, but you don’t want to leave your car in the street, you can call this service from 8:00PM until 6:00AM, seven days a week. The service will send a driver to  drive you home in your own car.  Remember to call approximately 25 minutes before you plan to leave.
Prices for this service vary depending on how far you need to travel.
For more information call: (+36) 20 555-44-55 or (+36) 30 333-44 55, or visit their website: www.arthursofor.hu

For more information

www.bkk.hu
Official webpage of the Budapest publicc transportation company with time tables, practical advice etc.
www.autopalya.hu
Highway information about fees, constructions, traffic conditions, etc.
www.autoklub.hu
The official webpage of the The Hungarian Autoclub.
www.arthursofor.hu
Driver service (will bring you and your car home after a late night out.)