Budapest Transport

Budapest’s public transport system is quite extensive, efficient and reasonably priced. System maps are readily available and you should be able to find your way around easily. However, there are some major disadvantages to the system: the system closes at 23:30; Castle Hill in Buda can be reached by very few routes, which are crowded during the height of the tourist season; and travel can be exceptionally slow during rush hours.

By metro/train

The Budapest Metro system is efficient and clean, and its trains run every 3 to 5 minutes from 04:30 until 23:30, with all lines converging at Deák tér. There are three lines, but only one crossing under the Danube to Buda. The lines are known by colour: red, yellow and blue. All signs are colour-coded. Look for signs saying földalatti, which means ‘underground’.

Built in 1894, the yellow (number 1) line is the oldest Metro service on the continent. It has been restored and the stations are quite beautiful. It runs from Vörösmarty tér, in central Pest, for the length of Andrássy út, ending at Mexikói út, in a residential area called Zugló. The red (number 2) and blue (number 3) lines are modern additions. The red line operates from Örs vezér tere in eastern Pest, through the centre and across the Danube to its final stop at Déli Station. The blue line runs from Kobánya Kispest, in southeastern Pest, through the city centre and on to Újpest Központ in northern Pest.

The HÉV is a suburban railway service, connecting Budapest to various points on the city's outskirts. There are four lines, but only one of them (the Szentendre line) is of interest to tourists. Batthyány tér, in Buda (also a station on the red Metro line), is the terminus for this service, which operates between 04:00 and 23:30.

By bus

There are somewhere around 200 bus (busz) lines in greater Budapest, and many parts of the city, particularly the Buda Hills, are best reached by bus. Most lines are in service from 04:30 to 23:30, but some night bus services are available. 

Local buses display black numbers; red-numbered buses offer express service. If the red number is followed by an E, this signifies a non-stop service between terminals, whereas an É (note the accent) signifies night service. A separate service that you’re likely to use is the Palace bus (Várbusz), a minibus running between Várfok utca, in Buda, up the steep hill to the Castle district. You should be advised that bus tickets cannot be purchased from the driver, but must be purchased in advance.

Taxis

There are two general categories of taxis in Budapest. The first consists of taxis belonging to large, organised fleets, and the latter to privately-owned taxis. It is recommended that you avoid the latter, because regulations permit private drivers to set their own rates. The organised fleets will have the best rates available. 

Recommended companies include: Fo Taxi (tel: +36 1 222 2222); Volántaxi (tel: +36 1 466 6666); City Taxi (tel: +36 1 211 1111); and Tele5 (tel: +36 1 355 5555). You can ask someone at your hotel or restaurant to call a taxi for you. It is better to do this than to take a private taxi that may be waiting on the street, as the fare you pay on the street will almost always be significantly higher. The waiting time after calling a taxi should not be more than five minutes in any part of the city centre, unless you call at a peak time.

Tourist services

There are help desks providing information and assistance on all levels of terminals 2A and 2B. The tourist information counters, at the airport, can be found immediately after leaving the customs area in both terminals. 

There is a card available for discounts on services and attractions for visitors to Budapest. If you buy the ‘Budapest Card’, you will be able to use it immediately on public transport from the airport to the city centre.