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Getting Around & Where to Stay
Updated March 2025Route Planner
MÁV-START
Hungary's national railway planner. Search domestic and international train connections.
Airport Transfers
ℹ️ Prices are approximate and may vary — confirm exact fares when booking.
Public Transport
Tickets
Budapest: single ticket HUF 450, 10-pack HUF 4000, 24-hour travel card HUF 2500, 72-hour card HUF 5500.
Budapest GO (digital) — tourist transport card for unlimited rides and discounts.
Learn moreTaxis & Rideshare
Bolt
app~HUF 1500-4000 Budapest rides
Most popular rideshare app in Budapest. Widely used and affordable.
Visit websiteFőtaxi
traditional~HUF 900 start + HUF 360/km
Official airport taxi company. Reliable and metered.
Visit websiteBudapest Taxi
traditional~HUF 900 start + HUF 360/km
Large fleet in Budapest. Book via phone or app.
Visit websiteUber
rideshare~HUF 1800-5000 Budapest rides
Returned to Budapest. Available alongside Bolt as a rideshare option.
Visit websiteIntercity Travel
MÁV InterCity
MÁV-START
Budapest-Debrecen 2.5h, Budapest-Pécs 3h, Budapest-Szeged 2.5h. Seat reservation required on IC trains.
Book ticketsVolánbusz
Volánbusz
National bus network reaching towns trains don't serve. Buy tickets at stations or online.
Book ticketsFlixBus
FlixBus
Budget buses for domestic and international routes from Budapest.
Book ticketsRegioJet
RegioJet
Comfortable coaches with free drinks. International routes to Prague, Vienna, Bratislava.
Book ticketsWhere to Stay
Links below may be affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices as of 2025 — check current rates before booking.
Maverick City Lodge
budgetBudapest
Heart of the Jewish Quarter ruin bar district, social atmosphere
Book on Booking.comHotel Moments Budapest
mid-rangeBudapest
Elegant hotel on Andrássy Avenue, near Opera House
Book on Booking.comWombat's City Hostel Budapest
budgetBudapest
Near Great Market Hall, excellent common areas
Book on Booking.comHotel Clark Budapest
mid-rangeBudapest
At the Buda end of Chain Bridge, stunning Danube views
Book on Booking.comUseful Apps
Getting Around Budapest
Budapest has a comprehensive transit network centered on four metro lines, extensive tram routes, and buses. Tram 2 along the Danube offers one of the best scenic rides in Europe, passing the Parliament and Chain Bridge. The metro’s Line 1 (yellow) is one of the oldest underground railways in continental Europe and is a UNESCO site itself. Buy a 72-hour travel card if you plan to use transit frequently.
Thermal Baths and Day Trips
Budapest is famous for its thermal baths. Széchenyi, Gellért, and Rudas are the most popular. Visit on weekday mornings to avoid crowds. For day trips, take a MÁV train to Szentendre (40 min, HÉV suburban rail), Eger (2h), or Lake Balaton (1.5-2h by train in summer).
Tips
- Hungary uses Hungarian forint (HUF), not euros. Cards are widely accepted in Budapest but carry cash for markets and small vendors
- Budapest is divided by the Danube into Buda (hilly, Castle District) and Pest (flat, nightlife, restaurants)
- Night buses (prefix “9”) replace metro lines after midnight and run frequently
- The ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter (VII district) are a unique Budapest experience
- Tipping 10% is customary at restaurants — tell the server the total you want to pay when they come to collect