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 several 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 30 minutes, the travel time to the City Center is approx. 40–45 minutes.

The shuttle bus single ticket is HUF 900 (approx. € 3)

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/

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 Coach

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 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 before 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: http://toll-charge.hu/

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. 

Public transport

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.

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.

Please note the middle section of metro line M3 (between Nagyvárad tér and Lehel tér stations) is under reconstruction. Metro replacement buses are working on the closed section of the line M3.

Tickets (which are accepted on all forms of public transport) can be purchased from the vending machines located at most stations or some hotels can provide them.

Tickets are available as single tickets (HUF 350/cca. 1.1 Euro) or in books of 10 (HUF 3000/cca. 9.2 Euro), alternatively, you can buy passes granting unlimited travel for 24 or 72 hours.

Do not forget to validate your ticket! You need to validate your ticket by inserting it into punching machines at the entrance to metro stations or on joining a bus/tram/trolley-bus. Ticket inspections are very common and can issue on-the-spot fines if you are travelling with an invalidated ticket. 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.

The Budapest Card – which gives free or discounted entry to many attractions around the city – also works as a transport pass.

 For more information, please check the following website:

https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/prices/single-tickets-valid-for-one-ride/

 Click here to download the map of metro and suburban railway system of Budapest: https://bkk.hu/apps/docs/terkep/metro.pdf

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:

City Taxi: +36 1 211 1111         

6×6 Taxi: +36 1 666 6666         

Fő Taxi: +36 1 222 2222