Getting Around Budapest
From the world's oldest electric metro to electric scooters along the Danube — everything you need to navigate the city with confidence.
Budapest GO App
The official BKK app is the single most useful tool for getting around the city. Download it before you arrive — it's free and available in English.
- Buy single tickets, day passes, and multi-day passes directly on your phone
- Plan journeys across all transport modes with real-time departures
- The transfer ticket (átszállójegy) and monthly e-passes are only available in the app — not at ticket machines
- The airport transfer ticket for the 100E bus is cheaper when bought in the app
- Validate your ticket on screen when you board — no paper or tapping required
App-only ticket types
Transfer ticket
Allows one transfer within 100 minutes
24 / 72-hour passes
Unlimited travel for visitors
7 & 30-day e-passes
For longer stays and commuters
Airport transfer
Single or return on 100E bus
Search Budapest GO or BKK GO on the App Store / Google Play
Public Transport
BKK (Budapesti Közlekedési Központ) operates all public transport in the city. A single ticket covers one uninterrupted journey on any mode — use the Budapest GO app or buy at station machines and newsagents.
Metro
Four lines, fast and frequent — the backbone of the network
Yellow Line
Vörösmarty tér → Mexikói út
The world's second-oldest electric underground railway (1896) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Runs below Andrássy út through the heart of Pest. Small, charming, and a tourist attraction in itself.
Red Line
Déli pu. → Örs vezér tere
The east–west spine of the network, connecting Buda (Déli station) with the Eastern Railway Terminal (Keleti) and beyond. Runs under the Danube. Most useful for commuters and airport-bound travellers using Keleti.
Blue Line
Újpest-Központ → Kőbánya-Kispest
The longest line, running north–south through Pest. Connects major hubs including Nyugati (Western Station), Deák tér, Kálvin tér, and Kőbánya-Kispest (for the airport bus). Partially renovated — some stations still under improvement.
Green Line
Kelenföld vasútállomás → Keleti pályaudvar
The newest line (2014), connecting Buda's Kelenföld railway station with Keleti in Pest via Gellért tér, Fővám tér, and Rákóczi tér. Modern, accessible, and air-conditioned.
Trams
Extensive network covering both Buda and Pest — some of the world's best tram rides
The Danube Tram
Runs along the Pest embankment of the Danube between Jászai Mari tér and Közvágóhíd. Consistently voted one of the world's most scenic tram routes — pass the Parliament, Chain Bridge, and Gellért Hill. Take it at sunset.
The Grand Boulevard Line
Budapest's busiest tram line, running in a loop along the Nagy körút (Grand Boulevard). Runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — the only tram line with a night service. Essential for crossing the city quickly.
Buda Riverside
Runs along the Buda bank of the Danube, from Batthyány tér south through Gellért and on to Kelenföld. Scenic alternative to the metro for reaching southern Buda.
Cross-City Pest
Connects Deák tér with southern Pest districts. Useful for reaching the Great Market Hall area (Fővám tér) from the city centre.
Budapest has over 30 tram lines. All use the same BKK tickets and passes. The low-floor modern trams are wheelchair accessible; older rolling stock varies.
Buses
Covers every corner of the city and runs around the clock
Daytime buses
The bus network fills the gaps where the metro and tram don't reach — particularly in the Buda Hills and outer districts. Numbered routes without a prefix run standard hours (roughly 04:30–23:00).
Night buses (N prefix)
Night buses (e.g. N14, N47) run the same corridors as daytime lines through the night. The N71 circles the Grand Boulevard. All use the same BKK ticket — your day pass covers night buses too.
Express & rapid buses (E prefix)
Express routes (e.g. 110E, 200E) skip stops and run faster between key points. Useful for reaching the outer suburbs or connecting transfer hubs without a metro.
Trolleybus
Electric buses on overhead wires — silent, clean, and historic
Budapest's trolleybus network operates exclusively in Pest, covering Districts V, VI, VII, VIII, and XIV. The red double-digit route numbers (70–83) are all trolleybuses. They're electrically powered by overhead wires and produce no local emissions — some of the city's most pleasant urban vehicles.
Routes 70–83
All trolleybus lines in Budapest are numbered in the 70s and 80s. They connect the inner city with residential areas in Pest, particularly Districts VII and XIV (Heroes' Square and City Park area).
Same tickets, same rules
Standard BKK tickets and passes cover all trolleybuses. Validate on board. The vehicles run on fixed hours (no all-night trolleybus service — night buses replace them after last service).
HÉV — Suburban Railway
Light rail connecting Budapest with surrounding towns
The HÉV (Helyiérdekű Vasút, meaning "local interest railway") is Budapest's suburban rail network, reaching towns beyond the city boundary. Within Budapest zones, your standard BKK ticket covers the journey — but if you travel beyond the city limits you need to buy a supplementary ticket at the station. The lines depart from central Budapest locations making them easy to use.
H5 — Szentendre Line
Batthyány tér → Szentendre
The most scenic HÉV route. Runs north from central Buda along the Danube Bend to the charming artists' town of Szentendre. Popular as a day trip.
H6 — Ráckeve Line
Közvágóhíd → Ráckeve
Heads south from Pest through Csepel Island towns. Useful for reaching southern settlements; less touristy than H5.
H7 — Csepel Line
Boráros tér → Csepel
Short suburban line serving Csepel Island. Primarily used by local residents of southern Pest districts.
H8 — Gödöllő Line
Keleti pu. → Gödöllő
Runs east from Keleti Railway Station to Gödöllő, home of the Royal Palace of Gödöllő — a popular day trip destination. Continues further to Veresegyház.
H9 — Csömör Line
Keleti pu. → Csömör
Branches from the H8 line to serve the Csömör and Pécel area to the northeast of the city.
River Boat (BKK Ferry)
Travel the Danube — practical transport with spectacular views
BKK operates a scheduled river ferry service on the Danube, making it both a practical way to travel and one of the best ways to see the city from the water. The service is fully integrated with the BKK network — your standard pass covers it.
D2 — Main Danube Line
The primary ferry route running along the Danube between Újpest in the north and Kopaszi-gát in the south. Stops include Margaret Island, Batthyány tér, Chain Bridge area, Vigadó tér, and Boráros tér. A wonderful alternative to the metro for crossing between Buda and Pest.
D11 / D12 — Island Lines
Seasonal services connecting Csepel Island and Háros Island with the city. Primarily used by local residents in the southern districts. Check BKK timetables as these routes have more limited schedules.
Airport Bus — 100E
Direct express service between Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport and the city centre
The Route
The 100E is a direct express bus running between Budapest Airport (BUD) and Deák Ferenc tér in the city centre, with stops at Kálvin tér and Astoria. The journey takes approximately 35–50 minutes depending on traffic.
It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — roughly every 15–20 minutes during daytime, and less frequently overnight.
Tickets & Pricing
The 100E requires a special airport transfer ticket — your regular BKK single ticket or day pass does not cover it. You can buy it at the airport, at ticket machines near the bus stop, or in the Budapest GO app.
Chairlift — Zugligeti Libegő
A hidden gem in the Buda Hills — transport that doubles as an attraction
The Zugligeti Libegő (chairlift) is one of Budapest's most underrated experiences. Located in the Buda Hills, it carries passengers from the Zugliget terminus up to the summit of János-hegy — the highest point in Budapest at 527 metres — in around 15 minutes, with sweeping views over the forested hills.
It's a genuine piece of functioning transport infrastructure, not merely a tourist ride, and has been operating since 1970. At the top you'll find the Elizabeth Lookout Tower (Erzsébet-kilátó), a neo-Romanesque tower offering a 360° panorama of Budapest and the surrounding Danube Bend on clear days.
The chairlift operates with open seats and is not enclosed — dress appropriately for the season. Note that it requires its own separate ticket, not covered by BKK passes.
Practical Information
Getting there
Bus 291 from Széll Kálmán tér (M2) runs directly to the Zugligeti chairlift station (end of line).
Combination trip
At the top, connect with the narrow-gauge Children's Railway (Gyermekvasút) for a scenic return journey through the hills to Széchenyi-hegy or Hűvösvölgy.
Hours
Generally operates 09:00–17:00 in winter, extended to 19:00 or later in summer. Closed on Tuesdays. Always check ahead as hours change seasonally.
Separate ticket
Buy tickets at the lower station. Return ticket recommended. Not covered by BKK passes.
Taxis & Ride Apps
Budapest has legitimate, affordable taxis — but also a persistent problem with unlicensed drivers charging tourists many times the correct fare. Here's how to stay safe.
The safest option: always book via app
Bolt (most popular), Uber (returned to Budapest in 2022), and FREE NOW all operate in Budapest. The fare is fixed before you get in, tracked by GPS, and paid by card — no cash, no surprises, no negotiation.
🚖 Trusted Licensed Companies
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Bolt
App-based. Transparent upfront pricing. English app. Most widely used.
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Uber
Returned to Budapest in 2022. App-based, fixed fare, card payment.
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FREE NOW
App-based. Dispatches licensed Budapest taxis. Good coverage.
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Főtaxi
+36 1 222 2222. Budapest's oldest licensed taxi company. Reliable metered fares.
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City Taxi
+36 1 211 1111. Licensed, metered. Phone or app booking available.
🔍 How to Spot a Legitimate Taxi
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Yellow plate
All licensed Budapest taxis have yellow number plates. If the plate is white, do not get in.
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Company branding
Licensed taxis display their company name, phone number, and driver ID visibly inside.
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Working meter
A licensed taxi will always start the meter when you set off.
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Driver ID
A photo ID card must be displayed on the dashboard by law.
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Receipt
You are legally entitled to a receipt (számla). Ask for one.
Common Taxi Scams to Avoid
Touts at the airport
Men approaching you in the arrivals hall offering rides are almost always unlicensed. Walk past them to the official taxi rank outside, or pre-book via Bolt.
Unmarked cars outside clubs
Drivers hanging around nightlife spots at 2am are frequently unlicensed. Insist on using an app.
Broken meter trick
An "out of order" meter means you'll be quoted an arbitrary price at the end. Leave immediately.
Denomination swap
You hand over a 20,000 HUF note; the driver claims you gave 2,000 HUF. State the denomination clearly when paying cash.
Detour routes
Dishonest drivers take long routes to inflate the fare. Track your journey on Google Maps independently.
Hotel taxi touts
Some hotel staff earn commission from unlicensed taxis. Always book your own via app.
If overcharged, report it to Budapest Metropolitan Government (+36 1 433 0600) or the National Transport Authority (NKH). Note the licence plate and company name.
Approximate Fare Guide (licensed metered taxi, 2025)
Airport → City Centre
~10,000–14,000 HUF
€25–€36
Cross-city journey
~4,000–8,000 HUF
€10–€20
Short city hop
~2,000–3,500 HUF
€5–€9
Base fare (flag fall)
~1,100–1,500 HUF
~€3
App-based rides (Bolt, Uber) are often 10–20% cheaper than metered taxis for the same journey. If you're quoted substantially more than these ranges, walk away.
Bikes & Scooters
Budapest has extensive cycle lanes along the Danube, through City Park, and across many inner districts. Bikes and scooters are a fast, enjoyable way to cover short to medium distances.
MOL Bubi
City Bike Share
The official Budapest city bike share, operated by MOL. Over 150 docking stations and 2,500+ bikes across the inner city and Margaret Island. Registered users can take unlimited 30-minute rides (short trips are very affordable).
Lime
Electric Scooters & Bikes
Lime operates electric scooters and bikes across Budapest. Unlock via the Lime app — widely available in Districts I, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII. Pay per minute or use a day pass.
Bolt Scooters
Electric Scooters
Bolt (the same company as the ride-hailing app) operates a large fleet of electric scooters across the city. Often the cheapest per-minute rate. Unlock via the Bolt app — same account as taxi bookings.
Cycling infrastructure in Budapest continues to improve. The riverside path from Kopaszi-gát to Margaret Island is largely cycle-separated and one of the most pleasant routes in the city. Helmets are not legally required for adults but are strongly recommended for scooters.
Car Sharing & Car Rental
Driving in central Budapest is not recommended for visitors — parking is scarce, confusing, and paid in most inner districts. But for day trips, IKEA runs, or reaching the suburbs, these options cover you.
Car Sharing
Car sharing (short-term self-drive rental, by the hour or minute) operates across Budapest. All vehicles are booked via app — no paperwork at a counter. Most services are electric.
Pre-registration required: All car-share services require you to create an account, upload your driving licence, and verify your identity before your first trip. This process can take a few hours to a day to approve — register in advance, not when you need the car.
GreenGo
greengo.hu →Budapest's largest electric car-share service. A wide fleet of EVs parked across the city — book, unlock, drive, and park anywhere within the service zone. No reservation needed. Pay per kilometre and minute, or use time packages.
MOL Limo
mollimo.hu →MOL's car-sharing service offering a fleet of vehicles across Budapest. Operated by Hungary's MOL Group. Book via the MOL Limo app, pick up from designated spots, and drop off anywhere in the service zone.
Wigo
wigo.hu →A popular free-floating car-share service in Budapest with a growing fleet. Book, unlock, and drive via the Wigo app. Flexible pricing by the minute with no fixed stations — leave the car anywhere within the service area.
Car Rental
Traditional car hire (day rental) is available at Budapest Airport and at locations in the city. Useful for multi-day trips to the Puszta, Balaton, or wine regions. Book in advance online for better rates.