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If you are planning your first trip to Budapest, you might be curious about whether or not you need to rent a car or what you need to plan for moving around.
The good news is that with a bit of preparation you don’t have to worry about this a lot.
Budapest has one of the best transport network systems in Central Europe.
🥳 MY TOP BUDAPEST SUGGESTIONS
⭐ Hotel: For an affordable hotel right on Kiraly utca, check out this. It gets booked in advance and it is perfect for a solo or couple weekend escape. Check out all my recommendations for hotels here.
⭐ Activities: I really loved this chimney class, especially if it is your first time in the city. 👉 Book here.
⭐ Favorite place to eat: At for Sale pub for the quirky vibes, Vaj Bakery for breakfast and Food Market for Langos.
⭐ Must do repeat activity: Rent a bike from these guys and head to to Margaret Island and also Szentendre village. It is stunning!
Getting from Budapest Airport to the City
This will be your first priority of course.
When you arrive at Budapest airport, the easiest way to reach the center is the 100E Airport Shuttle Bus.
Airport Bus 100E
This is the direct airport bus connecting the airport with central Budapest.
Most of my trips I’ve used this exact bus which drops you off near the Jewish District. The station is called Astoria and it takes about 40 minutes. From there it is a 10 minute walk to Szimpla Kert.
The last stop is Deák Ferenc tér which is also the main transport hub in central Budapest. It is 5 minutes from St. Stephen’s Basilica and another great option if you are staying near that area.
🔎 Still figuring out where to stay in Budapest? You need to read my guide on the best areas to stay in Budapest and what to expect from hotel prices in the area.
Stops include:
- Kálvin tér
- Astoria
- Deák Ferenc tér (main transport hub)
Travel time: about 40–45 minutes
Price: about 2,200 HUF (€5–6)
Frequency: every 10–15 minutes
Tickets can be bought from the ticket machines near the bus stop at the airport, but I actually have another recommendation which is…
Get the BudapestGO App
Instead of dealing with finding a vending machine to top up, buy single tickets or multi-day tickets … you can simply go straight through the app.
I’ve used the app on my last few trips, especially because I wanted to buy for 2 or more people at the same time.
It works great and you won’t have to worry about it afterwards.
Budget Option: Bus 200E + Metro
If you want a cheaper option, you can take Bus 200E from the airport to Kőbánya-Kispest metro station, then transfer to Metro Line M3.
Cost: about 500 HUF (€1.30)
Downside: requires changing transport.
🔥 TOP CHOICE
Photo Credit: Booking.com
Budapest 72 hour Card
I have a full breakdown of the Budapest 72-Hour Card below and a separate section at the bottom of the article. This is another option to consider before purchasing airport transfers, since the card includes airport transport.
Budapest Public Transport System
Budapest has one of the best public transport systems in Central Europe. Everything operates under the same ticket system.
Transport options include:
- Metro
- Trams
- Buses
- Trolleybuses
- Suburban trains (HÉV)
- Danube river boats (seasonal)
The entire network is operated by BKK (Budapesti Közlekedési Központ).
The Budapest Metro
The metro is the fastest way to cross the city.
Budapest has four metro lines:
| Line | Color | Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| M1 | Yellow | Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square |
| M2 | Red | Buda–Pest connection |
| M3 | Blue | North–South Pest |
| M4 | Green | Buda to city center |
I don’t usually use the metro, unless I go towards the areas of Széchenyi Thermal Bath or the Zoo.
Budapest Trams (Often the Best Way to Travel)
Trams are one of the most useful and scenic ways to move around the city.
Two lines are especially useful for visitors.
Tram 2
Runs along the Danube riverfront in Pest.
It passes:
- Hungarian Parliament
- Chain Bridge
- Danube Promenade
- Shoes on the Danube Bank
It’s often called one of the most scenic tram rides in Europe.
Tram 4 and 6
These run along Nagykörút (Grand Boulevard) and operate 24 hours a day, making them extremely useful late at night.
How to Buy Transport Tickets
The easiest way to buy tickets is through the BudapestGO app.
With the app you can:
- Buy tickets or passes
- Check live timetables
- Plan routes
- Track delays
Alternatively, you can buy tickets from:
- Ticket machines at metro stations
- BKK ticket offices
- Some newsstands
Buying tickets from drivers is possible but slightly more expensive. There is no reason to go with this option. I still recommend having the app on your phone…
Budapest Transport Prices (2026)
Here are the typical prices for public transport. As you can see prices are very affordable. 500 HUF is just over 1 euro.
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Single ticket | ~450–500 HUF |
| Ticket bought on bus | ~600 HUF |
| 24-hour pass | ~2500 HUF |
| 72-hour pass | ~5500 HUF |
| Airport bus 100E | ~2200 HUF |
If you plan to move around the city often, a transport pass is usually the best value. You can use a multi day pass from the app or go with the Budapest 72 hour card as mentioned.
Night Transport in Budapest
Budapest has good late-night transport options.
- Tram 4 and 6 run 24 hours
- Night buses operate across the city
- Major routes run every 15–30 minutes
This makes it easy to move around even after restaurants and bars close.
Getting Around Budapest by Bike or Scooter
Budapest has become much more bike-friendly in recent years. As someone that dislikes biking in big cities due to safety issues, I’ve had no issues biking here and have rented bikes every time I visit.
One of my favorite routes to take on a bike is to Margaret Island, and if you are up for a bit more of a ride then head out to Szentendre.
MOL Bubi Bikes
The city’s bike-sharing system.
- stations all over the city
- inexpensive short rides
- accessible through the BudapestGO app
- more expensive and not worth it in my opinion
Electric Scooters
Companies like Lime and Blinkee operate throughout Budapest.
You can unlock them using their apps and pay per ride.
Again, while I’ve listed them as an option I would not recommend this option to most people.
Scooters are faster but also less safe in certain circumstances. Unless you use them a lot at home, then this is not the time to try.
Renting a bike
My preferred option is to rent directly from a company. You get better bikes and better prices. If you are renting an apartment you simply park it in the building like the locals.
I love and recommend this local provider that was right near my mum’s house and we rented bikes from them all the time for multiple days.
Taxis and Ride Apps
Budapest taxis are regulated and relatively affordable compared to many European capitals.
Typical prices:
- Base fare: around 1000 HUF
- Per kilometer: about 440 HUF
Trusted companies include:
- Főtaxi
- 6×6 Taxi
Many visitors prefer using Bolt, which works similarly to Uber.
I think taxis are a great option if you’re heading somewhere that is not covered by metro or buses or if it’s late at night, but overall it is a last-minute option.
Quick Tips for Using Budapest Transport
- Always validate your paper ticket before boarding.
- Ticket inspectors are common and fines are high.
- The BudapestGO app makes navigating much easier.
- If you’re staying 2–3 days, a transport pass is often worth it.
- Go with the online tickets when you can.
One of the main reasons I recommend the app is the fact you can’t lose your ticket. I misplaced mine in the metro once and was stopped by an inspector. Even though I frantically searched for it, he proceeded to begin the fining process. Thankfully, I found it just in time to avoid paying 35 euros.
⚠️ It is also super important to understand that you need to validate tickets before boarding. Unless a ticket is validated it doesn’t count as though you have a ticket.
Is Public Transport the Best Way to Get Around Budapest?
For most visitors, yes.
Budapest’s transport system is cheap, reliable, and easy to use, and many attractions are located along major metro or tram lines.
In fact, many travelers find that metro + trams + walking is the perfect combination for exploring the city.
What about the Budapest 72 Card?
I’ve written an extensive review on this card that you can read here, but the short info is yes, it’s worth it.
If you are planning to see a lot of the top attractions in the city, or if you’re visiting for the first time, then you can save money by doing a lot of the major sights within 3 days.
Since you also get unlimited public transport access for the full duration of 72 hours, you don’t have to worry about paying anything separately.
Book your Budapest Card here
Should You Rent a Car in Budapest?
For most visitors, you do not need a car in Budapest.
The only time you would need one is if you head out to other cities.
That said, renting a car can make sense if you plan to explore outside the city.
- Kékes, the highest mountain in Hungary
- The Danube Bend
- Wine regions like Eger (such beautiful area)
- Small towns in the Hungarian countryside
If you enjoy hiking or want to explore more of Hungary’s nature, having a car gives you much more flexibility.
One of my favorite trips from Budapest was heading out to Kékes Peak, which is the highest point in the country and surprisingly easy to reach from the city.
You can read the full route and tips here on how to get the bus (which is very affordable).
Short on time? Top Budapest recommendations
📲 Best eSIM for Budapest: I love testing different e-sim companies. My go to recently is Superalink and you can use my code BACH20 for 20% off any plans.
🚖 Airport Tip: Grab the 100E bus or book an affordable shuttle from around 35 euro return per person.
🏺 Best Tours:
There are so many organized tours in Budapest. I personally love cooking classes, walking tours, museums and unique experiences. Start with these:
- Budapest: Unlimited Prosecco, Beer and Aperol Spritz Cruise – Super popular social cruise!
- Széchenyi Spa Day Ticket – Most well known spa in the city!
- Hungarian Chimney Cake Workshop – Fun and tasty! Loved this class
- Budapest downtown: Real shooting experience – Highly recommend and very safety focused!
- Budapest: Buda Castle Cave Tour
- Budapest: Parliament Building Entry Ticket and Audio Guide
