Essential tips for navigating Budapest (on both sides of the Danube)

With an abundance of buses, boats, trams, and Metro trains, exploring Budapest is a breeze. The city is very pedestrian-friendly, and for those times when you need to travel further or in a hurry, numerous options are available.

The city’s transport network, managed by Budapest Közlekedési Központ (BKK), includes metro lines, trams, buses, and even summer boat services. BKK offers a convenient app for planning your journeys, allowing you to check arrival times for buses, trams, boats, or metros—especially helpful in winter when temperatures often dip below -1°C (30°F).

No matter the season, here are the top methods for getting around Budapest.

Grab a travel card or transport pass for affordable travel in Budapest.

In Budapest's public transport system, you can purchase a ticket for a single ride or opt for a travel pass that lasts anywhere from 24 hours to a month, applicable across all BKK-operated transportation. Prices start at 2,500 Ft for a 24-hour pass. The Budapest Card also provides public transport access along with free admission to various sights and attractions, starting at 12,990 Ft for a 24-hour period.

Tickets for public transport can be acquired from ticket offices in metro stations or at the purple self-service machines found at most metro, bus, and tram stops. If you choose a single ticket, remember to validate it when entering the metro station or boarding a bus or tram.

Keep your ticket until the journey is complete. Ticket inspectors often blend in as regular passengers until they display their purple armbands, and fines for riding without a valid ticket can be steep (the fine doubles if you cannot pay immediately). Note that tickets cannot be transferred between different metro lines.

Walking is the best way to appreciate Budapest's stunning architecture.

While walking might not be the quickest way to navigate the city, it's definitely the most delightful. A stroll through Budapest's hidden streets could uncover your new favorite café, making each walk feel like a spontaneous exploration of the city's beautiful architecture.

Budapest is generally safe for pedestrians, but be mindful that some sections of the Danube Banks, especially in Buda, have shared paths for cyclists and walkers, so keep an eye out for bikes.

Cycling around Budapest is simple and affordable.

Budapest is incredibly bike-friendly, featuring bike lanes that crisscross the city center and extend into the outer districts, with the riverside paths in Buda being among the most favored routes for visitors.

Renting a bike in Budapest is a breeze; just look for the green stations of the MOL Bubi bike-sharing system. You can rent bikes through the app, starting at 40Ft per minute. Once you're finished, return the bike to any of the numerous stations around the city to stop the meter.

Glide through Budapest using the metro.

The metro is the fastest way to navigate Budapest, especially during the chilly winter months. With four lines, Metro Line 1 (the Yellow Line) is notable as the oldest underground railway in continental Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Metro Line 1 operates from Vörösmarty tér to City Park, running beneath Andrássy Avenue. Line 2 (red) connects Déli pályaudvar in Buda to Örs Vezér tér in Pest. Line 3 (blue) traverses Pest from north to south but often undergoes construction, requiring a replacement bus. The sleek Line 4 (green) runs from Keleti train station to Kelenföld train station.

Trams in Budapest offer fantastic views of the city.

The tram network spans most of downtown Pest and Buda, extending into the suburbs. Trams are quick, user-friendly, and typically faster than buses, allowing you to enjoy the stunning scenery of this famous city instead of traveling underground like on the metro.

Tram 2 boasts one of the most picturesque routes in Europe, hugging the banks of the Danube on the Pest side while passing by the Hungarian Parliament and offering views of Castle Hill across the river. Trams 4 and 6 connect Buda and Pest from Petőfi Bridge to Margit Bridge, crossing the Grand Boulevard in Pest.

Opt for the bus for excellent connections to the suburbs.

Buses and electric trolleybuses serve the city, extending all the way to the outer suburbs. The standard blue buses are a great choice for reaching the Buda Hills or the Castle District. Buses 16 and 16A will take you to the castle, while buses 21 and 21A head to Normafa, the city's highest point, known for its parks and hiking trails. On the Pest side, red trolleybuses connect downtown to areas beyond the Grand Boulevard.

Suburban trains are perfect for day trips from Budapest.

The suburban train network, known as HÉV (Helyiérdekű Vasút), is ideal for day-trippers eager to explore charming towns just outside Budapest, such as Szentendre, a lovely town that once hosted a large Serbian community and a vibrant art colony.

To reach Szentendre easily, take the HÉV H5 line, which departs from downtown Buda. Other useful lines include HÉV H8, which heads to Gödöllő – home of the stunning Baroque Gödöllő Royal Palace – and HÉV H7, which travels south to Csepel Island.

Summer boats navigate the Danube.

During the summer, BKK operates a special boat service along the Danube, linking various riverbank stops. This ferry can take you to some of the city’s most notable attractions, including the Castle Garden Bazaar, the Hungarian Parliament, and Margaret Island.

While the boat isn't the fastest option for travel, it's a budget-friendly way to enjoy a city tour for just 750Ft. Shorter ferry rides are available for 170Ft per ticket. Be sure to verify the service's availability before heading to the riverbanks, as it can be inconsistent.

Ride-sharing apps are convenient for late-night transportation.

If you need to return to your hotel late at night and want to avoid the uncertainty of hailing a cab on the street, consider downloading the Bolt app (previously known as Taxify). It functions similarly to Uber (which is no longer available in Hungary), allowing you to secure a ride within minutes in most city areas.

Opt for reputable taxi services when traveling around Budapest at night.

Traditional taxis are readily available in Budapest, but it's advisable to use reliable firms like City Taxi, Főtaxi, or 6x6 Taxi. Avoid hailing cabs on the street as there are still some dishonest drivers, though they are less common now. You can easily book a taxi by phone, through the firms' apps, or have restaurants and hotels arrange one for you.

Renting a car is mainly beneficial for day trips outside Budapest.

Renting a car in Budapest isn’t really worthwhile unless you plan on taking long-distance day excursions. Major international rental companies like Hertz and Avis have locations in several large hotels and at the airport.

Transportation accessibility in Budapest

Budapest has made strides in improving transportation accessibility in recent years, yet there is still much progress to be made. Metro Line 4 is fully wheelchair-accessible throughout its entire route, whereas the older metro lines have limited stops with elevators and wheelchair access.

Tram lines 4 and 6 are designed to be step-free and accessible for wheelchairs, but many other tram lines present several steps between the street and the vehicle. Most buses accommodate wheelchair users, with drivers lowering the bus and extending a ramp. However, HÉV trains are older and feature steep steps that can be difficult to navigate, even for those without mobility challenges.

For more information, visit the BKK website, which includes a guide to accessibility on Budapest’s public transport.