Budapest public transportation
Budapest has a fairly extensive and efficient public transport system which consists of a combination of the bus, trolley-bus, tram, metro, and train lines and tickets for all of them can generally be purchased at the same locations. Single ticket is 320 HUF, (400 HUF if purchased from the driver on board): valid on all public transport vehicles for one uninterrupted trip, for up to 60 minutes. If you visit Budapest for 2-3 days and you stay in a city center hotel I recommend that you use single tickets or the discounted block of 10 tickets or Budapest Card to make travelleing on Budapest public transport services hassle-free. The Budapest Card includes the choice of a two (6300 HUF) or three day (7500 HUF) unlimited ride pass for public transportation within the city boundaries along with other discounts for tourist attractions. The Budapest Card can be purchased at the TourInform – tourist information centers at Liszt Ferenc Airport, train stations and a few city offices. More info at:
In all cases make sure you validate the ticket as you enter the the vehicle or in the station (for the metro). Look for a small orange box on a pole that serves as a validator in metros and newer surface transport vehicles in which you slot in your ticket. In older trams, buses, and trains it is a small red “box” that you insert your ticket and move the black collar towards you mechnically that marks your ticket. The Budapest Public Transport Limited employs ticket inspectors who wear blue arm bands and check weather your ticket is validated correctily. For this reason, it is important to keep your validated ticket until the end of your journey.
European Union citizens over 65 years of age travel free on public transport in Budapest; require no ticket or pass apart from identification of age such as passport or driving licence.
Budapest currently has three metro lines: M1 (Yellow), M2 (Red) and M3 (Blue). M4 is currently under construction. The Yellow line is the oldest underground transportation line in continental Europe. All lines meet at Deák Ferenc Tér – there you can change lines.
Budapest has an extensive system of above-ground trams. Useful lines for tourists are the 4 or 6, which follow the large ring road that encircle Budapest city center, or No. 2 that runs along the Danube in the city centre. In addition to the trams, there are numerous bus lines. Trolley-buses look much like buses except they’re powered by electrical lines. One line that can be of use to visitors is the 70 which leaves from the south side of Kossuth square across from the Parlament and cuts through the city center crossing Andrássy boulevard and terminates in the City Park (Városliget).
All regular transportation services stop around midnight – except for tram 4 or 6. Night buses replace metro lines, major tram and bus routes and run through the night until normal service resumes in the morning. Separate schedules for night and day buses are posted at every stop.
For directions, you can use the great tool of Google Maps. The following example gives you instructions on how to get to the congress centre from one of the railway stations.
Advanced users may try the route planner of Budaspest Transportation Limited:
http://utazastervezo.bkv.hu/tervezo/index.php?lng=eng
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