Overview
Budapest's public transport system is a well-integrated network centred on the rapid transit metro, supplemented by trams, buses, and suburban rail. As a visitor, you can travel across the city using a single fare system: purchase a ticket or pass, validate it when you board, and transfer freely between modes within the validity period. The metro is the fastest way to cross the city; trams are excellent for sightseeing, especially those running along the Danube; and buses fill gaps in less central areas. Most of the main tourist attractions lie within zones served by the metro and central tram lines.
The network
Metro
Budapest's Metro (Hungarian: Budapesti metró) is the world's second oldest electrified underground railway, opened in 1896. It consists of four lines, each colour-coded.
- M1 (yellow): Opened in 1896 and the oldest line. It runs northeast from the city centre under Andrássy út towards Városliget (City Park), with 11 stations. Eight of the original stations retain their historical appearance and feature displays of historical photographs.
- M2 (red): Runs east–west from Déli pályaudvar (Southern Station) in Buda through the city centre to Örs vezér tere in eastern Pest, crossing the Danube. It connects to mainline railways at Déli and Keleti stations and interchanges with M1 and M3 at Deák Ferenc tér.
- M3 (blue): The longest line at approximately 16 kilometres, running north-northeast to southeast on the Pest side. It connects residential areas with the city centre and interchanges with M1 and M2 at Deák Ferenc tér and with M4 at Kálvin tér. A complete renovation finished in May 2023.
- M4 (green): Opened in May 2014. Runs southwest–northeast for 7.4 kilometres from Kelenföld vasútállomás (Kelenföld Railway Station) in Buda to Keleti Railway Station (Eastern Station) in Pest, with ten stations. It connects to M3 at Kálvin tér and to M2 at Keleti pályaudvar.
The entire metro system spans 39.4 kilometres with 52 stations. Trains run from approximately 04:30 to 00:00 (midnight), with frequencies of every 3–5 minutes during peak times.
Trams (Villamos)
Trams are a convenient and scenic way to travel, particularly for sightseeing. Major tourist lines include:
- Tram 2 and 2B: Run along the Pest embankment of the Danube between Jászai Mari tér and Közvágóhíd, passing Parliament at Kossuth Square.
- Tram 4 and 6: Cross the city through central districts.
- Tram 19: A sightseeing line in Buda connecting Kelenföld Train Station to Óbuda, running along the Danube between Liberty and Margaret bridges.
- Tram 47 and 49: Connect Pest to Buda across the river.
Buses
The bus network covers the entire city. The main airport express bus is line 100E, which runs every 10 minutes during the day between Deák tér (city centre) and Airport Terminal 2, taking 30–40 minutes.
Suburban Rail (HÉV)
Several suburban rail lines connect Budapest to outlying towns. Key lines include H5 (to Szentendre), H6, H7, H8 (to Gödöllő), and H9, with connections at various metro interchanges.
Tickets & fares
Ticket types and current prices (as of August 2026)
- Single ticket: 500 HUF (Hungarian forint) if purchased in advance; 700 HUF if bought on board.
- Block of 10 tickets: 4,500 HUF (approximately 450 HUF each).
- 30-minute travel ticket: 600 HUF (unlimited transfers within 30 minutes).
- 90-minute travel ticket: 850 HUF (unlimited transfers within 90 minutes).
- 24-hour travel card: 2,750 HUF.
- 72-hour travel card: 5,750 HUF.
- 24-hour group travel card: 5,000 HUF for up to five people.
These fares are approximate and change; check current prices with the operator or at point of sale.
Special fares and free travel
- Children up to 14 years: free public transport.
- Citizens of the EU and Switzerland aged 65 and over: free public transport (requires valid ID).
- Students and pupils: discount monthly and yearly passes available with valid school ID, though single-ticket discounts do not apply.
Purchasing tickets
You can buy tickets at over 300 locations:
- Ticket vending machines at metro stations and the airport (available 24/7, accepting cash or card).
- BKK Customer Sales Points at the airport.
- The BudapestGO mobile app (purchase online in advance).
- Newspaper kiosks (limited availability).
Smart card and tap-to-ride system
A new automated fare collection system called Budapest Pay&GO was introduced on bus line 100E in June 2023 and became available on all metro lines from 22 April 2026. This system allows you to tap your payment card or device at readers to pay per journey.
Validation
Time-based and block tickets must be validated when you board:
- On the metro, locate the orange-coloured validation machine and insert your ticket to stamp the date and time.
- On trams and buses, scan the QR code printed on the vehicle (except for transfers between metro lines, which do not require re-validation).
- Once validated, you may transfer freely between lines within the ticket's time window without re-validating.
From the airport
Budapest Franz Liszt International Airport (BUD) is located about 16 kilometres southeast of the city centre. Several public-transport options connect the airport to central Budapest.
Bus line 100E (Airport Express)
The fastest and most direct bus route runs every 10 minutes during the day (and every 20 minutes early morning and late night) between Airport Terminal 2 and Deák tér in the city centre, taking 30–40 minutes. The bus operates outbound from the airport 03:40–00:40 and from the city 05:00–01:20. The fare is 2,200 HUF. Purchase tickets from vending machines, customer service kiosks, or from the driver. The bus stop in the city centre is at Károly körút in front of Városháza Park.
Bus 200E + Metro
Bus line 200E runs between Terminal 2 and Kőbánya-Kispest Metro station (25 minutes, 500 HUF fare). From there, you can purchase a metro ticket (500 HUF) and take metro line M3 to Deák Ferenc tér in the city centre (about 20 minutes). This route takes approximately 45 minutes total if connections are smooth. Bus 200E runs all day with 7–8 minute frequency during the day and 30–60 minutes at late night. The metro runs every 3–5 minutes between 04:30 and 00:00.
Train from airport
Kőbánya-Kispest station also serves mainline trains with departures every 10–15 minutes to Budapest Nyugati (Western Station) in the northern city centre (approximately 25 minutes). Note that trains to Budapest Keleti (Eastern Station) make a lengthy scenic loop of the countryside; avoid this route if you are in a hurry.
Taxi and shared transfer
Licensed taxis queue at the airport's taxi stand. Official fares are fixed citywide: a base fare of 1,300 HUF, 521 HUF per kilometre, 130 HUF per minute waiting time, plus an 800 HUF airport surcharge (as of August 2026). A trip to central Budapest costs approximately 13,000 HUF or more. The official shared shuttle service, MiniBud, offers single tickets from around 8,990 HUF and returns from around 15,990 HUF per person, with discounts for additional passengers.
Etiquette & customs
- Queuing: Hungarians queue orderly at ticket machines and bus stops. Respect queues when boarding crowded trains during rush hours.
- Escalators: Stand on the right side of escalators to allow faster passengers to pass on the left, particularly in the metro.
- Priority and courtesy seating: Seats marked or visibly reserved at the front of trams and buses are for elderly people, passengers with disabilities, and pregnant women. Offer your seat if you are able.
- Eating and drinking: Eating is generally discouraged on metros and buses. Drinking water or non-alcoholic beverages is usually acceptable, but avoid alcohol and messy foods.
- Noise and behaviour: Keep conversations quiet and respectful. During rush hours, expect crowding but maintain a calm demeanour.
- Ticket validation: Always validate your ticket upon boarding; inspectors conduct random checks and fines for invalid or missing tickets are substantial.
Official links
Survival terms
- Metró (métro) – metro/subway
- Jegy (jegy) – ticket
- Vonal (vonal) – line
- Bejárat (bejárat) – entrance
- Kijárat (kijárat) – exit
- Átszállás (átszállás) – transfer
- Egyjegy (egyjegy) – single fare/single ticket
- Napi bérlet (napi bérlet) – day pass
Download the BudapestGO app before your trip to purchase tickets in advance and avoid queuing at vending machines during busy times.