Planning the perfect trip to Budapest? Looking for details and tips? How about local public transport, parking and what are the prices? Looking for tips on hotels that will make you feel at home? Find out all about Budapest in our Budapest Travel Guide.
Article content:
- Budapest
- Transport to Budapest
- Public transport and metro
- Danube cruises
- Rent a bike
- Accommodation
- Prices
- Tips
- Safety
☞ In the second part of the Budapest guide you will find tips on things to do in Budapest and where to eat.
Budapest
I hadn’t considered visiting Budapest until a few years back. But then I saw the Fisherman’s Bastion once and my chin dropped. And not only the Fisherman’s Bastion, but also Matthias Temple and the Parliament are some of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen.
Budapest is also a great place to eat. Even if you have to eat the whole holiday, you won’t regret it. There are great authentic restaurants, bars and cafes. Especially in the Jewish Quarter, you rarely go wrong.
Plus, travelling through Budapest will give your wallet a break, unlike Amsterdam or Barcelona. Prices are favourable.
The name Budapest was created by combining two names – BUDA and PEST. Under these names, one can imagine formerly separate units that were merged at the end of the 19th century. The imaginary dividing line of the city is the Danube River, which divides the city into two parts:
- Pest on the left bank is the livelier part of Budapest, full of great restaurants and bars, entertainment, nightlife, but also beautiful places like the Parliament and St. Stephen’s Chuch.
- Buda along the right bank of the Danube is smaller and sleeker, but you’ll find some of Budapest’s most beautiful places, such as Gellért Hill, Buda Castle, Matthias Cathedral and Fisherman’s Bastion.
Buda and Pest are connected by several bridges. And some of them are gems worth seeing in their own right – the Chain Bridge, the Liberty Bridge, the modern Elizabeth Bridge or the golden Margaret Bridge.
☞ Advantageous holiday packages in Budapest.
Transport to Budapest
Budapest is not far away. This offers several ways to get to Budapest comfortably – by air, train, bus or car.
- It takes just over an hour to get from Prague to Budapest by air. Flights from other European cities are also good.
- By car to Budapest via Brno and Bratislava will take 5 hours and 15 minutes (approx. 525 km from Prague).
- The train journey from Prague takes 6 h 45 min.
- It takes 6-7 hours by bus to get to the Hungarian capital from Prague via Bratislava.
Note: Times are calculated from Prague.
Flights to Budapest
You don’t need a week for a trip to Budapest. 3-4 days is enough, so you can get by with hand luggage, which is included in the price of low-cost airlines. Thanks to this, you can also get very cheap tickets – from Prague you can get direct one-way tickets from 600 CZK.
☞ Here you can find all flights to Budapest.
The plane arrives at Ferenc Liszt Airport on the eastern edge of the city. The airport is well organised, clear and clean.
How to get from Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport to the city centre?
Thanks to the location of Ferenc Liszt Airport, the city centre is easily accessible by public transport.
Buses leave every few minutes and you can buy tickets directly at the airport from the ticket machine (multiple languages including Slovak; you can also pay by card), at the customer service centres or on the BudapestGO app.
You can also pick up a map of the city at the airport.
☞ Learn more: Get inspired by our itinerary for 2 days in Budapest.
You can choose from two bus routes to get from the airport to the city centre:
How to get from Budapest Airport to the city centre: Bus 200E
Bus 200E will take you to the Kőbánya-Kispest M train station (25 minutes from the airport), where you will board the metro M3 (blue line). The M3 metro takes you directly to centre – the M3 line runs along the Danube through the Pest district (the journey from the interchange takes about 25 minutes).
Bus 200 E belongs to the classic regular buses. So the price is the same as anywhere else in Budapest and you don’t buy a special ticket.
One ride without transfer will cost you 450 HUF. You then have to buy a new ticket for the same price, i.e. the journey from the airport to the centre will cost you a total of HUF 900. There used to be a transfer ticket, but it is no longer available.
The other option is to travel unlimited with a single-day or multi-day ticket (you do not mark these on boarding or alighting).
The 200E buses run all day and night. Only at night the route is extended to Határ út metro station (23:00-04:00). Here you can take one of the night buses to the centre – 914, 914A, 950, 950A.
Hotels in Budapest 😴
How to get from the airport to Budapest: Bus 100E
Bus 100E is a direct shuttle bus, unlike the previous bus 200E, where you have to buy a special ticket. This can be bought like other tickets at the customer service centres, at the machines at the airport or on the BudapestGO app. You can also pay with your contactless card when boarding the bus – there are small yellow turnstiles.
The ticket will cost you 2200 HUF and the bus will take you to the centre. Buses run every 6-10 minutes during the day, every 10-15 minutes in the morning and evening and every 20-40 minutes at night.
You can get off at 3 places in Pest (they don’t stop in Buda):
- Kálvin tér M – a short walk from the Liberty Bridge and the central market in the south of Pest; connection for the green metro line M4
- Astoria M – a few minutes from the Elizabeth Bridge and the Great Synagogue; connection for the M2 red metro line
- Deák Ferenc tér M – right in the centre a few steps from the Ferris wheel, Andrássy Avenue and Chain Bridge; connection for the yellow M1 and red M2 metro lines
How to get from Budapest to Liszt Ferenc Airport?
The first option is to take the direct shuttle bus 100E. You can get on at the same stations where you get off at on your way from the airport to the city centre (see previous paragraph).
The only exception is the Astoria station, which is used for early morning connections to the airport – the 100E buses only leave between 00:12 and 04:32 in the morning. There’s no 100E bus to the airport at other times. They always stop at Kálvin tér and Deák Ferenc tér stations.
The 100E buses run every 7-12 minutes during the day, every 15-20 minutes in the evening and every 30-40 minutes at night between midnight and 3:30am. The ticket will cost you 2200 HUF.
The second option is to use regular scheduled services. Take the blue metro line M3 to Kőbánya-Kispest M station, where you change to bus 200E. Night services between 23:47-04:08 are provided by night buses 914, 914A, 950, 950A. You will get off at Határ út station, where you will again change to bus 200E. You can use a day ticket for this route, or you can use a day ticket for the following routes. two one-way tickets (450 HUF each).
You will depart back to Prague from Terminal 2A.
☞ Here is the link the official website of Budapest Airport.
By bus to Budapest from Prague
Bus services to Budapest are mainly provided by RegioJet and Flixbus. Tickets are available from CZK 518 for various times during the day (including night connections). You’ll spend 6-7 hours on the road depending on what time you go.
☞ Here you can find bus and train connections to Budapest.
Buses stop either at Kelenföld Station in the south-western suburbs of Budapest or at Népliget Station in the south-east of the city (when you buy your ticket, it will show you which station the bus ends at). We have had experience with both and I would recommend Népliget more, which is newer and cleaner.
From Kelenföld Station, the centre can be reached by the green metro line M4 and from Népliget by the blue metro line M3. Népliget station is closer to the airport – if you want to get to the airport, take the metro in the opposite direction. You can buy metro tickets from vending machines or the Budapest GO app.
☞ Learn more: Get inspired by our itinerary for 1 day in Budapest.
Train journey to Budapest from Prague
The train is another popular option for getting to Budapest. You can choose between RegioJet and České dráhy.
Both companies provide direct services to Kelenföld railway station in the south-western part of Budapest. The old building has seen its best years, and the homeless congregate here. From here it is easy to get to the centre by metro – the metro station is modern and clean.
A one-way ticket costs from CZK 600 – you can get the best price if you book at least a few weeks in advance.
☞ Stays in Budapest with half board and wellness.
Driving to Budapest
By car you are in Budapest from Prague in just over 5 hours net time. The route goes through Brno and along the D2 past Bratislava. In Hungary, you will find the M15, from which you will take the M1 (E60). It will take you all the way to Budapest.
In Slovakia and Hungary, you will need a vignette. These can be bought at petrol stations or online as in the Czech Republic.
- The Slovak vignette costs 12 €/10 days and you can buy it here.
- A vignette for Hungary costs 6 400 HUF/10 days. You can buy it at this link.
If necessary, vignettes can be bought for longer periods. I recommend buying vignettes via the links mentioned above – there are many websites on the internet that offer vignette purchases, but they are significantly more expensive compared to the official websites (see above).
☞ How to protect yourself when travelling by car: Auto insurance provides you with car insurance to get your car repaired, towed to a garage, transported back home or a replacement vehicle if needed. They will arrange and communicate everything for you.
Parking in Budapest
Budapest is divided into several parking zones with different hourly parking fees. In the central part of Buda and Pest, street parking is almost impossible. There are parking garages with prices around 1500 HUF/60 minutes, 18 000 HUF/day.
A large number of hotels in the city centre also offer parking garages – the fee is usually around €18/day. If you want to save money, a better option is to park in a P+R car park and take the metro a few minutes to your accommodation – more info on P+R parking in Budapest below.
☞ Here you can find parking options in Budapest including prices and conditions on an interactive map.
We personally prefer to use P+R car parks, which work well in other cities in Europe. These car parks are located on the outskirts of towns near railway stations or connections to public transport. The fee is significantly lower, sometimes even free. Plus it’s greener and saves you the hassle of finding a place in the centre :).
Here are some of the nearest P+R car parks:
- P+R parkoló Pillangó utca M – parking for 350 HUF/day, close to the metro station and a few minutes to the centre, good parking if you don’t want to park in the hotel
- Őrmező P+R near Kelenföld station – parking for 350 HUF/day, may be occupied soon
- P+R at Kelenföld station – parking for 350 HUF/day
Prices are valid for January 2024.
Public transport in Budapest
Budapest is perfectly interwoven with public transport. More than 200 bus routes take you from A to B.
There is also an extensive network of trams, which in total carry more people than the metro in Budapest. In addition, 13 trolleybus routes supplement the transport in Pest.
Using public transport is easy, intuitive and accessible to everyone. Here is a link to the official Budapest public transport website.
Hotels in Budapest 😴
Budapest Metro
The Budapest metro has a total of 4 lines:
- M1 Yellow Line – this route is the oldest in continental Europe and the third oldest in the world after London and Chicago. Starts in the centre at Vörösmarty tér square and leads through Andrassy Avenue to the Városliget City Park. There is a staff member who will mark your ticket.
- M2 Red line connects Budapest-Déli station just after Castle Hill and then runs from Buda past the Parliament through the centre to Keleti station
- M3 Blue Line – the M3 line runs along the Pest River from north to south
- M4 Green Line connects Kelenföld Station in south-west Budapest with Keleti Station in Pest
Budapest public transport price in 2024
Public transport prices in Budapest are as follows:
- Single ticket 450 HUF (purchased from the driver 600 HUF)
- Block of 10 single tickets 4 000 HUF
- Direct bus from the airport 2 200 HUF
- 24 hour ticket 2 500 HUF
- 72 hour ticket 5 500 HUF
You can buy tickets at stations, newsstands, vending machines, street stands or on the Budapest GO app.
You can check your paper ticket at the machine at the entrance to the metro or when boarding a bus or tram. In the case of a digital ticket, you scan the code again at the entrance to the metro (as with paper tickets) or outside the door for other modes of transport.
Single or multi-day tickets are not validated because they are dated.
☞ How to protect yourself when travelling: Travel insurance not only covers medical expenses, but also situations such as trip cancellation, loss of luggage or liability insurance. It will comprehensively take care of your safety on the road. Find out more about it, what all travel insurance covers.
Danube cruises
Another option is to take a ferry or boat trip on the Danube. The ferry operates all year round, the boat from May to September. Ferry services serve the area between Újpest and Millenniumi Városközpont, and river boats operate between Boráros tér and Pünkösdfürdo.
For us, cruising on the Danube was one of the best experiences – in the evening everything around the river is beautifully lit and you don’t know where to look before. You can also go on a day cruise.
Most popular cruises last 1-1.5 hours and usually include a drink (champagne, beer, wine or soft drinks). Evening dates may sell out – it is a good idea to book in advance. Part of the ship is covered and part is open.
Rent a bike in Budapest
Renting abike in Budapest is another way to experience the city. The MOL Bubi bikes are strategically placed throughout Budapest. The fee for registering a credit card is 120 HUF, which also gives you 3 minutes of driving time. You will then pay 40 HUF per minute.
Renting a bike in Budapest is easy. First, you download the MOL Bubi app and use the QR code to scan the sensor on your bike. You can rent a bike after the beep. To return the wheel, slide it back into place and click the lock. There must be a beep. The app also shows you the time you’ve driven.
Where to stay in Budapest
- SmartApart – Self-service accommodation to code in modern apartments
- Impulso Fashion Hotel – Amazing hotel with great value for money
- Three Corners Lifestyle Hotel – Modern hotel with excellent breakfast and a short walk from the centre
- Silver hotel City Center – Cheap accommodation in the centre of Budapest
- Hotel Tiliana – Ideal for families with children on the outskirts of Budapest
Hotels in Budapest 😴
Prices
Prices in Budapest are slightly lower than prices in the Czech Republic. Compared to other cities in Europe, your wallet will be relieved.
Food prices in Budapest
Compared to Prague, food prices in Budapest are the same or lower. Fruits and vegetables will be slightly cheaper than in the Czech Republic. Bread, meat and cheese are up to a third cheaper. You’ll also save on water, wine or beer.
In Budapest, you can shop at supermarkets such as Aldi, Lidl, Tesco and in the centre mainly SPAR (but you can also find Aldi in the central market, Lidl and Tesco).
Prices in restaurants
In the cheaper restaurants you can eat for around 4 000 HUF per person, while in the restaurants with a three-course menu around 10 000 HUF. Half a litre of beer will cost you 1000 HUF, a third of Coca Cola 540 HUF and a third of water 390 HUF.
More tips before visiting Budapest
- The national currency is the forint (HUF), which consists of 100 filler.
- Drinking water from fountains is available throughout the city.
- As I mentioned above, it’s really alive in Pest. And even on the banks of the Danube, which at times looks a bit like public landfill. However, these are mostly locations outside the city centre.
- Orientation in the city is really easy. If you get lost, feel free to ask the locals. Hungarians have very warm natures and are happy to help.
Safety
Budapest is generally a safe city, but be vigilant here to avoid falling victim to pickpockets or fraud. The pickpockets are usually on the rampage at popular tourist spots such as Matthias Temple, Fisherman’s Bastion and Parliament. Be careful on public transport too.
If you’re a man and you’re riding solo, beware of invitations from women on the street. It’s a very common scam where these women work for a bar that they invite you to, and unfortunately, you often don’t get paid on the spot.
Map of Budapest
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map for Budapest. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the Budapest guide. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
Best booking resources for visiting Budapest
Via Booking.com we search for all accommodation. It is the largest accommodation portal in the world and you will find everything from modern hotels, cosy guesthouses to seaside villas.
Slevomat is a great platform for those looking for half-board stays or wellness.
Get Your Guide is a huge booking system for buying tickets, guided tours and all sorts of activities. In one place you can read other travellers’ experiences and book tickets to the Vatican Museums, a cruise on the Danube or a desert safari in Dubai.
This was our Budapest travel guide on how to enjoy Budapest. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about Budapest
BUDAPEST: Get inspired by the best things to do in Budapest. In this article we share a map of the route for 2 days in Budapest. Are you only planning a short trip to Budapest? Here’s an itinerary of where to go in Budapest in 1 day.
Looking for accommodation in Budapest? Here are tips on the best hotels to stay in Budapest.
HUNGARY: Hungary is famous for its thermal baths – this is a list of the best thermal baths in Hungary.
ROME: Rome is one of the most popular cities in Europe. Here’s a list of the best things to see in Rome. Build your 3-day Rome itinerary and see how to save in Rome. Find out all about the Vatican Museums or the Colosseum.
VIENNA: Here’s a list of the best things to do in Vienna. If you’re travelling with kids, check out the best activities for Vienna with kids. To help you plan your trip, we’ve created an itinerary for Vienna in 3 days.
BERLIN: For inspiration on attractions and sights, read the best things to do in Berlin.
☞ Get inspiration on where to travel in our destination guide.
