Getting Around Budapest – Public Transport and Tickets Made Simple
Budapest’s public transport network is well connected and easy to use. Metro lines, trams, buses, and trolleybuses work together under one system and allow quick and uncomplicated travel across the city, on both sides of the Danube. To use public transport in Budapest, you need a valid ticket.
Tickets & Prices
One-Ride Tickets
- Single ticket - 450 HUF, €1.20, $1.30* - These tickets are valid for one uninterrupted journey. Transfers are not permitted, except when transferring within the metro system.
- Single ticket bought on the spot, 600 HUF, €1.55, $1.70* (read more below).
- Block of 10 tickets - 4,000 HUF, €10.30, $11.15* - A practical option if you plan several rides but do not want a time-based pass.
- Airport Shuttle single ticket - 2,200 HUF, €5.65, $6.15* - Valid only on airport bus 100E.
- Add-on Airport Shuttle single ticket - 1,000 HUF, €2.50, $2.80* - Discounted add-on valid only in combination with time-based tickets. Valid only on airport bus 100E.
Please note: Paper single tickets must be stamped before boarding using the validation machines at metro entrances or inside vehicles.
Time-Based Tickets
These tickets allow unlimited travel within their period of validity and do not require validation.
- 30-minute ticket - 530 HUF, €1.40, $1.50*
- 90-minute ticket - 750 HUF, €2.00, $2.10*
- 24-hour travel card - 2,500 HUF, €6.50, $7.00*
- 72-hour travel card - 5,500 HUF, €14.50, $15.50*
- 15-Day Pass - 6,300 HUF, €17.00, $18.00 - worth it from the 5th day of stay
- Monthly Pass - 9,500 HUF, €24.50, $26.50* - worth it from the 16th day of stay
*All prices are based on January 2026 rates.
Good to know
- Children under 6 travel free of charge when accompanied by an adult.
- Children under 14 travel free of charge only with valid proof of pupil status.
- Seniors aged 65 and over travel free of charge when carrying a valid original photo ID.
Smartphone App – The Most Convenient Option
The BudapestGO app is the official app for public transport in Budapest and the easiest way to buy and manage tickets. Digital tickets are purchased directly in the app do not need to be validated and are always available on your smartphone, so there is no need to look for ticket machines or carry paper tickets. In addition to ticket purchases, the app offers route planning, real-time service information and disruption alerts. This makes it a practical all-in-one tool for getting around the city.
Ticket Sales Points
If using a smartphone app is not your thing and you simply prefer a more traditional approach, there are several easy ways to purchase paper tickets.
- Multilingual ticket machines: Large purple BKK machines located at metro stations and major transport hubs. Payment by card and contactless options is always possible. Cash is accepted at selected machines only.
- Pay&GO: On selected lines and at some metro entrances, Pay&GO devices allow you to buy and validate tickets by tapping a contactless payment option.
- BKK customer service centers and ticket offices: Found at major stations and central interchange points. Suitable if you prefer personal assistance or need ticket advice.
- Retail sales points: Selected kiosks and small shops sell paper tickets, mainly in central areas and near busy locations.
- Purchase from the driver: At stops without ticket machines, a single ticket must be purchased directly from the driver for a higher price.
Public Transport Overview
Budapest’s public transport daytime services operate frequently from 5:00 a.m. until midnight, with slightly longer intervals late in the evening. Weekend schedules largely follow the same pattern, with extended late-night service on busy routes.
- Metro: Fast cross-city connections are handled primarily by the underground network. Four lines link major districts, transport hubs and key sights, making this option especially useful for longer distances and direct journeys across Budapest.
- Trams: Dense coverage in central areas is provided by an extensive tram network. Several lines follow major corridors and riverfront routes, including sections along the Danube, which makes this mode both practical and scenic.
- Buses and Trolleybuses: Areas not directly served by rail-based transport are connected through buses and trolleybuses. These services reach residential neighborhoods, hillside districts in Buda and large parts of Pest, ensuring full network coverage during the day.
> Important note: On some bus routes, boarding is through the front door only, and tickets or passes may be checked on entry - Airport Shuttle Buses: The only public transport services connecting the airport with the city are buses.
> 100E: Provides a direct connection to central locations in the city and requires a separate airport shuttle ticket, as mentioned above.
> 200E: Connects the airport with the M3 metro line at Kőbánya-Kispest. All standard city tickets and passes are valid on this service.
> Important note: All options for travelling between the airport and the inner city are explained separately in the guide Budapest Airport – Getting to the City Center. - Special and Heritage Transport Services: The historic funicular is UNESCO World Heritage Site and has connected the riverside with Buda Castle since 1870. A chairlift provides access to the Buda Hills. Standard public transport tickets are not valid, as each service has its own ticket system.
- Night Buses: After midnight, night buses and certain tram services take over, operating from 23:30 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. Most lines run at 15- to 60-minute intervals, with more frequent departures on busy central routes and less frequent service toward outer districts.
Budapest’s public transport system is straightforward once the basic rules are clear. A transparent ticket structure, multiple purchase options and reliable services make it easy to move around the city without unnecessary planning. Whether you rely on digital tickets or prefer paper options, the system is designed to work smoothly and efficiently, allowing you to focus on exploring Budapest rather than worrying about how to get from A to B.
