Airport Shuttle Bus (100E) / Taxi
Budapest has an airport shuttle bus (100E) that connects the city center (Deák Ferenc Square) with the Ferenc Liszt International Airport. It’s a quick and cheap way to get in and out of the airport by public transport. The airport shuttle buses run every 20 minutes. The only downside is that they can get uncomfortably crowded. If you decide to take a taxi, note that there’s no flat rate service to and from the airport.
On Foot
Walking is the best way to discover a new city and Budapest is easily walkable – most tourist sites, restaurants, bars, and thermal baths are easily within walking distance. One of the more far-flung destinations is the popular Széchenyi Thermal Baths. It’s a little over three kilometers (1.9 miles) from downtown, but the 40 minute stroll through the grand Andrássy Avenue is worth every minute of it. This district-level overview will help you familiarize yourself with the main pockets of Budapest.
When you cross over to Buda, don’t give in to the mental barrier that the other side of the Danube is too far. The bridges are shorter than you think, the Chain Bridge is only 375 meters, or 1,230 feet, and hiking trails lead up to both the Castle Hill and Gellért Hill.
BuBi
An alternative to walking is BuBi, Budapest’s bicycle sharing system. With 126 docking stations and 1,500 bicycles, the network provides an excellent coverage of the inner sections of Pest, primarily within the Grand Boulevard. Although there are docking stations in Buda too, its rolling hills are less biker-friendly than the flat Pest side. To rent a BuBi bike, you will have to quickly register by providing your phone number and email address at one of the main docking stations (dots filled with red) or online. The bikes are free to use for 30 minutes at a time, after which additional fares apply. With plenty of docking stations scattered around the city, you shouldn’t need to exceed the half-hour limit unless by conscious choice.
Public Transport
Budapest has an especially good public transportation coverage. Buses, trolleys, or trams roam most parts of the city (subways too, but then you don’t see as much). One-day, three-day, and weekly tickets are also available. You can purchase tickets at subway stations and major bus stops which all have ticket vending machines that accept credit cards too. You can also buy tickets directly from the bus drivers, but those will be slightly more expensive and you will hold up traffic. For directions and schedules, you can rely on a most loyal friend: Google Maps.
The Millennium Underground of Budapest began operations in 1896, making it the first subway line on the European continent (today it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It runs mainly along Andrássy Avenue and passes several points of attraction like the Hungarian State Opera House, the House of Terror Museum, Heroes’ Square, and Széchenyi Thermal Baths.
Taxis
Cab prices are regulated across all taxi operators in Budapest. The fare consists of a base fee of HUF 700 (~€2) plus a distance-based charge (HUF 300/km, or ~€1), irrespective of the time of day. Be wary of unlicensed cabs to avoid being overcharged, although now they’re less common in Budapest. Licensed cabs are yellow, and can be recognized by the corporate logos on both sides of the front doors, and the official prices displayed on one of the rear doors.
Uber
Uber has been banned in Hungary since 2016.
