Budapest has an excellent public transport system covering the entire city: three metro lines, an extensive tram network, trolleybuses, and regular buses. The network is operated by BKK (Budapesti Közlekedési Központ) on a single integrated ticket and pass system.
The Ticket System
A single BKK ticket (egységjegy) is valid for one journey on one vehicle without transfer. Fares change, so check the current price on the official BKK site or app.
The transfer ticket (átszállójegy): valid for unlimited transfers within 100 minutes.
The 24-hour pass (24 órás jegy): Unlimited travel for 24 hours, and good value for visitors making several journeys a day.
The 72-hour pass (72 órás jegy): Best for visits of 3 to 4 days.
The Budapest Card (Budapest Kártya): a tourist card that combines unlimited transport with entry to certain attractions.
Tickets are purchased at metro station vending machines (multilingual interface), at tobacconists (trafik), and through the BKK app. Validate tickets at the punch machines at metro entrances and on trams/buses when boarding. Ticket inspectors are active throughout the network; travelling without a valid, validated ticket brings a fine, so always validate.
The Metro
M1 (yellow): Continental Europe’s oldest underground railway, opened in 1896. Runs under Andrássy út from Vörösmarty tér to Mexikói út. The original small stations are UNESCO-listed. Essential for the Andrássy út tourist circuit and for City Park and Széchenyi Baths (Széchenyi fürdő station).
M2 (red): The main east-west line. Connects Keleti (Eastern) train station, Astoria, Deák Ferenc tér (main interchange), and the Buda side to Déli station. The busiest and most useful line for arrivals.
M3 (blue): The north-south line through Pest. Connects Újpest, Nyugati train station, Ferenciek tere, and the outer southern districts.
M4 (green): The newest line (opened 2014), connecting Kelenföld railway station on the Buda side with Keleti train station in Pest, via Gellért tér (for the Gellért Baths), Fővám tér (for the Central Market Hall), and the university area.
The Tram Network
Tram 2: The most scenic tram route in Budapest. Runs along the Pest bank of the Danube from Jászai Mari tér (near Margaret Bridge) south to Boráros tér, past the Parliament, the Vigadó square, and the Central Market Hall.
Tram 4 and 6: The main inner-city circular trams. Run along Nagykörút (the Grand Boulevard) connecting the major Pest districts, passing through the VII district (ruin bar area), the VIII and IX districts, and connecting at both ends to bridge crossings.
Trams 19 and 41: Buda-side riverside trams running between the Batthyány tér area and the Gellért Baths direction.
Getting to and from the Airport
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is 16 kilometres southeast of the city centre.
Airport minibus (100E bus): A dedicated express bus service connecting the airport to Deák Ferenc tér. Travel time approximately 35 to 45 minutes; it needs a special fare or a pass that covers it. Check the current fare and rules on the BKK site.
Bolt and other ride-hailing apps: App-based services operate at Budapest airport. Check which apps currently serve Budapest. The app shows the fare before you book, which varies with traffic and demand.
Official airport taxis: Regulated taxi service with fixed rates by zone. More expensive than Bolt or Uber but regulated and accountable.
Avoid unofficial taxi drivers in the arrivals hall: overcharging is documented, and the official rideshare apps are the reliable alternative.
Related: Budapest Hub | Plan Your Trip