Travel to Hungary

All about
Hungary

Travel to Hungary

Travelling by taxi only if clearly needed to reach your destination within Budapest. Otherwise, use the public transport network.

Travel taxis only carry a plate of yellow taxi sign on the roof of the cabin and take in the driver’s door of the name or logo of a taxi company in Budapest reliable (Tele 5 taxi, taxi or Budapest Citytaxxi). Look inside the car the fee schedule, which usually tends to be on the dashboard. It is better not to take a taxi in the street, but rather call one by phone. If you have no choice but to catch one, always agree on price beforehand.

Getting There

A Budapest flight is just over two hours from London with ever-more budget flights making a Budapest city break a real bargain. It's a lengthy trip by train from Britain but there are direct services from Paris and many other European cities. River cruising to Budapest on the Danube is also increasingly popular.

Budapest holiday flights

Ferihagy Airport is 15 miles (24km) south-east of Budapest city centre. The older, smallish Terminal 1 tends to be used by budget airlines; Terminal 2A is used by Malév Hungarian Airlines and Terminal 2B is for other international carriers, including some of the budget airlines.

This is an airport on a human scale, relatively free of crowds and queues but with decent facilities. An increasing number of carriers now have flights to Budapest - BA; Malév Hungarian Airlines; BMIbaby; easyJet and Jet2 all offer flights to Budapest from the UK. Ryanair flights to Budapest currently land at Lake Balaton, 60 miles south-west of Budapest - convenient for that part of Hungary but hardly for Budapest.

Budapest city from the airport

The Budapest Airport Minibus Service is efficient and each carries eight passengers. Go to the LRI counter in Arrivals for the single journey or get a return (with a discount) for the end of your city break visit. You can also pick up a 15% discount on a Budapest Card for use during your stay.

For the return journey, the hotel will call the minibus or you can make reservations online. Taxis, buses and all leading car hire companies are also available.

Budapest by train

With Hungary located just about in the centre of Europe, you can travel to Budapest by train from many European cities. Vienna, for example, is just 3hrs from Budapest with many trains every day.

Trains from London involve changing at Paris from the Eurostar terminus in Gare du Nord and taking the Budapest-bound train at Gare de' l"Est. Don't be put off travelling by train, just because trains in the UK don't work or are so expensive. The continental European rail network is generally very efficient and good value.

Budapest by boat

Cruises on the Danube are very popular, often taking in the central European capitals of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. The river is particularly attractive north of the city and it's a spectacular and romantic way to arrive in Budapest.

From April to October there is a hovercraft service covering Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. It takes over five hours from Vienna but that's only two hours longer than the fastest trains. The trip includes the famous Danube bend. Return tickets are around €100 for an adult, with one-way tickets about €89, but check on www.mahertpassnave.hu for details.

Budapest by coach

Coach travel is probably the cheapest way to get to Budapest. A coach service is run by Eurolines and coaches arrive at Nepliget coach station in IX District. Coaches are cheap for a reason - most journeys take forever.

Budapest by car

Most drivers from western Europe will arrive in Budapest via the A4 (Austria)/M1 (Hungary) from Vienna via Gyor. The MI joins the southern ring road at Budapest and approaches the city from the south-west.

To drive on motorways in Hungary, you need a road tax disc which can be bought at fuel stations. Discs are valid for four days; seven days, one month or one year.

Parking in Budapest is either in multi-storey car parks or on waste ground - the attendant is often in a hut. Meters apply for much of the city's on-road parking, and over-enthusiastic clampers lurk in the shadows if you stay too long.

Getting around

Budapest has a very efficient public transport network with modern, sleek trams, clean trolley buses and a three-line Metro system.

It's economical too, but buy your tickets or a travel card before getting on board. Transport normally runs from 4.30am to 11pm and for party animals there are late-night services.

Budapest Card

A Budapest Card includes use of the buses, trams, metro, trolley buses and HEV suburban trains - but not the funicular up to the Castle district. The Budapest Card can be bought at the airport, hotels, tourist offices and anywhere you see its sale advertised.

Alternatively, buy a set of 10 or 20 tickets for use on all public transport (except the funicular). Always validate your ticket in the machines on the buses, trams etc. Inspectors in plain clothes do check tickets.

Budapest city trams

The Budapest trams are spotless and ideal for travelling on the concentric routes around Pest before crossing the bridges to Buda. Validate your ticket as you get on board and relax like the locals. Trams turn up every few minutes and all stops are announced and shown on electronic display boards.

Budapest trolley buses and buses

A network of red trolley buses operate throughout Budapest. Blue buses also cover many routes including Margit Island, the huge park on the Danube that's a favourite with locals and ideal for a woodland stroll.

Budapest bus tours

A range of companies offer hop-on, hop-off services.Tour buses get you to all the popular sights with commentaries in a wide choice of languages.

City Tour Budapest is a hop-on, hop-off service with Red and Green routes. Tickets are valid for 24 hours and there's also a link-up with Danube cruises and full-day and half-day tours out of the city.

You can buy tickets at hotels, on the bus, travel agencies or online. Other companies include Budatours, Cityrama and Program Centrum.

Budapest city funicular

The Budapest Funicular must rival London's Heathrow Express for the most expensive short trip in the world but the funicular, which runs from the Chain Bridge up to the Castle district of Buda is still hugely popular and it avoids a steep climb.

Budapest Metro

Budapest's M1 underground was the first to open on the Continent. Two more lines have been added and all converge at Deak ter. Validate your ticket, as they are often checked. Stops are announced and destinations are clear on each platform. Take care with the escalators - they move rapidly. Bejarat means 'Entrance' and Kijarat is 'Exit'.

Budapest city taxis

It's wise to negotiate the fare before the journey. Taxis can be company-operated or run by individuals.

Budapest boat trips

The Danuba Bella and Danuba Legenda sail from Quay 6 at Vigado ter on the Pest bank between the Chain and Elizabeth bridges. Dinner cruises also include gypsy folk entertainment and music. River cruises are largely limited to summer months.

Budapest on foot

Budapest is an easy walking city. Pest is flat and the tourist sights in Buda are relatively compact. If you do run out of energy, there's always a tram or trolley bus route nearby.

Most major road intersections have underground plazas with handy shops and kiosks for pedestrians, avoiding the need to dodge the traffic crossing major roads.

Buda and Pest are joined by four bridges that tourists are likely to cross on numerous occasions, on foot or by tram. From the north, they are Margit hit (Margaret Bridge); Szechenyi lanchid (the Chain Bridge); Erzsebet hid (Elizabeth Bridge) and Szabadsag hit (Liberty Bridge).