Budapest’s public transportation system is efficient and reliable, and it covers the entire city, offering a convenient way for students to get around. The official public transport company in Budapest is BKK (Budapesti Közlekedési Központ), which operates metro lines, trams, buses, trolleybuses, and suburban railways (HÉV). These options make it easy to reach any part of the city, even the surrounding areas.
A public transport monthly pass costs 3450 HUF/month (8.8 EUR/month) for students in Budapest. Tickets can be purchased online via BudapestGO or Simple app. These can be used on every public transport vehicle, except for the special 100E Airport Bus, and on suburban railways outside of Budapest.
Tickets and passes can be validated on the public transport vehicles.
Budapest has an extensive network of 4 metro lines, bus lines, trams, trolley bus lines, and suburban railway (HÉV) lines. Metros and trams are the quickest ways of getting around in Budapest.
Students can also travel at night thanks to the night buses and tram line 6 that operate during nighttime.
Alternatively, Erasmus students can get around Budapest using MOL Bubi public bicycles, e-scooters, and taxis.
How Much Does Public Transport Cost for Students?
Below is a table detailing the cost of various types of public transport tickets and passes for students, both in HUF and EUR:
| Type of ticket/Pass | Cost in HUF | Cost in EUR |
| Single ticket | 350 HUF | 0.9 EUR |
| Monthly student pass | 3450 HUF/month | 8.8 EUR/month |
| 10-block Ticket | 3000 HUF | 7.7 EUR |
Public transport in Budapest is quite affordable, especially for students who can benefit from discounted fares.
Please note that prices are subject to change, and it’s always a good idea to check the latest fares on the BKK website.
Where Can I Buy a Public Transport Ticket or a Pass?
Tickets and passes can be purchased from various places, both offline and online. Offline, you can visit customer service centers, ticket machines, and some newsstands. Online options include the official BKK website and mobile apps like BudapestGO. Payment methods vary, but generally include cash (HUF), bank cards, and mobile payments, depending on where you’re purchasing.
The most comfortable way of buying a public transport ticket or pass is via public transport apps.
Can you buy tickets directly from the bus driver? Yes, you can, but bear in mind that they only accept cash, and – preferably – an exact amount. But we don’t recommend it as bus drivers tend not to have time nor patience to deal with such tasks. 🙂 In addition, bus drivers don’t speak English.
Can I Use the Same Ticket and Pass for All Public Transport Vehicles?
Yes, you can use the standard tickets and student passes on every type of public transport vehicle in Budapest. The only exception is the 100E Airport bus, which requires purchasing a special ticket.
How Can I Validate the Public Transport Ticket?
If you use a physical ticket, then you must always validate it by inserting it into the red or orange ticket controller machines on board. A digital ticket can be validated by scanning the QR-code outside the vehicle via your app.
If you have a monthly public transportation pass, you don’t have to validate it. In case a ticket controller shows up, you have to show your pass alongside your student ID. The same goes for those buses, which you can only enter via the front door. On those buses, you must show your pass directly to the bus driver.
Which Budapest Public Transport Apps Should a Student Use?
The two most widely used and loved apps are BudapestGO and Simple.
BudapestGO is the official app of BKK, offering real-time updates, route planning, and ticket purchasing options. Simple is another popular app that, apart from public transport tickets, allows you to manage various payments, including parking and cinema tickets. Both apps are essential for navigating Budapest efficiently, offering the convenience of planning your trips and purchasing tickets on the go.
How Can Students Get Around Budapest?
Students can easily get around Budapest using one of the four metro lines, trams, buses, and suburban railways. In the central parts of the city, metro lines, trams, and buses are the most convenient options.
Metro Lines
Budapest’s metro system comprises four lines, each identified by a unique color:
- Metro line 1 (Yellow): This historic line connects the city center with the City Park, stopping at key locations like Heroes’ Square.
- Metro line 2 (Red): Running from the eastern to the western bank of the Danube, it stops at important sites such as the Parliament and Keleti Railway Station.
- Metro line 3 (Blue): The longest line, stretching from the northern district of Újpest to the southern part of the city, Kőbánya-Kispest. While also stopping at Kálvin tér and Nyugati Railway Station.
- Metro line 4 (Green): The newest line, connecting the southwestern part of Budapest with the city center, serving stations like Kelenföld Railway Station and Fővám Tér.
Trams
Trams are a scenic and efficient way to travel around Budapest. They are all yellow and crisscross the city, providing an excellent way to see Budapest’s beautiful architecture.
Buses
Buses in Budapest are all blue and form an extensive network covering areas not serviced by the metro or trams. An important thing to note is that many buses require boarding through the front door only, indicated by signs on the bus and at stops.
Trolleybuses
Trolleybuses, easily identifiable by their red color, offer another convenient mode of transport, especially in areas without tram lines. Like some buses, most trolleybuses now require front-door boarding only.
Suburban Railways (HÉV)
The HÉV trains (helyiérdekű vasút), painted green, connect Budapest with its suburban areas in the agglomeration. They are a good option for exploring outside the city.
Students can travel by HÉV using their public transport tickets and passes, but only within the jurisdiction of Budapest. Outside of Budapest, you have to purchase additional HÉV tickets, of which cost depends on your destination. These tickets can be bought either via BudapestGO app or at ticket vending machines.
What is the Quickest Way of Getting Around in Budapest?
The quickest way of getting around Budapest is by using either metro or trams. The reason is that you can’t get stuck in a traffic jam if you use these vehicles. Whereas buses and trolleybuses – even though they usually have a dedicated lane – can get stuck in traffic.
In addition, it’s easy to get around the central parts of Budapest on foot. This is the best way of embracing the true essence of Budapest! You can get to practically anywhere in the central parts of Budapest on foot in 15 minutes.
But in case you don’t want to walk, a public transportation vehicle operating in the inner parts of Budapest is the wise choice. These vehicles can get you anywhere in the most important central parts of the city.
Which are the Most Central Trams in Budapest?
The most central and useful trams for navigating the city include lines 4, 6, 47, 48, 49, and the scenic tram line 2 along the Danube.
Which are the Most Central Buses in Budapest?
Central bus lines include 7, 7E, 8E, 133E, 110, 112, 107, and 108, covering major routes across the city.
Which are the Most Central Trolleybuses in Budapest?
The most central trolleybus lines are 72, 76, and 83, providing access to key areas in Budapest.
How Frequently Do Public Transport Vehicles Operate in Budapest?
All public transportation vehicles run every 5-15 minutes, varying by line, type of transport, and operating hours, with more frequent service in the morning and afternoon. So during peak times.
Where Can I Find Public Transport Timetables in Budapest?
Public transport timetables can be found in the BudapestGO app and at every public transport stop. However, for the most current information, including delays and changes, it’s best to check the BKK website: bkk.hu.
Getting Around Budapest at Night
While trams and metro lines typically cease operations around 11:26 pm, Budapest offers an extensive network of night buses to provide late-night travel opportunities. This is useful for those who want to party in the nightlife. These buses operate at less frequent intervals, ranging from every 30-60 minutes, so planning ahead is crucial to avoid long waits.
However, tram line 6 stands out as an exception, running 24 hours a day and serving as a reliable option for nocturnal movements across the city.
Is Public Transport 24h in Budapest?
The public transport system in Budapest runs from early morning (around 4:30 am) until late at night (around 11:50 pm) on both weekdays and weekends. For those needing to travel after midnight, a series of night buses step in to fill the gap, ensuring the city remains accessible at all hours.
Additionally, the round-the-clock operation of tram line 6 ensures continuous connectivity along its route, day and night.
Does the Metro Run All Night in Budapest?
No, the metro services in Budapest don’t run between 11:26 pm and 4:26 am the following day, during which time residents and visitors alike must rely on alternative forms of transport, such as night buses or tram line 6, to navigate the city.
How Late Do Trams Run in Budapest?
Most tram lines in Budapest wrap up their services by 11 pm on weekdays and weekends, transitioning to the night bus network for overnight transportation. However, tram line 6 provides an indispensable service by operating 24/7, facilitating uninterrupted travel along its route regardless of the hour.
How Late Do Buses Run in Budapest?
Budapest’s bus network caters to commuters around the clock, with regular services running from approximately 4:20 am up until 11:50 pm. Following this, the night bus fleet takes over, maintaining connectivity throughout the city from midnight until the early hours of the morning, around 4:00 am.
How Late Do Trolleybuses Run in Budapest?
Similar to buses, trolleybuses in Budapest offer services from early morning, around 4:20 am, until late in the evening, concluding at about 11:40 pm. After this time, passengers will need to look to the night buses for their transport needs.
Which are the Most Central Night Buses in Budapest?
The most central night buses in Budapest include lines 907, 914, 950, 979, and 990. These routes ensure that students and residents can travel safely and freely at night around the city.
Alternative Ways of Getting Around Budapest
Beyond the comprehensive public transportation system, Budapest offers several alternative travel options, including public bikes, e-scooters, and taxis, catering to diverse preferences and needs.
MOL Bubi Public Bicycles
MOL Bubi, a collaboration between BKK and MOL, provides a public bike-sharing service that’s not only quick and eco-friendly but also operates around the clock.
To use these bikes, first you have to register at molbubi.hu/en/. Then you have to purchase a pass. There are 3 paying options available for MOL Bubi.
- Monthly pass for 1000 HUF/month (2.5 EUR/month)
- Yearly pass for 8500 HUF/year (21.5 EUR/year)
- Pay-as-you-go system for 40 HUF/minute (0.1 EUR/minute)
MOL Bubi bikes can be found at several points of Budapest. You can take and park the bikes at these stations. A bike can be rented via the MOL Bubi application, which must be downloaded to your phone.
As Budapest continues to enhance its bike infrastructure, MOL Bubi stands out as a convenient choice for short trips or as an alternative to public transit.
E-Scooters
E-scooters represent the cutting edge of urban mobility in Budapest, offering a fast, green, and trendy way to navigate the city. Currently there are 3 service providers in Budapest, which are the following.
- Lime
- Bird
- Tier
The system works similarly to MOL Bubi. You have to register on the service provider’s website, download the app, and then you can use the scooters.
The biggest advantage of this type of travel is that it’s swift, environmentally friendly, and most of all: cool! However, it’s expensive. The various providers offer different payment structures ranging from a pay-as-you-go system to daily tickets and monthly passes. A 10-minute ride costs around 1000 HUF (2.5 EUR), which in comparison with a public transportation ticket, isn’t really worth it.
Not to mention that their coverage within the city is limited. You can’t ride with them all around Budapest, but mostly within the central districts. And in case a scooter’s battery almost runs out of energy, you can’t get far with it.
Taxi
For longer distances, late hours, or when convenience is paramount, taxis provide a reliable solution. Budapest’s taxi services, including reputable companies like Bolt, Főtaxi, 6×6 Taxi, Taxi4, and City Taxi, offer safe and regulated transport options.
Unfortunately, Uber is still not available in Hungary. But soon it’ll be open again, thanks to an agreement between Uber and Főtaxi.
The cost of a taxi trip depends on your destination, but you can calculate in advance with the following costs.
- Base fare: 1100 HUF (2.7 EUR)
- Time-based fare unit: 110 HUF/min (0.27 EUR/min)
- Distance-based fare unit: 440 HUF/km (1.1 EUR/km)
Bear in mind the scam taxi drivers, who always try to rip off tourists. Make sure to choose only from the aforementioned list of providers! If you have any doubts, ask the driver for the estimated price in advance.
