Budapest on Foot
Once you understand the basic concept of Budapest, it is fairly easy to navigate. The river Danube separates the two sides of the city, the residential Buda Hills to the west and the flat metropolis of Pest to the east. Deák tér is the city centre, and this is the point at which the capital's three metro (underground) lines converge. Váci utca, the main pedestrian shopping street, runs parallel to the Danube and is also nearby. The city’s radial streets, Bajcsy Zsilinszky út, Andrássy út, Rákóczi út and Űllői út, extend from the crossroads of Deák tér, Astoria and Kálvin tér to the South. If you walk far enough in any direction, you emerge on the nagykörút (often referred to as the Grand Boulevard), which is easily recognised by the continuous procession of 4 and 6 trams.
Public Transport
One of the last real throwbacks to the Communist era, Budapest’s public transport system really was built for the people. It remains comprehensive and efficient – if a little ragged around the edges. It is a fast, convenient and inexpensive way to get to know the city – and, generally speaking, the metro, buses and trams run so regularly that you will never need to consult the timetable.
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Taxis
Although prices, particularly in Budapest, are on the increase, taxi travel remains relatively inexpensive. However, there are more than enough unscrupulous drivers about and hailing a cab on the street is often taken as a signal for drivers to charge whatever they please. However strange it may seem, the best way of ensuring you get a fair price is to phone for a cab from a reputable company. Once ordered, the taxi will generally arrive within ten minutes, depending on your location and the time of day. The most foreigner-friendly cab companies (with dispatch centre staff who speak English) are listed below:
Tele5: Taxi 06 1 355 5555
Taxi4: 06 1 444 4444
Radio Taxi: 06 1 377 7777
Fő Taxi: 06 1 222 2222
City Taxi: 06 1 211 1111
Budataxi: 06 1 233 3333
6x6 Taxi: 06 1 266 6666
Budapest Card
The Budapest Card is the cheapest and easiest way to see Budapest. It includes unlimited public transport, reduced or free entry to museums, spas and sports facilities, as well as discounts at restaurants and city tours. You also receive a comprehensive booklet. Full list of the services is available by clikcing here. Each Card is valid for one adult and one child up to 14 years of age. And at just 6,500 Ft for 48 hours and 8,000 Ft for 72 hours, it's a snip (a three-day tourist pass for public transport costs 3,400 Ft alone).
| Available: |
More than 250 locations in Budapest: main metro ticket offices, tourist information (TOURINFORM) bureaus (also at the Airport), travel agencies, hotels and the airport. |
Budapest by Boat
The city can be explored in a number of ways, but a boat ride along the Danube is by far the most relaxing. Two companies (www.legenda.hu and http://www.mahartpassnave.hu/) offer city cruises, as well as regular rides to tourist attractions outside Budapest, such as Szentendre, Visegrád and Esztergom. Bratislava and Vienna can also be visited by hydrofoil.
To and from the airport
Budapest Ferihegy Airport has two terminals roughly 16 kilometres from the city - MALÉV Hungarian Airlines flights use Ferihegy Terminal 2A, with all other traditional airlines flying into and departing from Terminal 2B. Most low cost carriers use Terminal 1.
Public Transport
Buses (service No. 200) run from the Kõbánya-Kispest terminus, metro line 3, to/from Ferihegy Terminals 1 and 2, every 15 minutes during the day.
Train
Passengers can easily reach Ferihegy Terminal 1 from the Western Railway Station in Budapest. On weekdays 51 at weekends 38 trains ease the travelling from the city centre to the airport within less than half an hour for 300 HUF.There are 60 trains on weekdays and 45 at weekends from the airport to the city centre. For the map and the timetable click here.
BusExpress is a quick, safe, quality and guaranteed cheap transfer service. The company fixed the prices so that they would be available for everyone. It connects the Lake Balaton region, Hévíz, Keszthely with Budapest, Ferihegy Airport.
Taxi
The journey takes between half an hour and an hour by car. The official contractor of the Budapest Airport is the Zóna Taxi, you can order a cab at their desk in the airport for fixed, reasonable prices. Or if you order a cab by phone, most companies offer a fixed price of around 4,000 Ft, often depending on whether your destination is on the Pest or Buda side of the river. Otherwise, the journey can cost 6,000 Ft or more. However nowadays it is rare but still be aware that there is a risk of being overcharged by unscrupulous drivers if you simply hail a taxi. Where possible, always telephone to order a cab and agree a fare for the journey.
Airport Minibus
If you are travelling on your own, it is cheaper to use the Airport Minibus service, which has a desk at the airport. For 2,300 Ft for a single and 3,900 Ft for a return, they will deliver you anywhere in Budapest, and pick you up again when you leave. They recommend that you reserve your return journey 24 hours in advance (+36 1 296 8555)
Hungary in Schengen - new rules at Ferihegy Airport from 30th March 2008
As of this date, passengers traveling within the Schengen zone will no longer be subject to border controls. The strict inspection of travel documents will remain in place for non-Schengen passengers
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