🚌Public transport

Longer read

Public transport in Budapest is operated by BKK (Budapesti Közlekedési Központ) — the Budapest Transport Centre. The network is one of the most comprehensive in Europe, with metro, tram, bus, and trolleybus lines covering the entire city and suburban areas.

Metro System

Budapest has 4 metro lines (M1, M2, M3, M4):

• M1 (Yellow Line): The historic 1896 Millennium Line, Europe’s first underground — runs under Andrássy Avenue from Vörösmarty tér to Mexikói út
• M2 (Red Line): Connects Buda and Pest, crosses the Danube — from Déli pályaudvar to Örs vezér tere
• M3 (Blue Line): Longest line, runs north-south — from Újpest-Központ to Kőbánya-Kispest
• M4 (Green Line): Newest line (opened 2014), modern stations — from Keleti pályaudvar to Kelenföld vasútállomás

Tram Network

Budapest has an extensive tram network with over 30 lines. Key tourist routes:

• Tram 2: Scenic route along the Danube embankment (Pest side) — best views of Buda Castle and Parliament
• Tram 4-6: Major ring lines around central Budapest
• Tram 47-49: Connect Buda side attractions

Buses and Trolleybuses

Over 200 bus routes and numerous trolleybus lines fill gaps between metro/tram lines and serve outer districts. Night buses (numbered 900+) operate when metro and trams stop.

Ticket Types

BKK offers various ticket options:

• Single ticket (Vonaljegy): One journey, valid 80 minutes with one transfer
• Short section metro ticket: For 3 stops or less on metro
• Transfer ticket: Multiple transfers within 120 minutes
• 24-hour pass: Unlimited travel for 24 hours from validation
• 72-hour pass: Three-day unlimited travel
• Weekly pass: 7 consecutive days
• Monthly pass: Calendar month unlimited travel
• Budapest Card: Tourist pass with transport + museum discounts (24/48/72 hours)

How to Buy

Purchase tickets at:

• BKK customer service centers (major metro stations, Keleti, Nyugati, Déli train stations)
• Ticket vending machines (metro stations, major stops) — accept cash and cards
• BKK Futár mobile app — buy and store digital tickets
• Purple ticket machines on some newer trams and buses
• Newsagents and kiosks (look for “Jegypénztár” signs)

Validation

Important: Always validate your ticket when boarding or entering stations. Use the orange/red validation boxes:

• Metro: Before descending to platform
• Tram/Bus: On board immediately after entering
• Pre-validated tickets must be validated at first use

Inspectors check frequently, and fines for invalid tickets are significant (8,000-16,000 HUF on-the-spot).

Special Services

• Airport shuttle bus (100E): Direct express from city center to Budapest Airport (separate fare)
• Night services: Operate roughly 23:00-05:00 when regular services stop
• HÉV suburban trains: Connect Budapest to suburban towns (Szentendre, Gödöllő, Ráckeve, Csepel) — different fare zones
• River boats: Seasonal public transport boats on the Danube (BKK tickets valid)

Tips

• Download the BKK Futár app for real-time arrivals, journey planning, and mobile tickets
• Keep validated tickets until exiting the entire transport system
• Free travel for children under 6; discounts for students and seniors (ID required)
• Metro trains run approximately every 2-10 minutes depending on time and line
• Budapest transport is generally safe, clean, and reliable