Budapest Public Transport Guide

Start with BudapestGO

For live routing, disruptions and mobile tickets, use the official BudapestGO journey planner. Paper tickets and travelcards remain widely available from BKK vending machines and customer centres, so you do not need a Hungarian phone number or local bank account to use the network.

Metro: M1, M2, M3 and M4

Four metro lines cover the main cross-city corridors. Deák Ferenc tér is the key central interchange for M1, M2 and M3; M4 crosses the Danube between Kelenföld and Keleti. M1 under Andrássy Avenue is historic and useful for Heroes' Square and City Park, while M2, M3 and M4 do more of the heavy lifting for longer trips.

Trams are often the best sightseeing transport

Trams 2, 4 and 6 are especially useful to visitors. Tram 2 follows the Pest side of the Danube past major central sights. The 4/6 pair runs around the Grand Boulevard and is one of the easiest ways to cross between nightlife, shopping and residential districts without returning to a metro hub.

Single tickets: know the transfer rule

A standard single ticket is generally for one uninterrupted trip on one surface vehicle. It does allow transfers between metro lines while continuing in the same direction, but it is not a universal transfer ticket for hopping from tram to bus. If your journey needs multiple surface vehicles, a time-based ticket or travelcard is often simpler.

30- and 90-minute mobile tickets

BKK's time-based tickets are digital products designed for journeys with transfers. The 90-minute ticket allows unlimited transfers within its validity window, and you can finish the final journey after the nominal time expires if the last transfer was made in time. Scan/validate each time you board a new vehicle.

24- and 72-hour travelcards

These give unlimited travel for the stated period on most BKK services within Budapest, plus specified local HÉV, MÁV and regional services. They are convenient for a sightseeing-heavy day because you stop counting individual rides. They do not cover the 100E Airport Express.

Validation: the rule that catches visitors

Buying a ticket is not the same as validating it. Paper single tickets must be stamped or punched at the metro entrance or on boarding surface transport. Mobile tickets require the app's validation procedure. BKK currently lists an on-the-spot penalty of 12,000 HUF, rising to 25,000 HUF if paid later, so it is worth getting this right.

Pay&GO bankcard tap: useful but not citywide yet

As of September 2026, Pay&GO is available on M1, M2, M3 and M4 and on 100E. Tapping a bankcard or compatible device buys and validates the ticket in one step. Do not assume the same tap-to-pay process works on every bus or tram; BKK says wider rollout is planned later.

Buses, trolleybuses and night services

Buses fill the gaps between rail corridors and reach hilly Buda districts where trams and metro do not. Trolleybuses are concentrated mainly in Pest. Overnight, numbered night buses replace many daytime links. BudapestGO is far more useful than memorising night routes because engineering works and diversions can change the best connection.

Accessibility is uneven, so plan the route

Modern low-floor buses are widespread and M4 is fully step-free, but not every older metro station or tram stop is. If stairs or step-free boarding matter, use our Accessibility in Budapest guide and BKK's accessible-route planner rather than assuming the shortest route is suitable.

Boat and funicular: not normal substitutes for the network

The Castle Hill funicular is a separate sightseeing transport product rather than a normal BKK ride. Budapest also has limited river transport, but schedules and ticket coverage are not as straightforward as metro/tram travel; treat boats as an experience, not the backbone of a daily transport plan.

Simple ticket strategy for a short visit

• One or two straightforward rides: single tickets can be enough.
• Transfers within a short period: consider a 30- or 90-minute mobile ticket.
• Heavy sightseeing day: compare a 24-hour travelcard with your likely number of rides.
• Airport: price 100E separately unless you qualify for its pass-holder add-on.

Common mistakes

The big ones are failing to validate, assuming a single ticket covers surface transfers, assuming a travelcard covers 100E, and using unofficial ticket sellers. BKK explicitly recommends its own machines, service centres and BudapestGO.

Frequently asked questions