Hungary Transport Guide: Getting from Budapest Airport to the City, Metro Tickets & Inter-city Trains
Transport Guide
2026-10-03
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Understanding how to get from the airport to the city, using local transport tickets, and connecting with inter-city trains can save you a lot on Hungarian transport costs—and help you avoid common pitfalls with ticket validation and transfers.
Arrival and Getting into the City
| Airport | Getting into the City | Time/Price |
|---|
| Liszt Ferenc (BUD) | 100E express bus to the city center | Approximately 35 minutes, around 2,200 HUF |
| Liszt Ferenc (BUD) | 200E bus to metro M3 | Approximately 50 minutes, standard ticket is sufficient |
| Liszt Ferenc (BUD) | Airport shuttle or taxi | Approximately 30 minutes, around 9,000–13,000 HUF |
Budapest City Transport
- Metro: The four lines M1, M2, M3, and M4 cover the main areas, with M1 being the oldest metro line on the European continent, connecting the city center to Heroes' Square.
- Tram Line 2: Runs along the Pest side of the Danube, known as the most scenic tram line, offering views of the Parliament Building along the way.
- Tickets: Single journey tickets cost around 450 HUF, 24-hour tickets around 2,500 HUF, while 72-hour and 7-day tickets offer better value; always validate your ticket before boarding, as ticket inspections are strict.
- Ride-hailing: Recommended apps include Bolt or Főtaxi to avoid overcharging when hailing taxis on the street.
Inter-city Transport
- Budapest – Eger: Around 2 hours by train or by long-distance bus.
- Budapest – Tokaj: Around 2.5–3 hours by train, some services require a transfer.
- Budapest – Lake Balaton (Siófok): Around 1.5 hours by train, with a bus transfer needed to reach Tihany.
- Budapest – Vienna: Around 2.5 hours by train; Budapest – Bratislava: around 2.5 hours by train.
Tips
- Train tickets can be purchased on the MÁV website or at train stations; long-distance buses can be booked or checked via Volánbusz.
- Ticket checks in Budapest are strict, and fare evasion may result in on-the-spot fines—always validate your ticket at the yellow machines.
- Different tickets apply for Danube River cruises and airport express buses; confirm the validity of your ticket before use.