How to get around Hungary
Navigating Hungary is straightforward with a variety of public and private transport options. Here's what you need to know about getting between and within its cities and towns.
Inter-City Travel
Traveling between Hungarian cities is primarily done by train and bus. Trains, operated by MÁV, offer a reliable network, with InterCity (IC) trains providing faster and more comfortable journeys. A supplement fare is typically required for InterCity services in addition to the standard ticket.
Basic train tickets are generally inexpensive. For example, advance-purchase tickets from the Hungarian Railways website (MÁV) for a Vienna to Budapest journey can start from around €13 in 2nd class, while flexible tickets purchased on the day might cost around €53.20 in 2nd class. Children under 14 and individuals over 65 can often travel for free on Hungarian railways, with a small reservation fee for InterCity trains.
Buses, mainly operated by Volánbusz, also offer extensive intercity routes. A typical bus ticket for a journey of 120-150 km costs approximately €10. Generally, both trains and buses are considered budget-friendly options for intercity travel.
Travel Within Cities
Within cities, especially Budapest, public transport is extensive and cost-effective. Options include metros, trams, and buses.
A single public transport ticket in Budapest costs 500 HUF (approx. €1.27), or 700 HUF (approx. €1.78) if purchased from the driver. A block of 10 tickets costs 4,500 HUF (approx. €11.43). For shorter periods, 30-minute tickets are 600 HUF (approx. €1.52) and 90-minute tickets are 850 HUF (approx. €2.16).
For extended stays, a 24-hour travelcard costs 2,750 HUF (approx. €6.98), a 72-hour travelcard is 5,750 HUF (approx. €14.59), and a monthly pass is 8,950 HUF (approx. €22.71).
Taxis offer a more expensive but convenient option. In Budapest, the base fare for a taxi is 1,100 HUF (approx. €2.80), with an additional 440 HUF (approx. €1.15) per kilometer and a time-based fee of 110 HUF (approx. €0.30) per minute for speeds under 15 km/h or waiting time. A 5 km taxi trip in Budapest would cost approximately 1,787 HUF (approx. €4.54).
Ridesharing services like Bolt and Uber are also available, with Bolt offering fares comparable to taxis, starting with a 1,100 HUF base fare.
