Getting Around
Urban Public Transport
In general metro, bus, tram and trolley services in the capital are operated daily between 4:30 a.m. and 11.00 p.m. Tickets are available at the BKV Rt. (Budapest Transport Company) ticket-offices, at metro stations, from automated ticket vending machines, news-stands and post offices.
More information: bkv.hu
Parking
Drivers have got to pay for parking in the inner districts of Budapest. Tickets can be bought for a maximum of 2 hours in the slot-machines (ticket machines) on the streets. Cars aren't guarded in these parking places.
Parking fees:120-400 HUF/hour. Given that the machines take coins, it is worth keeping 50 and 100 HUF coins for this purpose.
Cars will be clamped if no parking fee has been paid or the period paid for has expired.
During sightseeing excursions, passenger cars and buses are allowed to park free of charge in the major tourist centres (e.g., the Citadel, Heroes Square, Városliget (City Park). There are parking lots for buses at Belgrád rakpart (lower rakpart, wharf), in Duna Street near Erzsébet Square.
Taxi
It is worth calling a taxi by phone because most of the taxi companies charge lower rates in this case than in the case of hailing a taxi in the street. The taxi called by phone, depending on the part of the day and traffic will arrive within 5-15 minutes.
Rates depend on the taxi companies and the price of petrol. Usually there are differences between day and night rates.
Upon arriving at an airport or railway station, it is advisable to call a taxi by phone; this way, you can make a complaint to the company if there's a problem with the service. It's a good idea to avoid drivers who volunteer their services but don't have a registered taxi sticker on their car. This can prevent unpleasant surprises when it comes time to pay.
Rates (for reference purposes only):
- Basic fee: 300 HUF
- Fee/km: 250-350 HUF
- Fee while waiting: 55-70 HUF/minute
Calling a Taxi in Budapest:
Buda-Taxi : 233-3333, 20 9333-333
City Taxi : 211-1111, 06-20-9211-111, 06-30-9211-111, 06-70-2111-111
Főtaxi: 222-2222, 06-80-222-2222, 06-20-922-2222, 06-30-222-2222, 06-70-922-2222
Rádiótaxi: 777-7777, 06-20-9777-777, 06-30-9777-777
Taxi 2000: 200-0000, 30 2000-000
Tele5 Taxi : 555-5555, 06-20-935-5555
Volántaxi: 433-3322, 06-20-933-33-22, 06-30-933-33-22
River Cruises
Several companies offer river cruises along various parts of the Danube.
Sightseeing Cruises organised by MAHART Passnave
and Legenda Ltd.
