Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left Yellow city tram Centre Road signs for Stop and Pedestrian Zone Right City tour bus
Getting Around Budapest
! Metro
* River Boats
will be higher if you hail a
taxi off the street; it is
better to ring for one.
% HÉV Trains
Budapest has
Europe's oldest metro
system. The M1 line, with
its tiny stations and three-
carriage trains, opened in
1896. There are three
metro lines, serving most
of Pest, though little of
Buda. Trains run from
4:30am to 11:10pm.
Tickets cost Ft230 or
Ft230 if bought in book-
lets (see p109) . If you
need to change metro
lines, opt for a ticket that
allows transfers. The M2
line is undergoing
reconstruction work and
buses may be used
between certain stops.
@ Buses
A number of river
boat companies run ser-
vices along the Danube
throughout summer. Most
stop at all the city's jet-
ties on both sides of the
river, as well as Margaret
Island, with Vigadó tér act-
ing as the main terminus.
Budapest's suburbs,
including Óbuda and
Aquincum, are served by
four HÉV overland trains.
One line runs from Batth-
yány tér to Szentendre,
stopping at Aquincum
along the way. The
second runs from Örs
vezér tere to Gödöllő,
taking in the Hungaroring
motor racing track en
route. The third runs from
Közvágóhíd to Ráckeve,
and the fourth from Borá-
ros tér to Csepel Island.
^ Driving
( Guided Tours
There are a number
of city tours available,
both on foot and by bus.
Cityrama offers bus tours
for around Ft6,500 per
person, with departures
from the Pest side of the
Chain Bridge. For walking
tours, you just need to
turn up at the yellow
church on Deák Ferenc
tér at 9:30am or 1:30pm.
Tickets can be bought
from metro stations,
newsstands or BKV kiosks
at major stops (see p109) .
They need to be punched
in as soon as you board
the bus. Buses run from
4:30am to midnight.
£ Trams
This is the least
convenient method of
getting around Budapest.
There are few places to
park, the trafic is terrible,
and the maze of one-way
systems makes the city
a forbidding place for
uninitiated drivers. The
speed limit in built-up
areas is 50 km/h (30
mph), and it is forbidden
to drive after consuming
alcohol. Penalties for
offenders are high.
) Budapest Card
The Budapest Card
allows free travel on all
public transport, free
admission to museums
and various discounts. It
can be bought at the air-
port, stations, hotels and
tourist ofices (see p109) .
Budapest has an
extensive tram network
with over 30 lines. Tickets
(see p109) need to be
bought in advance. Many
trams are not accessible
to people in wheelchairs.
Directory
Taxi Companies
• Budataxi: 233 33 33
• Citytaxi: 211 11 11
• Főtaxi: 222 22 22
River Boat Tours
• Legenda River
Cruises: 317 22 03;
www.legenda.hu
Tour Companies
• Absolute: (0630) 211
88 61; www.
absolutetours.com
• Cityrama: 302 43 82;
www.cityrama.hu
& On Foot
Perhaps the best
way of getting around
town is on foot. Many of
the central areas are now
fully pedestrianized,
including Váci utca and
the Castle District. The
Danube embankment is
great for walks, though
crossing a bridge can be
chilly, even in summer.
$ Taxis
Taxis are increasingly
expensive. Although all
have meters, you should
beware using a taxi that
doesn't display the name
of the company it belongs
to (see p106) . Good com-
panies include Budataxi,
Citytaxi and Főtaxi. Tariffs
In Budapest, seatbelts are compulsory for passengers in both
the front and the back seats of cars.
104
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