Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES & PASSES
To ride the metro, trams, trolleybuses, buses and the HÉV as far as the city limits, you
must have a valid ticket, which you can buy at kiosks, newsstands, metro entrances,
machines and, in some cases, on the bus for an extra charge. Children aged under six
and EU seniors over 65 travel free. Bicycles can only be transported on the HÉV.
The basic fare for all forms of transport is 350Ft (3000Ft for a block of 10), allowing
you to travel as far as you like on the same metro, bus, trolleybus or tram line without
changing/transferring. A 'transfer ticket' allowing unlimited stations with one change
within one hour costs 530Ft. On the metro exclusively, the base fare drops to 300Ft if
you are just going three stops within 30 minutes. Tickets boughtonthe bus and all
night buses cost 450Ft.
You must always travel in one continuous direction on any ticket; return trips are
forbidden. Tickets have to be validated in machines at metro entrances and aboard
other vehicles - inspectors will fine you for not doing so.
Life will most likely be simpler if you buy a travel pass. Passes are valid on all trams,
buses, trolleybuses, and HÉV (within the city limits) and metro lines, and you don't
have to worry about validating your ticket each time you board. The most central
place to buy them is the ticket office at the Deák Ferenc tér metro station open from
6am to 11pm daily.
A 24-hour travel card is poor value at 1650Ft, but the 72-hour one for 4150Ft and
the seven-day pass for 4950Ft are worthwhile for most people. You'll need a photo for
the fortnightly/monthly passes (7000/10,500Ft).
Travelling without a valid ticket or pass is foolhardy; with what seems like constant
surveillance (especially in the metro), there's an excellent chance you'll get caught.
The on-the-spot fine is 8000Ft, which doubles if you pay it at the
BKK office
(
GOOGLE MAP
;
1-461 6800;VII Akácfa utca 22; 6am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-1.45pm
Sat; M2 Blaha Lujza tér)up to 30 days later. After that date it goes up to 32,500Ft.
If you've left something on any form of public transport, contact the
BKK lost &
M2 Blaha Lujza tér).
Bicycle
More and more cyclists can be seen on the streets of Budapest, taking advantage of the
city's growing network of dedicated bike paths. Some of the main roads might be a bit too
busy for enjoyable cycling, but the side streets are fine and there are some areas (eg City
