Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HÉV trains
The green overground
HÉV trains
provide easy access to Budapest's suburbs, running
roughly three to five times an hour between 4.30am and 11.30pm. As far as tourists are con-
cerned, the most useful line is the one from
Batthyány tér
(on the red metro line) out to
Szentendre
, which passes through Óbuda, Aquincum and Rómaifürdő. The other lines ori-
ginate in Pest, with one running northeast from
Örsvezértere
(also on the red metro line) to
Gödölllő
via the Formula One racing track at Mogyoród; another southwards from Boráros
tér at the Pest end of Petőfi híd to Csepel; and the third from
Közvagóhíd
(bus #23 or #54
from Boráros tér) to
Ráckeve
.
Boats and other transport
There are several
passenger boat services on the Danube
, which makes for an enjoyable
way to see the Buda and Pest embankments. On weekdays, service D11 plies the route
between Újpest and Haller utca (just beyond Petőfi híd towards the Palace of the Arts); while
service D12 starts at Rómaifürdő and also travels down to Haller utca. At weekends and on
holidays, service D13 runs between Rómaifürdő and Haller utca. All services stop at Árpád
Híd, Margit-sziget, Batthyány tér, Petőfi tér and Szent Gellért tér, running roughly hourly
between 7am and 7pm. Tickets (750Ft) can be obtained from kiosks (where timetables are
posted) or machines at the docks.
In the Buda Hills, there's also the
Cogwheel Railway
(Fogaskerekűvasút, now officially
designated as tram #60), the
Children'sRailway
(Gyermekvasút), and the
chairlift
(
libegő
)
between Zugliget and János-hegy. Note that BKK tickets and passes are also valid for the
CogwheelRailwayandBKKpassescanbeusedonboatsonweekdays-fortheothers,you'll
need to buy tickets at the point of departure or on board.
Taxis
Though not nearly as bad it used to be, Budapest's
taxis
still have a reputation for ripping off
foreigners. Make sure your taxi has a meter that is visible and
switched on
when you get in,
and that the rates are clearly displayed.
Fares
are fixed though, with a starting fee of 450Ft,
and a price per kilometre of 280Ft.
Taxis can be flagged down on the street, and there are
ranks
throughout the city. For a
slightly cheaper rate, orderacab byphone.Avoidunmarked private cars, anddrivers hanging
around the stations and airport.
TAXI COMPANIES
Citytaxi
1 211 1111
Főtaxi
1 222 2222
