Budapest's cheap and effective transport system is run by Budapesti Kozlekedési Vállalat - BKV (tel: (01) 461 6688; website: www.bkv.hu). The network includes the metro, trams, buses, trolleybuses (a cross between a bus and a tram) and trains. In summer, there are also BKV Danube ferries. There are also limited night buses, all of which are marked with 'É'.

There are three metro lines (M1 yellow, M2 red, and M3 blue) that intersect at Deák tér. The M1, built for the 1896 exhibition, is the oldest line in Europe.

The BKV Cog-wheel Railway (Fogaskerekû vasút) operates from Városmajor utca to Széchenyi Hill daily.

You can buy tickets at metro stations, some tram stops and newspaper stands. Tickets are valid for one trip on one mode of transport and must be validated on the bus or tram, or when changing lines on the metro. Single tickets, ticket booklets and day passes (napijegy) are available.

The Gyermekvasút or Children's Railway (tel: (01) 397 5392; website: www.gyermekvasut.com) was formerly run by the Communist youth organisation and is still largely run by children of 10 to 14 years old, although it is overseen by MÁV (see Getting There By Rail). The train runs from the Hûvösvölgy district to Széchenyi Hill.

A BKV chairlift runs from the Zugliget district to János Hill - the highest point of Budapest. The 100m (328ft) funicular runs up from Clark Ádám tér to the Castle District.

HÉV trains are Budapest's commuter suburban train lines. Four lines serve the city, one north to Szentendre (see Excursions) from Batthyány tér, two south to Csepel and Ráckeve and one east to Gödöllő.

Taxis without a yellow number plate, which is required by law, as well as a reputable logo on the side doors and a table of fares posted on the dashboard should be avoided. Visitors should ask the driver for a taxi card, for a better fare on the next journey.

Recognised companies include Rádió Taxi (tel: (01) 377 7777), one of the cheapest and most reliable firms, offering significant discounts if taxis are ordered by telephone, Fő Taxi (tel: (01) 222 2222; website: www.fotaxi.hu), recognised by their red and white chequered doors, and the English-speaking City Taxi (tel: (01) 211 1111; website: www.city-taxi.hu), which also has a reputation for being trustworthy.

Central streets are frequently jammed due to roadworks, cobblestones make for a jolting journey and the tram lines and unusual Hungarian driving techniques can make navigating the city a hair-raising experience. Only taxis and cars with a special permit are allowed into the Castle District - the Várbusz (Castle Bus) service runs from Moszkva tér to Szent Gyorgy tér. Margaret Island can only be accessed from Árpád híd, as far as the car park outside the hotels - bus 26 crosses the island.

Vehicles are not permitted to park for longer than three hours in central parking lots and clamping and towing away are enforced with a hefty charge for release. Parking meters often display the phone number for wheel clamping release and cars that are towed away can also be traced by telephone (tel: (01) 307 5208). There are four large car parks, which are located on V Aranykéz utca 4-6, V Szervita tér 8, VII Nyár utca 20 and VIII Kálvin tér. The hourly rate is more expensive in secure car parks.

It‘s wise for hirers to ensure that the price quoted is inclusive of Áfa (VAT). The majority of hire cars in Budapest have manual transmission. A valid national driving licence is required and a credit card is usually requested for the deposit. The minimum age for car hire is 21 years, although some hire companies require drivers to be over 25. Extra charges are made for additional drivers. Third-party liability insurance is compulsory in Hungary.

Car hire is available at Ferihegy airport or at Volán, Express and Budapest tourist offices, as well as at large hotels. Major companies include Avis, V Szervita tér 8 (tel: (01) 318 4240; website: www.avis.com), Budget, I Krisztina körút 41-43 (tel: (01) 214 0420; website: www.budget.hu), and Sixt, XIII Váci út 141 (tel: (01) 451 4227; website: www.sixt.hu).

Although there are some bicycle lanes, Budapest is not that cycle friendly. Cyclists should acquire the 'Budapest on Bike Map' showing bike lanes and trails throughout the city.

Bringóhintó, Hajós Alfréd sétány 1 (tel: (01) 329 2746; website: www.bringohinto.hu), on Margaret Island (which is closed to cars), hires bicycles and tandems in the summer. You can also hire bikes from Yellow Zebra Bikes (see Tours of the City).