Budapest - Getting Around
Public Transport
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
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.
Driving in the City
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.
Car Hire
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).
Bicycle Hire
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).
Tours of Budapest

Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Travel Deals
-
Finland Activity & adventure holidays Finnish Lapland has enormous areas of untouched wilderness and mile upon mile of wild rolling fells. This vast open countryside, sparkling in the winter sunshine, just begs to be explored by
-
Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for
-
Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world
-
Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is
-
Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for
-
Dominican Republic Family holidays The Dominican Republic has soared in popularity as a tropical hotspot for families seeking sun, sand and an affordable holiday in the Caribbean. The island's main attraction is magnificent golden sand