Traveling in / out of Budapest

Note:

  • For all means of transport you need to purchase the full-price pass, you are not eligible for a student pass.
  • Prices below are valid for 2026.

    Traveling within Budapest:

    PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (BKK)

    Budapest has an efficient public transportation system called BKK. There are various means of transport (bus, metro, tram, trolleybus, suburban railway), which generally run daily during the hours 4:30 AM – 11:30 PM. There are also buses that run outside these hours. To plan your trip use the Budapest Go mobile App, the BKK online route planner  or Google Maps.

    You can buy BKK passes and tickets from the Budapest Go mobile app or ticket machines (if your phone battery is unstable, a paper ticket may be a safer option).

    For the first 30 days of your stay, we recommend buying a monthly pass. You can choose from the following options:

    • Monthly Budapest pass (8950 HUF): valid for transportation within Budapest
    • Pest county pass, full price (9450 HUF): valid for transportation within Pest County, including Budapest (our default recommendation)
    • Country Pass, full price (18,900 HUF): valid for transportation in the whole country, including the 3360 HUF basic bus fare for the math camp (recommended if you are planning to travel within Hungary).

    For the rest of your stay, we recommend buying another monthly pass, or buying tickets (single tickets, block of 10 singles tickets, 30 min tickets, 90 min tickets).

    Note:

    • You need to purchase the full-price pass, you are not eligible for a student pass. Having the wrong pass may result in a fine of 16,000 HUF or more.
    • The passes and ticekts are NOT valid on bus 100E which runs between downtown and the airport. You can buy a ticket on the bus, it costs 2200 HUF. (Passes and ticekts are valid on bus 200E.)

    TAXICABS

    Taxis in Budapest have uniform fares. A trip within downtown costs around 2,000–4,000 HUF, and taxi companies have online fare calculators. Make sure the taximeter displays the actual fare during the ride.

    BICYCLES

    Use extra caution when riding a bike in Budapest, as rules of the road and driving habits are quite different in Hungary than in North America. Even if you ride in a bike lane, be aware that drivers do not always give the right of way to bikers.

    Budapest has a public bike-sharing system called MOL Bubi.  It has many docking stations all around the city, so you can just grab a bike and go. For details see this page.

    Traveling outside of Budapest:

    BY AIR

    Budapest Airport (BUD) is located about 16 km (10 miles) southeast of the city center. You can travel to and from the airport by BKK, taxi, Airport minibus, or train.

    Many international airlines operate from Budapest. There are several low-cost airlines (e.g., Wizzair, Ryanair, and easyJet), which operate to various destinations including Paris, Rome, London, Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul, Crete, and Jerusalem.

    TRAINS

    Domestic trains

    Trains operate from Budapest to all parts of Hungary and throughout Europe. They depart from either of the four major railway stations:

    • Keleti Pályaudvar – East Railway Station (metro lines 2 and 4)
    • Nyugati Pályaudvar – West Railway Station (metro line 3; trams 4 and 6)
    • Déli Pályaudvar – South Railway Station (metro line 2)
    • Kelenföldi Pályaudvar – Kelenföld Railway station (metro line 4)

    Unless you have a pass, you must purchase FULL PRICE tickets BEFORE BOARDING the train through the MÁV+ mobile app, the MÁV website, or ticket machines / tickets booths at the station.

    Notes on tickets and passes

    • By default, you must purchase a FULL PRICE ticket BEFORE BOARDING the train through the MÁV+ mobile app, the MÁV website, or ticket machines / tickets booths at the station.
    • The Country Pass is valid on all trains in Hungary.
    • For some trains a seat ticket is required (650 HUF in advance or 990 HUF on the day of travel) even if you have a pass. To buy the ticket through the app, add the Hungary Pass as a discount for the traveller.
    • The Pest County Pass is valid on the part of the line that falls within Pest County. Add the pass as a discount for the traveller when you purchase the ticket.
    • If you board at a station without an operating ticket booth or ticket machine, you can buy your ticket on the train.

    International trains

    State railways

    For state railways, we recommend you check the MÁV+ website or app, and the ÖBB website or app. Some tickets are only sold in person at a main railway station.

    Regiojet

    Regiojet offers discount train service. If you enter Budapest in their search box, it will offer the Kelenföld station, so it is worth checking individual downtown stations.

    BUSES

      Domestic long distance buses


      For schedules and ticket purchase, see the MÁV+ mobile app, the MÁV website.

      Notes on passes and tickets:

      • You can buy your ticket from the driver, but if you board at a big station, it is recommended that you buy the ticket before departure online or at the ticket office, and to secure your place with a seat ticket if possible.
      • The Hungary pass is valid on all buses in Hungary.
      • The Pest County Pass is valid on the part of the line that falls within Pest County. Add the pass as a discount for the traveller when you purchase the ticket.

      International buses

      Major international bus companies (less reliable than trains):