plane

From the Airport to the City Centre

by with No Comment Travel Tips

From the Airport to the City Centre

Visitors arriving with airplane are landing to the ‘Ferenc Liszt International Airport’ in Budapest. The city centre is located around 20 kilometres far from the airport and can be accessible within 1 hour with public transportation or taxi service. Find out more information on how reach the city centre from Budapest’s International Airport.

With Public Transportation

With using public transportation system you can reach the city centre with Direct Shuttlebus (bus line 100E) or Daytime Transportation (Bus line 200E). The Direct Shuttlebus departs from Liszt Ferenc Airport Terminal 2A and 2B and arrives to Deák Ferenc Square. The Direct Airport Shuttlebus is only available with an Airport Shuttlebus single ticket at the price of 900 HUF. The single ticket can be purchased at the Customer Service Points of BKK at Terminal 2A. Daytime Transportation also departs from Liszt Ferenc Airport Terminal 2A and 2B but arrives Kőbánya Kispest M3 metro station where you can change service to the M3 metro line taking you to Deák Ferenc Square. You can travel with Daytime Transportation with purchasing a transfer ticket or travel card. Tickets and travel cards can be purchased at the Customer Service Points of BKK at Terminal 2A.

With Taxi

In case of using taxi service, you can make reservations at the ‘Főtaxi’ booths in front of the exits of Terminal 2A and 2B. Főtaxi is the official taxi service company transporting passengers between the airport and Budapest. A ride to the city costs ca. 26 EUR depending on traffic.

BUS

Budapest by Bus, Metro & Tram

by with No Comment Travel Tips

Budapest by Bus, Metro & Tram

Whether its your first time in Budapest or you are a returning visitor, it is very important to be aware about public transportation system of a foreign city. We have gathered the most important information on how to use transportation tickets, what kind of passes you should purchase and where to buy them.

Budapest is provided with excellent infrastructure and extensive public transportation system with 4 metro lines, several bus and tram network. You can access your favourite sight within just a few minutes. The official organisation responsible for Budapest’s public transportation system is BKK which is short for Budapest Közlekedési Központ. They provide all valid information about Budapest’s transportation system. For detailed information on how to use public transportation, download BKK’s Practical Guide to Budapest Transport.

What types of Passes are available?

Passengers using BKK’s public transportation are required to travel with valid ticket or travelcard otherwise you could be fined. For getting around Budapest by public transportation we recommend to use Tickets or Short-term Travelcards.

1. Traveling with Tickets

What type of tickets you can choose to travel in Budapest?

  • Single Ticket: valid only for a single trip on the whole length of bus – metro-and tram lines. During the period of validity, transfers are allowed between metro lines M1, M2, M3 and M4 only. Transferring between other lines requires another single ticket.
  • Block of 10 Tickets: contains 10 individual single tickets which are valid for a single trip and the whole length of bus-metro-and tram lines. During the period of validity, transfers are allowed between metro lines M1, M2, M3 and M4 only. Transferring between other lines requires another single ticket.
  • Transfer Ticket: valid for a single trip including one transfer on the whole length of bus, metro and tram lines. Trip interruptions and return trips are not allowed.
  • Short Section Metro Ticket: valid on metro lines M1, M2, M3, M4 only for a single short trip up to 3 stops for a period of 30 minutes after validation. Trip interruptions and return trips are not allowed.
  • Airport Shuttlebus Single Ticket: valid only for the 100E bus line departing from Liszt Ferenc Airport

Please note, that all tickets need to be validated right before boarding a vehicle or when starting your travel.

2. Traveling with Short-Term Travelcards

What kind of Travelcards are available?

  • 24-hour Travelcard: valid for 24 hours from the indicated date and time allowing visitors unlimited number of travels and transportations on the whole length of bus-metro-and tram lines in Budapest. 
  • 24-hour Group Travelcard: to be used by up to 5 passengers traveling at the same time on the same vehicle. Valid for 24 hours from the indicated date and time allowing visitors unlimited number of travels and transportations on the whole length of bus-metro-and tram lines in Budapest. 
  • 72-hour Travelcard: valid for 72 hours from the indicated date and time allowing visitors unlimited number of travels and transportations on the whole length of bus-metro-and tram lines.
  • 7-day Travelcard: Valid from 00:00 on the indicated starting day until 02:00 on the seventh day following for unlimited number of travels and transportations on the whole length of bus-metro-and tram lines.
Travelcards are valid from the indicated date and time, therefore they do not need validation after purchase or before starting your travel. Advance purchase is possible. Please note, that using the direct shuttlebus from the Airport requires an Airport Shuttlebus single ticket.

Read more about Tickets and Travelcards

Where to buy Tickets and Travelcards?

You can purchase your tickets or travelcards at

  • Ticket vending machines
  • BKK customer service centre
  • On board.

1. Ticket Vending Machines

Ticket vending machines are well-programmed computer devices which are located on several spots in Budapest. From these machines you can purchase all kinds of tickets and travelcards for your trip at any time of the day. Vending machines accept cash as well as credit cards. The computer programme will show you the exact steps on how to properly buy your tickets. For further information you can check the instructional video by BKK to see the exact steps of buying your passes.

2. BKK's Customer Service

Look for the Customer Service Points of BKK in Budapest where you can also purchase your tickets and travelcards. The customer service points help visitors with providing information about Budapest’s public transportation and provides brochures of public transport. At the customer service points you can purchase any kind of ticket, pass or travelcard. The service points operates at Liszt Ferenc International Airport’s at Terminal 2A on a daily basis from 8:00-22:00 and at Terminal 2B on a daily basis from 9:00-21:00. English-speaking operations are gladly at your service with useful information and advices on transportation.

Read more about BKK’s customer service points

3. On Board

Only Single tickets are available on spot from the driver at a higher price of 450 HUF.

How to validate your ticket?

Passengers whishing to use public transportation are required to use valid tickets. Always make sure you have validated your ticket before boarding a vehicle, otherwise you could be fined. Please note, that travelcards do not need validation.

1. On Metro

On Metro lines tickets need to be validated with stamping or punching right before you board on the vehicle. Validating machines are located at the entrance of the metro stations. Insert the number grid end to the machine for validation.

2. On Trams & Buses

On Tram and Bus lines tickets need to be validated by stamping or punching them immediately after you board on the vehicle. The validators are located on the transportation handrails. Insert the number grid end of your ticket into the opening for validation.

For further information watch this video on how to validate your ticket

Read more about ticket validation on BKK’s website

itinerary travel

Travel to Budapest with an Itinerary

by with No Comment Travel Tips

Travel to Budapest with an Itinerary

Traveling to a foreign city with a travel itinerary can be good idea. Being organised and well informed always make you feel prepared for your travel. Especially if you are traveling to Budapest just for 2 or 3 days its a great idea to have a travel plan including the main attractions you would like to visit.

However, some people would say that being spontaneous is a better idea because you won’t feel any pressure during your stay. Of course there are many pros and cons for both aspects.
This post describes how you can make a well prepared travel itinerary. First of all, there are some main points you should consider before starting to create your plan.

How Many Days You Will Be Staying in Budapest?

The duration of your holiday has a slight impact on organizing your travel itinerary. The longer stay you’ll have, the more things you can do and more things to include into your plan. If you will be staying in Budapest for a whole week you’ll probably have time to visit outsider areas of the city. Spending one week in Budapest is perfect enough to explore the city and even have time to relax. Of course this doesn’t mean you can’t have an enjoyable vacation during a short visit. There are many-many fun program possibilities to do by spending just couple of days in Budapest. You just need to create a great and organised travel itinerary and you’re good to go.

Do Some Research

Let’s suppose you already booked your flight and accommodation to Budapest. Everything is all set except for the itinerary. Even if you’re staying for one week or just for a few days, it is good to start organizing your travel itinerary in time. First of all, do some research! Read about the city, find the famous attractions, must-to-see places and to-do activities. There are lot of possibilities to get these information. Search the internet, read some blogs, ask your friends. Collect all kinds of travel tips and program ideas about Budapest in order to set up your personal travel itinerary.

Make a "To-Do" List

As you read more and more information you’ll probably notice that its impossible to keep all in mind. But that’s normal. Now it’s time to make a list of the program possibilities which you have collected. Because there are a lot! Write down everything you find interesting. Take quick notes about program possibilities. It doesn’t matter if not everything will fit into your schedule. You will have a wide range of selection when you put together your travel itinerary.

Prioritize your “to-do” list

When I travel to a foreign country I always decide what I would certainly like to do and see. This helps me to prioritize the attractions and program possibilities which are on my list. Try the same technique. Pick out some activities which are the most sympathetic for your and attractions you definitely don’t want to miss. These will be your main points. After you determine your must-to-do and must-to-see programmes you can easily add more activities to your travel itinerary.

Estimate the duration of each program

Before you completely set up your itinerary keep in mind the duration of each activity. It will help you to put your list in order and know what to plan each day. You don’t need to determine precisely how long each program will take, it just needs to be an estimation. At the same time you are organised you also want to be flexible. Don’t let time to put a negative impact on your trip in case some programs turn out to take a little bit more time as you estimated. Try to calculate with extra time.

Create your personal Travel Itinerary

Okay, so you made all steps above and know what you will see and do in Budapest. Now you are completely set to put all pieces of information together.
There are many possibilities to make your own travel itinerary. You can create it in a simple word or excel document, try out a travel plan creator application on the internet, or even write it down on a piece of paper. Choose a method which you think is the most suitable for you.

When creating your travel itinerary always remember a few important things:
– have a back-up plan in case of rainy weather
– calculate with extra time, not everything may go exactly as you planned
– don’t be disappointed in case you ran out of time, you came here to enjoy the city
– include time to relax, after all you are on vacation

Hope you’ll have a good time in Budapest!

Pest

On which side to stay in Budapest?

by with No Comment Travel Tips

On Wich Side to Stay in Budapest

Are you planning to visit Budapest but haven’t decided yet on which side to stay in the city? Finding a good located accommodation plays an important role in your travel. We have created this blog post to introduce the structure of Budapest and highlight the differences between Buda and Pest.

Buda

Popular neighbourhoods in Buda are the 11th, 1st, 2nd district. As Budapest maintains an excellent transportation system, you can easily access Pest with metro or tram within just 15-20 minutes. By walking across Széchenyi Chain Bridge or Liberty, Bridge you will arrive right to the city centre.
Railway Stations:
Kelenföld Railway Station
Budapest-Déli Railway Station
Distances:
Ferihegy Airport – Buda: 24km, 30-40 minutes with taxi
Railway Stations – Pest: 10-25 minutes (depending on which railway station you will arrive to)

Buda is mostly known for its hilly areas and pieceful, calm ambience. The medieval neighbourhood and charming streets offer a delightful stay in this part of the city. Buda gives home to world-famous sights, such as the Buda Castle Quarter, Gellert Hill, Elizabeth Lookout Tower, Children’s Railway and Szemlohegyi Cave.

Read more about Buda

Pest

Popular neighbourhoods in Pest are the 5th, 6th and 7th district. The frequency of public transportation is excellent. You can reach your favourite places just in minutes, or in most cases famous sights are just in a short walking distance from eachother. In case your accommodation is located near the Danube river you can walk across Széchenyi Chain Bridge or Liberty Bridge to reach the Buda side of the city.
Railway Stations:
Budapest-Nyugati Railway Station
Budapest – Keleti Railway Station
Distances:
Ferihegy Airport – Pest: 15km, 20-30 minutes with taxi
Railway Stations – Pest: 10-25 minutes (depending on which railway station you will arrive to)

Pest’s neighbourhoods provide a vividly pulsating citylife and a metropolitan atmosphere. The vibrating cultural life of Pest offers visitors to marvel at the most legendary sights and iconic buildings, such as the Parliament building, Hungarian State Opera House and Heroes’ Square. In addition, Pest welcomes guests in delightful restaurants, creative bistros, exclusive ruin bars and grand cafés.

Read more about Pest
Buda and Pest