The Hungarian capital is divided into two by the Danube: Buda and Pest. The Buda side is the quiet, green side, while in Pest you will find the hustle and bustle.
According to the law, citizens of the European Union can use public transport in Budapest over the age of 65 for free.
Public transport:
In Budapest you can get practically anywhere during the day and night. Tickets can be bought at metro stations, from ticket machines or at kiosks. The tickets are valid for bus, trolleybus, metro, streetcar, cogwheel on the whole line and HÉV within the administrative boundary of Budapest.
Types of tickets:
Budapest Card
unlimited travel by public transport
more than 100 services
free entrance to 12 museums of the city
half-price city tours
discounted tickets for cultural and folklore programs
discounts in restaurants and spas
On the card there is an information form with detailed description in German about the use of the card and the companies offering discounts (photos, address, opening hours, entrance fees and discounts).
When you buy the card, it will be brought to your hotel, where you can take it at the reception.
Transfer ticket (átszállójegy): valid for a journey with one transfer. The ticket must be validated at the start and at the change, except at the crossings between M1, M2, M3, M4.
Route ticket (szakaszjegy): valid on M1, M2, M3, M4 lines, for one trip up to 3 stops within 30 minutes after validation. You can also change trains with it.
Daily tickets (napijegy): 24 hours ticket / 72 hours ticket
Weekly ticket (heti jegy): The weekly ticket is personal, can be used only by one person and is non-transferable.
10 and 20 tickets (jegytömb): contain 10 and 20 tickets respectively, valid everywhere.
At the entrance of the metro stations there are large maps where you can see all the lines in Budapest.
TAXI
The travel costs always consist of 3 parts:
Basic fee (regardless of the distance, 1000 HUF)
Kilometer fee (400 HUF / km)
Waiting time (75 HUF / min)
The usual tip is 10% of the total amount if the passenger is satisfied with the service.
It is best to always call a cab by phone, because the prices are cheaper that way, and we will not be exposed to an unrealistically high rate of some private cabs.
Cab numbers:
6×6 Taxi: +36-1-666-6666
Barát Taxi: +36-70-773-2000
Budapest Taxi: +(06 1) 777 7777
City Taxi: +36-1-2-111-111
Főtaxi: +36-1-2- 222-222
CAR
The same traffic rules apply in Hungary as in other EU countries.
Alcohol cannot be consumed by the driver at all, the fine can exceed 300.000 Ft (1230 €).
IS BUDAPEST A SAFE CITY?
In general, it can be said that Budapest is quite a safe city.
The biggest danger is usually the pickpockets, so we pay attention to the safety of our handbags on the street, on public transport or shopping malls, train stations, markets and places where there are many people.
It is best to always call a cab by phone, because the prices are cheaper that way, and we will not be exposed to an unrealistically high fare of some private cabs.
Always ask for the menu in restaurants in advance, so you can avoid the inconvenience of a high bill. Never trade money on the street. Carry your documents, passports or credit cards in tightly closed inside pockets and do not carry a lot of money. Do not leave valuables in your car.
Tipping is generally 10% of the bill, but in some restaurants it is included.
WHERE IS THE CITY CENTER IN BUDAPEST?
Buda and Pest: one city, two personalities
The Hungarian capital is divided into two by the Danube: Buda and Pest. The Buda side is the quiet, green side, while in Pest you will find the hustle and bustle.
It cannot be clearly said where the center is, but out of the 23 districts, 5, 6 and 7 are called the city center. The districts are generally written with Roman numerals.
Váci Street in the V district is the longest and busiest street in Budapest, which has become the biggest shopping street thanks to the many visitors. It counts as the most expensive – elite business district. Most of the buyers here are foreign tourists. There is a large number of restaurants, where – because of the prices – Hungarian guests rarely appear.
On Váci Street you can find all kinds of people, from musicians to graphic artists. It is difficult to walk through the street without being invited to at least three restaurants or to some (fake) fundraisers. The atmosphere of Váci Street is given by the tourists who walk here: Chatter, bum, showcase …
Everything we love in Pest, we find in the VI district. The hustle and bustle of the city, bit ruinous houses with unique history, hidden parks, pleasant pubs with beautiful terraces, design stores of Pest artists and dozens of restaurants. Museum lovers have a great choice here, for example, in the VI district you can find the famous Terror House. Our clinic, Evergreen Dental, is also located in this district, on the so-called Champs-Élysées of Budapest, on Andrássy Street, in a historic building.
District VII, the Jewish Quarter, is a real hipster center. Here you can find numerous street-food snack bars, kosher stores, trendy hotels and a myriad of atmospheric bars and pubs. Here you can also find the famous “ruin pubs” in hidden courtyards of old buildings.
Although most of the action takes place in these 3 districts, it is worth going a bit further afield to try out one of the famous spas or take a walk in the beautiful and large Buda Castle.
CAN YOU DRINK THE TAP WATER IN BUDAPEST?
Yes, it is safe to drink the tap water.
DO NOT LEAVE THE FOLLOWING AT HOME!
- Passport
- Identity card
- Insurance card
- Address card
- Driver’s license, if applicable
- Medication, if applicable
- Money
- Credit card
- Cell phone
- Air ticket
- papers of the bookings (hotel, plane ticket, etc.)
- comfortable shoes
- clothes also for cold weather
