Here is how you can travel by boat in spring, summer 2024 in Budapest’s impressive downtown

Telex.hu, a Hungarian media outlet, inquired whether the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) plans to reestablish the popular Danube boat service this summer.

Scheduled boat trips will not be reestablished

However, Telex.hu received disappointing news. BKK said they will not operate scheduled boats on the Budapest segment of the Danube this spring and summer.

The first year when BKK decided to terminate this popular service was 2021. The reason was the COVID pandemic and the lack of money.

However, the boats were too popular to terminate the service forever. Therefore, the municipal leadership began cooperation with MAHART and announced the Budapest Circle Line commuting every two hours between Margaret Island and the Petőfi Bridge.

In 2023, the season started on 1 May, and you could travel on the boats with your BKK pass.

Only the Budapest Circle Line will be available

The so-called Budapest Circle Line allowed tourists and locals to admire the panorama of Budapest’s downtown, including the iconic Hungarian Parliament, Chain Bridge, and Buda Castle.

The cruise departs from Vigadó Square Pier 6. The first stop is Akadémia 1 Pier, followed by Margaret Island’s Margitsziget Sportuszoda Pier. Then it turns back to the downtown and makes its next stop at Batthány Square, from where the Hungarian Parliament is the most beautiful.

The final stop of the journey is the National Theatre in South Budapest. While getting there, you can admire the Várkert Bazaar, the Metropolitan Parish Church, the Elisabeth Bridge, and the Liberty Bridge. The boat turns back to the Vigadó Square under the Petőfi Bridge.

Photo: FB/Mahart Passnave

The boat will start service from 1 May. It will carry passengers between Tuesday and Sunday, between 11 AM and 7 PM every two hours. The last cruise will return to Vigadó Square at 8.15 PM. The Budapest Circle Line will not be available on Mondays.

You may use the service with your BKK monthly, quarterly or annual season tickets. If you do not have a pass, you may buy a ticket for the boat. Unfortunately, local discounts do not apply since the service is not part of the Budapest public transport system. Moreover, kids under 7, and people above 65 may use the service for free, but that does not apply to Saturdays and Sundays.

Read also:

• Everything to know about Hungary’s new, improved public transport fee system: prices, passes in THIS article
• Taxi fares can rise again in Budapest while ‘banned’ Uber returns – Read more HERE