Budapest public transport is affordable, extensive and usually the most convenient way to explore the Hungarian capital. However, the system is not based on the metro alone: trams, suburban railways, buses and trolleybuses are equally important parts of the network.
Passengers must also understand the difference between buying and validating a ticket. Having an unused ticket in your pocket or on your telephone is not necessarily enough, and travelling without a correctly validated ticket can result in a substantial fine.
Prices and regulations were checked on 14 July 2026. Euro conversions are approximate, based on the European Central Bank reference rate of EUR 1 to HUF 361.33.
How Budapest’s public transport network works
Budapest has four metro lines, but the underground network is relatively small compared with those of cities such as London, Paris or Berlin. The metro provides fast connections between several major railway stations, central districts and important transport hubs, but many everyday journeys are completed partly or entirely above ground.
Trams form one of the backbones of Budapest public transport. They run along the Danube, across several bridges and through major boulevards, often connecting neighbourhoods that cannot be reached directly by metro. Tram 6, serving the Grand Boulevard, operates around the clock.
The HÉV suburban railway network connects central or outer Budapest with suburban districts and nearby towns, including Szentendre, Gödöllő, Csömör and Ráckeve. Budapest tickets and travelcards are generally valid only on the sections of HÉV lines located within the city boundary. A separate ticket or a wider county product may be required when travelling farther.
Buses have the widest coverage, reaching both central neighbourhoods and residential areas far from metro and tram lines. Trolleybuses function much like ordinary buses but run on electricity supplied through overhead wires. They are particularly common in Pest.
The different modes form an integrated system. A single journey may involve a tram, metro and bus, while passengers using a valid travelcard or pass can normally transfer without buying another ticket.
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Budapest public transport tickets and passes
A standard single ticket costs HUF 500, approximately EUR 1.38. A ticket bought on board from a driver costs HUF 700, around EUR 1.94, and passengers should carry the exact amount in cash. A block of ten single tickets costs HUF 4,500, approximately EUR 12.45.
A single ticket normally covers one uninterrupted journey. Passengers cannot use the same ticket to change between buses, trams or other surface services. Transfers between metro lines are an exception: no additional ticket is required as long as the passenger remains inside the metro system.
Digital time-based tickets are more flexible. A 30-minute ticket costs HUF 600, approximately EUR 1.66, while a 90-minute ticket costs HUF 850, around EUR 2.35. These tickets allow unlimited transfers during their validity period, although passengers must scan the code again whenever they change services. A journey started within the permitted period may be completed even if the ticket expires before the passenger gets off.
For unlimited travel, the 24-hour Budapest travelcard costs HUF 2,750, approximately EUR 7.61. The 72-hour Budapest travelcard costs HUF 5,750, around EUR 15.91. A monthly Budapest pass is HUF 8,950, approximately EUR 24.77.
Budapest travelcards are also valid on some trains
The 24-hour Budapest travelcard covers more than vehicles operated directly as part of the BKK city network.
Within Budapest’s administrative boundaries, it is valid on almost all BKK services, HÉV suburban railway lines, selected suburban buses and second-class MÁV trains. For journeys made entirely within Budapest, passengers can use trains that would otherwise require a supplementary charge without buying a separate seat reservation.
This can be useful when travelling between railway stations or reaching an outer district more quickly by train. However, the travelcard ceases to be valid once the journey crosses the Budapest boundary. It is also not accepted on the 100E Airport Express.
Using the BudapestGO app
BudapestGO combines journey planning, real-time transport information, service updates and digital ticket purchases. Users can buy single tickets, time-based tickets, travelcards, passes and airport bus tickets through the application.
Digital single tickets must be activated before entering a metro station or boarding a surface vehicle. Passengers can scan the displayed QR code or hold their telephone near the NFC sticker.
Time-based tickets must also be scanned when transferring to another service. Digital travelcards and passes do not require traditional validation, but passengers may need to scan a code or use the boarding function at metro entrances and on front-door-boarding services.
As the telephone serves as proof of entitlement, it must remain charged and accessible throughout the journey.
How to validate a Budapest public transport ticket
Paper single tickets must be validated before crossing the marked boundary at a metro entrance. On buses, trams and trolleybuses, passengers must validate them immediately after boarding and before the vehicle departs.
Tickets are inserted into the validation machine in the direction indicated by the arrow printed on them. Passengers should check that the machine has stamped or punched the ticket correctly and retain it until the end of the journey.
Travelcards and passes do not need to be stamped every time. They must nevertheless be shown to inspectors, drivers or metro access staff when requested.
Ticket inspections and penalty fares
Inspections take place both at metro entrances and on board vehicles. A purchased but unvalidated single ticket is treated as invalid.
The standard penalty fare is HUF 25,000, approximately EUR 69.19. It is reduced to HUF 12,000, around EUR 33.21, when paid immediately or within two working days. After that period, the full HUF 25,000 amount applies.
If the debt remains unpaid for more than 30 days, the penalty rises to HUF 50,000, approximately EUR 138.37. Further administrative and recovery costs may also be added.
A passenger who held a valid personalised pass but could not present it during the inspection may be able to show it at a BKK customer service centre within five working days and pay a smaller administration fee.
Travelling between Budapest Airport and the city
The simplest airport connection is the 100E Airport Express. It operates around the clock between Liszt Ferenc International Airport and Deák Ferenc tér, stopping at Kálvin tér on the way. The scheduled journey to the city centre takes around 40 minutes.
The dedicated 100E ticket costs HUF 2,500, approximately EUR 6.92. Ordinary single tickets, 24-hour travelcards and 72-hour travelcards are not valid on this service.
Holders of an eligible Budapest pass, Pest County Pass or Hungary Pass can buy a HUF 1,000, approximately EUR 2.77, add-on airport ticket. The add-on must be purchased and validated separately; possessing the pass alone is not sufficient.
The cheaper alternative is bus 200E, which also operates 24 hours a day. Regular BKK tickets, travelcards and passes are accepted. During metro operating hours, the bus connects the airport with the M3 metro at Kőbánya-Kispest. At night, it connects with night-bus services towards central Budapest.
Night buses and late-night travel
Budapest has an extensive night network connecting the city centre with outer districts. Tram 6 and airport buses 100E and 200E operate around the clock, alongside numerous night-bus services.
Regular fares apply to night buses, so passengers can use the same ordinary tickets, travelcards and passes accepted during the day. Tickets bought from a driver or an onboard security guard cost HUF 700, approximately EUR 1.94.
Some night buses are timed to wait for one another at major interchange points, including Deák Ferenc tér, Astoria, Blaha Lujza tér, Móricz Zsigmond körtér and Széll Kálmán tér.
Budapest’s night network was significantly reorganised from the night of 1–2 July 2026. Travellers should therefore use BudapestGO rather than relying on an old map, timetable or previous experience.
Which ticket offers the best value?
For one or two simple journeys without transfers, ordinary single tickets may be sufficient. A 30- or 90-minute digital ticket is usually better when the route involves changes.
For a full day of sightseeing inside the capital, the 24-hour Budapest travelcard is generally the simplest option. It covers almost all city services and can also be used on eligible trains and HÉV services within the Budapest boundary.
The 72-hour Budapest travelcard is a practical choice for a weekend visit, particularly for passengers making several journeys each day.
Travellers planning a day trip outside the capital should consider the Pest County24 ticket, known in Hungarian as the Pest Vármegye24. It costs only HUF 999, approximately EUR 2.76, and is valid on eligible MÁV trains, HÉV services and regional or suburban buses in Pest County. It can be used along the full length of the HÉV lines.
However, the Pest County24 ticket is not a complete Budapest public transport ticket. It is not valid on most BKK-only metro, tram, trolleybus and local bus services. On buses operated as part of the BKK network, it is accepted only on agglomeration routes that cross Budapest’s administrative boundary. It is therefore excellent for an excursion to Szentendre or Gödöllő, but it does not replace a Budapest travelcard for ordinary city sightseeing.
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Why the monthly Pest County Pass is often the best deal
For longer-term visitors and residents, the monthly Pest County Pass is arguably the best-value public transport product.
It costs HUF 9,450, approximately EUR 26.16, just HUF 500 – around EUR 1.38 – more than the HUF 8,950 monthly Budapest pass. For that small difference, it provides unlimited travel on almost all BKK services in Budapest, as well as eligible trains, HÉV lines, suburban buses and regional VOLÁN services across Pest County.
It covers Budapest metro, tram, trolleybus and bus services, as well as the full length of the HÉV network. It is particularly useful for commuters, international residents and anyone considering occasional trips beyond the capital.
The 100E Airport Express is not included, but holders of a valid Pest County Pass can purchase the discounted HUF 1,000 add-on airport ticket.
Someone staying exclusively in central Budapest may find the ordinary monthly Budapest pass sufficient. However, considering that the Pest County Pass costs only HUF 500 more and provides substantially wider coverage, it is often the better overall choice.
Budapest public transport may initially appear complicated because several operators and transport modes share the same network. Once passengers understand the difference between single tickets, travelcards, county day tickets and monthly passes, however, the system becomes inexpensive and easy to use. Checking BudapestGO before travelling, validating tickets correctly and choosing the product that matches the planned area of travel can prevent both unnecessary costs and unpleasant fines.
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