Travelling by taxi in Budapest will become more expensive from 1 August after the Budapest Metropolitan Assembly approved higher official fares. The new pricing includes increases to the base fare, distance and time charges, as well as the introduction of a new airport surcharge.

Taxi fares increase after more than three years

The Budapest Metropolitan Assembly voted on Friday to amend the city’s taxi fare regulations, accepting a proposal submitted by Mayor Gergely Karácsony.

The measure was approved by 19 votes in favour, with 10 abstentions.

Budapest’s official taxi tariffs have remained unchanged since March 2023. Taxi associations argued that rising inflation over the past three years had made a fare increase necessary.

New Budapest taxi prices from 1 August

Under the new tariff structure, passengers will pay (EUR/HUF = 353):

  • Base fare: HUF 1,300, up from HUF 1,100
  • Distance charge: HUF 521 per kilometre, up from HUF 440
  • Waiting time charge: HUF 130 per minute, up from HUF 110

In addition, the city is introducing an HUF 800 airport surcharge. According to reports, an HUF 800 pre-booking fee will also apply under the updated regulations.

taxi demonstration protest budapest
Photo: depositphotos.com

Larger increase rejected

The approved changes are smaller than an earlier proposal considered by the assembly.

Taxi drivers’ organisations had previously pushed for a 20–25% fare increase, staging a day-long demonstration in Budapest last autumn.

At the Metropolitan Assembly’s previous meeting, councillors considered an even steeper proposal that would have increased the base fare to HUF 1,400, the per-kilometre charge to HUF 560, and the per-minute rate to HUF 140.

That proposal failed to secure enough support, according to HVG. Mayor Karácsony’s revised, more moderate package was subsequently approved.

Inflation cited as the main reason

According to the adopted proposal, taxi representative organisations—including the Taxi Drivers’ Interest Protection Organisation, the Budapest Taxi Association and the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry—justified the fare increase by pointing to cumulative inflation since the last adjustment more than three years ago. The new tariffs will take effect across Budapest on 1 August 2026.

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