Travelling by taxi in Budapest now costs more after new official fares came into force. The changes include higher base and distance charges, while passengers travelling to or from Budapest Airport will also have to pay a new airport surcharge. At the same time, another change affecting airport taxi operations is set to take effect within days.
Higher official taxi fares now in effect
Budapest’s revised taxi tariff officially entered into force today following an amendment to the city’s taxi regulations. (1 EUR = 365 HUF) The new official fares are:
- Base fare: increased from HUF 1,100 to HUF 1,300
- Per-kilometre fare: increased from HUF 440 to HUF 521
- Per-minute fare: increased from HUF 110 to HUF 130
The fare increase was approved by the Budapest General Assembly at its 26 June meeting.
New airport surcharge introduced
Passengers travelling to or from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport will also notice a new fixed airport charge. A new HUF 800 airport fee has been introduced, bringing the starting fare for airport journeys to HUF 2,100. The surcharge applies to trips beginning or ending at the airport.
Airport access changes could affect some taxi passengers
A separate issue could soon affect how passengers are picked up and dropped off at the airport. According to the Budapest Taxi Association, from 3 August Budapest Airport will end the current five-minute free transit period through its airport car parks for most taxi operators. The association says that, without free access, many taxis would have to pay parking fees every time they enter the terminal area.
As a result, many independent taxi operators may have to use a designated taxi parking area located around 1.1 kilometres from Terminal 2, meaning some passengers could face a considerably longer walk with their luggage.
Főtaxi services remain unchanged
According to VG.hu, the reported changes do not affect Főtaxi, which continues to hold the concession to provide official taxi services from Budapest Airport until 2030. Its vehicles will continue to pick up arriving passengers directly outside the terminals.
The Budapest Taxi Association has urged the airport operator to suspend the new access rules until an agreement can be reached, arguing that the immediate introduction could reduce service quality and inconvenience travellers. According to the association, Budapest Airport has declined to postpone the measure.
What travellers should know
Visitors arriving in Budapest should be aware of two separate changes:
- Taxi journeys across Budapest now cost more under the revised official tariff.
- From 3 August, passengers using non-contracted taxi companies at the airport could encounter different pickup arrangements if the new access rules take effect as planned.
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