Budapest’s parking crisis: Growing consensus that the city is no longer drivable
The increasing number of cars in Budapest has turned parking into a growing crisis, with limited public space and rising demand causing widespread frustration. To address the issue, city leaders are introducing higher fees and new restrictions, signalling a shift towards discouraging car use in favour of public transport, cycling, and walking. Yet, these measures may not be enough to tackle the deeper challenges posed by the city’s unsustainable parking and traffic systems.
The number of vehicles participating in Budapest’s traffic is steadily rising, while the public space available for parking remains static. In response, the city and various districts are raising parking fees, acknowledging that the days of easy downtown driving and parking are numbered.
According to Index, parking on public streets is seen as a major issue, taking up space that could be repurposed for more efficient uses. This concept, also highlighted in mayoral candidate Dávid Vitézy’s campaign, has inspired district leaders across party lines to rethink parking policies. Currently, 13 of Budapest’s 23 districts (Districts 1–3 and 5–14) operate paid parking systems, with outer districts yet to implement fees. The most expensive zones—such as Víziváros, Újlipótváros, Terézváros, and Józsefváros—charge up to HUF 600 (EUR 1.5) per hour, with a three-hour parking limit.
Proposed fee hikes and weekend charges
Photo: FB/Tamás Soproni
Mayor Gergely Karácsony has proposed further increases to parking fees and the introduction of weekend charges in premium zones. He also aims to end free parking for green-plate vehicles, arguing that this privilege disproportionately benefits wealthier car owners at the expense of others. The plan includes incentives for using public transport, such as discounts and subscription benefits.
District-level solutions
Several districts have already implemented changes to address the imbalance between available parking spaces and demand. Terézváros, for instance, introduced resident-only parking zones and expanded paid parking areas to reduce the influx of non-resident cars. They have also promoted alternative transport with subsidies for bicycle purchases and free annual passes for students.
However, district leaders acknowledge that parking supply cannot keep up with the growing number of cars—up by 150,000 in the past five years. Civil organisations are advocating for more drastic measures, including doubling parking fees for non-residents and gradually raising costs for locals.
Pressure from the suburbs
Adding to the problem is increasing traffic from the suburbs, driven by high property prices in Budapest. Many commuters park on the outskirts and continue their journey using public transport. In response, districts like Józsefváros have significantly raised parking permit fees for residents, setting a precedent that other districts plan to follow from 2025.
A call for systemic change
The root of Budapest’s parking crisis lies in the overwhelming volume of cars, which existing measures can only partially address. The Budapest Mobility Plan outlines ambitious goals, aiming to reduce car use from 35% of trips to 20% by 2030, while increasing public transport, cycling, and walking. Achieving this vision will require a fundamental shift in how the city approaches mobility, prioritising sustainable and efficient transport over car dependency.
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3 Comments
The same stupid discussions that took place in so many other cities. And the same stupid ideas that have already proven unsuccessful in these cities. Nobody drives into a congested city and wastes time searching for a parking place just for fun. These people have reasons, but nobody asks what these reasons are. Public transport and bicycles are obviously not the correct answers to the demand.
Is it increasingly many cars or is it endless “green” measures, implemented in the pursuit of the globalist-socialist Agenda 2030, that have made the city undriveable?
They keep putting in infinite bicycle tracks everywhere, used by a half a dozen cyclists per day. Every time a street gets “renovated,” they reduce the number of parking spots. They repurpose parking spots for e-scooter and shared bike stands.
They hate drivers, they don’t want you to drive, they don’t want you to own a car. It’s as simple as that.
They, of course, get to keep their chauffeured limos, private jets, and megayachts, of course; don’t you worry about that!
Contrary to the voices above I fully support these measures, finally, some progressive, forward thinking ideas designed to tackle the overuse of cars in one of Europe’s urban driving paradises. Fact is, even 600 Ft per hour is inadequate to dissuade car owners from driving instead of using public transport if they aren’t so inclined, a mere 1.50 Euros per hour in exchange for a more comfortable journey is seen as a price worth paying by many. A lack of parking spaces is a blunt instrument when it comes to rationing parking and leads to congestion and pollution caused by vehicles looking for a parking space while also adversely impacting local residents who find it more difficult to park within a reasonable distance of their home. Budapest lacks any congestion charges or emissions restrictions on older, more polluting vehicles, nor is parking currently payable at weekends which is unusual for a major European city.
Parking fees should arguably double in the city centre and at least Saturday controls need to be introduced until 6pm. What nobody can do is magic up more space at the kerbside which is a finite commodity and the number of cars is clearly increasing in an unsustainable manner. More developed cities further west have already experienced these effects decades ago and taken appropriate action which hasn’t been the construction of ever more car parks and underground garages leading to ever more cars for which you need ever wider roads. They experienced ‘peak car’ in the 1980s and have been taking active steps to reduce both car ownership and car use ever since with a lot of success I might add. Budapest has finally woken up to the fact that car use is strangling the city and damaging the quality of life for its put upon residents.