Budapest’s public boat transport will kickstart again on the Danube but with a twist

Great news awaits as BKV boats are back on the Danube. However, there’s a twist of disappointment, as the regular services that used to run until 2020 will not return in their old form.

The Budapest public transport company (BKV/BKK) operated scheduled boat services on the Danube with EU funding for seven years between 2013 and 2020, with tickets and passes available on weekdays and every half hour on the inner-city sections. This was a popular initiative, of course, and many people were finally able to take a boat trip on the Danube. After the expiry of the service contract, the COVID-19 epidemic and the government’s withdrawal of significant funds from local authorities, the capital decided to phase out the service in 2021.

Recent reports from 444 reveal BKV’s intentions to revive the scheduled service, albeit with a new twist, focusing primarily on catering to tourist needs.

The company said that BKV ferries would this time be re-launched with a focus on city centre locations, while carefully considering the preferences of potential passengers. This naturally means a “different route and adjusted operating times compared to the previous professional boat services”. Presumably, BKV vessels will operate on a similar route to Mahart’s Budapest services, with the potential differentiator being the fare. Currently priced at HUF 5,000 (EUR 12.66) for adults on a cruise, one can only hope that BKV’s offering will prove to be significantly more affordable.

As we wrote earlier, the new Budapest transport system has been approved, details HERE.

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