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Getting Around In Hungary

Most visitors to Hungary get around using ground transportation, be it rail, bus or coach, or private vehicles or rental cars.  However, you can also get around air and on the river from Vienna.  This page should give you most of the information you will need to get around in Hungary.
By Air
By Rail
By Boat
On The Road
Public Transportation
Taxi Service

Getting Around By Air
Normally, you would not use air to get around within Hungary.  However, you can.  For flight information while you are in Budapest, use the following numbers: Departures - (36-1) 296-7000, Arrivals - (36-1)  296-8000, and General Information - (36-1) 296-9696.

Additionally you may want to look into the MALÉV Hungarian Pass to Europe offers easier and more economical ways to see more of Europe using Budapest as one's point of departure.  With this pass, travelers can use a minimum of three flight coupons (starting at $300) for economy class round trip or open jaw travel within Europe on MALEV when their trans-Atlantic travel is on MALEV as well.  Adult off-peak fare (November 1-March 31) is $330, peak fare (May 20-October 31) $420.  Up to six additional coupons per passenger may be purchased at $90 (off-peak) or $110 (peak) each.

 
Getting Around By Rail
Budapest has 3 main train stations from which international and domestic trains depart; all of them are within 45 minutes from the airport.  Travel between the 3 stations is easily accessible through the metro system. There are direct rail links between Budapest and the major capitals and cities of Europe. Over 50 international trains arrive in and depart from Budapest daily.

Train Schedule Information in Budapest
Eurail Passes
Thomas Cook European Timetable and Thomas Cook Railmap of Europe
Domestic Train Services
Nostalgia Trains


If you believe you may be using trains extensively during your visit, you may want to look into one of the many EURAIL Passes that are offered.  These passes must be purchased in North America, prior to departure. They cannot be purchased in Europe.  Here is a breakdown of some of the various passes:

Hungarian Flexipass 
Includes 5 days unlimited first-class train travel in a 15 day period or 10 days unlimited train travel in a one month period within Hungary. 

Eurailpass 
Provides unlimited first-class travel by train in Hungary and 16 other European countries. It can be purchased for 15 consecutive days, 21 consecutive days, 1, 2 or 3 months.

Eurail Flexipass 
Allows intermittent travel on non-consecutive days in Hungary and 16 other European countries. Available for either 10 or 15 days in a two-month period. 

Eurail Saverpass 
With a discount for two or more people traveling together, this is ideal for couples or small groups. The Saverpass is valid for unlimited travel in first-class in Hungary and 16 other European countries. It can be purchased for 15 consecutive days, 21 consecutive days, or 1, 2 or 3 months. 

Eurail Saver Flexipass  
A flexible saverpass for 2-5 people traveling together on non-consecutive days in Hungary and 16 other European countries. It may be purchased for 10 or 15 days in a two-month period. 

Eurail Youthpass  
Entitles persons under 26 years of age to unlimited second-class travel in Hungary and 16 other European countries. It can be purchased for 15 consecutive days, 21 consecutive days, or 1, 2 or 3 months. 

Eurail Youth Flexipass 
For those under age 26 can be used on non-consecutive days in Hungary and 16 other European countries. It is available for 10 or 15 days in a two month period. 

Europass 
Valid for first-class rail travel in five European countries (France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Spain) for 5,6,8,10 or 15 days within a two-month period.  Hungary and Austria may be added and are counted as one Associate country.  The other Associates are Greece, Portugal and the Belnelux countries; a maximum of two may be added to the five base countries.  The Europass also comes in a youth version for travelers under 26 years of age traveling in second class. 

Europass Saverpass 
Allows from two to five people traveling together to enjoy a discount of 15% each.  Like the Europass, it is valid for first-class trail travel in five European countries (France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Spain) for 5,6, 8, 10 or 15 days within a two-month period, and up to two Associate countries including. 

European East Pass 
Includes any 5 days unlimited first-class train travel in a 1 month period in Hungary, Austria,  Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. 

Information on train schedules and booking for all Eurail Passes and Point-to-Point tickets: 

RAILEUROPE 
Reservations in U.S. --
Phone: (800) 4 EURAIL, Fax: (800) 432 1 FAX.
Reservations in Canada --
Phone: (800) 361-7245, Fax: (905) 602-4198.
Group Travel reservations --
Phone: (914) 682-7456, Fax: (914) 682-3712.
Website: www.raileurope.com 

DERRAIL
Reservations --
Phone: (800) 782-2424, Fax: (800) 282-7474. 
Group Rail desk --
Phone: (888) 337-4227, Fax: (888) 337-4241. 
Website: www.dertravel.com

The Thomas Cook European Timetable and Thomas Cook Railmap of Europe is the only complete English language guide to all passenger train and ferry services throughout Europe.  To place an order call: 
US (800) 367-7984 
CAN (800) 942-9050 
Website: www.forsyth.com 

Domestic Train Services 
For domestic railway travel, intercity non-stop trains - besides other scheduled trains - ensure rapid and reliable connections between Budapest and the main cities of Hungary. Some of the most popular lines are (travel time given in hours): 

Keleti (East) Station:
Békéscsaba 2:40, Debrecen 2:30, Gyõr 1:25, Miskolc 1:55, Sopron 2:25, Szolnok 1:30, Szombathely 2:45.

Nyugati (West) Station:
Hajdúszoboszló 2:15, Kecskemét 1:15, Nyíregyháza 3:00,  Szeged 2:10.

Déli (Southern) Station:
Dombóvár 2:10, Kaposvár 2:25, Keszthely 2:35, Pécs  2:30, Zalaegerszeg 3:15.  

Train Schedule Information in Budapest
Phone: (36-1) 461-5500 Website: elvira.mavinformatika.hu/index2.htm E-mail: elvira@mavinformatika.hu

Bike Transportation on the train  
All Intercity lines have at least one train each day which transports bicycles. The cost of this service is 25% of the fare. Groups of over five people are required to notify MÁV (Hungarian Railways) 7 days before traveling. 

Nostalgia Trains  
Nostalgia Train excursions to the Danube Bend and along the northern shore of Lake Balaton are available seasonally as follows: 
The Danube Bend train runs from May 6 - September 30, every Saturday: 
Departure from Budapest Nyugati Station at 9:40am; Last stop at Szob at 11:48am 
Departure from Szob at 4:25pm; arrival Budapest 6:01pm. 

July 12 - August 20 Tuesday to Saturday
Departure from Keszthely at 9:50am, last stop at Badacsonytomaj at 11:10am 
Departure from Badacsonytomaj at 3:50pm, arrival Keszthely 5:31pm. 

For further information and to confirm times contact:  
MÁV Nosztalgia Kft. 2000
1066 Budapest, Jókai u. 38.
Phone: (36-1) 302 3580
Website: www.miwo.hu/old-trains

Getting Around By Boat
A hydrofoil service operates daily on the Danube between Budapest and Vienna, with a stop at Bratislava, from April to November. 

*NOTE:  Schedules are subject to change.

For information and ticketing please contact: 
InterTicket Hungary  
Phone: (781) 275-5724 
Fax:  (781) 271-0914 
E-mail: usa@interticket.com 
Website: www.interticket.com 

A variety of boat excursions to the Danube Bend and Budapest sightseeing are also available from May to September.  Europe's largest fresh water lake - Lake Balaton - offers yachting, sailing, fishing, excursions and scheduled boat services. When in Hungary please contact:  MAHART Tours International, Phone: (36-1) 318-1743/1586.  For information and timetables please contact MAHART Siófok (English speaking only from Apr. 3-Oct.24).  Phone: (36-84) 310-050 

Getting Around On the Road
You may travel around Hungary on the highways by coach, in your personal vehicle, or by rental car.  The highway system in Europe is, for the most part, excellent making it easy to get around within Europe and from country to country.

Driving in Hungary
Rules of the Road and Highway Practices 
Speed Limits
Gasoline or Petrol
Motorways and Major Highways
Distance from Budapest to some European capitals

Driving in Hungary
If you plan to drive in Hungary, be sure you are familiar with the rules of the road and have proper certification to drive.  U.S. and Canadian driver's licenses are honored in Hungary only in conjunction with an International Driver's License, available at any AAA office.

Many travelers like to go beyond the major cities and discover Hungary's hidden treasures in the countryside. Driving a car allows you to stop whenever and wherever you want. Distances within Hungary are relatively short. Even the furthest destinations can be reached within 4 hours from Budapest. 

Highway Practices  

• The allowed blood alcohol level is 0.00%! 
• Vehicles must use dimmed headlights - even during daylight hours - outside urban areas 
• Buckle-up! Outside urban areas back seat passengers are also required to wear seat belts 
• Children under 16 can not travel in the front passenger seat; infants and toddlers must be seated in the back, in a child car seat 
• Flashing the headlights often means that the driver yields his right of way 
• Bicyclists and motorcycle riders and passengers must wear helmets 
• In the countryside, especially small villages, always look out for bicyclists and horse-drawn carts with no lights 
• Passing on the right side is strictly prohibited 
• The use of cellular phone while driving is not allowed

Gasoline and Petrol
The gasoline is considerably more expensive than in the U.S., where fuel prices and taxes are well below the world average. This is one reason why Europeans favor small cars and standard transmissions. Standard international highway signs are used throughout Hungary.

Speed Limits
Speed limits are marked in kilometers per hour (1 kilometer=0.62 miles). The highways in Hungary are generally narrower than in North America due to lower volume of traffic. Hungary has eight main routes, M1 thru M8. Minor roads are designated by more digits numbers, beginning with the number of the main road from which they start. Road maps are available upon request from the Hungarian National Tourist Office.

Motorways and Major Highways
M1 
Budapest-Gyõr-Hegyeshalom- Vienna
 
M3 
Budapest-Gyöngyös (Toll, 850Ft) 

M5 
Budapest-Kecskemét (Toll, 1530Ft) 

M7 
Budapest-Lake Balaton 

M8 
Székesfehérvár-Rábafüzes 

M0 
Budapest Ring connecting 
M1, M5 and M7

M1, M3 and M5 are toll roads. Only weekly and monthly passes are available. Weekly pass is 1,300Ft, monthly pass is 2,400Ft. Passes must be purchased in advance at gas stations.

Distance from Budapest to some European capitals (distance in miles): 
 

By Coach
There is an extensive coach service throughout this area of Europe.  Here are a few suggestions for coach travel to Hungary:

EUROLINE  
Standard coach services are available to/from cities of more than 20 countries of Europe. There are two international bus terminals in Budapest. For scheduled service to countries of Western Europe depart from Erzsébet tér Bus Terminal; to the countries of Eastern Europe, depart from Népstadion út Bus Terminal. 

EUROLINE Pass  
Provides the independent traveler with unlimited deluxe coach service for 30-60 days valid to 18 major European cities, including Budapest. Special rates for youth and senior citizens.

Additional Information:
DERRAIL information and reservations, Phone: (800) 782-2424.  Fax: (800) 282-7474.

Motorcoach information in Budapest - Phone: (36-1) 317-2562.

By Car
The highway system in Europe is, for the most part, excellent making it easy to get around within Europe and from country to country.  If you plan to drive in Hungary, check the Getting Around in Hungary page of Getting Away for driving information.

U.S. and Canadian driver's licenses are honored in Hungary only in conjunction with an International Driver's License, available at any AAA office. 

Distance from Budapest to some European capitals (distance in miles): 
 

Here are some rental car companies you may want to check out for rates and availability:

Public Transportation
Budapest has an excellent and affordable public transportation. Buses, trams, trolley buses and subways generally operate from 4:30 a.m to 11:00 p.m. Tickets are purchased prior to boarding at tobacco shops, subway stations, hotels or street vendors. Passengers must validate their tickets in a ticket puncher and present them, upon request, to an inspector.  Please note, tickets are checked frequently on all lines. 
 
Passengers without a ticket or pass must immediately pay a fine to the inspector. A single ticket is not reusable and no transfers are allowed (a separate validated ticket is required when changing metro lines). Look for the validation on  buses, trains and trolleys; on metro look for the machine upon entering the metro the station. One-day, three-day, weekly and monthly passes are available at the ticket counters in Budapest. 

Tickets for public transportation in Budapest

Taxi Service

Although more expensive than taking the bus, when you are in a hurry, or when you need to go someplace where there may be a lot of walking if you take the bus, a taxi may be the way to go.  As taxi fares vary, it is recommended that you call any of the following companies. There is a limit per kilometer on charges and always check to make sure there is a meter in the taxi.

Recommended Taxi companies in Budapest
 

And then, if you want to, and if you have the money, you can always hire a limo!

For limousine service contact:

InterTicket Hungary, Phone: (781) 275-5724, Fax: (781) 271-0914.  E-mail: usa@interticket.com.  Website: www.interticket.com.

Tradesco Tours, Phone: (800) 833-3402, Fax: (310) 649-5852.  E-mail: tradesco@ix.netcom.com.

Date this page was last edited: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 14:27:42

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