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Getting Around
| Public Transport
Budapest’s cheap and effective transport system is run by Budapesti Kozlekedési Vállalat – BKV (tel: (01) 317 5518; fax: (01) 461 6557; website: www.bvk.hu). The network includes the metro, trams, buses, trolley buses (a cross between a bus and a tram) and trains. In summer, there are also BKV Danube ferries. Public transport runs from 0430 to 2300. There is also a limited night bus service, all of which are marked with ‘É’.
There are three metro lines (M1 yellow, M2 red, and M3 blue) that intersect at Deák tér. The M1, built for the 1896 exhibition, is the oldest line. The other lines still have Russian trains. Trains run every three to six minutes on weekdays and five to eight minutes at weekends (less frequently before 0630 and after 2000).
The BKV Cog-wheel Railway (Fogaskerekű vasút) operates every 15 minutes from Városmajor utca to Széchenyi Hill daily (0517-2330).
Tickets are available for purchase at metro stations, some tram stops and newspaper stands. Tickets are valid for one trip on one mode of transport and must be validated on the bus or tram, or when changing lines on the metro. A single ticket costs Ft110, ticket booklets cost Ft1000 for ten tickets, Ft1950 for 20 and a day pass (napijegy) costs Ft850. Three-day tourist passes cost Ft1600, while a weekly pass costs Ft2150 and requires a photo. Travelling without a ticket attracts a fine of Ft1600 for an on-the-spot cash payment or Ft8000 for fines paid after 30 days.
The Gyermekvasút or Children’s Railway (tel: (01) 397 5392; fax: (01) 397 5396; e-mail: info@gyermekvasut.com; website: www.gyermekvasut.com) was formerly run by the Communist youth organisation and is still largely run by children of ten to 14 years old, although it is overseen by MAV (see Getting There By Rail). The train runs from the Hűvösvölgy district to Széchenyi Hill (hourly from 0900 to 1600) and tickets cost Ft150.
A BKV chair-lift (libego) runs daily, September to May 0930-1600 and October to April 0900-1600, from the Zugliget district to János Hill – the highest point of Budapest. Tickets cost Ft400 uphill and Ft300 downhill. The 100m (328ft) funicular (sikló) runs up from Clark Ádám tér to the Castle District, daily 0730-2230. Tickets cost Ft250.
HÉV trains are Budapest’s commuter suburban train lines. The two northern lines connect with the metro at Batthyány tér, while the four eastern and southern lines can only be reached by tram. The line to Szentendre at Batthyány tér (see Excursions) is the best of the six lines and is probably the only line visitors will use.
Taxis
Taxis without a yellow number plate, which is required by law, as well as a reputable logo on the side doors and a table of fares posted on the dashboard should be avoided. Visitors should ask the driver for a taxi card, for a better fare on the next journey.
Recognised companies include Rádió Taxi (tel: (01) 377 7777; website: www.radiotaxi.hu), one of the cheapest and most reliable firms, offering significant discounts if taxis are ordered by telephone, Fo Taxi (tel: (01) 222 2222; website: www.fotaxi.hu), recognised by their red and white checkered doors, are generally honest, as is the English-speaking City Taxi (tel: (01) 211 1111).
The tariff is the sum of the basic fee, kilometre charge and waiting tariff. Maximum tariffs are fixed by law as day (0600-2200) basic Ft300, per kilometre Ft240, waiting Ft60 per minute and night (2200-0600) basic Ft420, per kilometre Ft336, waiting Ft84 per minute. Tips are customary but not compulsory – Hungarians normally round the fare up, although a tip should not be more than 10%.
Limousines
American Dream Ltd (tel: (30) 201 8000 or 975 4545; fax: (01) 386 9198; e-mail: budalimo@altavista.net; website: www.amdream.hu) has a selection of limousines. Rates start at approximately Ft7500 per hour (chauffeur included).
Driving in the City
Central streets are frequently jammed due to roadwork, cobblestones make for a jolting journey and the tram lines and unusual Hungarian driving techniques can make navigating the city a hair-raising experience. There are numerous traffic restrictions in Budapest. Only taxis and cars with a special permit are allowed into the Castle District – the Várbusz (Castle Bus) service runs from Moszkva tér to Szent Gyorgy tér. Margaret Island can only be accessed from Árpád híd, as far as the car park outside the hotels – bus 26 crosses the island. Traffic is also limited in some parts of Óbuda Island, the Népliget, the Inner City, Városliget and the Római area.
Ingenuity is required if one is to find parking spaces in Budapest. Vehicles are not permitted to park for longer than three hours in central parking lots and clamping and towing away are enforced, with a Ft10,000 charge for release. However, on-the-spot fines will not be more than Ft2000. Parking meters often display the phone number for wheel clamping release and cars that are towed away can also be traced by telephone (tel: (01) 307 5208). There are four large car parks, which are located on V. Aranykéz utca 406, V Szervita tér 8, VII Nyár utca 20 and VIII Kálvin tér. The hourly rate is Ft100-300 in parking areas and Ft200-250 in secure car parks. Cars should be locked and alarmed and valuables or radios should not be left on display inside at all times.
Car Hire
Visitors to Budapest are advised to arrange car hire prior to arrival, in order to save money and avoid the inevitable problem of the language barrier. It is also wise for hirers to ensure that the price quoted is inclusive of Áfa (VAT). The majority of hire cars in Budapest have manual transmission. A valid national driver’s licence is required and a credit card is usually requested for the deposit. The minimum age for car hire is 21 years, although some hire companies require drivers to be over 25. Extra charges are made for additional drivers. Third-party liability insurance is compulsory in Hungary and, in some cases, the hire price will include this.
Car hire is available at Ferihegy airport or at Volán, Express and Budapest tourist offices, as well as at large hotels. Major companies include Avis, V Szervita tér 8 (tel: (01) 318 4240; website: www.avis.com), Budget, I Krisztina körút 41-43 (tel/fax: (01) 214 0420; e-mail: rentacar@budget.hu; website: www.budget.hu), and Sixt, I Vaci ut 45/b (tel: (01) 451 4220; website: www.e-sixt.com). Rates are from approximately Fr23,000 per day, for standard car hire.
Bicycle Hire
Although there are some bicycle lanes, Budapest is not cycle friendly, although a major initiative to build more cycle lanes in underway. Cyclists should aquire the ‘Budapest on Bike Map’ (Kerékpárral Budapesten) showing bike lanes and trails throughout the city.
Bringóhintó, Hajós Alfréd sétány (tel. (01) 201 1796 or 202-6457), on Margaret Island (which is closed to cars), hires bicycles and tandems in the summer, for Ft1000 per day (Ft450 per hour). A deposit of Ft5000 and a passport or ID cards are requested. Bikes are also available for hire from Charles Apartment House, I Hegyalja út 23 (tel. (01) 201 1796 or (01) 202 3414).
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