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Hungary

Budapest

Buda and Pest face each other across the Danube. The M1 metro has run since 1896 — continental Europe's oldest.

Bus / trolleybus (autóbusz / trolibusz)

No bank-card tap here - buses carry no readers. Buy first from a machine or the app, then stamp the moment you board. A single covers one vehicle only; for transfers, the app-only 30- and 90-minute tickets do the work.

Updated on August 5, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Buy your ticket before you board
    Buy from a ticket machine (open around the clock, cash or card) or in the BudapestGO app - not every stop has a machine.
  2. 2
    Check whether the line is front-door boarding only
    On lines signed 'Front-door boarding only', board at the front door and show the driver your ticket or pass.
  3. 3
    No ticket? Buy one from the driver
    Only on buses and trolleybuses with a sticker on the driver's cabin, and only with exact cash - drivers carry no change.
  4. 4
    Validate the moment you board
    Use the validator by the doors before departure - pull the black frame on red ones; orange and yellow ones stamp automatically.
  5. 5
    Stamp a new ticket every time you change
    A single ticket covers one vehicle only - change to another bus or tram and you must stamp a fresh one.
  6. 6
    Keep the ticket until you get off
    Inspections are random - keep the validated ticket or pass to hand, and carry the photo ID your pass is registered to.

Fares

Single fares5

Single ticket (machine or app)
One vehicle, no transfers; the trip must end within 80 minutes of stamping (120 on night services)
500 HUF ≈ $2
Single ticket bought on board
Only on vehicles with a sticker on the driver's cabin, and only with exact cash
700 HUF ≈ $2
30-minute ticket (app only)
Unlimited transfers within 30 minutes; app-only, and you scan the QR each time you board
600 HUF ≈ $2
90-minute ticket (app only)
Same but for 90 minutes - if your last transfer falls inside the window the ticket lasts to the end
850 HUF ≈ $3
Metropolitan area ticket (on blue VOLAN buses)
For the stretch outside the city boundary; sold only by drivers of the blue VOLAN suburban buses
400 HUF ≈ $1

Passes & multi-ride5

Block of 10 tickets
Ten single tickets in one block; use them one at a time, or stamp one per person for a group
4,500 HUF ≈ $14
24-hour Budapest-travelcard
Unlimited travel for 24 hours from the start time you choose; no stamping needed, not valid on the 100E
2,750 HUF ≈ $8
72-hour Budapest-travelcard
Same terms for 72 hours, and it also covers MAV trains, selected VOLAN buses and ferry D14 inside the city
5,750 HUF ≈ $18
Monthly Budapest-pass
One month from a start date you pick; valid only with the photo ID it was registered to (a passport works)
8,950 HUF ≈ $27
Budapest Card (tourist pass)
Price span of Classic 24/48/72/96 hours plus FLEXI and PLUS; every version includes free city transport
17,990〜39,990 HUF ≈ $55–120

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 3, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
No tap-to-ride on buses; Pay&GO covers only the metro and the 100E
IC card
Budapest has no stored-value transit card
App tickets
Buy in BudapestGO; the 30- and 90-minute tickets exist only in the app
Paper tickets
Machines run around the clock and take cash or cards; 79 of them are card-only
Cash
Accepted at ticket machines and by drivers - drivers carry no change

Quick facts

Fares from
500 HUF+

Heads-up

  • The 100E takes only its own ticket, not singles or passes

    The 100E airport bus needs its own ticket - ordinary single tickets, 24/72-hour travelcards and monthly passes are all invalid on it, so check before you head for the airport.

  • The on-the-spot penalty is capped and needs a receipt

    An on-the-spot penalty fare never exceeds 12,000 HUF and the inspector must give you a receipt. If you are treated differently, do not pay - contact BKK.

  • On night buses hold your bag in front of you

    Watch for pickpockets on night buses - BKK itself advises carrying your bag crosswise or held tightly in front of you, and sitting near the driver.

Timetable

Typical duration Buses fill in the Buda hills and outer districts the metro and trams miss; after midnight the 900-series night buses carry the whole city
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka