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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.

HÉV suburban railway / MÁV commuter trains

City tickets work on the HÉV, but only as far as Budapest's boundary - beyond it, Szentendre included, you need a supplementary ticket. No tap-to-buy here either; stamp a paper ticket the moment you board.

Updated on August 5, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Work out whether your stop is inside the city boundary
    Budapest fares run to Békásmegyer on the H5 and the full H7. Past that boundary you need a supplementary ticket.
  2. 2
    Buy your ticket for the city section
    Buy at a station machine or in the BudapestGO app. The machines run around the clock and take both cash and bank cards.
  3. 3
    Going further out - buy the supplementary ticket first
    The stretch past the boundary needs a suburban railway ticket. Buy it before boarding, in the MÁV app or at a MÁV office.
  4. 4
    Validate the moment you board
    Paper tickets go into the validator by the doors, before the train moves. If one is out of order, use another machine nearby.
  5. 5
    Show your ticket when an inspector asks
    Inspectors board without warning. A pass is only valid with the original photo ID you showed when buying it.

Fares

Single fares2

Single ticket
One ride, no transfers, not valid on MÁV commuter trains; end within 80 min of validation (120 at night).
500 HUF ≈ $2
90-minute ticket
Unlimited transfers for 90 minutes, HÉV included; scan the code each time you board.
850 HUF ≈ $3

Passes & multi-ride5

Block of 10 tickets
Ten singles in one block, not valid on MÁV commuter trains; groups validate one per person.
4,500 HUF ≈ $14
24-hour Budapest-travelcard
Unlimited travel inside the city, valid on the HÉV and on MÁV 2nd class; no validation needed.
2,750 HUF ≈ $8
72-hour Budapest-travelcard
Same coverage as the 24-hour card, running for 72 hours from the date and time you set.
5,750 HUF ≈ $18
Monthly Budapest-pass
A month of unlimited travel; carry the original photo ID shown at purchase.
8,950 HUF ≈ $27
Suburban railway tour ticket (H5) (H8, H9)
A day of unlimited trips on the out-of-town section, for up to 10 people travelling in the same carriage.
6,200 HUF ≈ $19

Add-ons & fees1

Suburban railway ticket (10-30 km)
Required for the section beyond the city boundary; five distance bands, and normally bought before boarding.
400〜600 HUF ≈ $1–2

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 3, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
Tap-to-ride is offered only on the metro and bus 100E, not on the HÉV
IC card
There is no stored-value transit card here
App tickets
BudapestGO sells city fares; the MÁV app sells the supplementary ticket
Paper tickets
Validate on board right after boarding; unstamped counts as no ticket
Cash
Accepted at ticket machines and customer service counters; machines run 24 hours

Quick facts

Fares from
500 HUF+

Heads-up

  • 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 always hand you a receipt. If you are treated differently, do not pay - contact BKK.

Timetable

Typical duration Batthyány tér to Szentendre takes around 40 minutes
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka