Hungary
Budapest
Buda and Pest face each other across the Danube. The M1 metro has run since 1896 — continental Europe's oldest.
Villamos (tram)
No tap-to-ride on the trams - a bank card gets you onto the metro and the 100E only. Buy a ticket first, then push it into the validator by the doors before the tram moves. Unvalidated counts as no ticket at all.
Updated on August 5, 2026
How to ride
- 1Buy your ticket before you boardBuy at a machine by the stop, a ticket office, or a mobile app such as BudapestGO. Only some tram lines sell on board.
- 2Validate the moment you boardPush your ticket into the validator by the doors before the tram moves off. On the red manual type, pull the lever towards you.
- 3App tickets - scan the code outside the doorA BudapestGO ticket is activated by scanning the code sticker on the outside of the door with the app.
- 4Stamp a new ticket every time you changeA single ticket has no transfer rights - validate a fresh one each time you move to another vehicle.
- 5Keep the ticket until you get offHold on to your ticket until you step off and show it when an inspector asks. Line 6 is inspected continuously at night.
Fares
Single fares5
Single ticket
One uninterrupted ride with no transfers - buy before boarding, validate on board
500 HUF ≈ $2
Single ticket bought on board
Only on lines showing the sign - 2, 3, 19, 41 and others; the same ride is 500 Ft from a machine
700 HUF ≈ $2
30-minute ticket
Unlimited transfers for 30 minutes - a digital app ticket, rescanned at every change
600 HUF ≈ $2
90-minute ticket
Unlimited transfers for 90 minutes; not valid on the 100E airport bus
850 HUF ≈ $3
Heritage service single ticket
For the heritage services only - not stamped; the crew validates it
600 HUF ≈ $2
Passes & multi-ride3
Block of 10 tickets
Works out at 450 Ft a ride; each slip is used and validated like a single ticket
4,500 HUF ≈ $14
24-hour Budapest-travelcard
No validation needed; unlimited rides in the city from the date and time you set at purchase
2,750 HUF ≈ $9
72-hour Budapest-travelcard
No validation needed, unlimited rides for three days; not valid on the 100E airport bus
5,750 HUF ≈ $18
Estimates use exchange rates as of September 5, 2026
Payment
Tap to ride No tap-to-ride on trams; cards do work for paying at the ticket machines
IC card There is no stored-value transit card in Budapest
App tickets Buy in BudapestGO or another ticket app; 30- and 90-minute tickets are app-only
QR ticketing App tickets are activated by scanning the code sticker outside the door
Paper tickets The main medium - stamp it in the validator by the doors as soon as you board
Cash Fine at machines and ticket offices; some tram lines also sell on board
Tap for where to get the app
Quick facts
Hours
~4:00-01:00; line 6 runs 24h
Frequency
Every 5-10 min on the main lines by day
Fares from
500 HUF+
Heads-up
-
At night ride in the first car and hold your bag close
Watch for pickpockets on trams at night. BKK's own advice is to hold your bag in front of you or wear the strap across your body - and, on a tram, to ride in the first car.