Budapest is a city in which every pedestrian will find something of interest, Visitors who enjoy rambling along leafy trails should take the railway or bus 21 from Moszkva tér to the Buda Hills. Those who' prefer to stroll through picturesque streets and alleyways should go to Buda's Castle District, which is closed to traffic. Váci utca is fully pedestrianized and has seats where weary walkers can rest and watch the bustle. The promenade along the Danube is one of the most pleasant walks in Budapest.
Budapest has three metro lines which intersect only at Deák tér station. Here passengers can change trains (stamping their tickets once again), by following the clearly marked passageways. The oldest line, the yellow M1 line, runs just beneath the surface of the city. Built in 1894, it is known as the Millennium Line after the celebrations that took place two years later. Recently it has been modernized and extended. Two more lines -the red M2 and blue M3 lines - have been added since 1970, serving the rest of the city.
There are over 30 tram lines in Budapest, which extend to practically every part of the city. These yellow trams are an efficient and speedy means of getting around Budapest, as they avoid traffic and run very frequently. Services start early in the morning, at around 4:30am, and run regularly throughout the day until 11 pm or midnight, depending on the route. Night trams operate only on certain routes, at an average of four trams per hour. Timetables are displayed at each stop. It is worth knowing that utolsó indul means "last tram".
Budapest has about 200 different bus routes, which altogether cover most of the city. The blue Ikarus buses generally run from 4:30am until 11pm, with departures on most routes every 10-20 minutes. Times and a list of destinations are on display at most stops. Ordinary buses are indicated by black numbers and stop at every stop. Buses with red numbers follow express routes and omit a number of stops.
The overland HEV railway provides an essential means of transport that connects Budapest with its suburban districts. It carries residents to and from work and tourists to attractions located 20-30 km (10-20 miles) away from the city centre. railway logo The standard tickets used on other forms of transport can be used to travel to the central destinations on the HEV line, but additional fares are payable to more distant destinations. Tickets can either be bought at stations before travelling or from me conductor while on the train.
Trolley buses serve mainly the suburbs and as such are little used by tourists. They are a particularly uncomfortable form of transport, as they move slowly along narrow streets. In addition, their pantographs often get dislodged, causing short breaks in the journey.
It has always been easy to find a taxi in Budapest, and now, with over 15,000 registered cabs, the competition for passengers is fierce. Nevertheless, not all taxi drivers read the meter correctly and they have been known to exploit foreign visitors, especially those unfamiliar with Budapest who are travelling to the city centre from airports or railway stations. To reduce this risk, choose a taxi whose tariffs and meters are clearly displayed. Before getting into a taxi, it's better to ask the driver roughly how much it will cost you to get to your destination. Never get into a taxi not belonging to the reputed company. It is worth noting down the phone numbers of the larger taxi companies, and then calling them because a taxi ordered by phone is cheaper than one catched on the street, and also there's no chance to pick up the one or two 'private taxis' who charge outrageous fares.
- Budataxi - Phone: 233 3333
- City Taxi - Phone: 211 1111
- Főtaxi - Phone: 06 80 22 22 22
- Budapest Taxi - Phone: 433 33 33
- Rádió taxi - Phone: 377 7777
- Taxi 2000 - Phone: 200 00 00
- Tele5 - Phone: 355 55 55
- Volán Taxi - Phone: 466 66 66
- 6x6 Taxi - Phone: 266 66 66
Taxis are legally prohibited from charging more than the following amounts anywhere in Budapest:
- from 06:00-22:00 : 300 HUF basic fee, 240 HUF/km and 60 HUF/min for waiting.
- from 22:00-06:00 : 420 HUF basic fee, 336 HUF/km and 84 HUF/min for waiting.
All cars must have a taximeter installed, be able to give receipts. Taxi drivers will expect a tip from you at the end of the journey.
The BKV (Budapest Public Transport Company) operates metro lines (M1-yellow, M2-red, M3-blue), blue local buses, yellow trams and red trolley buses. Public transport generally starts at around 04:30 and runs until 23:30. Tickets may be purchased at metro stations, ticket machines, tobacconists and newsagents. It is perhaps best to buy your ticket at a metro station because there you have a choice of several types of ticket and various passes. A ticket for a single one-way journey costs 140 HUF, and valid for bus, tram, trolleybus, metro, cogwheel reilway for the entire length of the journey, as well as the suburban railway within the administrative limits of Budapest. The ticket has to be purchase beforehand and validated in the ticket stampers found ont he public transport (on the metro, either before you enter the metro or on the platforms) before the trip starts. Tickets are slightly cheaper if you buy them 10 or 20 at a time. A day pass costs 1100 HUF, a three-day pass costs 2200 HUF and a weekly pass costs 2600 HUF. More information about the types of tickets and costs can also be found on the following website: http://www.bkv.hu You may be requested to show your ticket on all public transport or at exit points of metro by ticket inspectors who wear armbands and have a badge with photograph. For this reason, please keep your ticket until the very end of your journey or until you have left the metro station. The fine is 2000 HUF if you don't have a valid ticket.
