Budapest has a rather good public transportation network with 4 metro lines, trams, buses and trolleybuses. You can buy single tickets for a ride (flat rate, no zones in Budapest) for 350 HUF (1.20 EUR) but it's a bit expensive for short rides and you shouldn't forget to validate the tickets soon after boarding.
I recommend the passes (sometimes called travelcards). They're cheap and valid for unlimited rides.
- 72 hour pass/travelcard
Valid for 72 hours from the indicated time and date (month, day, hour, minute) for an unlimited number of trips within Budapest. No validation required. Just put the pass in your pocket and show them to the inspector if asked.
It costs 4150 HUF (about 13 EUR)
- 7 day pass/travelcard (The best deal if you stay for more than 72 hours)
Valid from 00:00 on the indicated starting day until 02:00 on the seventh day following for an unlimited number of trips within Budapest. It costs 4950 HUF (about 16 EUR) which is barely more than the 3 days pass.
You can ride all but 1 buses (100E is an exception), all the trams, metros or trolleybuses using these passes. Just be careful not to lose them
At the airport, there are 2 terminals (A and B) next to each others. There're 2 BKK (Budapest Public Transportation) ticket offices (one at each terminals) inside the arrivals waiting area, next to the custom exit. You can buy your passes there using your credit/debit cards. You will be asked to set the starting day of the pass and an ID number as the passes are not transferable.
From the airport to the city:
- The cheapest way to take the bus #200E which takes you to the closest metro station.
The ride takes about 20-30 minutes and terminates at Kőbánya-Kispest metro station (Line 3)
(Don't get off at Köbánya-Kispest car park, stay on board until the last stop.)
- There is a direct shuttle bus to the city center (Kalvin square, Astoria, Deak square) #100E but the regular tickets and passes are not valid for this line. You need to purchase a
special ticket for 900 HUF (2.80 EUR). You can buy the ticket in the ticket office or the ticket machineby card or directly from the driver (Hungarian cash only). Don't forget to validate your ticket
soon after boarding)
- Airport shuttle minibus (miniBUD)
This company has a rather mixed reputation. While it's safe and cheaper than taxi, they are quite disorganized. You might have to wait a lot (they say up to 30 min) for other passengers and you might be the last one to dropped at your hotel, getting a bit of unwanted sightseeing on the way.
There are even reports of them not showing up in time at the hotels for leaving to the airport.
There is a miniBUD kiosk at the airport where you can buy your ticket. The price/person is good if you have a group of at least 3 or 4 but for just one person, one way, it can be rather expensive.
(I run a test booking for one person and they asked for 4900 HUF/15.20 EUR)
- Taxi
To take a taxi, just follow the "taxi" line painted on the floor. There is a kiosk outside of the building where you can order the cab but you have to pay upon arrival. There is only one contracted company. The price should be somewhere within 6500-8000 HUF (25 EUR).
While most of the drivers are reliable, sometimes there are reports of rip offs.
They should have card terminals in the cabs but better to check before leaving the airport. The expected tip is about 10%.
