Using public transport in Budapest
Choose tickets for city journeys and airport transfers, with simple advice on BudapestGO and the difference between buses 100E and 200E.
Budapest's metro and trams are useful for getting between the sights, but the ticket you choose matters. An airport express ticket, a normal single ticket and a city travelcard cover different journeys.
Start with the trips you expect to make. A walkable day in one neighbourhood may need fewer rides than a day crossing between Buda and Pest several times.
Choose a city ticket before boarding
BKK's ticket list shows a standard single ticket at 500 HUF, a 24-hour travelcard at 2,750 HUF and a 72-hour travelcard at 5,750 HUF, checked on 8 September 2026.
A normal single is not a general transfer ticket. BKK's single-ticket rules allow a one-way trip on one surface vehicle, with an exception for changing between metro lines while continuing in one direction.
If your route involves a bus followed by a tram, check a time-based ticket or travelcard instead of assuming one single covers both.
BudapestGO combines journey planning and ticket buying. Follow the validation instructions for the product you choose and make sure you can show a valid ticket before entering the paid metro area or boarding. Keep enough phone battery for inspection as well as navigation.
Do not mix up the airport buses
The 100E Airport Express uses a special ticket. BKK lists the ordinary airport ticket at 2,500 HUF. A cheaper add-on exists for holders of specified passes, but a short visitor travelcard is not automatically one of them. Read the eligibility conditions before buying that add-on.
The 200E is part of the normal city network. It can be combined with onward transport, but separate rides still need the correct coverage. Two ordinary singles may be needed where a valid travelcard would cover the connection.
Look up the complete route for your arrival time. Metro operating hours and late-night connections can change which airport option is easier.
Give yourself time at the stop
Check the direction displayed on the vehicle, not only its line number. On a tram route, the platform across the road can lead you away from your destination.
Keep the first day's plan simple while you learn the system. Our Budapest accommodation guide explains how the neighbourhood you choose affects hills, nightlife and everyday transport.