Budapest Information

Public Transportation

Map of public transportation in Downtown Budapest

Budapest’s public transportation systems are operated by the Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK). The service includes buses, trolleybuses, trams, underground trains (Metro), and above-ground suburban trains (HÉV). Buses, trams, and trolleybuses run daily from 4:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

Three of the four recent metro lines interconnect at the Deák tér station and two at the Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway) station. Service frequencies range from 15 minutes in the late evenings to every two minutes at peak times. Tickets or passes must be bought before boarding. They are available at BKK Customer Service Points, ticket offices at metro stations, and from the driver on board, but the best option is to use vending machines throughout the city.

Please note that to ensure everyone has a ticket, the transport company has hired uniformed ticket inspectors to check the tickets on board.

Many bus and trolleybus lines (including 100E from the airport to the city and the popular 105 line to Heroes Square) and all nighttime services have a front-door boarding policy to screen out fare evaders. On these lines, the driver checks the validity of boarding passengers’ tickets, passes, or travel IDs. You can buy tickets on these bus lines from the driver, but please prepare the exact amount in Hungarian Forint. Other currencies or bank cards are not accepted. Onboard card payment (Pay&Go) is available only on 100E Airport Express and Metro line 1.

For detailed information on public transportation fares and timetables, please visit www.bkk.hu.
The official BUDAPEST GO free app is available on Google Play and Apple Store for smartphones.

For  YOUR PRACTICAL GUIDE TO BUDAPEST TRANSPORT please click here

Budapest Card

Get the most out of your stay with the official city pass: unlimited travel, free entry, sightseeing tours, thermal bath entry, and much more. See details: www.budapestinfo.hu/budapest-card

Taxi

To avoid any inconvenience, please use any of the recommended taxi companies. Please note that all licensed Budapest taxi companies have yellow cabs and uniform fares for all companies, which are clearly visible on the screens. You should be advised that taking the offers of non-contracted taxi companies and individuals offering their services inside the airport terminal building may pose risks. Fares should be around 27-35 EUR per route (airport-city center) per car. Bank card payment is available in most taxi cabs.

  •  City Taxi: +36 1 211 11 11, www.citytaxi.hu
    Pre-orders by e-mail: order@citytaxi.hu
    Order at the airport: when you get your luggage, call +36 1 2 111 118 (choose button 1 if you are at terminal 2A, button 2 if you are at terminal 2B).

 

  •  Főtaxi: +36 1 222 22 22  www.fotaxi.hu
    Pre-orders by e-mail: rendel@fotaxi.hu
    Pre-orders online: click here
    Order at the airport: Főtaxi is the official partner of the Liszt Ferenc International Airport, with onsite dispatch booths on both terminals. Reservations can be made in person at the booths at terminals 2A and 2B exits.

Ride-hailing Services

In Budapest, ride-hailing services provide a convenient alternative to traditional taxis. Popular options include BOLT and UBER. These services can be booked through their respective mobile apps, offering a seamless and cashless travel experience.

Parking

If you drive a personal or rented car, always try to park at a guarded parking lot and do not leave any valuables in the vehicle. Budapest is divided into paying parking areas, with one parking meter in each street. The maximum parking time duration and tariffs may vary between different parking zones. For detailed parking information, please click here or here.

Time Zone

Central European Summer Time (CEST) – Daylight Saving Time: UTC+02:00

Climate

Budapest’s climate is continental. In late August, lovely warm weather can usually be expected with a maximum temperature of 25-28 °C, while the lowest temperature at night ranges between 12-15 °C. Nevertheless, some rainy days can be expected.

Electricity

The voltage in Hungary is AC 230 V / 50 Hz. Electrical plugs are „Type F” (for European standard 2-pin sockets).

Insurance

The registration fees do not include provisions for participants’ insurance against personal accidents, illness, cancellation, theft, property loss, or damage. Participants are advised to take adequate personal travel insurance.

Currency

The official currency of Hungary is the Forint (Ft or HUF). Always exchange your currency for Forint at an official exchange office. Never exchange money in the streets with random strangers since this is prohibited by law and represents a considerable risk. The exchange rates applied in Budapest banks, official exchange offices, and hotels may vary. Average exchange rate: 1 Euro = 395 HUF in February 2026. Money withdrawal from ATMs is mostly in Forint, but in the city center, there are multiple non-bank ATMs where euro withdrawal is available, too.

Cash payments that do not end in 5 or 0 will be rounded to the closest 5 or 0. For example, you pay HUF 150 for HUF 152 and HUF 160 for HUF 158. All prices in shops are gross prices, including VAT.

Credit Cards

VISA, EC/MC, and American Express credit cards are generally accepted in most restaurants, cafés, shops, and petrol stations.

Stores and Shopping

The opening hours of Budapest stores are generally 10:00-18:00 on weekdays and 10:00-13:00 on Saturdays. The big shopping centers are open from 10:00-20:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 10.00-18.00 on Sunday.

Pharmacies

Budapest’s pharmacies (gyógyszertár or patika in Hungarian) are well stocked and can provide medications for most common ailments. Each of the 23 districts has an all-night pharmacy open every day. A sign on the door of any pharmacy will help you locate the closest one.

Closest to conference venue (5-min walk):
Center Gyógyszertár (Budapest, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 12, 1051)
Open on Weekdays from 8.00 AM to 8.00 PM; on Weekends from 9.00 AM to 8.00 PM

The most important Hungarian words

  • yes – igen
  • no – nem
  • hi – szia
  • please – kérem
  • thank you – köszönöm
  • you’re welcome – szívesen
  • good morning – jó reggelt!
  • good evening – jó estét!
  • good night – jó éjszakát!
  • good bye – viszlát!
  • sorry – sajnálom
  • no problem – semmi baj
  • how are you? – hogy vagy?
  • where is..? – hol van..?
  • I – én
  • you – te
  • I don’t understand – nem értem
  • how much does it cost? – mennyibe kerül?
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