Destinations > Hungary > Budapest > Coming & Going

Budapest

Coming & Going

Budapest is well connected with frequent trains, buses and even ferries to destinations throughout Hungary and Central Europe.

TRAIN

There are three main train stations in Budapest, all of which are connected by the metro.

Keleti pu (metro Keleti pályaudvar) handles most international trains as well as rail services to north-eastern Hungary.

Nyugati pu (metro Nyugati pályaudvar) has trains to the Danube Bend and the Great Plain.

Déli pu (metro Déli pályaudvar) in Buda is the place to go for trains to Lake Balaton.

BUS

Budapest has three bus stations.

Buses to the Danube Bend depart from Árpád híd station (metro Árpád híd).

Buses to northern and eastern Hungary depart from Népstadion (metro Népstadion). This bus station also has some buses to Eastern Europe, Turkey and Scandinavia.

Erzsébet tér (metro Deák tér) serves south-western Hungary and destinations in central and weatern Europe.

FERRY & HYDROFOIL

For an inland city, Budapest is surprisingly well served by ferry and hydrofoil services. Most of these boats connect Budapest with Vienna and towns on the Danube Bend.

Ferries and hydrofoils to destinations on the Danube Bend (including Eszergon, Szentendre and Visegrád) depart from the Vigadó tér terminal (metro Vörösmarty tér).

International services to Bratislava and Vienna depart from the international ferry terminal at Belgrád rakpart.

AIR

Budapest's Ferihegy airport (website www.bud.hu/english) is located around 20km south-east of the city centre and is comprised of two terminals situated 5km apart.

Alitalia, Air France, Delta, Lufthansa and Malév depart from the newest terminal - Ferihegy 2. The other terminal, Ferihegy 1, is the closest to the city centre and handles all other flights.

The cheapest way to the airport is by bus 93 from Kõbánya-Kispest metro station at the end of line 3.

Alternatively there is a mini-bus shuttle service which can drop you off at any destination in Budapest. At HUF 2300, the minibus is a much more expensive option.

HITCHHIKING

Hitch-hiking is reasonably popular in Hungary although there is often a lot of local competition, particularly during holiday periods.

The M1 and M7 motorways are probably the best way to get out of town, The M1 goes to Vienna, while the M7 (which branches off from the M1) goes to Lake Balaton continuing towards Zagreb. Take tram 19 or 49 or the suburban train from Déli station to Kelenföld, then walk under the tracks and towards Hotel Wien to get the entrance of the M1.

Remember to use a sign indicating which direction you're heading, especially if you want to catch a lift from cars bound for the M7 enroute to Lake Balaton or Zagreb.

If you prefer your hitching a little more organised, try the Kenguru ride sharing service which can match you up with someone heading your way. Kenguru is located at Kõfaragó út 15 (metro Blaha Lujza tér; tel 2665837).

BUG Ride (website http://europe.bugride.com) is our own web-based ride sharing service, it allows travellers to both offer lifts and search for rides throughout Europe. This is a free service which links travellers to drivers - you contact the driver by email when you have found the ride you want.