In an emergency
- Emergency112
- Police107
- Ambulance104
- ComplaintsBKK customer service +36 1 3 255 255public transport and taxi complaints
112 is the general emergency number for ambulance, fire and police; 104 ambulance, 105 fire brigade, 107 police. Carry your passport: police can ask for ID and a copy is not accepted (UK FCDO). Taxi complaints can also go to the consumer protection department of the Budapest Government Office (+36 1 450 2598). An English tourist police hotline (+36 1 438 8080) is quoted by guide sites but was not confirmed on an official police page, so it is left out.
Fair prices
What locals pay. If you are asked for much more, you are probably being overcharged.
| Public transport single ticketOne ride; HUF 700 if bought from the driver. 30-minute ticket HUF 600, 90-minute HUF 850 (app only). Tap a bank card at any metro entrance to buy one. | 500 HUF |
|---|---|
| 24-hour / 72-hour travelcardNot valid on the 100E airport bus (HUF 2,500 airport ticket). | 2,750 / 5,750 HUF |
| Licensed taxi fareSame official tariff for all companies at all hours; airport base fare HUF 2,100 from August 2026. The fare table must be displayed in the car. | 1,300 base + 520 per km + 130 per minute HUF |
| Weekday lunch menu (napi menü, soup + main)We Love Budapest's January 2026 list of good lunch menus runs from HUF 2,000 (Toldi konyhája) to HUF 2,990. | 2,000-3,000 HUF |
| Beer (0.5 l local lager) in a neighbourhood barFood Tour Budapest (Sep 2026): Dreher or Borsodi HUF 500-600 in a neighbourhood bar, craft beer HUF 1,500-2,000. The Hungarian Tourism Agency quotes about HUF 1,000 for a glass of beer. | 500-1,000 HUF |
| Glass of wineHungarian Tourism Agency figure. | 1,500-2,000 HUF |
| EspressoHungarian Tourism Agency: under EUR 2 in small pubs, about EUR 2 in specialty cafés. | about 2 EUR |
| Chimney cake (kürtőskalács)Price list of Molnár's Kürtőskalács, central Budapest. Christmas-market stalls charge more. | 2,200-2,600 HUF |
| Lángos at the central Christmas marketPénzcentrum, Nov 2025: plain HUF 2,500, with cheese and sour cream HUF 2,900; a fixed HUF 1,600 menu was also on sale but hardly advertised. Treat this as the upper end. | 2,500-2,900 HUF |
| Széchenyi Baths daily ticket with lockerMon-Thu; HUF 14,800 Fri-Sun, HUF 15,800 on holidays and peak season. Entry before 9 am: HUF 10,500. | 13,200 HUF |
| Rudas Baths daily ticket (all zones)Mon-Thu; HUF 15,000 Fri-Sun, HUF 16,000 holidays. No entry under 14. | 12,000 HUF |
| Airport Express 100E ticketTap a bank card on board. A licensed taxi costs HUF 2,100 base + HUF 520/km + HUF 130/min. | 2,500 HUF |
Tickets
Official prices and the only places to buy. Anyone else selling on the street is a reseller.
- Hungarian Parliament Building
Adults: HUF 7,000 for EEA citizens, HUF 14,000 for others; ages 6-24: HUF 3,500 EEA / HUF 7,000 others (from 1 Jan 2026). Family tickets available.
Buy at: https://www.jegymester.hu/parlament (the Parliament's online ticket partner) or the Visitor Centre on the north side of the building
Tour resellers charge more than the official price, for example EUR 29 for an audio-guided tour that costs HUF 7,000 for EU citizens at the official desk.
- Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Daily ticket with locker HUF 13,200 (Mon-Thu), 14,800 (Fri-Sun), 15,800 (holidays, peak season); before-9-am ticket HUF 10,500; Fast Track online HUF 15,200-17,800
Buy at: https://tickets.szechenyibath.hu/ or the entrance opposite the Circus (card only)
not verified
- Rudas Thermal Bath
Daily ticket (all zones) HUF 12,000 Mon-Thu, 15,000 Fri-Sun, 16,000 holidays; night bathing Fri and Sat HUF 15,000
Buy at: https://jegyek.rudasfurdo.hu/ or at the bath
not verified
- Gellért Thermal Bath
Closed
Buy at: Closed
Ignore any site still selling Gellért tickets for 2026.
- Matthias Church
Church HUF 3,400 adult (HUF 5,000 with audio guide), students and pensioners HUF 2,700, family HUF 9,500; tower HUF 4,000 adult, HUF 3,300 reduced
Buy at: https://matyas-templom.hu/en/buy-tickets/
not verified
- Fisherman's Bastion
HUF 1,700 adult (2026); lower terraces free
Buy at: Ticket office at the entrance (card only, about 09:00-17:00)
not verified
- House of Terror
HUF 4,000 full, HUF 2,000 reduced; English group tour HUF 20,000 per group
Buy at: At the museum only (no online sales)
Any online ticket offer is not from the museum, which sells no tickets online.
- Hungarian State Opera House
HUF 12,000 per person (60-minute English tour with a short concert); under 3 free
Buy at: https://www.opera.hu/en/about-us/guided-tours/operatour-8211-guided-tours-at-the-restored-opera-house/ or the Opera box office
not verified
- Dohány Street Synagogue
Price not verified (children under 6 free)
Buy at: https://jewishtourhungary.com/en (online buyers get faster entry and a free guided tour)
not verified
- Buda Castle Funicular
One way HUF 4,500, return HUF 5,500; child 3-14 HUF 2,000 / 3,000 (from 1 Feb 2026)
Buy at: Ticket offices at both stations, or e-tickets at siklojegy.hu (a partner that adds a convenience fee)
not verified
- Budapest History Museum - Castle Museum
About HUF 3,800 (Food Tour Budapest, Sep 2026); not confirmed on the museum site
Buy at: https://btm.jegy.hu/
not verified
- Zugliget Chairlift (Libegő)
One way HUF 3,000, two rides HUF 4,000; child 3-14 HUF 1,000 / 1,500
Buy at: On-site machines or the BudapestGO app
not verified
Traps
- Watch outBar and club bills
Some bars, clubs and restaurants charge very high amounts, and tourists have been escorted to cash machines to pay. Ask to see the menu and price list before ordering and check the bill before paying.
Source: gov.uk - Watch outFriendly invitations to a bar
If someone on the street invites you to a bar or club, be cautious: these invitations are part of the high-bill scam. Report incidents to the police (107 or 112).
Source: gov.uk - Watch outTaxi drivers who recommend places
Some taxi drivers get a commission for bringing passengers to certain bars, clubs and restaurants. Avoid places a driver pushes on you.
Source: gov.uk, visithungary.com - Watch outMenus without prices
Be wary of places whose menus do not show prices properly. Check the price list first; prices are higher in the main tourist areas.
Source: gov.uk, visithungary.com - Watch outStreet money changers
Do not change money on the street. Use banks or exchange offices that display their rates, and ask whether they take a commission.
Source: gov.uk, visithungary.com - Watch outAirport exchange desks
Exchange desks at the airport usually give the worst rates. Change only what you need, or pay by card: the 100E bus and taxis take cards.
Source: visithungary.com, visithungary.com - Watch outPaying in your own currency
Card terminals and ATMs may offer to charge you in your home currency (dynamic currency conversion). You never have to accept it; choose forint, as the machine's rate is usually worse.
Source: mnb.hu - Watch outEuronet cash machines
About 600 Euronet ATMs stand near tourist spots, stations and nightlife areas. They publish no fee table and charge their own fee on top of your bank's; use an ATM of a Hungarian bank instead.
Source: origo.hu - Watch outUnlicensed taxis
Only take yellow cars with yellow plates, the 'minősített budapesti taxi' sign on the front door and the official fare table inside, or order by app or phone. Do not hail cabs on the street.
Source: bkk.hu, visithungary.com - Watch outPaying in euros
Many shops accept euros, but at rates below the bank rate, and you get change in forint. Pay in forint or by card.
Source: visithungary.com - Watch outThree-card trick
Street 'three card' games still appear. It is a scam; there is no way to win.
Source: visithungary.com - Watch outChristmas market prices
The central Christmas market charges festival prices: in 2025 a plain lángos was HUF 2,500 and a burger HUF 4,700. A HUF 1,600 fixed menu existed but was hardly advertised.
Source: penzcentrum.hu
Money
- TipForint only, really
The currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF, Ft). Notes: 500 to 20,000; coins: 5 to 200. Small shops may not have change for big notes, so keep some small notes.
Source: visithungary.com, en.wikipedia.org - RuleTipping
The usual tip is about 10%, in restaurants and taxis alike. If you pay by card, staff prefer the tip in cash.
Source: visithungary.com - RuleService charge on the bill
Some restaurants add a 10-15% service charge (szervizdíj) to the bill. If it is included, you do not need to tip on top.
Source: visithungary.com - TipCards and cash
Cards work in most shops, restaurants, taxis and ticket machines, but markets, small guesthouses and some small shops may take cash only. The Children's Railway takes cash except at its two terminus stations.
Source: visithungary.com, gyermekvasut.hu - TipWhere to exchange
Use banks or exchange offices with displayed rates and ask about commission; hotels usually give worse rates.
Source: visithungary.com - TipTax-free shopping
Non-EU visitors can reclaim VAT (27%) on purchases over EUR 175 (HUF 68,000 in 2026). Get the refund form or digital receipt in the shop and have it certified when you leave the EU; at Budapest airport CAS kiosks do this digitally.
Source: nav.gov.hu
Transport
- TipTap your card at the metro
Since April 2026 every metro entrance has Pay&GO validators: tap a contactless card or phone to buy and validate a HUF 500 single ticket in one go. Show the same card to inspectors.
Source: bkk.hu - TipTime tickets beat singles
A single ticket is valid for one vehicle only (metro changes allowed). The 30-minute (HUF 600) and 90-minute (HUF 850) tickets in BudapestGO allow unlimited changes.
Source: bkk.hu, bkk.hu - RuleValidate or pay HUF 12,000
Validate paper tickets at the metro entrance or on board; scan digital tickets at each boarding. The penalty is HUF 12,000 on the spot, HUF 25,000 within 30 days and HUF 50,000 later.
Source: bkk.hu, gov.uk - TipAirport bus needs its own ticket
The 100E to Deák Ferenc tér takes only the HUF 2,500 airport ticket (tap a card on board). The cheaper route is bus 200E plus metro M3 on normal tickets.
Source: bkk.hu - RuleBoard at the front
On many bus and trolleybus lines you must board at the front door and show your ticket to the driver; have it ready at the stop.
Source: bkk.hu - TipTram 2 and bus 16
Tram 2 runs along the Pest riverbank past Parliament; bus 16 goes from Deák Ferenc tér over the car-free Chain Bridge to the Castle District.
Source: go.bkk.hu, en.wikipedia.org
Etiquette
- TipSkip the Hungary-hungry pun
Hungarians have heard it too often. Also never mix up Budapest and Bucharest.
Source: visithungary.com - TipLanguage
Younger people usually speak English; older people may speak only Hungarian (or some German or Russian). A few Hungarian words help.
Source: visithungary.com - RuleCarry your passport
You must show ID if the police ask, and a copy is not accepted.
Source: gov.uk - RuleSynagogue dress code
At the Dohány Street Synagogue men must cover their heads (a kippah is handed out), and sleeveless tops, shorts and short skirts are refused.
Source: jewishtourhungary.com - RuleChurches are working churches
Matthias Church gives priority to masses and state delegations, so opening hours change; check before you go.
Source: matyas-templom.hu - RuleNo food or drink on public transport
Eating, drinking and smoking are banned on vehicles, at stops and in metro stations.
Source: bkk.hu - RuleRudas is adults only
The Rudas Bath does not admit children under 14.
Source: rudasfurdo.hu
Food
- TipNapi menü at lunch
Weekday lunch menus of soup and main cost about HUF 2,000-3,000 in 2026 at good local places such as Toldi konyhája, Menza or Mama's Café & Canteen.
Source: welovebudapest.com - TipFőzelék
A thick vegetable stew, between soup and stew, often eaten as a lunch main: tökfőzelék (marrow), babfőzelék (beans) and more.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipLángos and chimney cake
Street-food staples: lángos is deep-fried flatbread with cheese and sour cream; kürtőskalács is the sweet chimney cake.
Source: visithungary.com - TipOrder a fröccs
Wine spritzers come in fixed ratios: kisfröccs is 1 dl wine + 1 dl soda, nagyfröccs 2 dl wine + 1 dl soda, sportfröccs 1 dl wine + 4 dl soda.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipHistoric cafés
Budapest had about 500 cafés around 1900. Gerbeaud (1858), New York Café (1894) and Művész carry on the tradition; Nyugat magazine was founded in a café in 1908.
Source: visithungary.com - TipGreat Market Hall
The largest and oldest indoor market in Budapest (opened 1897) at Fővám tér, at the end of Váci utca.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipTap water is fine
Budapest tap water is safe to drink and among the most tested food in Hungary, so ask for water freely.
Source: vizmuvek.hu
Safety
- Watch outPickpockets
Bag-snatching and pickpocketing are common in Budapest, especially on public transport, at crowded sights and when trains pull into stations.
Source: gov.uk, visithungary.com - Watch outDrink spiking
There have been reports of drinks being spiked in Budapest bars. Buy your own drinks and keep them in sight.
Source: gov.uk - Watch outDemonstrations on national days
Rallies often happen on 15 March and 23 October; some have turned violent. Keep away from large crowds.
Source: gov.uk - TipNight buses
At night sit near the driver or in the first tram car, and ask the driver or security guards for help if needed. Security guards ride most night lines.
Source: bkk.hu - Watch outDrugs
Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry long jail sentences and heavy fines, also when transiting the airport.
Source: gov.uk - TipGenerally safe
Crime rates in Hungary are below the European average; common sense and care with belongings are enough in most places.
Source: visithungary.com
Free
- TipFisherman's Bastion for free
The lower terraces are always free, and the paid upper turrets are free before 9:00 and after 19:00 (21:00 in summer).
Source: fishermansbastion.com - TipParliament Visitor Centre
The visitor centre on Kossuth tér has a museum with free exhibitions; the tour itself is paid.
Source: budapestbylocals.com - TipWalk the car-free Chain Bridge
Since the renovation ended in August 2023 the Chain Bridge is closed to private cars, so it is pleasant to cross on foot.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipMargaret Island
A 2.5 km island in the Danube, mostly parkland with medieval ruins; trams 4 and 6 stop at the bridge.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, go.bkk.hu - Tip20 August fireworks
On the national holiday (20 August) a free fireworks show runs over the Danube at 21:00.
Source: en.wikivoyage.org - TipSummer concerts at Parliament
Free concerts by local bands on Kossuth tér on summer Thursdays at 17:00 (until end of August in 2026).
Source: budapestbylocals.com - TipBudapest Card
Free public transport plus free entry to places such as the Castle Museum and the Zugliget Chairlift; 24 h HUF 17,990 (from May 2026).
Source: bkk.hu, btm.hu, bkk.hu
Fun
- FunA railway run by children
The Children's Railway through the Buda Hills is staffed by children, with ticket offices, signals and a timetable; 40-50 minutes from Széchenyihegy to Hűvösvölgy.
Source: gyermekvasut.hu - FunThe cogwheel railway is a tram
The Fogaskerekű up Svábhegy is tram line 60, so a normal BKK ticket or pass works on it.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, bkk.hu - FunThe chairlift that was named by the public
The Zugliget Chairlift opened in 1970 after a naming contest; rejected ideas included 'Hill-copter' and 'Space Bus'. It climbs 262 m in about 12 minutes.
Source: bkk.hu - FunContinental Europe's oldest underground
Metro M1 opened in 1896 under Andrássy út and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - FunThe second funicular in the world
The Castle Hill Funicular (1870) was modelled on one in Lyon; its two cars are named Gellért and Margit, and the ride takes 95 seconds.
Source: bkk.hu - FunParliament's cigar holders
Numbered cigar holders line the window sills outside the debating chambers: MPs left their cigars there while they went in to vote.
Source: budapestbylocals.com - FunA concert inside the Opera tour
Every OperaTour ends with a short concert by young opera singers on the grand staircase.
Source: opera.hu - FunNight bathing at Rudas
On Friday and Saturday nights Rudas opens for night bathing (HUF 15,000, online tickets only).
Source: rudasfurdo.hu - FunRudas drinking hall
The Rudas has a drinking hall where you can taste its medicinal thermal waters (Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00-14:00).
Source: rudasfurdo.hu - FunEarly-bird Széchenyi
The 'Good morning Budapest' ticket for entry before 9 am costs HUF 10,500 instead of HUF 13,200.
Source: szechenyibath.hu - FunTram 6 never sleeps
Tram 6 on the Grand Boulevard runs 24 hours a day (with bus replacement from 0:00 to 4:00 until 20 November 2026).
Source: bkk.hu, bkk.hu - FunHighest point by chairlift
János-hegy, the city's highest point, can be reached by chairlift from Zugliget or by the Children's Railway.
Source: bkk.hu, gyermekvasut.hu
When to go
- TipAutumn is best
The Hungarian Tourism Agency calls autumn the most pleasant time: summer-like days with less chance of rain than spring.
Source: visithungary.com - TipNational holidays
15 March, 20 August and 23 October are national holidays: expect rallies on 15 March and 23 October, fireworks on 20 August, and free entry to the Fisherman's Bastion turrets on all three.
Source: gov.uk, fishermansbastion.com, en.wikivoyage.org - Watch outOctober 2026 closures
The Castle Hill Funicular and the Zugliget Chairlift close for maintenance 5-16 October 2026; the Dohány Street Synagogue is closed 3-4 October and every Saturday.
Source: bkk.hu, bkk.hu, jewishtourhungary.com - TipChristmas season
Széchenyi runs holiday hours and peak prices from 18 December 2026 to 6 January 2027. The central Christmas market is atmospheric but priced for tourists.
Source: szechenyibath.hu, szechenyibath.hu, penzcentrum.hu - TipAugust and Sundays
Small shops and family restaurants often close for 10-14 days in August; most shops are closed on Sundays except malls and tourist areas; museums usually close on Mondays.
Source: visithungary.com - TipWinter hours
From November many sights shorten their hours; for example the Dohány Street Synagogue closes at 16:00 (Fri 14:00) from 2 November.
Source: jewishtourhungary.com
Words
- TipSzia / Jó napot
Hi (informal, SEE-ah) / Good day (formal, yoh NAH-pot).
Source: en.wikivoyage.org - TipKöszönöm
Thank you (KUH-suh-nuhm).
Source: en.wikivoyage.org - TipKérem / Kérek
Please (KAY-rem); 'I would like' when ordering (KAY-rek): Egy sört kérek, a beer please (edj shurt KAY-rek).
Source: en.wikivoyage.org - TipA számlát kérem
The bill, please (ah SAHM-laht KAY-rem).
Source: en.wikivoyage.org - TipMennyibe kerül?
How much is it? (MEN-nyi-beh KEH-rewl).
Source: en.wikivoyage.org - TipBeszél angolul?
Do you speak English? (BEH-sayl AHN-goh-lool).
Source: en.wikivoyage.org - TipElnézést / Bocsánat
Excuse me (EL-nay-zaysht) / Sorry (BOH-chah-naht).
Source: en.wikivoyage.org - TipIgen / Nem
Yes (EE-gen) / No (nem).
Source: en.wikivoyage.org - TipSegítség!
Help! (SHEH-geet-shayg).
Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Checked September 2026. Every item links to where it came from.