Car Hire
All the major international players in the car rental market are present in Hungary. If you are planning to extend your trip to neighbouring countries, make sure you clear it with the hire company, some companies have restrictions on taking rental cars into bordering countries.
COMPANIESAvis
Tel.: +36 1 318 4240
Budget Rent a Car
Tel.: +36 1 214 0420
Europcar Inc.
Tel.: +36 1 477 1090
National
Tel.: +36 1 477 1083
Fox Autorent
Tel.: +36 1 382 9000/9003
Hertz
Tel.: +36 1 296 0997
Americana Rent-a-Car
Tel.: +36 1 350 2542
Recentcar
Tel.: +36 30 474 1826
Coach Services
EUROLINES
Standard coach services are available to/from cities of more than 20 countries of Europe. In Budapest, international and domestic coaches depart from Népliget Bus Terminal. Other domestic terminals: Etele tér (Buda side) and Forgách utca (Árpád bridge, Pest side)
EUROLINES Pass
Provides the independent traveler with unlimited deluxe coach service for 30-60 days valid to 18 major European cities, including Budapest. Special rates for youth and senior citizens.
EUROLINES PASS ticket offices
Népliget Bus Station (Budapest, IX. Üllõi út 131.), and VOLÁNBUSZ Travel Office (Budapest, V. Erzsébet tér Phone: 318-2122)
Coach information in Budapest (domestic and international): Phone: (+36-1) 219-8080
Information on international and domestic services: (+36-1) 382-0888 (Monday - Sunday, 06 - 21 h.)
For timetables please check the Volánbusz's website (the Hungarian National Coach Company).
All Hungarian towns and villages are accessible by coach. Information about coach services and advance booking:
- To south-western Hungary: Budapest, coach terminal at Etele Square, phone: 485-2100, Monday - Sunday: from 06 a.m. to 09 p.m.
- To northern and north-central Hungary: Budapest, Népliget Coach Terminal, phone: 485-2100, Monday - Sunday: from 06 a.m. to 09 p.m.
- To eastern Hungary: Budapest, Népstadion Coach Station, phone: 485-2100, Monday - Sunday: from 06 a.m. to 09 p.m.
- To the Danube Bend: Budapest, Árpád Bridge Coach Terminal, phone: 329-1450
To and from the airport
Budapest Ferihegy Airport has two terminals roughly 16 kilometres from the city - MALÉV Hungarian Airlines flights use Ferihegy Terminal 2A, with all other traditional airlines flying into and departing from Terminal 2B. Most low cost carriers use Terminal 1.
Public Transport
Buses (service No. 200) run from the Kõbánya-Kispest terminus, metro line 3, to/from Ferihegy Terminals 1 and 2, every 15 minutes during the day.
Train
Passengers can easily reach Ferihegy Terminal 1 from the Western Railway Station in Budapest. On weekdays 51 at weekends 38 trains ease the travelling from the city centre to the airport within less than half an hour for 300 HUF.There are 60 trains on weekdays and 45 at weekends from the airport to the city centre. For the map and the timetable click here.
BusExpress is a quick, safe, quality and guaranteed cheap transfer service. The company fixed the prices so that they would be available for everyone. It connects the Lake Balaton region, Hévíz, Keszthely with Budapest, Ferihegy Airport.
Taxi
The journey takes between half an hour and an hour by car. The official contractor of the Budapest Airport is the Zóna Taxi, you can order a cab at their desk in the airport for fixed, reasonable prices. Or if you order a cab by phone, most companies offer a fixed price of around 4,000 Ft, often depending on whether your destination is on the Pest or Buda side of the river. Otherwise, the journey can cost 6,000 Ft or more. However nowadays it is rare but still be aware that there is a risk of being overcharged by unscrupulous drivers if you simply hail a taxi. Where possible, always telephone to order a cab and agree a fare for the journey.
Airport Minibus
If you are travelling on your own, it is cheaper to use the Airport Minibus service, which has a desk at the airport. For 2,990 Ft for a single and 4,990 Ft for a return, they will deliver you anywhere in Budapest, and pick you up again when you leave. They recommend that you reserve your return journey 24 hours in advance (+36 1 296 8555)
Driving in Hungary
There is a zero tolerance policy with respect to drink driving, if you consume a drop of alcohol, do not get behind the wheel. Outside urban areas, vehicle headlights must be on at all times, even during the day. The M1, M3, M5 and M7 motorways are toll roads, stickers must be purchased in advance at petrol stations and on-line. A four day pass costs 1170 Ft, a weekly pass 2550 Ft, and a monthly pass 4200 Ft.
Taxis
Outside the capital, taxi drivers are less prone to unscrupulous pricing and can usually be flagged down on the street without any problems. Ask what the fare will be to the destination before departure. Always check to make sure there is a meter, running in the taxi.
Train Travel
Budapest's location at the heart of Hungary and Central Europe makes it an easy destination, and a great starting point for exploration by train. The Hungarian state railway company is called MÁV. Fares are generally calculated by the kilometre and train type (the InterCity trains are much more comfortable, but it is compulsory to reserve a seat for a small surcharge), allowing you relative flexibility. Remember to allow time to purchase a ticket before you board the train. Budapest has three main stations, Déli (South), Nyugati (West) and Keleti (East), originally named according to the direction the trains are heading in, rather than their location.
The following international rail passes are valid in Hungary: INTER RAIL, BIJ, EURO DOMINO, RES, CITY-STAR.
Domestic timetables and fares or call +36 1 371 9449 (from abroad)/ 06 40 49 49 49 (in Hungary)
International timetables and fares.
Bike Transportation on the train
All Intercity lines have at least one train each day which transports bicycles. The cost of this service is 25% of the fare. Groups of over five people are required to notify MÁV seven days before travelling.
Nostalgia Trains
Nostalgia Train excursions to different destinations are available.
Website: http://www.mavnosztalgia.hu/eindex.htm
Cruising the Danube and Lake Balaton
Budapest can be experienced in a number of ways, but a boat ride along the Danube is one of the most relaxing. Two companies (www.legenda.hu and www.mahartpassnave.hu) offer city cruises, as well as regular rides to tourist attractions outside Budapest, such as Szentendre, Visegrad and Esztergom between April and October. Further upstream, Bratislava and Vienna can also be visited by hydrofoil between early April and early November. Voyage time: from Vienna to Budapest 5 hours, from Budapest to Vienna 6 hours. There are a number of routes operating on Lake Balaton in the summer, including car ferry crossings.
From and to FlyBalaton Airport
BusExpress is a quick, safe, quality and guaranteed cheap transfer service. The company fixed the prices so that they would be available for everyone. It connects Hévíz, Keszthely and Zalakaros with FlyBalaton, Sármellék.
Fly-Car is the exclusive transfer partner of FlyBalaton airport of Sármellék that connects Hévíz, Keszthely,Siófok and Budapest with FlyBalaton, Sármellék.
Hungary in Schengen - new rules at Ferihegy Airport from 30th March 2008
As of this date, passengers traveling within the Schengen zone will no longer be subject to border controls. The strict inspection of travel documents will remain in place for non-Schengen passengers
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