Budapest
Transport – Budapest is well served
by public transport with Metro, trams, buses and suburban
rail networks. In addition there is a scheduled boat
ride on the route Boraros Ter to Romai Furdo.
There is an efficient Metro system in Budapest
with three lines – blue, red and yellow. The
Yellow Metro is the most interesting. It is based
on the original underground route. This stretch –
up Andrassy Street was the first underground train
operating in Europe. Rather than tunnelling underground,
a strip was excavated along side the roadway, the
tracks laid and the surface of the road replaced over
it. It is well worth taking a trip on the Yellow Line,
maybe back from Heroes Square after strolling up Andrassy
Street. The stations, the station entrances, stairways,
etc have been carefully preserved. The doors with
beautiful wood and brass fittings are still in place.
The carriages are also from another era. If you enjoy
your trip you might want to visit the Underground
Railway Museum where you can see two original carriages
(at V.Deak Ter Metro Station).
Budapest has an extensive bus and tram network
so getting around the city is fast and comfortable.
The HEV suburban train network serves the more outlying
areas and will also take you to places such as Szentendre,
Godolla etc.
Tickets are available from metro
stations, hotels, tourist offices etc. A block of
10 tickets costs HUF 1250, 20 tickets HUF, 2450. A
single ticket is HUF 145 and a metro transfer ticket
HUF 250. A one-day travel card is HUF 1150.
There is also the option of a Budapest Card.
This offers a range of services including unlimited
travel on public transport. The Budapest Card costs
HUF 4345 for 48 hours; HUF 5440 for 72 hours and each
Card covers one adult and one child up to 14 years
for public transport and a range of other services.
More details on this can be found in the section Tourist
Offices.
Budapest has three international railway
stations: Eastern (Keleti), Southern (Déli)
and Western (Nyugati). Most international rail passes
are valid in Hungary.
