Budapest Metro Map and Guide
- things to do
- June 4, 2024
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Budapest metro is a well connected underground network with 4 lines, which becomes very convenient when navigating the system.
In this article, we’ll cover all its aspects, including a view of the Budapest map in English, all the metro lines, most important stops, how to get tickets, and more.
Quick links to the best walking tours in Budapest:
1. Budapest Metro Map
2. Budapest Metro Lines and Stations
3. Budapest Metro Tickets and Passes
4. Budapest Metro fines
4. Budapest Card: unlimited transport and free entries
Budapest Metro Map
A complete Budapest metro plan in English
Understanding Budapest Metro Map
Budapest Metro Lines and Stations
M1
Called Millennium Underground Railway, Metro 1 or M1, the yellow line of Budapest subway, inaugurated in 1896, was the first underground in Continental Europe.
The M1 It runs only on Pest side and does the the whole Andrássy Avenue, known for its luxury brand stores and rich looking buildings in neo-renaissance style. It takes you to:
• Széchenyi Thermal Baths
• Városligett City Park
• Budapest Opera
• Oktogon
• Deák Ferenc Square (connected to blue and red lines)
• St.Stephen’s Basilica (a few mins walk away)
• Vörösmarty Square
• Váci utca
M2
The red metro line is the east-west line, and for that reason it goes until some points that are less touristic, connecting the Déli Railway Station (Buda) and Örs Vezér Square (east side Pest). It can take you to:
• Astoria
• Budapest Synagogue (2 min walk)
• Deák Ferenc Square (connected to blue and yellow lines)
• Blaha Lujza Square
• Rakóczi Square (5 walk away)
• Keleti Station (connected to green line)
M3
The M3 is the north-south line and the longest in Budapest, runs only on Pest side, and connects Kőbánya-Kispest (south) and Újpest-centre (north).
Despite its length also covers central parts of the city, and takes you to important places of the city, namely:
• Kálvin Square
• Liberty bridge (5-10 min walk from Kálvin tér)
• Ferenciek Square (close to Astoria and the Great Synagogue)
• Déak Ferenc Square (connected to yellow and red lines)
• Arany Janos utca (quite central one)
• Nyugati Railway Station
M4
The green M4, a modern line that opened in 2014, runs through both sides of Budapest, connecting Keleti (Pest) and Kelenföld (Buda) stations.
It’s quite important for those keen to explore the city center, as it goes to:
• Rakóczi Square
• Kalvin Square
• Fővám Square
• The Great Market Hall
• Liberty Bridge
• Gellért Thermal Baths
Budapest Metro Tickets and Passes
*Besides all metro lines, these tickets can also be used in almost all the other BKK services, including suburban buses (lines 1-99, 101-299, 900-999, D14), HÉV trains H5, H6, H7, H8, H9 and on some buses from Volánbusz.
There are many options of tickets and passes you can get to use the Metro in Budapest.
Our top choice: Budapest Card
The Budapest Card (don’t be surprised to hear it called the City Pass) is the official travel card of Budapest.
With it, you get unlimited public transportation. But that’s not everything: you’ll also get airport transfer, free entrance in some of the most important museums (like in the Buda Castle‘s), 20% discount at Széchenyi thermal baths, and much more.
Prices vary on the duration you choose:
- 24 hours: €39 / £33.20 / $42.53
- 72 hours: €69 / £58.75 / $75.24
- 96 hours: €87 / £74.07 / $94.87
- 120 hours: €96 / £81.73 / $104.68
- 72 hours+: €99 / £84.29 / $107.95
Single ticket
• Price: 450 HUF
As the name suggests, it lets you go on a one-way single ride. Nonetheless, even though interruptions and return trips aren’t allowed, you can transfer between metro lines, as long as you go in the same direction. Just don’t forget to validate the ticket when you enter the metro station.
Block of 10 tickets
• Price: 4000 HUF
It works exactly the same as the single ticket, but it’s simply cheaper because you’re buying more at once. You save 500 HUF in total.
Monthly Budapest-pass
• Price: 8950 HUF
For those staying longer, this might be worth it. It works the same way as the tickets mentioned above, but simply has a 1 month validity period. Just remember to always carry it with you.
Travel cards
Another option that you have is to buy a travel card that lets you travel without any limits until a certain period of time. Here’s your options:
- 30 minutes: 530 HUF
- 90 minutes: 750 HUF
- 24h: 2500 HUF
- 24h for groups (up to 5 people): 5000 HUF
- 72h: 5500 HUF
Where to buy the metro tickets
You can buy these tickets in all metro stations machines spread throughout the city, as well as in train stations and tram stations.
There’s also a pretty convenient option, that it just requires you to to download an app called Budapest Pay&GO. With that, you can buy and validate your tickets.
Alternatively, you can also buy them in the metro stations, on selling points where there’s usually a person at a counter.
How to validate the tickets/passes
When using the Budapest Card, you only need to show it to an inspector when asked for it. Pretty simple.
If you’re using a paper single ticket to travel, you need to validate it through the machines that every metro station has at the entrance.
In case you have a paper monthly pass, then you just have to show it to the inspectors when asked to. Sometimes they’ll be at the entrance, so in that case you should show it. But often times they ask you randomly in other places of the metro station.
However, when you buy your tickets with your phone, you’ll have to scan the QR code at the entrance or use the BudapestGO app and touch your phone on the NFC sticker. If an inspector asks you for your ticket, all you have to do is to click on the ticket details and show them the code. Easy.
Budapest Metro Fines
If you don’t carry your ticket while using the metro in Budapest, you’ll have to pay a penalty of 25,000 HUF in the following 30 calendar days.
However, if you pay it on spot, that penalty gets reduced to HUF 12,000 (by cash or card, in case the inspector has a card terminal).
You can also pay those 12,000 HUF at a BKK customer service centres in the next two working days.
Alternatively, you can send a 12,000 HUF bank transfer to BKK, account number 10700024-67032082-52200005 (CIB Bank), with the reference field containing your name, followed by one of the numbers: reference number, identification number, correspondence file number, case number, or reminder letter number.
Why you should use a Budapest Card
With a Budapest Card, you’ll get a lot of benefits besides unlimited public transport €39.00 per person. Here’s a sum up of the benefits:
- Unlimited public transportation (metro, tram, train, bus)
- Free entry to more than 30 attractions
- Discounts to attractions like the Széchenyi baths and the Budapest Synagogue
- Airport transfers (if 72-hour plus)
- Danube River cruise
- Round-trip ride on Buda Castle Funicular (if 72-hour plus option selected)
- Matthias Church entry (if 72-hour plus option selected)
- And much more
* Free cancellation to 24 hours in advance
** Reserve now & pay later