Planes, trains and automobiles…what’s the best way to get around?
Just like many other European countries, Hungary’s transportation network is pretty advanced and easy to navigate – with a little research under your belt! Taxis, buses, trains, etc. there are many options.
Train
Hungarian State Railways or Magyar Államvasutak (http://www.mav.hu/) is the national railway operator in Hungary. The total length of the railway network in the country is estimated to be about 1,185 km.
Railway services connect major cities in Hungary. Travelers are advised to book reservations in advance for Inter-City and express trains, especially during the summer. Tourist season tickets are available in Hungary. Discounted tickets may be available for large groups, children, families and senior citizens. Children below six years of age and those above 70 years can travel free of cost.
International connections are available from Hungary to many cities in Europe including Basel, Berlin, Bratislava, Bucharest, Dresden, Ljubljana, Munich, Paris, Vienna and Zagreb. Discounted railway tickets and passes such as InterRail (http://www.interrailnet.com/) and Eurail (http://www.eurailnet.com/) are available for travelling to these cities.
Tram services are available in many cities in Hungary including Budapest, Szeged, Miskolc, and Debrecen. Budapest also has a three-line metro system as well as a well-developed Suburban railway system.
Ticket system in Hungary is quite organized. Tourists are advised to read through the passenger information notices, printed in English. Hungary cards are also available, providing discounted fare on rail, bus, taxi and few ferry services.
It is important to validate one’s ticket before getting into the platform and also immediately after the journey (buses, trams, trolley buses). On board, tickets have to be kept safely throughout the journey and show it to the inspectors on request.
Bus
Bus services are available in Hungary and fares are slightly more expensive than train tickets. Most cities and towns are well connected by buses and the main bus stations for long distance are located in Budapest. Tickets have to be booked in advance for long journey buses; whereas for short distance, travelers can purchase tickets directly from the driver.
International connections are also available from Hungary to several European cities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dusseldorf, Brussels, Lille, Athens, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Venice, Vienna, Belgrade, Subotica, Rijeka, Bratislava, Prague, Kyiv, and Lviv. The main connections are provided by Eurolines (http://www.eurolines.com/).
Most cities in Hungary also have efficient bus systems for local transportation.
Taxis
Taxis are available in Hungary and are considered to be reliable and less expensive. They are found in all major cities and towns. Travelers are advised to avoid taxis without a yellow license plate and which are not metered or without a visible table of fares. Taxi drivers may expect a 10-15% tip. Travelers are advised to book a taxi through phone, since they may be less expensive when compared to those hailed on streets.