Is There Uber in Budapest in 2024? How to Get Around
Budapest is one of the coolest cities in Europe. Think boat rides along the Danube, dips in the thermal baths and exploring the incredible Fisherman’s Bastion.
But before you can begin exploring, you’ll need to know how to get around. And one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is “is there Uber in Budapest?”
I visited the capital of Hungary a few years ago, so I know the best ways to get around the city.
In this guide, I’ll first cover whether there’s Uber in Budapest, and then go through some alternative transport options for getting around.
➡️ The easiest way is get from Budapest airport to the city centre is to take the airport shuttle. It’s really cheap, and departs every 15-25 minutes.
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Is there Uber in Budapest?
To get straight to the point, no, there is not Uber in Budapest.
Why is there no Uber in Budapest?
Up until 2016, Uber did operate in Budapest, but it suspended operations due to legislation changes, brought in by the Hungarian government.
Taxi drivers felt that Uber was operating without the same regulations and licensing rules that they had to adhere to, which led to them striking and demanding that action was taken.
Hungarian authorities then introduced stricter regulations for ride-sharing platforms, which would mean Uber had to adhere to the same rules as traditional taxis.
Because of these changes, Uber decided to leave Hungary, and therefore Budapest, and hasn’t operated there since.
Uber alternatives in Budapest
Even though Uber doesn’t operate in Budapest, there’s plenty of great alternatives.
Bolt
Bolt works in a similar way to Uber. You order on the app and you’ll be quoted an estimated price before your ride arrives, which you can accept or decline.
Főtaxi
Főtaxi is one of the biggest taxi companies in Budapest. The yellow taxis will have a “Főtaxi” sticker on the door.
They’re the official contracted taxi provider for Budapest airport, and they have an app for easy booking.
Contact number: +36 1 222 2222
City Taxi
City Taxi is another taxi company with yellow cars in Budapest. They’re another great option for getting around.
Contact number: +36 1 211 1111
Cost of taxis in Budapest
The taxi fares in Budapest are set by the government, to ensure it remains fair across the city.
The starting fee is 1000HUF (2.90€/3.10$) and the price per KM is 400HUF (1.15€/1.25$).
Make sure you use a reputable taxi service, unlicensed taxis do operate across the city, and you’ll end up being charged an unreasonably high fare.
Not only this, but it’s also not safe, as you’ll essentially be in a car with a stranger who isn’t a verified taxi driver.
The best way to avoid unlicensed taxis is to book your taxi in advance, and check the company sticker on the side of the car when it arrives.
Hailing a taxi on the side of the street means you’re more likely to accidentally get into an unlicensed one.
Paying for a taxi in Budapest
Most taxis in Budapest will accept payment by card, so you don’t need to worry about having cash on you.
What’s the best way to get from Budapest airport to the city centre?
Since there’s no Uber in Budapest, you’ll need to consider other options for getting from the airport to the city centre.
- Airport shuttle – The easiest way is to take the airport shuttle, which you can book ahead of time. It departs every 15-25 minutes, and takes you straight into Budapest city centre. It’s really easy to find, just find the MiniBUD information point when you arrive at the airport.
➡️ Book your shuttle ticket from Budapest airport to the city centre ahead of time. It’s really cheap, and thanks to the frequency of the buses, it’s completely stress free.
2. Taxi – Taxis are available at the airport terminals. Make sure to use official taxi companies, like Főtaxi, which has a taxi stand at the airport. Be careful not to flag down unofficial taxi’s, as you will end up paying a much higher rate.
3. Public Bus: The 100E bus runs between the airport and the city centre, departing every 20 minutes. You’ll need to get an airport shuttle single ticket, which cost €3.80 and can be purchased from the driver, the booths in the airport, or the BKK mobile app.
4. Car Rental – If you prefer the flexibility of having your own car whilst in Budapest, you can pick one up at the airport terminal.
➡️ I use Discover Car whenever I’m hiring a car abroad. They compare lots of different providers to find you the best price.
Plus, I’ve never had any bad experiences where they won’t give you your money back at the end like you sometimes hear about with dodgy car hire companies. The process is always really simple and stress-free.
The best way to get around Budapest
Once you’re in Budapest, there’s lots of options for getting around the city.
Public transport
Budapest’s public transport system is really easy to use, and affordable. There’s the metro, trams, buses and even boats to help you get around.
You can buy a 24 hour, 48 hour, 72 hour, 96 hour or 120 hour public transport card ahead of time, which includes unlimited use of public transport AND:
- Free entry to more than 30 attractions
- A guided sightseeing tour of Buda and Pest
- Entry to St. Lukacs Thermal Bath
- Discounts at attractions, restaurants and shops
- Airport transfer and a river cruise on select cards
➡️ Book your public transport card ahead of time. You’ll get unlimited use of public transport during your trip, as well as free entry to attractions across Budapest.
Metro
The metro in Budapest is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to navigate the city.
There are four lines – Line 1 (yellow line), Line 2 (red line), Line 3 (blue line) and Line 4 (green line).
The metro runs everyday from 4:30am – 11pm.
Tram
Budapest has over 40 tram lines that run through the city, so they’re a brilliant option for getting around.
The trams run from 4:30 am to 11pm everyday.
Walking
Budapest is a really walkable city. It’s one of the best ways to get around the city and take in all of the sights.
For example, you can walk from Budapest Castle to Fisherman’s Bastion in 14 minutes.
Hop-on Hop-off bus
It might be a bit cheesy, but when I’m visiting a city for the first time, I love a hop-on hop-off bus.
It’s a great way to get to the main tourist attractions, learn about the history of each one, and see the city as you drive around.
➡️ This hop-on hop-off Budapest bus has over 2,000 reviews, over 20 stops across the city, offers flexibility with a 1, 2 or 3 day pass, and free cancellation if you change your mind.
Electric scooters
Electric scooters are a really fun way to explore Budapest. It’s faster than walking, so you can see more things across the city in less time. Plus, you’ll be a lot less tired.
This tour is an excellent option -with a small group, a curated route depending on what you want to see, and a 4.9 star rating from nearly 400 reviews.
Sightseeing boat cruise
One of the most magical ways to see Budapest is from the River Danube, and this boat cruise is one of the best.
You’ll see the main sights of Budapest, and learn about them from an audioguide. A glass of wine, beer, sparkling wine or water is also included, which you can sip on as you sail between the Buda and Pest sides of the city.
The tour has a 4.6 star rating from over 2,000 reviews, so you can trust that it’s tried and tested.
“This was a fabulous experience on the Danube. Everything from booking to boarding to the cruise itself was perfect. The staff were very well organised, courteous and helpful. We enjoyed the selection of drinks provided and the audio description was very informative and clear. Highly recommended.” – Jonathan S ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Things to do whilst you’re in Budapest
Cruise along the Danube and watch the magical city of Budapest come to life, whilst sipping on unlimited Prosecco.
➡️ 4.7 star rating
➡️ 7,000+ reviews
➡️ Incredible views
➡️ Free cancellation
Spend the day at the most famous spa in Budapest, and get access to 2 venues with one ticket.
➡️ 10,000+ reviews
➡️ Full day experience
➡️ Optional massage
➡️ Free cancellation
Head out on this bar crawl and experience Budapest’s amazing nightlife.
➡️ 4.8 star rating
➡️ 4 drinks included
➡️ Great way to meet people
➡️ Free cancellation
Is there Uber in Budapest? FAQs
Do you use Uber in Budapest?
No, you don’t use Uber in Budapest. Uber did operate in the city up until 2016, when they ceased operations in the Hungarian market. This was due to changes brought in by the government, in response to pressure from taxi drivers who were unhappy with Uber drivers getting preferential treatment.
What is similar to Uber in Budapest?
Even though Uber doesn’t operate in Budapest, there are other similar services you can use instead. Bolt is a very similar to Uber, where you can order a taxi via the app whenever you need one. You could also use a traditional company like Főtaxi, City Taxi or 6×6.
What is the best way to get around Budapest?
Budapest has a really good public transport system, and it’s one of the best ways to get around the city. It’s made up of the metro, buses, trams and even boats, so there’s plenty of choice. Budapest is also a very walkable city, which is another great way to explore.
Is there Uber in Budapest: The Wrap Up
As you’ve gathered from this article, there isn’t Uber in Budapest. But, no need to worry, there’s plenty of other ways to get around the city.
You can use Bolt, an app similar to Uber that allows you to order a taxi on demand. Or local taxi companies such as Főtaxi, City Taxi or 6×6.
Budapest’s also a really walkable city, so it’s easy enough to explore on foot. The public transport system is affordable and simple to use, or you could explore the city by boat.
If you’re looking for something a little different, you could try an e-scooter tour, which is a really fun way to see the city.
As you can see, there’s lots of choice when it comes to getting around Budapest. Enjoy your trip!
