|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Getting Around in Budapest,
Hungary |
|
 |
|
| |
 |
|
Transport from the airport
Ferihegy airport is 20km (15 miles) to the southeast of Budapest on the E60 road. Centrum-Airport Shuttle runs from outside Ferihegy to the city centre stopping at Erzsebet ter bus station. Tickets (Ft600) are bought on the bus, which leaves every half hour from the airport 6am-10pm. Theres also an airport minibus shuttle (296 8555), which will take you to any address within the city for Ft1, 200 or Ft2000 return. Buy a ticket from the desk in the arrivals hall and wait for a driver to call your destination. To go to the airport from the city phone a day in advance. Open 5am-10pm.
You can also travel by public transport. Take the 93 bus to Kobanya-Kispest metro station and the blue M3 metro from there for the cost of one ticket for each (Ft90). Tickets are available from the airport newsagent. Last buses from the airport are at 11.30pm. Last metro leaves at 11.10pm but the 182 night bus departs from the station.
Public transport
The Budapest metro is safe, frequent and the easiest way to get around. There are three lines: yellow M1, red M2 and blue M3. These connect the main stations and intersect at Deak ter. Trains run every two to three minutes from 4.30am-11pm. Tickets can be purchased from either the ticket machines or ticket office in the stations. They can also be bought from street stands and newsagents.
Validate tickets in the machines at the top of the escalators. A 70Ft ticket is valid for a journey along one line, and is also valid for a single journey on buses, trolleybuses, trams and the HEV suburban train as far as the city limits. On the metro there are also various other kinds of tickets available. Buses run every ten minutes or so during the day (as do trams and trolleybuses).
Most bus stops have routes and timetables listed. If a bus has a red numbers its an express that misses certain stops. A reduced but reliable night service follows the main routes with buses every thirty to sixty minutes between 11pm and dawn. If you plan to travel round the city a lot, it might be worth getting a day pass (560Ft) or buying a book of ten tickets (550Ft) available from metro stations. However, do not tear the tickets out, as they are only valid if kept together in the book.
Taxis
Rates vary widely from very cheap to robbery. The cheap and reliable Fotaxi (222 2222) have red-and-white checkered patterns on their doors and can be spotted by their oval-shaped lights. If youre calling for a cab the dispatchers at City Taxi (211 1111) speak English. A receipt should be available on request. All legitimate taxis should have yellow number plates. They can be hailed in the street, but are cheapest if you order them by phone.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
 |
|
|
|