Budapest Transport Tickets & Travel Passes [2026]
Budapest has several ticket types, but most tourists only need to understand a few of them. Regular public transport uses BKK tickets and travelcards, while the direct 100E Airport Express has its own special fare.
For occasional journeys, use single or time-based tickets. If you expect to use the metro, trams and buses repeatedly during sightseeing, the 24-hour or 72-hour Budapest travelcard is usually simpler. The right choice depends mainly on how many journeys you expect to make and whether you use the airport bus.
Quick answer: which Budapest transport ticket should you buy?
- One simple ride: 500 HUF single ticket
- Several occasional rides: 4,500 HUF block of 10 single tickets
- Short journey with transfers: 600 HUF 30-minute ticket
- Longer journey with transfers: 850 HUF 90-minute ticket
- One busy sightseeing day: 2,750 HUF 24-hour travelcard
- Typical 3-day visit: 5,750 HUF 72-hour travelcard
- 100E Airport Express: 2,500 HUF airport shuttle bus ticket
- 100E with an eligible pass: 1,000 HUF add-on airport shuttle ticket
Budapest Transport Ticket Prices in 2026
These are the main adult BKK fares most visitors are likely to consider in Budapest.
| Ticket or travelcard | Price | Validity / use | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single ticket | 500 HUF | One journey on one vehicle; metro-to-metro transfer exception | One simple ride |
| Block of 10 tickets | 4,500 HUF | 10 separate single tickets | Several occasional rides |
| 30-minute ticket | 600 HUF | Transfers allowed within the time limit | Short multi-leg journeys |
| 90-minute ticket | 850 HUF | Transfers allowed within the time limit | Longer multi-leg journeys |
| 24-hour Budapest travelcard | 2,750 HUF | Unlimited covered travel for 24 hours | One busy sightseeing day |
| 72-hour Budapest travelcard | 5,750 HUF | Unlimited covered travel for 72 hours | 3-day city break |
| 100E airport shuttle ticket | 2,500 HUF | One uninterrupted one-way journey on 100E | Direct airport transfer |
| 100E add-on airport ticket | 1,000 HUF | Requires an eligible valid pass | Eligible pass holders using 100E |
Important: the 100E Airport Express is the main exception to the normal Budapest fare system. Ordinary single tickets and standard 24- or 72-hour travelcards do not by themselves cover the 100E.
How Budapest Public Transport Tickets Work
Most BKK tickets and travelcards can be used across Budapest’s regular metro, tram, bus and trolleybus network. The same basic fare system therefore covers most journeys tourists make around the city.
Budapest is not primarily a simple automatic tap-in/tap-out fare-capping system for visitors. You need to buy the appropriate ticket or travelcard and follow the validation rules for that product.
| Transport | Regular BKK tickets / travelcards? | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Metro M1–M4 | Yes | Validate single tickets before entering the paid area |
| Trams | Yes | Regular BKK fares apply |
| Buses | Yes | Regular BKK fares apply to ordinary city buses |
| Trolleybuses | Yes | Regular BKK fares apply |
| 200E airport bus | Yes | Part of the regular network |
| 100E Airport Express | No standard fare | Special airport ticket rules apply |
Simple rule: for normal city journeys, think in terms of BKK single tickets, time-based tickets or travelcards. Treat the 100E Airport Express separately.
Single & Time-Based Tickets
If you are mostly walking and only expect to use public transport occasionally, individual tickets can be cheaper than buying a travelcard.
| Ticket | Price | Transfers? | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single ticket | 500 HUF | Normally no | One direct metro, tram or bus journey |
| 10-ticket block | 4,500 HUF | Same rules as individual singles | Several occasional journeys |
| 30-minute ticket | 600 HUF | Yes | Short journey requiring transfers |
| 90-minute ticket | 850 HUF | Yes | Longer or more complex journey |
Single Ticket
A 500 HUF single ticket is valid for one uninterrupted journey on one street-level vehicle such as a tram, bus or trolleybus. It does not normally allow you to leave one vehicle and continue on another using the same ticket.
The important exception is the metro network: you may transfer between metro lines during the same journey without buying another single ticket, provided you continue in the permitted direction without leaving the paid network.
Block of 10 Tickets
The 4,500 HUF block of 10 is simply ten separate single tickets sold together. It saves 500 HUF compared with buying ten individual 500 HUF tickets, but each ticket follows the normal single-ticket rules.
It can make sense for visitors who mostly walk but expect to make several isolated public transport journeys during their stay.
30-Minute and 90-Minute Tickets
The 30-minute and 90-minute tickets are designed for journeys involving transfers. You can change between eligible BKK services during the ticket’s transfer window.
When using a time-based ticket, the important moment is your last transfer. If you board your final service before the time limit expires, you can complete that journey even if the nominal 30 or 90 minutes expire while you are still on the vehicle.
Can You Transfer with a Budapest Ticket?
This is one of the most important differences between Budapest ticket types.
| Ticket | Can you transfer? |
|---|---|
| Single ticket | Normally no. One ticket is required for each separate street-level vehicle. |
| Single ticket: metro → metro | Yes, while continuing the same metro journey without leaving the network. |
| 30-minute ticket | Yes, multiple transfers during the transfer window. |
| 90-minute ticket | Yes, multiple transfers during the transfer window. |
| 24-hour travelcard | Unlimited covered journeys during its 24-hour validity. |
| 72-hour travelcard | Unlimited covered journeys during its 72-hour validity. |
Example: if a trip requires a bus followed by a tram, a standard single ticket normally means using a separate ticket for each vehicle. A 30- or 90-minute ticket is designed for this type of journey.
24-Hour vs 72-Hour Budapest Travelcard
Travelcards are the easiest solution when you expect to use public transport repeatedly. They provide unlimited covered journeys during a fixed period starting from the date and time you select.
| Travelcard | Price | Validity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-hour | 2,750 HUF | 24 hours from selected start time | One active sightseeing day |
| 72-hour | 5,750 HUF | 72 hours from selected start time | Typical 3-day Budapest visit |
Is the 24-Hour Travelcard Worth It?
Compared purely with 500 HUF single tickets, five individual rides cost 2,500 HUF, while six cost 3,000 HUF. The 2,750 HUF 24-hour travelcard therefore becomes cheaper than buying six separate single tickets.
It can still be worth buying with fewer journeys if convenience matters to you or if your itinerary would otherwise require several separate tickets and transfers.
Is the 72-Hour Travelcard Worth It?
At 5,750 HUF, the 72-hour travelcard is substantially cheaper than buying three separate 24-hour travelcards, which would cost 8,250 HUF.
Compared only with 500 HUF single tickets, eleven rides cost 5,500 HUF while twelve cost 6,000 HUF. For an active three-day itinerary, the 72-hour card can therefore become both convenient and competitive on price.
Important: neither the normal 24-hour nor the normal 72-hour Budapest travelcard is itself a standard ticket for the 100E Airport Express.
Which Budapest Ticket Should You Buy for Your Stay?
| Length of stay | Good starting point | When to choose something else |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 24-hour travelcard | Use singles if you expect only a few rides |
| 2 days | Singles / time tickets or 24-hour travelcards | Depends heavily on how much you walk |
| 3 days | 72-hour travelcard | Singles may cost less if you barely use transport |
| 4–7 days | 72-hour card + additional fares, or compare longer passes | Frequent users should compare pass options |
| Several weeks | Compare a monthly Budapest pass | Short-term travelcards become less attractive for long stays |
There is no need to buy an unlimited travelcard simply because you are a tourist. Central Budapest is highly walkable, so visitors staying around District V, District VI or District VII may make fewer public transport journeys than expected.
Budapest Airport Tickets: 100E vs 200E
Airport transport is where Budapest’s ticket system differs most noticeably from normal city travel.
| Airport route | Ticket | Price / rule |
|---|---|---|
| 100E Airport Express | Airport shuttle bus single ticket | 2,500 HUF |
| 100E with eligible pass | Add-on airport shuttle ticket | 1,000 HUF + eligible pass |
| 200E | Regular BKK ticket, travelcard or pass | Normal BKK fare rules |
The 100E is the direct airport-to-center service and requires its special airport fare. The 200E is part of the regular Budapest public transport network and therefore uses ordinary BKK ticket rules.
Need the actual airport route? See our complete Budapest Airport to City Center Guide for 100E and 200E routes, journey times, stops, taxis and the best option for your hotel.
Where to Buy Budapest Transport Tickets
Visitors have several convenient ways to buy official BKK tickets and travelcards.
BudapestGO App
BudapestGO is BKK’s official journey-planning and ticketing app. You can buy mobile tickets and travelcards, plan journeys and check service information.
Mobile tickets still need to be used according to their digital validation rules. Simply purchasing a ticket in the app does not necessarily mean you can ignore the boarding or validation procedure.
BKK Ticket Machines
BKK ticket vending machines are available throughout Budapest and operate around the clock. They accept bank cards and cash and are a straightforward option if you prefer paper products.
Customer Service Centres and Ticket Offices
BKK customer service centres and ticket offices sell official tickets and passes, including at useful visitor locations such as Budapest Airport.
Budapest Pay&GO
Budapest Pay&GO allows bank-card purchase and validation of supported ticket products at equipped locations. It is particularly useful for the 100E Airport Express, where the standard airport ticket can be purchased using the onboard Pay&GO device.
Onboard single tickets: where onboard purchase from the driver is available, the single ticket costs more than buying the standard 500 HUF ticket in advance. Buying before boarding is generally the simpler strategy.
How to Validate Budapest Transport Tickets
Buying the correct ticket is only part of the process. If your fare product requires validation, you must validate it correctly before or when starting the journey.
| Product | What to do |
|---|---|
| Paper single ticket | Validate before entering the metro paid area or when boarding street-level transport |
| Mobile single ticket | Follow the BudapestGO validation procedure before travel |
| 30/90-minute ticket | Validate at the start and scan again when transferring to another line as required; metro-to-metro transfers do not require a new scan |
| Paper 24/72-hour travelcard | No separate validation after purchase; travel only during the printed validity period |
| Mobile 24/72-hour travelcard | Follow the BudapestGO boarding/display procedure at controlled entrances or front-door boarding services |
Ticket inspections are common. Keep your valid ticket, mobile product or travelcard available until you have completed the journey.
Common Budapest Ticket Mistakes
- Using a normal single ticket on 100E: the Airport Express has its own ticket rules.
- Confusing 100E and 200E: 100E uses the special airport fare, while 200E is part of the regular BKK system.
- Assuming one single ticket allows bus-to-tram transfers: normal single tickets generally cover one street-level vehicle only.
- Buying another ticket when changing metro lines: a single ticket can cover metro-to-metro transfers during the same permitted journey.
- Not validating a single ticket: purchasing a ticket does not replace required validation.
- Forgetting to revalidate a time-based ticket when transferring: follow the required scan procedure for 30- and 90-minute mobile tickets.
- Buying too many individual tickets: compare the 24-hour or 72-hour travelcard if you expect frequent journeys.
- Assuming Budapest automatically caps your fare: visitors generally need to choose the appropriate fare product themselves.
FAQ – Budapest Transport Tickets
How much is a public transport ticket in Budapest?
A standard adult single ticket costs 500 HUF. It normally covers one uninterrupted journey on one vehicle, with an exception for transfers between metro lines during the same permitted journey.
How much is a Budapest metro ticket?
A standard single ticket costs 500 HUF and can be used on the Budapest metro. The same ticket can cover transfers between metro lines during the same journey without leaving the paid network.
Can I transfer with a single ticket in Budapest?
Normally not between separate street-level vehicles. For example, changing from a bus to a tram usually requires another single ticket. Transfers between metro lines are an exception during the same permitted metro journey.
What is the difference between a single ticket and a 30-minute ticket?
A single ticket normally covers one vehicle, while the 30-minute ticket allows transfers between eligible BKK services during its transfer window.
How much is a 30-minute Budapest ticket?
The 30-minute ticket costs 600 HUF.
How much is a 90-minute Budapest ticket?
The 90-minute ticket costs 850 HUF.
Can I use the same ticket on the metro, tram and bus?
Regular BKK fare products can be used across the covered network, but the rules depend on the product. A single ticket does not normally let you transfer freely between separate vehicles; time-based tickets and travelcards provide greater flexibility.
How much is the 24-hour Budapest travelcard?
The 24-hour Budapest travelcard costs 2,750 HUF and provides unlimited covered travel for 24 hours from the selected start time.
Is the 24-hour Budapest travelcard worth it?
If comparing only with 500 HUF single tickets, six separate rides would cost 3,000 HUF, making the 2,750 HUF travelcard cheaper. It can also be worthwhile for convenience when making several journeys.
How much is the 72-hour Budapest travelcard?
The 72-hour Budapest travelcard costs 5,750 HUF and provides unlimited covered travel for 72 hours from the selected start time.
Is the 72-hour Budapest travelcard worth it?
It is a strong option for an active three-day visit. It costs much less than buying three separate 24-hour travelcards and removes the need to buy individual city tickets repeatedly.
Does the 72-hour Budapest travelcard include the 100E Airport Express?
No. The normal 72-hour Budapest travelcard is not by itself valid for travel on the 100E Airport Express. The 100E uses its own special airport fare rules.
Does the 24-hour Budapest travelcard include the 100E?
No. The normal 24-hour Budapest travelcard is not by itself valid on the 100E Airport Express.
How much is the 100E airport bus ticket?
The standard 100E airport shuttle bus single ticket costs 2,500 HUF.
Can pass holders get a cheaper 100E ticket?
Holders of specified eligible Budapest passes, Pest County Passes or Hungary Passes can purchase the 1,000 HUF add-on airport shuttle ticket. Eligibility conditions apply.
Does a normal Budapest ticket work on bus 200E?
Yes. The 200E is part of the regular BKK public transport network and accepts appropriate regular tickets, travelcards and passes.
Do I need to validate a Budapest single ticket?
Yes. Paper single tickets must be validated before entering the paid metro area or when boarding other covered services. Mobile tickets must be used according to the app’s validation instructions.
Do I need to validate a paper 24-hour or 72-hour travelcard?
No separate validation is required after purchase. The travelcard is valid for the period printed or selected when it is purchased and must be shown during inspection.
Can I buy Budapest transport tickets with a bank card?
Yes. BKK ticket vending machines accept bank cards, and supported Pay&GO devices also allow card payment for certain products.
Do I need BudapestGO to use public transport?
No. BudapestGO is convenient for mobile tickets and journey planning, but you can also buy tickets and travelcards from BKK ticket machines, ticket offices and other official sales points.
Can two people share one Budapest travelcard?
Do not assume that one travelcard can be shared. Mobile 24-hour and 72-hour Budapest travelcards are non-transferable and are intended for the person associated with the ticket.
What happens if I do not validate my ticket?
If your ticket requires validation and you travel without validating it correctly, it may be treated as invalid during inspection and you can be subject to a penalty fare.
Final Recommendation
For occasional travel, keep Budapest ticketing simple. Use a 500 HUF single ticket for one direct journey, or choose a 30- or 90-minute ticket when you need to transfer between vehicles.
For a busy sightseeing day, the 2,750 HUF 24-hour travelcard is convenient and becomes cheaper than six separate 500 HUF tickets. For an active three-day visit, the 5,750 HUF 72-hour travelcard is usually the simplest unlimited option.
Treat airport travel separately: the 100E Airport Express costs 2,500 HUF at the standard fare, while the 200E uses regular BKK ticket rules.
For the actual airport journey, stops and transfer options, see our Budapest Airport to City Center Guide. For using Budapest’s metro, trams and buses once you are in the city, see our How to Use Public Transport in Budapest Guide.