Posted by The metro (underground) of Budapest is the only metro system in Hungary. It is one of the oldest subways in the world, only the subways of London and Liverpool are even older. Currently the system consists of 4 lines, a 5th line is planned. The Metro Budapest network is about 40 km long (compared to Berlin 140 km). There are 52 stations on all 4 lines together. So it is not a gigantic underground. However, many of the important sights can be reached by metro in Budapest.
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History Budapest Metro
The short line M1 was already opened in 1896, as the 3rd underground in the world. It was the great time of Hungary, at that time the country was comparatively rich. Line 1 is only 4.4 kilometers long.
The modern line 2 and line 3 were built during the socialism in the 60s and 79s. All 3 old lines meet in the city centre at Deák Ferenc Tér. So from this place you can use the metro in 6 directions.
The new line 4 runs from the big station Keleti pu to the southwest of the city. Opening was in 2014.
The lines not only have numbers but also colors: Line 1 yellow, Line 2 red, Line 3 blue and Line 4 green.
Guided tour of Budapest Castle for only 10 eurosThere are several providers of tours of Budapest Castle. An English-language tour costs only 10 euros and is very good and informative. You can book this castle tour on the German website Getyourguide.de: Click here |
Tickets and prices
You can find an overview of tickets and prices on our Budapest public transport page.
Another line (line 5) is in planning. There are also plans to extend existing lines. Besides the metro, Budapest also has above-ground trains that are integrated into the local transport system.
49 of the 52 metro stations are underground. Almost everywhere there are escalators, elevators are not found in all stations. At the central transfer station Deák Ferenc tér there is a small museum about the subway Budapest.
Tickets are available in the stations, mostly from machines. You have to validate the tickets before the journey.
Budapest subway operating times: Daily from around 4:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. There are no trains at night, not even on weekends.
Boat tours on the Danube in Budapest are very popular among tourists. There are many different offers. Some tourists take a simple 1-hour tour, others an exclusive dinner tour with a 4-course menu. Many of these tours on the Danube can be booked on the great German website Getyourguide.de. Link to booking on Getyourguide