Posted by Budapest has four metro lines, M1 to M4. For visitors, the network is a fast way to connect the historic centre, major railway stations and several important sights. M1 is itself a piece of transport history, while the other lines are practical links across the city. The ticket rules deserve attention: on a metro journey you validate before entering the paid area, and a single ticket allows some transfers but not an unlimited day of travel.
At a glance: Budapest metro
- Lines: M1 yellow, M2 red, M3 blue and M4 green.
- Main interchange: Deák Ferenc tér for M1, M2 and M3.
- Historic line: M1 opened in 1896.
- Tickets: validate a paper single ticket before entering the metro paid area.
- Newer payment option: BKK Pay&GO is available at the entrances to all four lines; follow the machine instructions.
- Current routes and hours: check BKK or BudapestGO, especially for late journeys and disruptions.
The four metro lines explained
M1: the historic yellow line
M1 runs under Andrássy Avenue from the central Vörösmarty tér area towards Mexikói út. Opened in 1896, it is an early underground railway on the European continent and an attraction in its own right. Its smaller stations and trains differ noticeably from the later lines. Stops serve places such as the Opera area, Oktogon and Heroes’ Square. Use M1 for the Heroes’ Square guide and nearby City Park.
The line is useful for a sightseeing sequence along Andrássy Avenue, but some stations have accessibility limitations. If step-free travel is important, consult BKK’s station-specific information before choosing M1. A short journey can also be made on foot above ground if you want to see the avenue rather than pass beneath it.
M2: east to west through the centre
M2 connects Keleti railway station with the city centre, crosses beneath the Danube and continues towards the Buda side. It serves Deák Ferenc tér and Kossuth Lajos tér, which is useful for the Parliament. It can save time when you are moving between Pest and Buda, though the best final connection may still be a tram or bus.
Keleti is an important rail arrival point, but it is not the only Budapest railway station. Check which station your train actually uses. The metro line colour and number are more reliable to follow than translating a place name from a booking confirmation.
M3: the north–south blue line
M3 runs broadly north–south through Pest and serves major interchange points including Deák Ferenc tér, Kálvin tér and Nyugati railway station. Its long reconstruction programme has been completed, but temporary service changes can still occur on any line. M3 is particularly useful for reaching areas that are too far for a comfortable city-centre walk.
For the airport, do not assume that the metro goes to the terminal. A common route uses M3 to Kőbánya-Kispest and then an airport bus, while the 100E airport express follows a different route and ticket arrangement. The Budapest airport guide helps compare these options; check BKK for current service.
M4: the green line between Pest and Buda
M4 opened in 2014. It links Keleti railway station with Kelenföld on the Buda side and includes important central stops such as Kálvin tér and Fővám tér. Use Fővám tér for the Great Market Hall and the southern end of Váci utca. M4 offers another cross-river route when walking over a bridge is not convenient.
Stations on M4 have a more modern design than M1’s small historic platforms. Allow a little time to move between the deep platforms and street exits. The station that is geographically nearest on a map may not always have the exit best suited to your walking route.
How to use a metro ticket correctly
Budapest public transport is organised by BKK. You can buy several ticket types, including single tickets, time-based tickets, travelcards and passes. Prices and products can change, so use the official BKK ticket overview for the current choice. The public transport guide explains when metro, tram or bus makes the most sense.
With a paper single ticket, validate it at a machine at the metro entrance before crossing into the paid area. BKK says that a single ticket permits transfers between metro lines during one uninterrupted journey, but not a return trip in the opposite direction or an interruption after leaving the metro area. Do not stamp the same ticket again just because you change from M1 to M2 within the permitted continuous journey. Other ticket products have different conditions; read the instructions for your specific product.
Digital tickets can require scanning a code or using an NFC validation point in the BudapestGO app. Buying a ticket on your phone is not always the same as validating it for travel. Keep your phone charged and be ready to show the valid ticket if inspected. Paper travelcards and passes also have their own presentation rules, especially if tied to an identity document.
Pay&GO bank-card purchase
In 2026 BKK expanded its Pay&GO system to all four metro lines. At participating metro entrances, a bank card can purchase and validate the appropriate single ticket in one tap at the dedicated device. This is a specific BKK machine, not a general rule that any card reader or station gate creates a ticket. Read the screen, use the correct card and retain the means of proving the transaction to an inspector as instructed by BKK.
The Pay&GO airport express product is distinct from an ordinary metro single ticket. Do not assume that a metro ticket covers the special 100E service. If you need a day of repeated journeys, compare a pass or time-based ticket with individual purchases. BKK’s Pay&GO information explains the current rules and coverage.
Where to stay for easy metro access
Deák Ferenc tér is a useful interchange for a first city visit. A hotel near a different line can be just as practical if it serves the sights you plan to visit. Compare the station walk as well as the room price.
Useful metro stops for sightseeing
Deák Ferenc tér: interchange between three lines and a useful starting point for central Pest. Vörösmarty tér: M1 terminus close to the pedestrian shopping area. Hősök tere: M1 stop for Heroes’ Square and City Park. Kossuth Lajos tér: M2 stop for Parliament. Fővám tér: M4 stop for the Market Hall. Kálvin tér: interchange between M3 and M4. These are route-planning examples, not a promise that every sight is immediately beside the platform.
The St Stephen’s Basilica and the Danube riverfront are often best reached by a short walk after leaving the metro. The Chain Bridge is another central landmark where the final section is above ground. Combine metro with walking instead of trying to find a station at every attraction.
For Margaret Island, the metro is not a direct island service. Use other public transport and a bridge approach after checking the route. Our Margaret Island guide covers the destination. Budapest’s trams are also sights in their own right on some routes and may offer a better view of the river than an underground journey.
Operating times, frequency and night travel
Metro trains operate daily, but exact first and last departures depend on line, station, direction and day. Older articles often give a single daily interval such as “4:30 to 23:30”; that can be misleading when a specific late connection matters. Check BKK timetables or the BudapestGO planner for your actual route. Service notices can announce replacement buses, changed platforms or shortened operation.
At night, other public transport services may take over after the metro stops. If your hotel is far from the centre, plan the return journey before a late dinner or event. Night buses can have different stopping patterns from the metro. Taxis are an option, but check the fare and use a legitimate service. A day ticket does not make the metro run all night.
At busy hours, allow extra time at interchange passages. Deák Ferenc tér, Keleti and Kálvin tér can be crowded. Keep bags in view and stand clear of doors. When travelling with luggage, check whether your preferred station exit has a lift or whether another route is easier.
Accessibility and travelling with children
Accessibility differs by line and station. Modern M4 facilities and the reconstructed M3 offer useful options, but do not assume every platform, exit or connecting corridor is step-free. Historic M1 has particular constraints. BKK’s accessibility information should be checked for the precise stations and direction you need.
Strollers can be awkward on stairs and escalators. Use lifts where available and keep children close on platforms. Visitors with a wheelchair should plan the full trip, including street-level exits and any connecting bus, not simply check that the line appears on an accessible network map. Temporary lift outages can alter an otherwise workable route.
Three simple visitor routes
Historic centre and Heroes’ Square
Begin at Vörösmarty tér and ride M1 under Andrássy Avenue to Hősök tere. Walk around Heroes’ Square and continue into City Park if the weather suits. You can return on M1 or choose a surface route to see more of the avenue. This is a straightforward introduction to the oldest metro line, but it still requires a valid ticket even if you ride only a few stops.
Rail arrival to the Market Hall
If your train arrives at Keleti, M4 runs towards Fővám tér. Leave the station for the Great Market Hall, then continue on foot through the pedestrian area towards Vörösmarty tér. This route uses the metro for the less interesting transfer and saves walking for the centre. Check luggage storage or leave bags at your accommodation before a long market visit. A packed train with large suitcases is less pleasant for you and other passengers.
Parliament and the river
M2 serves Kossuth Lajos tér for Parliament. From there, the memorial and riverfront are reached on foot. Continue towards the Chain Bridge if you have time, or return by another station or tram. Keep the layout in mind: following a landmark on a map may involve a detour to a legal crossing rather than a straight line across a busy road.
Common mistakes to avoid
The first is confusing ticket purchase with validation. A ticket bought from a machine can still need a separate stamp or digital activation before travel. The second is treating every single ticket as valid for an entire hop-on, hop-off day. The third is assuming that a special airport bus and a normal metro ride share the same ticket. Read the named product’s conditions; inspectors do not waive a rule because a visitor misunderstood a machine.
A fourth mistake is assuming the line shown nearest your hotel gives the easiest airport or railway-station connection. An interchange, street crossing and station lift can make another route more comfortable. Use BudapestGO with the hotel’s exact address, then confirm the last departure if travelling late. For a short stay, a central hotel can reduce the number of rides you need, but a well-connected neighbourhood outside the core may offer better value.
Finally, leave time to explore above ground. Budapest’s metro is useful, but attractions such as the Danube, bridges and historic squares are best appreciated on foot. A few well-chosen rides between neighbourhoods will often work better than descending underground for every short stretch.
See more of Budapest
The metro is practical for independent travel. A guided walk or Danube cruise can add context once you reach the centre; check where the tour actually begins.
Frequently asked questions
How many metro lines does Budapest have?
Four, numbered M1 through M4. Plans for future extensions do not mean a fifth line is currently available to passengers.
Do I validate a paper ticket before boarding?
Yes. For the metro, validate a paper single ticket at the station entrance before entering the paid area. Check the instructions for a digital, time-based or Pay&GO ticket because the process differs.
Can I change metro lines on one single ticket?
BKK permits changes between metro lines during one uninterrupted journey on a valid single ticket. Leaving the paid area, starting a return journey or switching to other transport can change the rule. Consult BKK’s visitor ticket guide before relying on a particular transfer.
Does the metro go to the airport?
No metro line reaches the terminal directly. Use a bus connection or the separate 100E service as appropriate, and check its ticket requirements.