Budapest is among the largest cities in Europe, which can make travel feel daunting and overwhelming for anyone who does not know the city well. Most large cities can rely on Uber as a safe means of transportation, but can you use Uber in Budapest?
There is no Uber in Budapest. The taxi union banned Uber in Hungary in 2016. Other transportation options in the city include licensed taxis, a subway system, a bus network, car rental, riverboats, e-bikes, and trolleys. Public transport in Budapest is good and easy to use.
Traveling in Budapest is not as challenging as it seems at first. There are multiple transportation options for traveling long and short distances, many of which are extremely affordable. Here we will explore the best methods to get around Budapest and how to get the best experience traveling in this beautiful city.
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Is There Uber Is Budapest?
Budapest has several transportation methods, but if you are used to using Uber to get around cities, this is not an option in Hungary.
Uber was banned in Hungary in 2016. Hungary has a powerful taxi driver union that managed to force Uber out of the country to reserve the jobs of licensed taxi drivers and services.
Since then, there has been no Uber service in Budapest or elsewhere in Hungary. The same is true for other ride-hailing services such as Lyft.
The lack of Uber means more jobs for licensed taxi drivers, which is a good thing in Budapest. All licensed taxis are required to charge the same rates, as determined by the government, which makes it easy and safe to use a taxi in Budapest.
With that said, several other transportation methods are available, and the lack of Uber is not missed within Budapest by the locals or visitors.
Are There Other Mobility Services In Budapest?
Uber is banned in Budapest, but are other similar services in the city?
The closest alternative to Uber in Budapest is Bolt.
In most countries, Bolt operates in the same way as Uber, but in Hungary, Bolt operates more like a regular licensed taxi.
The Bolt cars are painted yellow, like all other taxis, and drive the same routes. The only difference is that you do not need to go to a taxi station to get a Bolt taxi, nor do you need to hail one from the street, but you can order a Bolt taxi to your location using a smartphone app, similar to Uber.
Bolt taxis must still adhere to the same fee structure as all other licensed taxis, and all drivers must be held to the same standard.
This service is a good way to get around Budapest. It is reliable and fast but can be more expensive than other options.
How To Get Around In Budapest
Uber is not an option in Budapest, and neither is Lyft. Bolt is a good alternative, but there is very little difference between Bolt and other taxi services. What are the other options for moving around in Budapest?
There are several options for getting around in Budapest. Many are extremely affordable, and some are expensive, but there are several options to choose from that will suit your travel and budget requirements.
The best ways to get around in Budapest are:
Use Licensed Taxis
Budapest has several licensed taxi services, all of which provide quick and easy transportation anywhere in the city.
The great thing about taxi services is that there are several types of taxis, ranging in different sized vehicles. This makes it easy to find a vehicle that suits your transport requirements, regardless of the size of your group and how much luggage you have.
The best of these services are shuttles that travel from the airport, which are significantly more affordable than other taxi services.
There are 2 types of licensed Taxis:
1. Company Taxi (Recommended way): You are less likely to get scammed.
2. Freelance Taxi: Not recommended: You got a higher chance of getting scammed.
Use The Subway
The subway in Budapest is excellent. This is the oldest subway in the EU but is among the most reliable and best-kept. The subway is reliable, clean, and safe, making it an excellent way to move through Budapest.
Photo by Kat Sazonova
The prices are very affordable, as a single fare is less than 1 Euro. The subway travels long distances, but several stops along the three route options allow you to get where you are going quickly and easily.
Hire A Car
Car hire is a common way to travel in Budapest, especially for visitors staying in the city for a long while. Car hire is easy but is pricey compared to other options.
Car hire makes sense in Budapest if you know where you are going and if you have a large group to split the costs with. Otherwise, it is usually better to use public transport.
Use An Electric Bicycle
Photo by bike-and-relax.com
Electric bicycles have been prevalent in Budapest since their introduction to the city in 2019. There are many hundreds of electric bikes to rent in the city. All you need in the app, and you can rent an electric bike for almost no money.
Buy a pass to rent an e-bike for a day or a week, or you can be charged by the minute when using the bike if you only want to travel a short distance.
The charged-per-minute option is the most expensive, but these bikes are still very cheap to use. A 30 min ride costs less than 2 Euros.
Take The Bus
The bus system in Budapest is excellent. The buses are large and clean, and they are very easy to use.
There are several bus routes that cost very little to use, and the buses travel everywhere in the city. You can use the Budapest Bus app to plan your routes and find out what times the buses run in the areas you want to travel to.
A bus is an excellent option for shorter travel within Budapest.
Use A Riverboat
Photo by Alexandru C
If you are looking for a more scenic method of transportation, or something a little more adventurous, another option for travel in the city is to use a water boat.
These are only available in the summer, from May to September, but they are an excellent way to travel between the city’s hubs.
River boats are a little more expensive, but they are fun and provide a unique transport experience worth exploring.
Conclusion
Traveling to Budapest is easy if you know how. There are several options to suit all transportation needs and budgets, and there is a way to get to anywhere in the city you need to be without much trouble.
Ask the locals, speak to your hotel staff, or ask your travel agent about the best travel options for you, and you will easily navigate Budapest. Take the subway for longer journeys, use the bus to get around quickly, take a taxi for shorter trips, or jump on an e-bike to feel the breeze as you travel in the city.