The Budapest Card gives travelers free public transportation and discounts for access to a wide range of attractions in Hungary’s capital, Budapest.
Is the Budapest Card worth it if you’re planning to spend three days in Hungary?
The card’s value largely depends on the length of your stay and how you plan to explore the city.
The price includes free public transportation and appealing discounts at key attractions, which can make a difference to your experience.
In addition, many restaurants offer a discount, which can help lower your dining costs.
Discounts with the Budapest Card
Here are some of the places where discounts are available:
- History Museum: free entry
- Museum of Applied Arts: 20% off
- National Gallery: free entry
- Guided tour of the Budapest Opera House: 20% off
- Restaurants: 10% to 20% off with the Budapest Pass
- Unlimited access to the Budapest metro
The Budapest Card provides not only unlimited access to public transportation but also discounts on major attractions. For a more thorough experience of the city, you might also consider a Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing tour, which lets you explore Budapest at your own pace, stopping at the places that interest you most.
Prices
When purchasing the card, you can choose from several options based on the duration of your stay:
- 1 day – €22
- 2 days – €33
- 3 days – €46
- 4 days – €54
- 5 days – €64
As for whether the Budapest Card is worth it, if you’re staying for at least 48 hours and plan to visit museums and use city transport frequently, it can be a valuable option.
Keep in mind, though, that outside of a few free museums and transportation, you’ll need to pay for most other attractions. If you’re only in Budapest for one day or aren’t particularly interested in museums, the cost may not be justified.
One of the best places to buy the card is at the Budapest airport. There’s a sales counter in the terminal, located beyond the car rental booths.
You can also purchase it in advance online. Buying in euros online can save you from foreign currency fees if you’re purchasing from outside Hungary.
When you buy or pick up the card (if purchased online), you’ll receive a guide listing all locations where discounts apply. On the back of the card, you must write the date and time of first use, as this starts the validity period. Be sure to sign it as well.
All of this is important to keep in mind to ensure your return to the airport falls within the card’s validity period.
Places Not Covered by the Budapest Card
The Hungarian Parliament: this is no longer free for EU citizens, and the Budapest Pass does not cover it, so you’ll need to pay separately for a visit. EU citizens are eligible for a discount, though, and it’s definitely a worthwhile experience.
Matthias Church: located next to the Fisherman’s Bastion, this is the traditional coronation site of Hungarian kings and worth a visit.
The funicular: it connects to the castle near the Chain Bridge.
Monument Prices with the Budapest Card
Prices are as follows:
- Hospital in the Rock:
This hospital-bunker, originally established during World War II and later expanded during the Cold War, offers a 20% discount with the Budapest Card.
- Memento Park:
Located on the outskirts of Budapest, this is the famous Statue Park, filled with monumental communist sculptures from Hungary’s Soviet era. You get a 20% discount on entry.
- House of Terror:
Once the headquarters of the communist secret police, this museum offers a 20% discount to Budapest Card holders.
Many say this is the most exquisite and expensive thermal bath in the city. With the Budapest Card, you’ll enjoy a 30% discount at the renowned Gellert Hotel Brasserie.
- Children’s Railway:
Originally known as the Pioneer Railway, this unique attraction is operated by children aged 11 to 14, with adults only handling complex duties. A 50% discount is available with the Budapest Card.
The Budapest Opera House, one of the city’s most stunning architectural gems, offers a 20% discount. It’s a sight not to be missed.
The Budapest Card does not cover certain popular activities, such as cruises along the Danube.
Tips for Your Stay in Budapest
When using the Budapest metro, one of the oldest in the world, you’ll need to show your Budapest Card to the attendants monitoring the entry points, as there are no turnstiles.
On buses, you’re also expected to show your card to the driver, though it’s common for people to board without much scrutiny. The same applies on the tram.
At the reception desks of budget hotels, you can pick up a complimentary Budapest guide, which includes an extensive city map and transportation routes—very useful and often available in Spanish.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what the Budapest Card includes:
- A Budapest Card for your chosen duration.
- Free card delivery to your hotel.
- Free entry to top city museums.
- Access to the Lukács Bath.
- Unlimited public transportation.
- Two guided city tours in English.
- Discounts at over 100 attractions, shops, and restaurants.
During winter, keep an eye out in the train stations, as they are often a place where homeless people seek shelter. Most are harmless, but an occasional encounter with someone a bit too inebriated could be an unwelcome surprise.
To wrap up, let’s talk about language. Hungarian is quite a complex language; however, Budapest is very tourist-friendly, and you’ll generally manage well with English. Most people, especially younger residents, speak English, though older generations may have a harder time.
Without English, getting around would be challenging, as Hungarian names and signs can be almost impossible to decipher.
When to Book?
We recommend booking as early as possible to ensure availability, especially on holiday weekends and public holidays.
Purchase Confirmation: You’ll receive an email with a voucher that you can either print or show on your mobile on the day of your activity.
About the Card Design
Each card features a photo of one of Budapest’s famous bridges on the front. On the back, there is information noting that it is a personal, non-transferable card with marked start and end dates.
Using it is simple: just show the card, and attendants will check the date to confirm it’s valid. When considering whether to buy it, remember that it includes unlimited public transportation, which alone can save you a substantial amount.
In addition, you’ll have access to numerous discounts and free entry to some of the city’s most prominent museums and attractions.
Is It Worth It? Summary and Tips
Now that you know the benefits and limitations, it’s up to you to decide if the Budapest Card is worth it. Each traveler is unique, but overall, it seems like a great option if you want to make the most of your stay and experience the city thoroughly.
Budapest is a sprawling city with much to explore, and while walking is enjoyable, using public transportation—especially the metro, with its historic stations—is highly convenient.
The city itself is a monumental blend of rich history, stemming from its time in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Communist era, still visible in the architecture outside tourist areas and some public transport systems.
In any case, this is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and wandering through its streets and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere is highly recommended, given its extensive cultural offerings.
If your goal is to truly experience Budapest, we suggest purchasing the Budapest Card and immersing yourself in all this forward-looking city has to offer.
We hope this information will be helpful for your trip to Budapest. Regardless of when you visit, you’ll find a stunning city at more accessible prices than in many other European capitals. Dining out and hotel prices, in particular, are generally lower than in other places.
For those interested in shopping tourism, be aware that while Budapest has much to offer, prices can sometimes be unexpectedly high on certain goods. But with that in mind, go and enjoy everything this city offers, which is indeed a lot!
With the Budapest Card, you’ll be able to get around the city quickly, aided by a metro system that, though vintage in appearance, efficiently connects you to all parts of Budapest.
Our best wishes, and enjoy Budapest to the fullest!