Budapest City
Taxi Rides

Budapest, the “City of Spas” has more than 118 hot springs and centuries old natural thermal baths and is made up of 3 cities: Buda and Óbuda on the west bank of the Danube and Pest on the east bank. Stunning architecture, vital folk art, and Europe's most exciting capital after dark are what will keep you entertained while visiting.

Finding a taxi in Budapest is quick and easy, once you learn the difference between an illegal taxi and the official one. Taxis are yellow, have government-regulated pricing based on a taximeter, and usually have the shared "TAXI" sign on top. However, to spot an official Budapest taxi, you have to look for the yellow license plate and an official company logo on the front door.

All taximeters are equipped with a receipt-printing function, displaying the fares charged and identification of the driver. You can either hail a taxi on the street, walk to a taxi rank, or make a phone booking with one of the many companies operating in the city. Larger companies usually have lower rates so it is always better to make a booking to avoid overcharging and unexpected fees.

There is a basic fee (700 HUF) and a charge per kilometer (300 HUF/km). The price for waiting time is 75 HUF/min. Once in the car, make sure the taximeter has is set to the base fare of 700 HUF (2.17€). Not all drivers in Budapest speak fluent English so the best would be to write your exact destination on a paper, to avoid any misunderstandings.

With government-regulated companies, the cost of a ride in Budapest is way below the average for European cities, and there’s no increase in fares for rides at night. No extra cost for luggage or multiple passengers applies. A ride to the city center should typically cost around 7200 HUF (26 EUR) depending on traffic conditions.