Is Budapest Walkable? (+4 Walking Routes to Tourist Attractions!)
Are you wondering “Is Budapest walkable”?
You’ve come to the right place! I am originally from Budapest and although I have been living abroad for about 15 years, I make it back home about once a year.
The good news is that yes, Budapest is walkable, and if you are staying in the city centre, there are many tourist attractions that you can explore on foot!
The public transport system in Budapest is well-connected and if you get too tired of walking, you can always switch to public transport or hail a taxi.
Many tourist attractions are located close to each other and below I have listed 4 routes that you can easily walk in Budapest.
So, here is everything you need to know about walking in Budapest!
Is Budapest Walkable?
Yes, Budapest is a walkable city and there are many tourist attractions close to each other that you can explore on foot.
The city centre of Budapest has well-built pavements for pedestrians and the pedestrian crossings are clearly marked including with traffic lights. In Budapest, most people follow the traffic lights and you don’t see a lot of people crossing the road if the traffic light is red for pedestrians.
Sidewalks in Budapest
The sidewalks are well-developed in the city centre in Budapest and you will be able to walk pretty much everywhere as long as you don’t get too tired.
Pedestrian Crossings in Budapest
The pedestrian crossings are well marked and there are also traffic lights in the city centre. In the suburbs you will only find the zebra crossing but the traffic is very low in the suburbs of Budapest, so in case you are there, you can just cross when there are no cars coming.
The traffic lights in the city centre of Budapest are well marked for pedestrians and usually people tend to wait for the green light even if there are no cars coming.
Cars don’t always stop for pedestrians if it is just a zebra crossing though so you should watch out. I definitely noticed in recent years that cars stop more often for pedestrians but it is not like in Western Europe where all cars stop for pedestrians at the zebra crossing.
Air Quality
The air quality is generally good in Budapest. There is no need for face masks to protect you from air pollution or dust.
There are many trees alongside the roads in Budapest and there are some parks too which is nice if you want to go for a picnic.
Download the AirQuality App (Apple Store, Google) in case you want to follow the air quality in Budapest.
Rainwater Drains
The infrastructure for rainwater is generally well-built and it can withstand a lot of rain. So it is rare to have flooded roads in Budapest.
Sometimes the road right next to the River Danube is closed in the Spring if the river starts to overflow but it does not affect the whole city.
Pros and Cons of Walking in Budapest
Pros
- Explore new places, “get lost”, easier to see everyday life in Budapest
- Extensive pedestrian pavements
- Many tourist attractions are close to each other
- Extensive public transport if you get tired of walking
Cons
- Watch out at pedestrian crossing as if there are no traffic lights but only the zebra crossings, not all cars stop for pedestrians
Walking Routes to Tourist Attractions in Budapest
The city centre of Budapest can also be walked and there are many tourist attractions that are in close walking distance to each other. If you like to explore new places on foot, Budapest is definitely a good place to do so!
- Option 1: Deák Ferenc tér – Bazilica – Shoes on the River Danube – Parliament – Margaret Island
- Option 2: Deák Ferenc tér – cross the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd/Bridge) – take the Funicular to Buda Castle – Buda Castle – Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church
- Option 3: Fisherman’s Bastion/Matthias Church – Buda Castle – Gellért Hill/Citadella – Gellért Thermal Bath
- Option 4: Opera – House of Terror – Heroes’ Square – City Park + Vajdahunyad Castle – Széchényi Thermal Bath
Offline Map Apps for Walking in Budapest
There are 2 offline map apps that are great for navigation. Maps.me and Mapy.cz are best if you go trekking or hiking but you can also use them for city walks.
Before coming to Budapest, download one of these apps. To be able to use the offline map version, first you should select Budapest and download its map.
After you download the map, you will be able to use it offline even if you are not connected to wifi or have your data turned off. It will help you navigate as you explore the tourist attractions without having to use internet.
Maps.me
Mapy.cz
Is It Safe to Walk in Budapest?
Yes, it is safe to walk in Budapest. Budapest is considered as a safe city and it is very rare for any crimes to happen. You should still remain cautious and look after your belongings but generally you do not have to worry.
Is it safe to walk alone at night in Budapest?
Budapest is considered safe however, you should still remain cautious. If you stay in the city centre and you only have to walk a short distance, it is fine. If it is a longer distance, it is better to take a taxi back to your hotel.
District VIII has a bad reputation and is probably the only district where you would have to be extremely cautious at night. However, most of the hotels for tourists are located in other districts that have good safety records.
Public Transport in Budapest
It is great to explore Budapest on foot but in case you get tired, Budapest’s public transport is extensive and affordable. The public transport system in Budapest includes metro lines, buses, trams, trolley buses and HEV trains.
There are various options for tickets for the public transport, with the single ticket costing HUF 450 (USD 1.20). There are also some options to buy a Budapest Card for a few days, depending on how long you are staying.
Taxis in Budapest
The main taxi companies in Hungary are City Taxi, FőTaxi, Bolt and Uber. They mainly operate in Budapest, while you can also find City Taxi in bigger cities in the countryside, such as Debrecen or Pécs.
Bolt has been the only taxi app similar to Uber for years in Hungary, but ultimately, Uber has been reintroduced to Budapest in June 2024.
Bolt and Uber are generally known as the affordable taxi companies worldwide, however, in Hungary, they operate with the same rates as other Hungarian taxi companies.
FAQs: Is Budapest Walkable?
Can I walk everywhere in Budapest?
You can walk everywhere in Budapest as long as you don’t get too tired. While many tourist attractions are close to each other and can be explored on foot, the city is still pretty big and you may need to take public transport to get from one place to the other.
Can you get around Budapest without a car?
Yes, you can get around Budapest without a car. Budapest has an extensive public transport system and once you get to the city centre, many of the places can be explored on foot.
Is Budapest friendly to American tourists?
Budapest is friendly to all tourists, including American tourists. People are generally friendly towards tourists in Budapest and the younger generation also speaks good English so you will be able to get by easily.
Is Budapest pedestrian friendly?
Yes, Budapest is pedestrian friendly. There are many sidewalks in the city centre of Budapest which makes it easy to walk from one place to the next.
On some of the bigger crossings, there are also traffic lights that mark clearly when it is time for pedestrians to cross.
What’s the best way to get around Budapest?
The best way to get around Budapest is by public transport, taxi, by own car or on foot. The public transport in Budapest is extensive and makes it easy to get around Budapest.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Budapest is a walkable city and there are many tourist attractions close to each other that you can explore on foot.
The city centre of Budapest has well-built pavements for pedestrians and the pedestrian crossings are clearly marked including with traffic lights.
In case you get tired, Budapest also has an extensive public transport system that includes metro lines, buses, trams, trolley buses and HEV trains.
Apart from the public transport, there are also many taxis in Budapest that offer a comfortable and quick way to get around the city.
Hungary Trip Planning
Book your flight to Hungary: Check out Skyscanner or Kiwi.com to find the best flights deals!
Book Your Accommodation for Hungary: Are you looking for accommodation? Booking.com has everything from budget to luxury accommodation. For the cheapest places, check out Hostelworld.com.
Book Tours and Activities for Hungary: GetYourGuide and Viator have a vast number of tours and day trip activities all around the world. Check out their website and book your activity!
Get Travel Insurance for Hungary: It is always good to be on the safe side when travelling. SafetyWing is one of the most affordable international travel insurance and you can book it even after you have already started your trip.
Get Your Travel Cards: Whenever I am abroad, I always use travel cards Wise and Revolut. They have multiple currencies available, you can use it in shops and restaurants. The great thing is that they have the best exchange rates!
Looking for other tips to make travel easier? Check out my complete list of travel resources that have been my go-to companies when abroad or planning a trip.
