The Most Useful Mobile Apps in Budapest for Travellers (2025)
Are you looking for the most useful mobile apps in Budapest?
You’ve come to the right place! I am originally from Budapest and there are a couple of apps that make travel and life in Budapest so much easier.
Whether it is to book taxis, order food, learn Hungarian or use a public transport route planner, these apps come handy.
Some of the most useful mobile apps in Hungary are Uber and Bolt for taxis, Foodora and Wolt for ordering food, BudapestGO app for public transport, and Simply Learn for some basics in Hungarian language.
Useful Mobile Apps in Budapest for Travellers
Taxi Apps in Hungary
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.
All the taxis in Hungary have their own apps but if you don’t want to book a taxi through their apps, you can also just hail a regular taxi.
All taxis should go on the meter, so don’t take a taxi if the driver doesn’t want to switch on the meter.
All 4 taxi companies in Budapest use the same taxi fares, whether you book it on their apps, hail it or order it through your hotel:
- Base fare: HUF 1,100 (USD 3)
- Price/km: 440 HUF/ km (USD 1,20)
- Waiting fee: 110 HUF/ minute (USD 0,30)
Uber
- Available: Budapest
- Uber on the Apple Store, Uber on Google Play
Uber is back in Budapest since June 2024. Uber was reintroduced under the FőTaxi company in Hungary and it uses the same taxi fares like any other regular taxi in Budapest.
You might not notice it as the taxi prices are considered cheaper in Budapest than in Western Europe, nevertheless, it is something to be aware of.
If you have already downloaded Uber in your home country, once you get to Hungary, you can use the same app as the location will automatically update to Budapest once you log in.
The advantage of Uber is that their app is easy to use and you can quickly order a taxi wherever you are.
Bolt
- Available: Budapest
- Bolt on Google Play, Bolt on the Apple Store
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 is similar to Uber and once you download their app, it is quick and easy to book taxis.
It also uses the same taxi fares as any other taxi company in Budapest, so while you will not be able to save on taxi prices, you will have the comfort of easily booking taxis on its app.
FőTaxi and CityTaxi
FőTaxi and CityTaxi are the two main taxi companies in Hungary.
They have the same fare and whether you order the taxi through their apps, your hotel, the customer phone line, or just hail one on the street.
The good thing is that you can also pre-order taxis through their apps. After pre-ordering the taxi, you usually get a call from a customer service agent to confirm your order.
- Available: Budapest, Budapest Airport
- FőTaxi on Google Play, FőTaxi on the Apple Store
- Available: Budapest, Debrecen, Pécs
- CityTaxi on Google Play, CityTaxi on the Apple Store
Food Delivery Apps in Hungary
Ordering food in Budapest is super easy and you usually get your order within 1 hour or less. It is only in rare cases that delivery runs late and your food takes more than an hour to arrive.
Two of the biggest food delivery companies are Foodora and Wolt. They have a wide-range of restaurants and food available so you can pick any food you feel like having.
Another food delivery app is Kifli, however, it is more like an online grocery shop and there are many items you can shop through their app.
Foodora
Foodora is one of the most popular apps for food delivery in Hungary. It used to be Foodpanda but then it changed to Foodora.
Funnily, it’s logo still has that bright pink colour that Foodpanda is known for. The options for food is pretty wide-range and the delivery is pretty good too.
Wolt
Wolt is another popular app for food delivery. In a way, Wolt and Foodora supplement each other.
Wolt has slightly different restaurants than Foodora. So, the restaurants you have on Foodora you can’t find on Wolt, and the restaurants you have on Wolt, you can’t find on Foodora.
Kifli
Kifli is more like an online grocery shop.
The name Kifli comes from a typical Hungarian pastry that looks like a roll in a crescent shape.
You can find pretty much everything on Kifli, from fruits and veggies to meat, dairy, plant-based and bakery items. In addition, they also have baby products, cleaning items, and health and beauty products.
Budapest Public Transport App
Budapest GO
Budapest GO is a popular app for public transport in Budapest. You can buy tickets online and then validate your ticket through scanning the code you find on the side of the bus.
When you download the app, you will have to set up your profile and register your bank account details, so you will be able to purchase tickets.
The great thing about the app is that it also has a journey planner option, so you can check how to get around Budapest by buses, metro or the trams.
Renting Scooters in Budapest
Lime
Getting around Budapest by scooter has become very popular in the last few years. You will find scooters available for rent all over Budapest – even in the furthest suburbs of the city.
If you download the Lime app, you will be able to pay for the scooter. Once your time is up, you can leave the scooter wherever you are and the next person will hire it from there.
Apps to Learn Hungarian
Simply Learn Hungarian
The official language in Hungary is the Hungarian language but you don’t have to worry too much as you will be able to get by speaking English in Hungary.
Most of the people in bigger cities and touristy places can speak English language in Hungary, especially the younger generation.
If you spend longer time in Hungary, it may be worth to pick up some Hungarian words. It is very rare for a foreigner to speak Hungarian, so even if you just say 1-2 words in Hungarian, it will make people happy.
Simply Learn has online resources to learn for just about all the languages in the world. This app can help you to pick up some basic vocabulary and phrases for while you are travelling in Hungary.
Offline Map Apps
Even if you can use roaming for free in Budapest or get an Airalo eSIM for internet access, you can also have one of these map apps that also work offline.
Maps.me and Mapy.cz have the options to download maps which then are available to view even if you are offline or not connected to wifi/data.
Maps.me and Mapy.cz work great for trekking and hiking as they have most of the trekking routes available all around the world, however, you can also use them as general maps for getting around cities.
The city centre of Budapest is great to explore on foot as there are many tourist attractions close to each other.
If you have the map for Budapest downloaded in one of these apps, then you can use the map without connecting to internet or using your data.
Maps.me
Mapy.cz
FAQs: Useful Mobile Apps in Hungary
What social media apps are popular in Hungary?
The most popular social media apps in Hungary include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.
Is Whatsapp working in Hungary?
Yes, Whatsapp works in Hungary and is a popular app for text messaging in Hungary.
Does Viber work in Hungary?
Yes, Viber works in Hungary and it is one of the most popular messaging apps after Facebook messenger and Whatsapp.
Is there Uber in Budapest?
Yes, as of June 2024 Uber is back in Budapest. Uber operates under the FőTaxi company in Budapest and it has the same taxi fares as all other taxis in Budapest.
Even if the prices are the same, the advantage of Uber is that it is quick and easy to order taxis through its app. If you already have the app downloaded, you can use the same app in Budapest, the location will automatically update to Hungary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are some popular mobile apps in Hungary that make life so much easier whether you are travelling or living in Hungary.
Whether it is to book taxis, order food, learn Hungarian or use a public transport route planner, these apps come handy.
Some of the most useful mobile apps in Hungary are Uber and Bolt for taxis, Foodora and Wolt for ordering food, BudapestGO app for public transport, and Simply Learn for some basics in Hungarian language.
Hungary Trip Planning
✈️ Book Flights to Hungary:
Find the best flight deals on Skyscanner or Kiwi.com!
🏠 Book Hotels for Hungary:
Booking.com: best budget, mid-range and luxury hotels.
Hostelworld.com: best for cheapest hostels!
(P.S: The best areas in Budapest are District 5 and 6, right in the city center)
🥘 Book Activities for Hungary:
Book the best activities, tours and day trips on GetYourGuide. There is everything from river cruises, thermal baths and walking tours to food tours and pub crawls!
🎒 Get Travel Insurance for Hungary: Be on the safe side and get the SafetyWing Travel Insurance – one of the most affordable international travel insurances!
💳 Get Your Travel Cards: Wise and Revolut have travel cards that you can top up with multiple currencies. They have great exchange rates and you can easily use them for payments in shops and restaurants worldwide.
✅ Check out my complete list of travel resources to plan your trip!
Hungary Quick Guide
How to get from the Budapest Airport to City Center?
The 3 easiest way to get from the Budapest Airport to the city center is by taking the airport shuttle bus, taxi, or pre-booking a private transfer.
For more information, check out how to get from the Budapest Airport to city center here.
Should I get a Hungarian SIM card?
If you don’t get free roaming in Budapest, then the best thing to do is to get an Airalo eSIM for Hungary.
They have packages for 7, 15 or 30 days and the prices are affordable.
Are there any useful mobile apps I can use in Hungary?
Yes! There are a couple of mobile apps that come handy when travelling in Hungary, including apps for booking taxis, using public transport, ordering food, or translating.
Check out my list of the most useful apps in Budapest for travellers.
What is the currency in Budapest? Can I pay by cash or card?
The official currency in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF).
You can use both cash and cards in Budapest. Card payments are widely accepted all over Budapest and it is only the small shops or street vendors that take only cash payments.
Is the public transport good in Budapest?
Yes! The public transport in Budapest is well-connected and affordable.
The main modes of transport in Budapest are the metro, buses, HÉV trains, trolley buses and there are even public boats!
If you want to save some time or comfort, taking a taxi is a good option. When booking a taxi in Budapest, you can either hail a regular taxi or book one through a taxi app (Uber or Bolt).
Can I drink tap water in Budapest?
Yes, it is safe to drink tap water in Budapest (and all across Hungary).
The tap water goes through a strict water treatment process in Hungary which makes it safe to drink for everyone.
Do they speak English in Budapest?
Yes, people speak good English in Budapest, especially the younger generation.
The older population may not speak English that well, so if you have to ask for information, the best is to approach someone who is younger.
In most tourist places, hotels, restaurants and bars, the staff has a good level of English, so you will get by easily.
