Is There Uber in Budapest? Best Taxi Apps in Hungary (2024)

WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS UBER IN BUDAPEST?

You’ve come to the right place! I am originally from Budapest and although I don’t live there anymore, I still get to visit about once a year.

The short answer is that yes, as of June 2024, there is Uber in Budapest! The advantage of Uber is that you can easily book a taxi through their app however, in Hungary it operates with the same prices as all other regular taxis.

While Uber is known as a taxi company with one of the most affordable rates worldwide, in Hungary it operates with fares of a regular taxi. If you come as a tourist to Hungary, you might not notice it as the Hungarian currency is weak in comparison to USD, GBP or EUR but it is something to be aware of.

Nevertheless, booking an Uber is still quick and easy. If you already have the app on your phone in your hometown, you can use the same app in Hungary. Once you log in while in Hungary, the app will automatically update the location to Hungary.

So, here is everything you need to know about Uber in Budapest, other taxis apps and the best ways to get around!

Uber in Budapest

Uber is back to Hungary since June 2024, but there are also other taxi companies 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.

CityTaxi and FőTaxi are 2 of the major Hungarian taxi companies. You can book a taxi through their apps, but usually they have contracts with hotels, so if you stay in a hotel, you can just ask at the reception to book a taxi for you. You can also pre-book taxis using their apps, such as if you have to go to the airport.

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.

The advantage of Uber and Bolt in Budapest is that you can use their apps to easily book taxis. Keep in mind that they have the same price as if you take a regular taxi. The Hungarian currency is very weak in comparison to USD, EUR and GBP, and so the taxi prices in Hungary are still considered cheaper than in western Europe.

If you don’t want to book a taxi through an app, you can also just hail any taxi and if they are free, they will take you. All taxis should go on the meter, so don’t take a taxi if the driver doesn’t want to switch the meter on.

Taxi Apps in Budapest

There are 4 taxi apps in Budapest: Uber, Bolt, City Taxi, FőTaxi. Uber and Bolt work only in Budapest, while City Taxi has taxis in other bigger Hungarian cities such as Debrecen and Pécs.

Uber and Bolt are easy to book through their apps but they cost the same as all other taxi companies in Budapest.

Uber in Budapest

• Available: Budapest
• Uber on the Apple Store, Uber on Google Play

Bolt in Budapest

• Available: Budapest
• Bolt on the Apple Store, Bolt on Google Play

City Taxi in Budapest

• Available: Budapest, Debrecen, Pécs
• City Taxi on the Apple Store, City Taxi on Google Play

FőTaxi in Budapest

• Available: Budapest, Budapest Airport
• FőTaxi on the Apple Store, FőTaxi on Google Play

How Much Does the Taxi Cost in Hungary?

Before diving into the taxi prices in Hungary, make sure to exchange some money into the Hungarian currency for your trip to Hungary. Hungary is part of the EU but the currency of euro was never introduced.

The currency used in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). The exchange rate in 2024 is approximately 1 USD = 360 HUF.

Price of Uber in Hungary

Uber is known as the affordable taxi company around the world. It is worth noting that as Uber operated under FőTaxi (a Hungarian taxi company), the rates of Uber is the same as if you were going to take a regular taxi.

Taxi Prices in Budapest for Uber/Bolt/FőTaxi/City Taxi

Now that Uber is back in Hungary, there are 4 taxi companies operating in Hungary (Uber, Bolt, City Taxi and FőTaxi) and they all have the same fare:

• Base fare: HUF 1,100 (USD 3)
• Price/km: 440 HUF/ km (USD 1,20)
• Waiting fee: 110 HUF/ minute (USD 0,30)

Pros and Cons of Uber in Budapest

Pros

• Easy to book
• Uber app is global, so if you have already use it in your home country, you can use Uber in Hungary with the same app. The app will automatically update the location to Budapest

Cons

• The prices are actually the same as if you were taking a regular taxi. It is due to that Uber is operating under a Hungarian taxi company (FőTaxi) and Uber in Hungary falls under the same laws and rules like all the other taxi companies.

Taxis at the Budapest Airport

The only taxi company that operates at the Budapest Airport is the FőTaxi company. There is a taxi booth right outside the airport after you exit the airport building. The easiest is to book a taxi there.

The price of taxi is around USD 30 from the Budapest Airport to the city centre.

Shuttle Bus from Budapest Airport to City Centre

If you don’t want to take a taxi, there are also shuttle buses from the Budapest Airport to the city centre frequently.

The Budapest Airport shuttle bus is the Bus 100E. It takes about 40 minutes and costs HUF 2,200 (USD 6) to get to the Budapest city centre.

After you exit the airport building, just turn left and walk a little bit – then you will see the Bus 200.

Booking a Taxi for a Day of Sightseeing in Budapest

If you are short on time, you can also book a taxi in Budapest for a few hours to take you around the most famous tourist attractions. This is the best option if you have limited time and want to see as much of Budapest in one day as possible.

If you book a taxi to tour the main tourist attractions in Budapest, the taxi drivers usually calculates the price based on the base fare and waiting time.

Generally, the taxi will take you to around 5 attractions in about 2 hours with spending about 5-10 minutes at each attraction.

The taxi price comes up to around USD 16/hour. If you want to spend more time at each tourist attractions, you can always negotiate it with the taxi driver.

If you want to book a taxi for the day, you can inquire at your hotel or just hail a taxi and negotiate it with the driver.

Are Taxis Safe in Budapest?

Yes, it is safe to use taxis in Hungary! Budapest is a safe city with low levels of crime.

It is also safe for solo female travellers and while as everywhere you should remain cautious, Hungary is known as a safe place for solo travellers.

The only thing to be careful is that when you hail a regular taxi, sometimes taxi drivers might try to take advantage of foreigners and quote a higher price for the taxi fare. For this reason, booking a taxi through your hotel or through taxi apps like (Uber and Bolt) is more reliable as the taxi fare is already set.

Taking a Taxi at Night in Budapest

Taking a taxi at night in Budapest is safe. While you should remain cautious, it is safe to take taxis at night even for solo female travellers.

Taxi drivers might try to ask a more expensive price for the taxi fare but that’s the worst that can happen.

Public Transport in Budapest

The public transport in Budapest is well-connected and an affordable way to get around the city. Budapest’s transport system includes metro lines, buses, trams, trolley buses and HEV trains.

There is even a public boat that runs along the River Danube similar to that of the cruises in Budapest.

On the other hand, the city centre of Budapest can also be explored on foot 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!

Budapest on Foot

The city centre of Budapest can also be walked and there are many tourist attractions that are in close walking distance to each other. Budapest is a walkable city, so if you like to explore new places on foot, Budapest is a good place to do so!

Here are some routes to historical sites in Budapest that are in easy walking distance to each other:

• Option 1: Deak Ferenc tér – Bazilica – Parliament – Shoes on the River Danube
• Option 2: Deak Ferenc tér – cross the Chain Bridge – take the Funicular to Buda Castle – Buda Castle – Fisherman’s Bastion/Matthias Church
• Option 3: Fisherman’s Bastion/Matthias Church – Buda Castle – Gellért Hill/Citadella – Gellert Bath
• Option 4: Opera – House of Terror – Heroes’ Square – City Park and Vajdahunyad Castle

FAQs: Uber in Budapest

Do they have Uber in Hungary?

Yes, as of June 2024, Uber is available in Hungary. It operates under the FőTaxi company in Hungary and it is only available in Budapest.

While the taxi fare for Uber is the same as if taking a regular taxi in Budapest, Uber provides a quick and easy way to book taxis in Budapest.

Is Lyft available in Hungary?

No, Lyft is not available in Hungary. However, there are other taxi apps, such as Bolt and Uber that you can use in Budapest.

Is there Bolt in Hungary?

Yes, there is Bolt in Budapest. Bolt is quick and easy to book and works just like Uber or other taxi apps.

Are taxis expensive in Hungary?

Taxis in Hungary are considered cheaper than in many Western European countries. The price of taxi for all taxi companies in Hungary (including Uber and Bolt) are:

• Base fare: HUF 1,100 (USD 3)
• Price/km: 440 HUF/ km (USD 1,20)
• Waiting fee: 110 HUF/ minute (USD 0,30)

How much is a taxi from the Budapest Airport to the city centre?

The price of taxi from the Budapest Airport to the city centre is around USD 30 and it takes up to 30 minutes to get to the city centre.

The only taxi company that operates at the Budapest Airport is FőTaxi and they have a taxi booth outside the airport where you can book your taxi.

Do you need cash for taxis in Budapest?

You can pay both by cash or card for taxis in Budapest. Taxi drivers tend to prefer cash but the option for card payment is also available in every taxi.

If you don’t have the Hungarian currency, you can also pay by USD, EUR or GBP to the taxi drivers, they generally tend to accept all other major currencies.

Is there Uber in Budapest?

Yes, as of June 2024, Uber is available in Budapest. It operates under the FőTaxi company in Hungary.

While the taxi fare for Uber is the same as if taking a regular taxi in Budapest, Uber provides a quick and easy way to book taxis in Budapest.

What taxi apps are available in Budapest?

The two taxi apps that are available in Budapest are Uber and Bolt. Uber and Bolt provide a quick and easy way to order taxis in Budapest.

If you have Uber or Bolt already downloaded in your home country, you will be able to use the same app in Hungary. Once you open the app, it will automatically update the location to Budapest.

Is Bolt available in Budapest?

Yes, Bolt is available in Budapest. For a long time, Bolt was the only taxi app available in Budapest, however, Uber was reintroduced to Hungary in June 2024 and now both Bolt and Uber are available.

Can I get an Uber from the Budapest Airport?

No, Uber does not oprate at the Budapest Airport. The only taxi company that operates at the Budapest Airport is the FőTaxi company and it has a taxi booth at the airport where you can book a taxi.

The price of taxi from the Budapest Airport to the city centre costs around USD 30.

How do I get a taxi in Budapest?

To book a taxi in Budapest you can either book through a taxi app (Uber, Bolt), book a taxi at your hotel or hail a regular taxi.

The taxis in Budapest have yellow colour and you will easily spot them.

Conclusion

To answer the question “Is there Uber in Budapest?” The short answer is that yes, as of June 2024, there is Uber in Hungary! It operates with the same prices as all other regular taxis in Hungary.

While Uber is known as a taxi company with one of the most affordable rates worldwide, in Hungary it operates with fares of a regular taxi. If you come as a tourist to Hungary, you might not notice it as the Hungarian currency is very weak in comparison to USD, GBP or EUR but it is something to be aware of.

Nevertheless, booking an Uber is still quick and easy. If you already have the app on your phone in your hometown, you can use the same app in Hungary. Once you log in while in Hungary, the app will automatically update the location to Hungary.