Why Budapest?
Get to know the opportunities of the Hungarian capital!
Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Budapest’s extensive World Heritage Sites include the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second-oldest metro line in the world.
It has around 80 geothermal springs, the world’s largest thermal water cave system, the second largest synagogue in the world, and third largest Parliament building.
These are just couple of highlights about this wonderful and unique city.The most iconic sights are: the Hungarian Parliament, the Buda Castle, the Basilica, Heroes’ Square, the thermal baths, and the historic streets of the Jewish District. The city’s cultural life is thriving with the opera, theatres, craft markets and all sorts of cultural events and festivals.
The city’s long-standing history is visible everywhere: Roman ruins in the 3rd district, medieval walls in Buda, Baroque churches, Soviet style concrete blocks or the buildings in the city with bullet-holes (from WWII or the 1956 revolution) – they all tell stories about Budapest.With an extremely colorful history, those with a history vein will not be bored here.
More about Budapest HERE
Transportation in Budapest
Before you come to Budapest you will receive the name of your CEMS buddy who can help you to get around in Budapest. Contact him or her and feel free to ask him/her questions about everyday life in Budapest, student life etc.
Public transportation
Step 1: After exiting either Terminal 2A or 2B, go to the “Information and tickets” booth of BKK to purchase tickets to the given destination (they will help you with how many you need). You will need minimum of 2 paper tickets.
Step 2: Takes bus 200E going towards Kőbánya-Kispest (closest metro station to downtown). Validate your ticket on the bus.
Step 3: Take M3 underground and the replacement buses M3 or M30 bound to Újpest Központ. It will take you to the city centre. Validate your ticket.
Budapest has a very extensive and developed public transportation system. BKK (in Hungarian Budapest Közlekedési Központ) operates buses, trams, trolley buses, metro lines, suburban railway, boat services, funicular and cable chair. The system is reliable, safe, punctual, covers the whole city and it is cheap: a monthly student pass costs HUF 3450 (11 EUR) with a Hungarian student ID card (obtainable at the CEMS office).
Where to buy tickets?
- Ticket vending machines
- At major hubs – over the counter
- On the bus/trolley bus only
- Tickets can be bought at the first door of the vehicle from the driver / This option is available on most of the buses, however, one single ticket costs 450 HUF this case
- Buying tickets is availabe online too!
Taxi
The fastest and most direct way of getting from Budapest Airport to downtown is definitely by taxi. Only one company is currently authorized to provide unreserved taxi service with curbside pick-up at Budapest Airport: Főtaxi, which guarantees regulated rates with prepaid vouchers available at the taxi stands. Please note, official taxi drivers do not stand in the arrivals hall or ask if you need a taxi.To reach most central-Budapest hotels, Főtaxi charges approximately 7,000 forints (about 22 euros).
Airport Shuttle
Airport Shuttle offers shared rides to and from the airport. Check out the official miniBUD website for fare information and details.
