The Budapest Card: Is it worth it? (+ how much I saved)

Are you wondering whether the Budapest Card is worth the price or not? Then you’ve come to the right place.

I have visited Budapest several times over the last few years, and have used the Budapest Card every time. For me, it is such a luxury not having to bother with tickets for public transport and getting free entry to many attractions.

However, with several options available, choosing the right Budapest Card is important for the best value. So let’s take a closer look at the card’s features, benefits, cost comparisons and how to use the card.

What is the Budapest Card?

The Budapest Card is a popular tourist city pass that provides a range of benefits that can make your stay in the Hungarian Capital easier and more affordable. The card includes free attractions, transport, and experiences, as well as discounts and gifts.

I love it when the place I’m visiting has a city card and I’m always excited to find out whether or not it is worth the price. Also, when I get a city card I always see more places than I would have without.

🌟 GET IT HERE >> Click here to get the Budapest Card and pick it up at the airport

What is included in the Budapest Card?

As a Budapest cardholder, you get unlimited use of public transportation within the city limits, free entry to 19 museums and discounted entry to many others.

You also get free access to the Lukács Thermal Baths, one of the top attractions in Budapest, and discounted entry to Palatinus Thermal Bath and Széchenyi Bath, just to name a few.

In addition, you can join two free guided walking tours in English, go on a free tour of the Pál-völgyi Cave, get discounted access to luggage storage services and discounts at many other major Budapest city attractions and restaurants.

Free sights and services included with all Budapest Cards (except e-xplorer):

• Entry to the permanent exhibitions of the biggest museums (Hungarian National Museum and Gallery, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest History Museum ++).
• St. Lukács Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool.
• Walking tour of both Buda and Pest.
• Urban Betyár Restaurant and Visitor Center.
• Pál-völgyi Cave.
• Pálinka Experience Interactive Museum.
• The Zugliget Chairlift (both directions).
• The official Budapest Castle Bus.

Which Budapest card to choose

The decision should be based on the duration of the stay and the planned activities. All the regular cards include the same free and discounted activities, just for different durations of time.

So if you plan on getting a regular card, the amount of days you have in Budapest should be the deciding factor.

Budapest Card prices:

• 24-hour card – €33
• 48-hour card – €49
• 72-hour card – €63/€96/€98
• 96-hour card – €77
• 120-hour card – €92

However, if you also want to do a river cruise and get free airport transfer directly to your accommodation, you might want to consider the 72-hour Plus Card. Or if you prefer to use a hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus, consider the 72-hours e-xplorer card.

There is a little more to think about than let’s say the Dubrovnik Pass which just offers 3 options. So let’s take a closer look at the different options.

72-hour Budapest Cards comparison

72-Hour Budapest Card – €63.00

• Includes all the services and attractions listed above.

72-Hour Budapest Card Plus – €96.00

• The Budapest Card Plus builds upon the benefits of the standard 72-hour card by offering additional perks and discounts.
• You also get free airport transfer directly to your accommodation with miniBUD transfer.
• You get the Duna Bella Daytime Sightseeing Cruise on the Danube with Legenda Cruises for free.
• You can visit the magnificent Matthias Church free of charge.
• You can ride the Funicular free up to and down from Buda Castle.
• You can taste a famous Hungarian street food, the “chimney cake” in Molnár’s Kürtőskalács.

72-Hour Budapest e-xplorer Card – €98.00

• This is the digital version of the Budapest Card. Just download the e-card you bought to your phone in PDF format or add it to your Google Wallet (Android) or Wallet / Pass Book (iOS).
• The e-xplorer city card is not valid for traveling on BKK Zrt. public transport lines, but you get unlimited access to the Hop On Hop Off sightseeing buses.
• You also get unlimited free sightseeing river cruises.
• Free walking tours in Buda and Pest.
• Free entry to Lukács Thermal Bath.
• Free entry to the Cinema Mystica immersive light exhibition.
• Free entry to the permanent exhibitions of the biggest museums mentioned above.

Where to buy the Budapest card

You can buy the Budapest Card all over the city, including the airport. However, I recommend you buy it online in advance, so you can easily collect it using your phone at the airport. If you’re anything like me you like to have everything organized in advance.

These are all the places where you can collect your Budapest city pass:

• BKK Customer Service Centre Terminal 2A at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
• BKK Customer Service Centre Terminal 2B at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
• BKK Customer Service Centre of Keleti Railway Station, Déli Railway Station, or Kelenföld Railway Station
• BKK Customer Service Centre at the Deák Ferenc tér underground station
• Budapestinfo Tourist Information Office on Városháza Park (at the 100E Airport Express line bus stop)

If you buy your pass at one of the info points in the city, you will miss out on free transport from the airport.

Bus no. 200E leaves directly from the airport and takes you to Kőbánya-Kispest metro station, where you can change to metro line M3 and get to the center easily and quickly.

🌟 GET IT HERE >> Click here to get the Budapest Card and pick it up at the airport

Can I buy a Budapest Card at the airport?

Yes, you can buy a Budapest Card in both terminal 2A and 2B at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Remember that the airport only accepts Hungarian Forint or cards, not Euro.

How to use the Budapest Cards

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to buy, collect and register your Budapest City Pass:

1. Click here to purchase in advance, or buy once you get to Budapest.
2. With a pen, write the starting date with the exact time and your signature on the back. The card is valid only if it’s signed.
3. The card is valid for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours from the time you write down.
4. Keep your card handy, ready to be checked at every service and attraction. I was never asked on the trams and buses, but always before getting on the metro and, of course, when entering attractions.
5. You can register your card on the official website so you can get a free replacement if you lose it.
6. Remember that you will not be refunded if you don’t use the card.

Budapest Card savings

This is how much I saved using the regular 72-hour Budapest Card during my 3 days in the city.

Attractions/services	Price without card	Price with card
MiniBUD Airport transfer	€26	€21
St. Lukács Thermal Bath	4800 HUF/€12	Free
Budapest History Museum Castle	3800 HUF/€10	Free
Walking tour Buda	€12	Free
Pál-völgyi Cave	3500 HUF/€9	Free
Hungarian National Museum	3500 HUF/€9	Free
Public transport	72-hour pass 5500 HUF/€14	Free
The Zugliget Chairlift	3000 HUF/€8	Free
	= €100	= €21 (+€63.00)

The value of the five additional services and attractions included in the 72-hour Plus card is €79.

🌟 GET IT HERE >> Click here to get the Budapest Card and pick it up at the airport

Is the Budapest card worth it?

If you’re still wondering, “Should I get a Budapest Card?” here’s my take. Yes, the Budapest Card is worth it for 48 hours or more.

I would never have seen as much of the city as I did without the Budapest card. That, and being able to jump on and off the bus, tram and metro without having to worry about buying and validating tickets, made the cost of the card worth it to me alone. Everything else was just a big bonus!

I will definitely purchase the card when I go back to Budapest, which will hopefully be very soon. I think I will go for the 72-hour plus next time since it offers better value with the cruise and door-to-door airport transfer in my eyes.

On the flip side, the card’s value is highly tied to your interests and itinerary. If you’re planning a more relaxed visit and may not use public transportation every day, the card is probably not worth it.

I don’t think I would get the card if I only had one day in Budapest either. There are other attractions, such as Fisherman’s Bastion and the Hungarian Parliament, that I would prioritize before the sights included in the card.

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