6 great apps to use to navigate around Budapest as a tourist
6 great apps to use to navigate around Budapest as a tourist
Discover 6 great apps to use to navigate around Budapest as a tourist. From public transport to bike sharing and translation, these apps will make your trip easier, faster, and more enjoyable.
All the tourists coming to visit Budapest are advised to use the local apps. With the help of these applications transportation, entertainment or communication can become a lot easier. In the following article we are going to show you the most useful and popular apps.
- BudapestGO!
- MÁV
- Uber – Bolt
- MOL Bubi
- GreenGo
- Google Translate
1. BudapestGO! – A must-have app that helps you in Budapest Public Transport (BKK)
Tourists from all over the world say that the public transport in Budapest is cheap, reliable and easy. With BudapestGO! it will be much easier for you. BKK, the Budapest Public Transport Company has an app that is called BudapestGO!, with its help it becomes very easy to use public transport in the capital city.
Purchse your ticket or pass with BudapestGO!
With BudapestGO! app you can buy all types of BKK tickets and passes that are valid in the capital, such as daily, 72-hour, weekly, single tickets or time-based (30 / 90-minute) tickets, monthly or annual passes.
IMPORTANT: If you have a paper ticket bought at ticket machines, you always have to validate them!
Season passes are valid everywhere in Budapest, not only on BKK flights, but also on HÉV (green and white suburban train), local and regional buses and trains within the boundary of the capital.
TIP: You can keep your ticket or pass on the home screen with the help of the widget function.
In addition Pest county and national public transportation passes are also available for those who want to explore the city more affordably.
NEWS: There is no need to scan the code any more! You just need to tap on the icon ’I’m boarding’ in the top right corner of the ticket/pass and choose the flight you want to get on.
Plan your trip around Budapest with BudapestGO!
You can plan your day effectively with apps to help you discover attractions in Budapest. Plan travelling is based on real time information. Several options are shown for the routes, so you can choose the most suitable one according to the timing, the length or the vehicle of your trip. In Budapest there are undergrounds, buses, trams, trolley buses and suburban trains as well.
BKK INFO application is integrated into BudapestGO so that passengers can be informed about the current traffic changes when planning the trip. You can check flights and stops using Google Maps for a smoother travel experience. Your favourite ones can also be saved, and you can get push notification about a certain stop or line.
If your destination has changed while being on the vehicle, or you only have time to plan your trip after boarding, you can easily do that during your trip with the help of ’Plan from vehicle’ option. It detects which vehicle you are travelling on, and identifies the appropriate vehicle and direction. With BudapestGO! app you will know the exact time of your arrival.
2. MÁV – Train public transportation to get around Hungary
MÁV application is for the Hungarian Railways. It shows the timetables, so the trip can easily be planned. You can see the routes of the trains on the map too. You can follow where the trains are and find out if they are going to be late or not.
You can purchase your national and international tickets online. County and national passes can also be bought with the app.
TIP: You can show your tickets and passes on MÁV app if there is no mobile internet on your phone. Just download your tickett – it’s a great bonus when traveling through areas with spotty internet.
Recommended trips with MÁV:
- Szentendre with suburban railway – a picturesque riverside town 40 minutes from Budapest
- Eger – known for its castle and wine cellars
- Lake Balaton – Hungary’s famous summer getaway
- Vienna – just 2.5 hours by train
- Pécs – southern city in Hungary, with a kind of mediterranean feeling
- Visegrád – medieval castle with panoramic views over the Danube Bend
- Esztergom – Hungary’s largest basilica and its riverside views
- Gödöllő – elegant Royal Palace, once the favorite residence of Queen Elisabeth (“Sisi”)
3. Uber and Bolt – Get around Budapest by Taxi
As everyhere in the world for your own safety and convenience it is recommended in Budapest to travel by taxis that belong to official companies. Our suggestion is using Uber or Bolt app.
The Uber or Bolt application will help you travelling in Budapest as a visitor and get around the city. You can travel between the airport and your accomodation as well as discover the most popular tourist destinations and explore the favourite routes.
You can book a ride on the Uber or Bolt app by choosing your starting point and destination any time, any day of the week. You can request a ride in real time or book in advance using great apps available for Budapest. You will surely find a solution suitable for your specific needs. You will immediately know all the important information such as the cost of the ride or the meeting point with the driver.
4. MOL Bubi, Lime – Visit the attractions by public Bike or Scooter
The downtown is not so large, everything can be easily reached by bike or scooter too. In a lot of parts of Budapest so called micromobility (shared bicycle and scooter) services can be found such as MOL Bubi bikes and Bird, Lime, TIER and Whoosh electric scooters. They are small, light, quiet, quick and easy to use.
How it works:
- Available in the city centre at 158 docking stations
- Use the app to register and unlock a bike via QR code
- Track ride duration and distance
- Return the bike to any docking station
- Choose from various tariff plans (daily or pay-as-you-go)
Why choose these services?
- You don’t need to use your own bike or scooter.
- Finding a parking place is easy. (Best option is the city centre.)
- If it starts raining, you can immediately switch to using public transport.
- Avoid traffic and crowded buses
- Ideal for short distances and spontaneous detours
- Perfect for sightseeing in districts like Belváros, Andrássy út, or the Danube Promenade
TIP: With BudapestGO! you can also plan your routes with a bike or scooter.
So if you are a sporty person and enjoy adventures on two wheels, Bubi is here for you. MOL Bubi is a fast, commfortable and environmentally conscious mean of transport in Budapest. This apple green rented bike is the greenest alternative for travelling in the downtown.
With the help of the app you can easily find a MOL Bubi bike at one of the 158 collection stations (MOBI pont). After registration using a QR code reader you can choose the most suitable tariff. After the smart lock opens, you can start your ride immediately. The application shows how long you have been using the bike. After finishing the ride you can take the bike back to any of the collection stations and lock it.
5. GreenGo – Travel around Budapest by Ecar-sharing
Instead of renting a car GreengGo car-sharing is one of the great apps to use for convenient travel around Budapest. Car-sharing is a short-term car rent. GreenGo is comfortable because if you use it, you don’t need to buy, maintain or clean your own car. It offers you a service exactly where and when you need it. It is the greenest car-sharing option in Budapest because it uses only electric cars. GreenGo is fast, sustainable, affordable and can easily combined with public transport, cycling or walking. It doesn’t pollute the city and reduces traffic jams.
6. Google Translate – Translator
Hungary is right in the middle of Europe with its unique language, Hungarian. It doesn’t belong to any of the three main language families of Europe, such as Germanic, Latin and Slavic. Hungarian is a language that many love Budapest for, especially with its unique culture an attractions.
Hungarian is a language that is very difficult to learn because of the pronunciation and the grammar as well. We have 14 vowels and double consonants, so the pronunciation of letters ö, ű, é, á or cs, ny, zs, gy can be hard for a foreigner. Our grammar is also hard due to its complicated conjugations.
It is advised to learn some basic phrases such as ’Szia’ (Hello), ’Jó napot’ (Good day), ’Viszlát’ (Good bye) or ’Köszönöm’ (Thank you). But if you want to say something more complicated when asking for directions or ordering in a restaurant, a good app can be a great help.
Using the must-have Google Translate app you can translate text, speech, photos or handwriting into more than 200 languages. With its help you can communicate in different languages and understand people from all over the world. Using this app you can be connected to people, places and cultures.
TIP: You can translate with the camera by pointing it the right direction, getting the translation of what you can see immediately.
If you don’t have internet connection, download the language you want to use for offline translation. You can use voice input or manually enter characters that cannot be found on your keyboard. You can even talk to foreign people and have complete conversations with them. Using the transcription others’ speech is translated and shown on the screen.
Where can these useful apps be found?
These apps can easily be found on your telephone. The best way to getthese no-charge apps is to download them from Google Play if you have Android phone, and free apps can be downloaded to your iPhone from app Store. All you need is your phone and a switched on mobile internet.
Consclusion
Using the right apps can help you:
- Save time and money
- Avoid confusion and scams
- Move around safely and independently
- Discover hidden gems and local favorites
Whether you’re planning your first Budapest visit or coming back for another adventure, these apps will enhance your experience and make you feel at home in Hungary’s beautiful capital.
FAQ
What are some must-have apps to use while in Budapest?
When you’re exploring Budapest, there are a few great apps that can really enhance your experience. Here are six of the best: BudapestGo, Google Maps, BKK, Uber, Bolt, and Google Translate. These apps will help you navigate the city’s public transport, find attractions, and communicate without hassle!
How can I use the BKK app (BudapestGo) for public transport in Budapest?
The BKK app (BudapestGo app) is your go-to for all things public transportation in Budapest. It’s great as it provides real-time info on trams, buses, and metro services. You can also buy tickets directly through the app, making it super convenient! Just download it, enter your location, and it’ll show you the best route to your destination. It’s easy to use.
Is it easy to navigate Budapest using Google Maps?
Absolutely! Using Google Maps in Budapest is one of the easiest ways to get around. It gives you itinerary, detailed directions for walking, biking, or using public transport. You can even save offline maps, which is perfect if you’re not sure about your data roaming. Just enter where you want to go, and let it guide you!
Are there any good apps for finding taxis in Budapest?
Yes! Both Uber and Bolt are excellent apps to get a cab in Budapest. They’re easy to use, and you can pay through the app, making it super convenient. Just download the app, enter your pickup location, and you’ll have a ride in minutes!
What’s the best way to get around the city on a bike?
If you’re looking to bike around Budapest, the Mol Bubi app is your best friend! It’s the
