Budapest Card: Complete Guide and Comparison

Budapest Pass: Quick Summary

If you're in a hurry, here's a quick comparison to help you decide which one to choose:

1. BUDAPEST CARD (The Official Card)

• ✅ What's included: Unlimited public transportation + 30 free museums + free admission to Lukács Thermal Baths.
• ❌ What's missing:Parliament, Széchenyi Baths (discount only).
• Format: Purchase online, pick up physical card at the airport or in the city center.
• Ideal for: Those who want to get around freely (bus/subway) and visit museums and smaller spas.

2. BUDAPEST DIGITAL PASS (The "Relax" Package)

• ✅ What's included: Széchenyi Thermal Baths (full day) + Danube Cruise + Audio Guide App.
• ❌ What's missing: Public Transportation, National Museums.
• Format: 100% Digital (no pickup).
• Ideal for: Those who want to visit the city, enjoying only scenic attractions or relaxation (and, in the case of spas, traditional ones).

For a detailed review of both cards, including a comparison, keep reading 👇

What is the Budapest Card (The Official Pass)?

The  Budapest Card is the city's official tourist pass. It is the ideal solution for those who want to experience Budapest to the fullest: museums, culture, and public transportation.

In addition to the wide range of museums included, you can also use public transport free of charge for the entire validity period of the card.
The offer is completed by a good range of discounts from 10 to 50% at other "minor" attractions, restaurants, and souvenir shops.

It has everything you need for your first trip and is ideal for those who want to explore Budapest far and wide and enjoy the city to the full.

At each attraction you visit, as well as to access public transportation, you must show the physical card.

How does it work?

The Budapest Card is available for 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours to best suit different tourist needs.

You can purchase it online (at the links provided in this guide), and you will immediately receive a voucher via email.
Once in the city, you will need to pick up the physical card at the Budapest Info Point Városháza Park (or at other alternative locations that I will mention later in this article), showing the voucher you received.

What the Budapest Card includes

The Budapest Card offersa wide range of benefits.
To help you decide if it's right for you, here are the main attractions included.

The strong point: Public Transportation Included

Budapest has a very strict ticket inspection system. Tourists are often fined for not validating single tickets correctly or for using the wrong type of ticket.
With the Budapest Card, this problem disappears: you have unlimited travel on the entire BKK urban network for the entire duration of the card.

✅ WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• Metro (M1, M2, M3, M4), historic trams, trolleybuses, and city buses.
• Suburban trains (HÉV) within the administrative boundaries of the city.
• The cog railway (Tram No. 60) to the hills of Buda.
• Bus 200E: Connects the airport to the Kőbánya-Kispest metro station (free alternative to the 100E).

❌ WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED (Please note):

• Bus 100E (Airport Express): This specific bus requires a special extra ticket and is never covered by the standard card.
• Buda Castle Funicular: Not included in the standard version (but included in the "72h Plus" version).

The Budapest Card also saves you from ticket machines, which often only have interfaces in Hungarian or English and decide not to accept your card just as the tram is arriving.

Museums and Thermal Baths: What to see for free

The card includes free admission to around 30 museums and exclusive access to the Lukács Thermal Baths.
Here are the main attractions that alone justify the price of the pass:

• Hungarian National Gallery (Buda Castle).
• Hungarian National Museum.
• Museum of Fine Arts.
• Lukács Thermal Baths (free admission).
• Memento Park: The park of monumental statues.

If you want to visit the city properly, bear in mind that the list of attractions included is much longer. For the sake of completeness, I have included it in the box below.

The special "72h PLUS" version

There is a specific variant, called 72h PLUS, which costs around €40-50 more than the standard version.
Why does it exist? To cover the shortcomings of the basic version.

The PLUS version adds:

• Free door-to-door airport transfer (with the miniBUD service).
• Buda Castle Funicular (free round trip).
• Cruise on the Danube (Legend).
• Entrance to Matthias Church.

Is the Plus option worth it?
It costs quite a bit more. It's only worth it if you're lazy and want the transfer to drop you off in front of the hotel, otherwise save your money for a traditional dinner.

You can find it for sale only on the official BKK website, with payment in Hungarian forint currency.

Major attractions excluded

The Budapest Card does not include some of the city's most important attractions, which are generally included in most tourist itineraries for visitors to Budapest.

The following are not included: Parliament, St. Stephen's Basilica, and the Royal Palace. There is a 10% discount for the Great Synagogue.

Since there are no alternative passes that include these points of interest, they must always be purchased separately.
This does not detract from the value of the Budapest Card, which remains an excellent way to save money on everything else (museums, spas, and transportation).
In summary: for a complete visit, you will need to combine the Card with individual tickets for the excluded attractions.

Budapest Card prices (2026)

Official prices are subject to inflation of the Florin, so they may vary slightly in Euro.

Validity is calculated in HOURS (not calendar days).
The count starts exactly from the time you write on the back of the card at the time of activation.
Example: If you activate a 24-hour card at 5:00 p.m., it will be valid until 4:59 p.m. the following day.
This is a great advantage because it allows you to activate it at any time of the day without losing a single minute of use.

Budapest Card for children

There is no reduced fare for children.
However, in Budapest, the following rules apply for children traveling free of charge:

• 0-6 years old: Travel for FREE on public transport and do not pay admission to museums.
• 6-14 years old (tourists): PAY full price for public transport (free travel for under 14s only applies to those with a Hungarian school card).

Is the Budapest Card worth it for them?
NO, mathematically it is not worth it. Even if they have to pay for transportation, the Budapest Card has a very high single price (the same for adults and children).
For your children (aged 6-18), it is almost always cheaper to buya standard transport pass and pay for museum tickets using the "Student/Youth" discounts (often 50% for EU citizens).

Price comparison with and without budapest card

Let's do the math: here's how much you would spend buying everything individually compared to passes, on a "typical" itinerary, which is quite comprehensive for those visiting Budapest for the first time.
I used the 72-hour pass as a reference, as it offers the best value for money.
You can adapt this to suit what you want to see.

*The Parliament price refers to the basic ticket for EU citizens. Prices in euros are estimates based on the current exchange rate (€1 ≈ 400 HUF) and 2026 price lists.

Prices are subject to change. The calculation is indicative only. Please check the official websites of the attractions for prices updated on the date of consultation of this guide.

Is the Budapest Card really worth it? The Verdict

Looking at the numbers, it's not a pass that will save you hundreds of euros, but its value goes beyond simple math.

If your goal is to save every penny, the card is only worthwhile if you use it intensively (at least 3-4 visits per day + transportation).
However, there are two other important factors to consider besides price:

• The "Transport Stress" factor: anyone who has been there knows that in Budapest, ticket inspectors are everywhere and very strict. Having a pass in your pocket means you can hop on the tram without worrying about finding a ticket machine or validating your ticket.
• The "trap" of the main attractions: since the Parliament and the Great Synagogue are not included (or only discounted), if your trip is limited to these two monuments, this card is not for you.

Who I recommend it to (and who I don't)

• ✅ IT IS WORTH IT IF: You are "active" travelers who want to see many things.
  You use public transportation a lot, visit the National Gallery, relax at the Lukács Thermal Baths (free), and maybe take a ride on the Funicular (Plus version).
  In this case, you will easily recoup the cost, and the card is a valuable tool for you.
• ✅ IT'S WORTH IT IF: This is your second time in Budapest, perhaps for a more in-depth visit. Having already seen the Parliament, you can devote your time to museums and hidden gems included free of charge in the card, maximizing savings and convenience.
• ❌ NOT RECOMMENDED IF: You only want to visit the Parliament and the Széchenyi Baths, or if you prefer to explore the city exclusively on foot.

Where to buy the Budapest Card

The Budapest Card can be conveniently purchased online.
I chose Headout as my supplier for several reasons: ease of purchase, payment in euros, and free cancellation within 24 hours.

Free cancellation within 24 hours with a refund is always a big plus when available.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances that cancel or postpone your trip, you can recover the cost of the pass.

Where to pick it up

After purchase, you will receive an electronic voucher via email, which you will need to physically collect the card in the city center or at the airport, at the following collection points:

• Gozsdu Court Hotel - Budapest, Király u. 13 - Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Ibis Styles Airport Hotel - at Terminal2, Budapest Airport - Open daily 24 hours a day

You will need to sign the card on the back, where the date of first use will be indicated.
Please note: inspectors are very strict about this, so don't forget to fill it out and sign it as soon as you receive it to avoid fines.

(check for any changes before going to the site - following purchase receive a confirmation email with updated pickup instructions)

Conditions of the Budapest Card

• Services included in the card can be used only after the card has been validated with a signature and a start date on the back
• The card is valid for one person and is non-transferable throughout its duration, from the time and date of first use
• By purchasing the card through the link on this page, you can request a refund up to 24 hours prior to the day of the start of its validity indicated during online purchase.

What is the Budapest Digital Pass (The alternative with Parliament)

There is a second option, often referred to simply as the Budapest Pass (or Digital Pass).
Be careful not to confuse it with the official card mentioned above: this is a private tourist package (created by Tiqets) designed for those who want to "get a taste" of the city without any stress.

Its main feature? It is 100% digital (no physical pickup).

What does the Digital Pass include?

This product often changes its composition. Currently, it is presented as a package focused on relaxation and panoramic views, including the two most relaxing experiences in the city: the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths and the panoramic cruise on the Danube.
Unlike the official Budapest Card, which focuses on museums and transportation, this pass is designed for those who want to enjoy the city at a leisurely pace. The package includes:

• ✅ Széchenyi Thermal Bath (Daily Admission): Includes access to Budapest's most famous thermal baths (the yellow outdoor ones). Note: The official card does NOT include them.
• ✅ Danube Cruise: A scenic boat tour (lasting approximately 1.5 hours) to admire the city and Parliament from the river.
• ✅ Audio Guide App: A digital guide that can be downloaded to your phone.
• ✅ 10% discount: A discount code to use on other attractions in Budapest (max. 5) to be booked on Tiqets.

❌ WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Parliament: must be booked separately.
• City museums: no cultural museums included.
• Public Transportation: Does NOT include subway, bus, or tram.

How much does it cost?

The price usually ranges between €65 and €70, depending on the season.
The advantage here is not so much the financial saving (although there is one, even if the total cost of individual tickets is very similar), but rather the convenience of having a single digital ticket for two of the most popular attractions, allowing you to skip the line at the ticket office at the thermal baths.

Show the barcode of the pass you received after purchase at the entrance. No printing, no collection.

If the pass is not available, here are the links to book individual experiences (it is essential to do this in advance, especially for the thermal baths):

Link to Széchenyi Thermal Bath ticket

Link to Danube Cruise ticket

Where to buy the Budapest Pass

The Budapest Pass can be purchased online: choose the date for which you want the pass to be valid and you will receive the tickets by email, complete with a discount code for 10% off up to 5 additional bookings on the Tiqets website (perhaps you want to add a few other attractions or museums individually).
Once you arrive in the city, the pass can be used immediately without having to pick it up physically.

is it worth it? the Budapest Pass is it worth it?

Considering the average costs of the individual attractions included in the Budapest Pass, there is definitely some financial savings to be made by purchasing the pass, even if it is not as significant as in the previous case.
The strength of this pass is not the financial savings (often minimal), but rather the convenience.
The main advantage is having a digital pass ready to use to access the included attractions (which saves you time).
This, combined with the savings, makes it a valuable tool for those who have this type of approach in mind for Budapest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)