How many metro lines does Budapest have, and where do they go?

Budapest has four metro lines: M1 (yellow, Andrássy Avenue to City Park), M2 (red, east-west from Keleti to Déli), M3 (blue, north-south through Pest from Újpest to Kőbánya-Kispest) and M4 (green, river crossing from Kelenföld to Keleti via Gellért). All lines converge at Deák Ferenc tér.

Which Budapest metro line goes to the airport?

No metro line goes directly to BUD airport. Take bus 100E from outside the airport to Deák Ferenc tér (35–40 min, 1,200 HUF). From Deák you can connect to any metro line. See the full airport transfer guide at /guides/budapest-airport-to-city-center/.

Which metro line goes to Széchenyi baths?

Take the M1 (yellow line) to Széchenyi fürdő station — the stop is named after the baths. From central Pest, board at Deák Ferenc tér or Oktogon. Journey time from Deák is about 8–10 minutes.

How late does the Budapest metro run?

Metro service ends between 23:00 and 23:30 on all lines. Night buses cover the metro corridors from midnight to 04:30. Trams 4 and 6 run 24 hours on the main Pest ring road. Check BudapestGO for exact last service times.

Do I need to validate my ticket on the metro?

Yes. Validate your ticket at the yellow machines at the metro entrance before passing through the barriers (M2, M3, M4 have barriers; M1 operates on an honour system with spot checks). Failure to validate means a fine of around 16,000 HUF — inspectors board trains regularly and show no leniency to tourists.

Is the M1 metro accessible for wheelchair users?

No. The M1 (the historic Millennium Underground) has very narrow platforms, steep stairs and no lifts. The M4 is fully accessible. The M2 and M3 have limited lift coverage — check BudapestGO for specific station accessibility before travelling with pushchairs or mobility equipment.

Budapest metro guide 2026 — M1, M2, M3, M4 lines, tickets and fares

Why Budapest’s metro matters for tourists

Budapest’s metro network is small by capital-city standards — four lines, 52 stations — but it is precisely the right size for a city-trip. The four lines converge at Deák Ferenc tér in the heart of Pest, which means you can reach almost any tourist sight within one or two segments of a single line. Understanding the network takes about five minutes; using it confidently takes about the length of your first journey.

Line by line: what each metro serves

M1 — the yellow line (Millennium Underground)

The M1 opened in 1896, making it the oldest underground railway on the European continent. It runs below Andrássy Avenue — a UNESCO World Heritage street — from Vörösmarty tér in the city centre to Városliget (City Park).

Key stops for visitors:

Vörösmarty tér: Starting point; Christmas market location; access to Váci utca
Opera: Hungarian State Opera House, Andrássy Avenue cafés
Oktogon: The main Andrássy intersection; tram 4/6 transfer
Hősök tere: Heroes’ Square, Museum of Fine Arts, entrance to City Park
Széchenyi fürdő: Széchenyi Thermal Bath — step off here for the baths

The carriages are tiny and the stations are ornate with their original 19th-century tiles. Ride the M1 for the experience as much as the transport. Service runs every 3–5 minutes.

M2 — the red line (east-west)

The M2 is the busiest commuter line, running from Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station — Budapest’s international train hub) westward under the city to Batthyány tér on the Buda bank, then continuing to Déli pályaudvar (Southern Railway Station).

Key stops:

Keleti pályaudvar: International trains, night trains to Vienna, Prague, Krakow
Blaha Lujza tér: Transfer point for trams 4/6; Grand Boulevard (Nagykörút)
Deák Ferenc tér: Main interchange with M1 and M3
Batthyány tér: Buda riverside; tram 19/41 connection; panoramic view of Parliament from the square

The M2 crosses under the Danube, though you won’t see the river — the tunnel is deep underground.

M3 — the blue line (north-south through Pest)

The M3 is the longest metro line, running north to south through eastern Pest. It handles high passenger volumes between residential areas and the city centre. Parts of the line were renovated between 2017 and 2023; check BudapestGO for any remaining engineering closures.

Key stops:

Kőbánya-Kispest: Southern terminus; BKK bus hub; airport bus 100E terminates here for certain journeys — though most visitors use Deák Ferenc tér as the 100E end point
Kálvin tér: Great Market Hall (walk 5 minutes south); National Museum; transfer for trams
Astoria: Heart of historic Pest; Hotel Astoria; Elizabeth Boulevard
Deák Ferenc tér: Main interchange
Nyugati pályaudvar: Western Railway Station; direct trains to northern Hungary

M4 — the green line (river crossing)

The M4 is the newest line (opened 2014) and the most modern. It runs from Kelenföld vasútállomás in southern Buda, crosses under the river, and terminates at Keleti pályaudvar in Pest. It provides the fastest public transport crossing of the Danube.

Key stops:

Kelenföld vasútállomás: Regional and suburban train connections from the south
Gellért tér: Gellért Thermal Bath; Liberty Bridge; trams south along Buda bank
Fővám tér: Great Market Hall (street level); southern Pest riverfront
Kálvin tér: Transfer with M3
Keleti pályaudvar: Transfer with M2; international trains

The M4 is fully accessible with lifts at all stations — the best metro choice for visitors with mobility considerations.

Fares and tickets

A single metro ticket costs 450 HUF (around €1.10). It is valid for one uninterrupted journey on a single line — you cannot change lines on a single ticket. To transfer between lines, you need a transfer ticket (530 HUF) or a travelcard.

For any day with multiple journeys, the 24-hour travelcard (2,500 HUF / ~€6.25) or 72-hour travelcard (5,500 HUF / ~€13.75) makes much more sense. A full breakdown of all ticket types is at public transport tickets; travelcard options are covered in detail at BKK travel passes.

The Budapest Card includes unlimited metro travel for its duration. Use the Budapest Card calculator to check if the card is worth it for your itinerary.

Validating correctly

This catches many visitors. The validation process depends on the line:

M2, M3, M4: These lines have entry barriers. Insert your ticket (or scan your card/phone) at the gate before entering the platform. The barrier opens if the ticket is valid. Exit is free without scanning.

M1: The historic line operates on an honour system — no barriers. There are validators inside the stations. Despite the lack of barriers, inspectors board trains frequently. Validate at the machines inside the station entrance before boarding.

Failure to show a valid validated ticket means an on-the-spot fine of 16,000 HUF (~€40). Inspectors do not accept “I didn’t know” as an excuse — this is standard enforcement in Budapest. Keep your validated ticket until you have completed your journey.

Key interchange: Deák Ferenc tér

All three of M1, M2 and M3 stop at Deák Ferenc tér, making it the central hub of the network. If you are not sure which line to take, getting to Deák and starting from there is always an option. The station has three separate underground levels, one for each line, connected by stairs and corridors. Follow the coloured line icons (yellow M1, red M2, blue M3) on the signage.

From Deák, the main sights are:

Basilica: 10-minute walk
Jewish Quarter (Dohány Street Synagogue): 15-minute walk or M2 to Astoria
Great Market Hall: M3 to Kálvin tér, then walk 5 minutes
City Park and Széchenyi baths: M1 direct
Parliament: Tram 2 from the riverfront, or M2 to Kossuth Lajos tér

The M1 as a sight in itself

The M1 is worth riding end-to-end just for the architecture. The stations — Vörösmarty tér, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út, Opera, Oktogon — have their original Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) tilework, small platforms and a distinctively Victorian atmosphere. The railway was built for the 1896 Millennium Exhibition celebrating 1,000 years of Hungary; the entire corridor from Vörösmarty to Városliget was designed as a prestige project.

Using the BudapestGO app

The free BudapestGO app is the most reliable tool for metro planning in Budapest. It shows real-time departures, planned engineering work, alternative routes during closures, and allows you to buy digital tickets. Download it before arriving — it works significantly better than printed maps when M3 engineering causes deviations.

For the wider getting around Budapest picture — trams, buses, night transport and Bolt — the full transport guide covers all modes together.

Frequently asked questions about Budapest metro guide

Which Budapest metro line goes to the airport?
No metro line goes directly to BUD airport. Take bus 100E from outside the airport to Deák Ferenc tér (35–40 min, 1,200 HUF). From Deák you can connect to any metro line. See the full airport transfer guide at /guides/budapest-airport-to-city-center/.
Which metro line goes to Széchenyi baths?
Take the M1 (yellow line) to Széchenyi fürdő station — the stop is named after the baths. From central Pest, board at Deák Ferenc tér or Oktogon. Journey time from Deák is about 8–10 minutes.
How late does the Budapest metro run?
Metro service ends between 23:00 and 23:30 on all lines. Night buses cover the metro corridors from midnight to 04:30. Trams 4 and 6 run 24 hours on the main Pest ring road. Check BudapestGO for exact last service times.
Do I need to validate my ticket on the metro?
Yes. Validate your ticket at the yellow machines at the metro entrance before passing through the barriers (M2, M3, M4 have barriers; M1 operates on an honour system with spot checks). Failure to validate means a fine of around 16,000 HUF — inspectors board trains regularly and show no leniency to tourists.
Is the M1 metro accessible for wheelchair users?
No. The M1 (the historic Millennium Underground) has very narrow platforms, steep stairs and no lifts. The M4 is fully accessible. The M2 and M3 have limited lift coverage — check BudapestGO for specific station accessibility before travelling with pushchairs or mobility equipment.