Here you can read some useful info about Budapest, what to do upon arrival, how to find housing and other essential tips.
1. GETTING TO BUDAPEST FROM THE LISZT FERENC AIRPORT
Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD) is located on the edge of Budapest, with two terminals for passenger traffic (2A and 2B).
Public transport
100E bus takes you straight to the city center, 200E takes you to Kőbánya- Kispest station (where the bus terminates). At Kőbánya-Kispest follow the metro sign and cross the overpass to change to metro line M3 to Deák Ferenc tér station.
100E has a one-time 900 HUF (3 EUR) fee, while you can use 200E with a normal city bus ticket. You can find further information on the airport’s website.
Purchasing tickets for public transport
You can get your tickets for the buses at BKK’s Customer Service Centre (BKK Ügyfélpont), at BKK Ticket Machines or at any newsagent at the airport.
You can also purchase mobile tickets and other passes online using the BudapestGo or other apps. Click here to find out more from BKK's website and to download the apps.
Taxi
Alternatively, you can take a taxi (approximately HUF 7,000 (23 EUR) to get to the city center).
To order a taxi you need to take the following steps: you will find a FŐTAXI booth outside the terminal where you will be asked to specify the address where you wish to go.
You will be given a ticket with a number which will tell you which car will give you the lift.
When getting into the car, you will be asked to hand the ticket to the taxi driver.
Please note that the official taxi service of the airport is FŐTAXI. The quality and price of other services are varying.
Airport shuttle services
Alternatively, you can also use the official minibus shuttle service of the airport, miniBUD:
- E-mail: info@minibud.hu
- Web: www.minibud.hu
- Phone: +36 1 550 0000
2. PUBLIC TRANSPORT GUIDELINES
You may ask for a Single ticket which is valid for one trip (costs 350 HUF, that is 1.1 EUR), or a Transfer ticket which is valid for one trip with one change (costs 530 HUF, that is 1.7 EUR).
Alternatively, you may purchase a Budapest 24-hour travel card, which is valid for 24 hours for an unlimited number of trips within the administrative boundaries of Budapest.
BKK also offers travelcards valid for 72 hours and 7 days.
The most convenient way to use the public transportation system is to buy a monthly pass, available at a discount price with your student card (Monthly Budapest pass for students, costs 3450 HUF, that is 11 EUR).
This kind of pass is valid for students in higher education together with a student ID card issued either in Hungary or any other member state of the European Union.
You will be asked to present your student ID card upon purchase of the pass so the identification number of your card can be printed on the pass.
The validated pass is not transferable. Non-EU students will get their Hungarian student cards after registering at the University.
You can find further information about tickets and passes on BKK’s website.
3. GETTING TO THE NAGY LAJOS CAMPUS
Nagy Lajos Campus is the main campus of METU. The campus has two buildings: the main building and the iconic round building. This is the home of our communication, business and tourism students.
Address: Budapest, Nagy Lajos király útja 1-9, 1148
Closest transportation hub: Örs Vezér Square
The main campus of the University is just a 15-minute-journey from the city center by taking Metro line 2 in the direction of Örs Vezér tere which is the station where you have to get off. Go down the underpass in front of the Metro station, and leave it via the second exit on the left-hand side. Follow the bicycle path and you will reach the University in 3 minutes.
Click here to find Nagy Lajos Campus on Google maps.
4. GETTING TO THE RÓZSA CAMPUS
The Rózsa Campus is one of the two art campuses of METU. It is the home of our design and graphics programs’ students.
Address: Budapest, Rózsa u. 4-6, 1077
Closest transportation hub: Keleti Railway Station
To get to Rózsa Campus from Keleti Pályaudvar Metro station, leave the underpass of Baross tér towards Rottenbiller utca. Turn right onto Rottenbiller utca and after 450 meters, turn left onto Hutyra Ferenc utca. Turn left onto Rózsa utca. The campus will be on the right.
Click here to find Rózsa Campus on Google maps.
5. GETTING TO THE INFOPARK CAMPUS
The Infopark D and I Campuses are the home of our Media and Animation students and our Art and Design Theory Institute.
The closest public transport stop is Tram 1’s ‘Infopark’ stop, which is right next to Infopark’s D building. Head in direction of Neumann János street, and you will reach the campuses within a two-minute walk.
If you are coming from metro line M4 stations ‘Újbuda-központ’ or ‘Móricz Zsigmond körtér’, take Tram 4 or 6 and get off at the ‘Petőfi híd, budai hídfő’ stop. Head east, and crossing the campuses of ELTE and BME, you will reach the Infopark Campus in a 10-minute walk.
Click here to find the Infopark D Campus on Google maps.
Click here to find the Infopark I Campus on Google maps.
6. HOUSING
About accommodation options in Budapest, please visit our DORMITORY & ACCOMMODATION page.
7. THINGS TO SEE IN BUDAPEST
The capital of Hungary is home to many fascinating sites, buildings, buzzing nightlife, high-profile cultural events and so on.
Located in the heart of Europe, Budapest is truly international and energetic city, attracting thousands of international students every year. Budapest offers affordable living expenses while still providing a western European way of life, and it is one of the safest cities in Europe.
It also has an exceptional cultural life with more than 30 theatres, 200 museums, and 1000 art galleries. Sziget, one of the biggest summer festivals in Europe is also hosted in Budapest. Furthermore, the city is home to several UNESCO world heritage sites. Budapest even won the title of European Best Destination 2019!
Also, Hungary has many neighboring countries and is close to most of the European countries, thus it’s fairly easy to reach any European capitals or points of interest by cheap flights, trains or busses.
Check out METU’s instagram page for an insight into student life in Budapest!