Budapest Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

There are many ways to get around Budapest. Although much of the city is easily covered on foot, there are other points of interest away from the centre and the sightseeing bus is a great way to get to them all in a time-saving way.

Booking a trip on one of the city's sightseeing buses is easy and there are several options:

The Big Bus buses belong to another tour bus company operating in Budapest, which also has free stops along the route. You can buy, also online, a ticket valid for one, two or three days on the Big Bus sightseeing bus and during that time you can use the buses at your leisure, hopping on and off wherever you want or doing the whole tour. If you buy the two or three day pass you will have services included to complete your journey.

What is included in the Big Bus Tourist Bus Pass?

Tour

While the Red Route is designed to get off at the main stops to visit the sights and then continue the tour, the Blue Route and the Night Tour operate as a closed tour where the aim is for you to enjoy the ride while listening to the audio commentary available in several languages.

Itinerary Red Route

In many European cities you will have seen the red double-decker buses with an open top. They belong to one of the most popular companies for sightseeing bus tours of large cities like Budapest where the distances between different points of interest can be too great to walk.

These buses are based on the "Hop on Hop off" concept. This means that there is a fixed route with various timetables throughout the day and by buying a Budapest sightseeing bus pass: for one or two days, you can catch the bus at any point you want and hop on and off as many times as you like.

This allows you to do two main things: take a guided tour of the city and move between the different monuments quickly with 360 degree views.

How it works

Choose your pass for 1, 2 or 3 days (you can buy it online). For a supplement, you can add a cruise or a night tour and once you activate your pass you will have 24, 48 or 72 hours to get on and off the bus wherever you want, as many times as you want.

Advantages of this bus

Itinerary of the Yellow Route

Red Route Itinerary

Itinerary of the night tour

Alex's Traveller Tip

Be sure to take advantage of the night tour bus route; it's the best way to see the city lit up.

If you are looking for the most complete guided tour of the city without having to change routes, this is the best option for you. The bus functions here as a means of transport to cover everything you need to see in Budapest.

The tour lasts three hours, includes an expert guide for the entire tour and you can add an additional one-hour cruise on the Danube. There are various dates and times to choose from and you can book your place online; a voucher will be sent to your email address which you can then redeem at the meeting point with your guide to start the tour.

Heroes' Square

Situated at one end of Andrassy Avenue, Heroes' Square is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. The statues in this square commemorate the seven leaders of the tribes that founded Hungary. The guide will tell you the story of the founding of the city during the tour.

Fisherman's Bastion

If you've been in the city for several days, you'll probably have been recommended its views. From the hill on which it is located you will be able to see an unbeatable view of the city.

Hungarian Parliament

This is the largest building in Hungary and the main guardian of the Danube River. You should see it both during the day and at night when it is illuminated. Your guide will take advantage of this stop to tell you interesting stories about Hungarian politics.

Hungarian State Opera House

One of the most important buildings in Budapest, representative of 19th century Hungarian architecture. This Renaissance opera house is the second largest theatre building not only in Budapest but also in Hungary.

Gellert Hill

If the name sounds familiar, it's because you've heard of the Gellert Spa, one of the two most famous spas in the city. You can't leave Budapest without trying the Hungarian bathing experience, but for now admire the views of the city as you pass this stop.

St. Stephen's Basilica

This church on the edge of Buda is beautiful from the outside, but inside it's a mosaic spectacle that's well worth seeing, as few other cities offer such temples.

Great Market Hall

This is the heart and soul of the city: food, souvenirs, clothes... in the covered market you can buy anything and you can wander around for hours. Your guide will give you some tips on how to find curiosities and souvenirs, but remember to write down the location so you can go back and enter as soon as you get the chance.

If you visit the city in winter

Sightseeing buses operate all year round and have an indoor and outdoor section, both of which offer panoramic views of the city's surroundings. If you're travelling to Budapest in winter, freezing temperatures can slow down your walking route, so a good time-saving option is to take the sightseeing bus.

If you're travelling with children

Children get tired on city tours, but the sightseeing bus is a great distraction for them because of the views and the safe, air-conditioned open-air area.

If you want an overview of the city

As much as you get to know the city by visiting specific monuments and museums, taking a stroll around the city without worrying about anything other than the sights is always a luxury, and with the tourist buses you have this available at an affordable price. In addition, this way you can discover places further away from the city centre that you wouldn't normally visit on your own.

To visit out-of-the-way places

As an alternative to public transport, a tourist bus with free stops can be a great solution. Although public transport works well, it is not always easy to find your way around, as the stops do not correspond to the parts of the city that you, as a visitor, want to see. If you want to get out of the city centre during your visit, this service is a good option.

To learn more about what you see

When we arrive in a new city, we are amazed by the beauty of its main buildings or the charm of its corners, but often we don't know their true meaning or the history behind them. This type of service is designed to help you learn what each building in the city means as you visit it from the bus.

Alex's Traveller Tip

Even if you use the free stop option, set aside time to enjoy the city during a tour where all you have to worry about is the sights.

There are three main ways to see the city of Budapest while learning about its sights and attractions. One is from the sightseeing bus and the other two are:

Guided walking tour of the city centre

By hiring a pass for some of Budapest's sightseeing buses, you can also have access to these two experiences. On the guided walking tour you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will explain the history of the city from the perspective of someone who lives there and knows its customs and legends beyond the historical facts you might find in a guidebook. In this article I have written about 16 Best Day Trips and Tours from Budapest you can read all about guided tours of the city.

Danube River Cruise

The Danube River Cruise is another popular experience for travellers visiting Budapest and offers a different perspective of the city with audio commentary in several languages. You'll also have the option to complete this experience with dinner or live traditional Hungarian music during the cruise. I have written a guide on Cruises and Boat Rides in Budapest which may be of interest to you if you are thinking of trying this experience.