I have found what appear to be two different Budapest city tourist cards. One is on the site "budapestcard.org" and the other is on the site "budapest.com". Both seem to offer somewhat similar things (yet they appear to be put out by 2 different organizations). Anyone have any experience with either (or both), or recommendations based on actual use? Is one better than the other?
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20038 posts
The official government issued cards are here: https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/prices/
Unless you are a Museum Hound or a heck of a shopper, the TravelCard is the better deal. https://bkk.hu/en/budapest-72-hour-travel-card/ which is just for transporation, while the BudapestCard has a lot of discounts builtin plus transporation https://bkk.hu/en/budapest-card-for-72-hours/ But go to the first link for all the versions and lenghts of use.
Posted by
OP
98 posts
So if I'm following this advice right, this is just a card that provides access to public transportation (and not museums or attractions), and the advice there would be just buy tickets there as you go (but have a pass for the public transportation system through a pass)? Sounds right to me (just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something). Also I think I read online that Budapest doesn't have Uber or Lyft (but they have Taxify which is very similar)?
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20038 posts
The TravelCard is cheap and will take care of all of your transportation needs. If you do need a taxi for an odd trip or to carry luggage more easily then i think CityTaxi is as good as it gets.
The BudapestCard is expensive but will do everything the TravelCard does and will get you discounts all over town, including museums. Still you pretty much have to plan your activities around the card for it to save you much.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20038 posts
I had to do a bit of reading on taxify, now i think it has a different name in Budapest. It appears all they do is connect you to an available taxi and give you an estimated price. That's fine I guess. CityTaxi has helped me out so many times over the years, they still get my business