My Wife and I are both seniors in good health traveling to Budapest in May 2026 to begin a Viking river cruise (Danube Waltz). We arrive in Budapest at the Népliget Autóbusz-Pályaudvar bus station on 10 May 2026 at 5:16 pm. We need transportation to the Viking point of embarkation at the Akademia terminal north of the Chain Bridge on the river. We have a NLT arrival time of 8:00 pm on 10 May at the longboat, in order to join a Viking excursion that begins at 8:30 pm.
From other posts on this forum I have learned a little about the taxi situation and public transportation options (underground, buses, trams) within Budapest. I am open to either of these transportation options. It appears a taxi option is most efficient and is probably the way we will go. But we are somewhat adventuresome and have enjoyed making use of public transportation on other journeys. I will relate my intentions first for the taxi:
1. Arrange a taxi in advance on a taxi app. It is my understanding that the fare can be paid with a credit card through the taxi app.
2. As of now, I would consider Bolt, FöTaxi, or City Taxi.
3. I will not hail or walk-up to a taxi in a queue at the bus station unless I have no other option.
I request information and advice including detailed specifics such as best practices for paying for a taxi, tipping a taxi operator (or not), and bus lines/numbers and estimated travel times by bus to get as close as possible to the embarkation point. Many thanks!