Read before you use Budapest Metro:

James
Read all the above on the area I am thinking of purchasing but they do not answer my question.
I want to purchase the 7 day travel card. Do I have to validate the card each time I use it OR just the first time I use it??
Now, also if I validate it the first time I use it for day 1, do I have to validate it once only on day 2 etc.?
Your knowledge of the city and it's transportation system can help me with this I am sure.

Easy. Buy the card. The clerk will ask you if you want to start it at that moment. Say yes. Now you are done.

A longer explanation: There is a place on the back where you write the date and time that you wish your 7 days to begin. You must fill it in very carefully to ensure you have no problems. Rather than me screwing up, i just say yes when the clerk asks and she fills it in. :) The 7 day card also requires you show an ID, your passport is best. That number will also be put on the card. I am not entirely sure that every metro stop window sells the 7 day card or if you can get one out of the machine. They might, but I know you can purchase it at the Deak Ferenc ter metro stop, M1 level, service office near the museum (also worth visiting).

oh, and once you buy it and fill in the info, you just show it when asked.

My recollection is that I bought a 7-day pass at a machine at Oktagon station, put in my California driver's license # as ID, and validated it for immediate use at the machine (once for rhe entire 7 days)
Thanks for the attachments, James E.

I just couldnt remember. We generally use a ticket the first few days (have an old spice jar full of them left behind by visitors) and pick up a card at Deak Ferenc when we are that way.

James - Should I get that 1 week at a time or for longer since there 3 weeks?
jet

James, if you had also posted this one, you would not have had to explain that 7-day passes already have their date of validity printed on them.
https://welovebudapest.com/en/2015/11/10/kontroll-issues-budapests-public-transport-ticket-inspectors/

Anything longer than a week I believe requires a photo. You could go to that information desk at Deak Ferenc ter and discuss it with them.

I have bought a 7 day (hetijegy) card twice--2016 at the airport kiosk and this year at the ticket office at Keleti, prior to getting on the M4. Both times they needed my passport, and I was issued a pass with my full name on it and the expiration date. No one asked if I wanted to delay using it, and I never validated it anywhere or wrote anything on the front or back. I flashed it at the transit people at the entrance to the metro and upon entering a bus and on the tram showed when asked by an official. Even if staying less than 7 but more than 4 days it's the best-priced option. If I were to stay longer than 7 days I'd just buy more cards.

At Keleti, was it down the center stairs and on the right?

Yes, that's it.

they have great little maps too...

they have great little maps too