Hop On Hop Off Budapest Tickets
Hop on the bus, join a walking tour, and take a Budapest Danube river cruise, all with one ticket!
Audio guide in multiple languages
Free Mobile app
Hop on hop off + public transit
Hop on & off at any stop
River cruise included
Walking tour included
Benefits
brendan_howard/DepositphotosTickets and Prices
There are three ticket options for Hop On Hop Off Bus; the only difference is how long they’re valid for:
- Discover (one day)
- Essential (two days)
- Explore (three days).
No matter which one you pick, every ticket includes access to the red and green routes, a fully-flexible ticket with free date changes, a guided walking tour, and a Danube river cruise.
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Plan Your Visit
Schedule & Timetable
Notice:
- Permanent stop closures: Stop #5 (Astoria) and #12 (Astoria) are closed until further notice. Use the nearby alternative stop.
- Green Line service suspension: Due to ongoing construction works in the 5th District, the Green Line service will be suspended starting Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 until Tuesday, September 1st, 2026.
The Big Bus Tours Budapest office is located at Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 17, 1065, and is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00.
🚍 Red Route Highlights
- First bus: 9:00 from Stop #1 (St. Stephen’s Basilica)
- Last bus: 18:00 from Stop #1
- Full Circuit Time: ~1 h 50 min
- Frequency: Every 10-25 mins
Stop 1
Basilica (behind St. Stephen’s Basilica)
First bus: 9:00
Last bus: 18:00
Stop 2
Chain Bridge – Széchenyi István Square
First bus: 9:05
Last bus: 18:05
Stop 3
József Attila St. (opposite visitor centre)
First bus: 9:08
Last bus: 18:08
Stop 4
Synagogue
First bus: 9:13
Last bus: 18:13
Stop 5
Bajcsy-Zsillinszky Road (Metro replacement)
First bus: 9:17
Last bus: 18:15
Stop 6
Andrássy Avenue (Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út)
First bus: 9:19
Last bus: 18:18
Stop 7
Opera (next to Metro Station)
First bus: 9:21
Last bus: 18:21
Stop 8
Octogon / Liszt Ferenc Square
First bus: 9:24
Last bus: 18:24
Stop 9
Heroes’ Square (Városligeti ice rink)
First bus: 9:38
Last bus: 18:38
Stop 10
Keleti Railway Station
First bus: 9:46
Last bus: 18:46
Stop 11
New York Cafe
First bus: 9:50
Last bus: 18:50
Stop 12
Time Out Market
First bus: 9:55
Last bus: 18:55
Stop 13
Váci Street (Ferenciek tere)
First bus: 10:00
Last bus: 19:00
Stop 14
Citadel
First bus: 10:15
Last bus: 19:15
Stop 15
Gellért Bath
First bus: 10:23
Last bus: 19:23
Stop 16
Castle Garden
First bus: 10:31
Last bus: 19:31
Stop 17
Castle / Funicular
First bus: 10:33
Last bus: 19:33
Stop 18
Batthyány Square
First bus: 10:36
Last bus: 19:36
Stop 19
Margaret Bridge
First bus: 10:40
Last bus: 19:40
Stop 20
Nyugati Railway Station
First bus: 10:48
Last bus: 19:48
Stop 21
Parliament
First bus: 10:50
Last bus: 19:50
🚍 Green Route Highlights
- First bus: 9:00 from Stop #1 (Basilica)
- Last bus: 17:00 from Stop #1
- Break: No service 13:00–14:00 daily
- Full Circuit Time: ~1 h
- Frequency: Every hour
Stop 1
Basilica (behind St. Stephen’s Basilica)
First bus: 9:00
Last bus: 17:00
Stop 22
Petőfi Square
First bus: 9:18
Last bus: 17:18
Stop 23
Fővám Square
First bus: 9:25
Last bus: 17:25
Stop 24
Kálvin Square (National Museum)
First bus: 9:35
Last bus: 17:35
Stop 25
Astoria (Múzeum Blvd)
First bus: 9:39
Last bus: 17:39
Stop 26
Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road (Metro replacement)
First bus: 9:43
Last bus: 17:43
Stop 27
Nyugati Railway Station
First bus: 9:50
Last bus: 17:50
Tip:
Catch the first Red Route bus for fewer crowds at top stops like Buda Castle or Parliament. If you hop on the last bus in winter, you’ll enjoy Budapest’s landmarks glowing beautifully after dark.
Route & Map
There are two routes:
- The Red Route covers Budapest’s biggest landmarks, including St. Stephen’s Basilica, Dohány Street Synagogue, Heroes’ Square, Buda Castle, and the Hungarian Parliament.
- The Green Route is shorter and stays on the Pest side, focusing on central highlights like St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Jewish Quarter.
Meeting point
You can hop on at any stop, but ensure to redeem your ticket first with a staff member at the office on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 17, 1065.
Big Bus Tours Budapest
Budapest, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 17, 1065 Hungary · Google Maps
Accessibility
Budapest Hop On Hop Off Bus says 85 percent of its bus fleet is wheelchair accessible.
What to See & Do
River Cruise
All tickets include a one-hour Danube River cruise, giving you unforgettable views of Parliament, the Chain Bridge, the Royal Palace, and the National Theatre.
Cruises depart daily from Dock 6 between 11:00 and 17:00, with audio guides in eight languages bringing the city’s history to life. You can sail at sunset (18:00 or 19:00) for a small extra fee.
Guided Walking Tour
The complimentary one-hour walking tour with a friendly English-speaking guide sets off from St. Stephen’s Basilica at 11:00. You’ll uncover hidden corners and stories of Budapest before finishing at the Chain Bridge.
Royal Palace (Buda Castle)
Hop off at Castle Hill to explore the Royal Palace, a landmark that’s witnessed centuries of Hungarian history. Stroll the surrounding medieval quarter and take in sweeping Danube views.
Parliament
The Hungarian Parliament Building is one of the largest in Europe, with a dazzling neo-Gothic facade. While it has 691 rooms, only a select few are open exclusively to visitors on guided tours.
Margaret Island
The peaceful island in the middle of the Danube is home to gardens, medieval ruins, and musical fountains. Rent a bike or stroll the shaded paths for a relaxing escape from the city buzz.
Opera House & Andrássy Avenue
Stroll Andrássy Avenue, Budapest’s grand boulevard with elegant 19th-century mansions, cafes, and boutiques. At its heart is the lavish Hungarian State Opera House, where you can catch a performance post-tour or admire the ornate interiors on a guided tour.
Heroes’ Square
Heroes’ Square is a dramatic landmark framed by statues of Hungarian leaders and the grand Millennium Monument. It’s the gateway to City Park, where you’ll find museums, a castle, and the famed Széchenyi Thermal Bath.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
Climb up St. Stephen’s Basilica’s dome for some of the best 360-degree views in Budapest. Inside, the glittering interior houses King Stephen’s mummified right hand – Hungary’s most sacred relic.
Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge was the first to connect Buda and Pest and remains one of the city’s most iconic sights. Sit on the bus’s open deck during the day for sweeping views, then return to walk across at night when it’s alight.
Gellért Bath
Step into art nouveau elegance at Gellért Bath, where thermal pools, mosaics, and stained glass create a spa experience like no other. Tip: mornings are quieter if you want a more peaceful soak.
New York Cafe
With gilded ceilings, chandeliers, and marble columns, it’s no wonder New York Cafe is often called the world’s most beautiful cafe. It’s touristy, but sipping coffee here feels like returning to Budapest’s glamorous past.
Dohány Street Synagogue
The largest in Europe, Dohány Street Synagogue includes incredible Moorish Revival architecture and a moving Holocaust memorial in the courtyard. A guided tour reveals its history and the local Jewish community’s resilience.
Insider Tips
FAQs
What is the best hop on hop off bus in Budapest?
The bus running this route is Big Bus Tours Budapest. One ticket covers the red and green routes, plus a guided walking tour and a Danube river cruise, so you get the city loop and two extras together. You can book your ticket online here.
What are the stops on the route?
The red route hits the biggest landmarks: St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Chain Bridge, Dohany Street Synagogue, Heroes’ Square, Buda Castle, and the Hungarian Parliament. The green route is shorter and stays on the Pest side around the Basilica and the Jewish Quarter. You hop on and off at any stop along either loop.
How often do the buses run and what are the times?
The red route runs roughly every 10 to 25 minutes, with the first bus at 9:00 and the last at 18:00 from Stop 1 at the Basilica. A full red loop takes about 1 hour 50 minutes. The green route runs about once an hour from 9:00 to 17:00, takes around an hour, and pauses between 13:00 and 14:00.
Is the Budapest hop on hop off bus worth it?
The two extras are what earn the price. Beyond the bus loop, the same ticket covers a guided walking tour and a one-hour Danube cruise, so you reach the landmarks and get time on the river without booking anything separately. The ticket stays valid for one, two, or three days, so you can spread the sights across your trip.
Does the ticket include a boat trip?
Yes. Every ticket includes a one-hour Danube river cruise with views of Parliament, the Chain Bridge, and the Royal Palace. Cruises leave daily from Dock 6 between 11:00 and 17:00. A sunset sailing at 18:00 or 19:00 is available for a small extra fee.
Is the hop on hop off bus on the Budapest pass?
No, this bus ticket is booked on its own. If you want a bundle, the Budapest Pass packages a Danube cruise, Szechenyi Spa, a city tour with Parliament, and a discount code for other attractions into one purchase.
Is it cheaper to book the bus ticket online?
Booking online lets you lock in your spot on the guided walking tour and the river cruise ahead of time, and your date stays fully flexible with free changes if your plans shift. You pay the same price as at the kiosk, but you skip the risk of the cruise or walking tour being full when you arrive.