A leaflet about Budapest says that passengers aged 65 and older may use public transportation (such as subway, trams and buses) for free. Is this true? My only ID to prove my age is my passport. Is that enough?
First of all thank you for the question. This is a very popular question asked by many, so we will try to answer your question giving all necessary information. For a long time, the transportation in Budapest was free for people above 65 years, if they have a Hungarian passport or a passport from another country within the European Union.
As of 2024, this has changed, meaning that public transportation in Budapest is free for everyone above 65 years, as long as they can confirm their age with a passport of official ID card.
All you need is a passport or an official ID that confirms that you are older than 65 years. If that is okay, you can easily travel by any tram, bus, or metro in Budapest and if asked, show your ID. You do not need to buy tickets for any of these vehicles at all.
Isn’t that delightful? And it is also a great improvement that this is available for anyone, not only for Hungarians and people from the EU. If you come from Canada, the United States, Mexico, India, China, Japan, or anywhere else, this information is valid for you as well!
I hope this answer helps you out. Feel free to come with comments, feedback or other stuff using the comment field on this page.
Good morning Sirs. I need some information from you. Me and my wife are living in Portugal and we have ID and Passport issue in Portugal and we are Portuguese Nationalities so we are 63 and 71 years old. For our convenience do we need to obtain a free Budapest travel card for metro, tram and buses during three days stay in Budapest? And we still get any free entrance to any museum and free bath?
Hope to hear you soon. Thanks for everything.
Geraldo Siqueira
Hello,
I wouldn’t recommend the Budapest Pass, no matter what. As one of your is 71 years old, public transport is free, and you only pay the full entrance fee at museums and at the baths you decide to visit. And for the one who is 63 years old, it is better just to buy a public transportation card for the days you are here and pay a full entrance fee at museums… the Budapest Pass / Budapest Card is only worth the money if you plan on visiting museums from morning till evening.
Hello,
I am planning to travel to Budapest from August 18, 2023 for the duration of the World Athletics Championships. I am from Germany, I was born in 1958, I will be 65 this year, my birthday is September 15. Can I use public transport freely if I am 65 this year or is the birthday the decisive date here?
Thank you for your answer!
Your birthday is decisive, meaning that you are not entitled to free transportation in Budapest.
Hello, My husband and I are moving to Budapest from Portugal. We are not Portuguese citizens, but we have the EU Long Term Resident Permit, based on the length of time we have lived in Portugal.Our lawyer has advised that we have the full rights of a Hungarian citizen. Do you feel we would be eligible for the free public transport? We are over 65 years of age. Thank you very much for considering my question. Maryanne
Hello,
the ones checking your tickets at the station will most likely consider you old (unless you are lucky enough to look very young), and if they do, they will not check your identity, tickets, or IDs at all. but, if they do, they will look at your passports, and if they see something from outside the EU, it will most likely cause trouble for you, even though you have a EU Long Term Residence Permit. I would possibly visit the BKK Office in the center of Budapest to ask them first to be sure about whether your papers will be enough or not, because the controllers might just say that any additional paper issued in some sort of language (even if it is in English) might not be enough, especially if your passports are from outside the EU.
hi good afternoon my wife and i are both 76 and have uk passports we will be in budapest from 28th January for 2 weeks having dental treatment are we entitled to travel on your local transport for free many thanks Les Meadows
Based on what I see, since the UK is outside the EU and the EEA, a UK passport no longer entitles you to free public transportation in Budapest. If you are here, you can ask someone controlling tickets, but if you look at the clear rules written down, UK citizens are no longer entitled to free public transportation in Budapest even though they are older than 67.
As of 27 April 2024, this is not what is printed on the BKK site. It is stated that all persons over 65 regardless of nationality or legal status are eligible.
Thank you for the information, they have updated it recently so it seems 🙂