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Budapest Card - Is It Worth It in 2023?

Last updated: May 11, 2023

Portrait of Adam Dimitrov.

Author: Adam Dimitrov — Budapester, Hungarian & City Expert/Guide

What Is The Budapest Card? | What's Included? | 3-day Itinerary Example | How Much Do You Save? | Where to Buy? | Top 5 Shortcomings | Frequently Asked Questions

The short answer: it depends — if you strictly plan your trip around maximizing discounts, then you may be able to save around $16 to $35 on a 3-day trip, based on my 3-day itinerary example.

The coverage list of the Budapest card doesn't include the best or most popular places in Budapest like the Hungarian Parliament, the House of Terror, ruin bars, skybars or restaurants. Its goal seems to be propping up less popular places in the city, and fight overtourism.

My recommendation: The best way to go about deciding if the Budapest card is worth it is to plan your dream itinerary first, then calculate how much you could save via the card.

The long answer: this entire article 😉

What Is The Budapest Card?

The Budapest card is advertised as an unskippable deal for tourists visiting Budapest. It's supposed to be a one-stop-shop card that's convenient and saves you money.

The Budapest card has 6 different types:

💡 The 72h Plus card covers more places and activities than its regular counterpart.

The benefits of the Budapest card include the following:

But is it true?

Do you save money with the Budapest card?

Let's find out.

What's Included in The Budapest Card in 2023?

Here is the list of items covered by the Budapest card.

💡 FREE = Free on any card type. 72 PLUS FREE = Free only on 72h Plus card.

Transportation

Baths, Spas, and Beaches

Restaurants, Food, and Drinks

Attractions, Sightseeing, and Guided Tours

Museums, Galleries, and Culture

💡 Note: the more exciting temporary exhibitions are excluded from the Budapest card's coverage. In other words, if you buy a ticket to a temporary exhibition, you will get access to the entire museum, but you won't be a able to take adventage of your card discount.

Nature, Tech, and Miscellaneous

3-Day Itinerary Example With Budapest Card 72h Plus

I've created an example 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors staying from Friday to Sunday, based on the Budapest card 72h Plus card's discounts.

Assumptions

💡 Good to know: Hotel check-in is usually from 2-3 pm, while check-out is at 10-11 am. Luggage storage or early check-in may have additional costs.

Day 1: Pest Central (5th, 6th, and 7th District)

💵 Total saved (with public transport pass): $57.00

Day 2: Buda Castle District

💵 Total saved: $50.50.

Day 3: Széchenyi Bath + Central Market Hall

💵 Total saved: $14.50

How Much Do You Save With The Budapest Card?

Based on the reasonable itinerary above, I calculated your savings below.

Budapest Card: 72h Plus

Budapest Card: 72h Normal

So the answer to the question, "Is the Budapest Card Worth it?" is technically yes. But as you can see, it's not a mind-blowing deal.

Whether you should buy it depends on your personal situation, what interests you and how much you prefer convenience.

Ultimately, the best way to go about it is to plan your dream itinerary first, then calculate how much you could save with the BP card.

💡 Tip: I recommend a whole week to explore Budapest comfortably.

Where to Buy the Budapest Card?

After you buy the Budapest card online, bring your voucher and an ID with you to any of the following locations:

It's best to ask for it at the airport to take advantage of the complimentary airport transfer.

Top 5 Shortcomings of The Budapest Card

Even though I just proved that the Budapest card could produce a positive return on investment, there are some things you should know.

Transportation

Museums, Galleries, and Culture

Restaurants, Food, and Drinks

Thermal Baths

Attractions, Sightseeing, and Guided Tours

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I lose the Budapest card?

After you buy your Budapest card, it's essential to register it here so that if you lose it, you get a free replacement at Budapest Info Kiosk near Deak Ferenc Square.

Are there any discounts for children?

No — the same price applies to both adults and children. They discontinued the junior card.

Is it cheaper to not buy the Budapest card?

It depends — If you're on a tight budget or don't care for many items on the list, you can certainly plan your visit more inexpensively than with the Budapest card.

Some ideas on how to do that:

  • Use the 100E bus instead of the airport transfer.
  • Buy individual tickets or a 1-7 day pass on the public transport app BudapestGo.
  • Eat at non-tourist trap places.
  • Skip the guided tours and explore yourself.
  • Walk more.

How can I find more information on coverage list items - e.g., ticket prices or opening hours?

For more information on each activity, visit places of acceptance (official website).

What's the difference between the Budapest Card and the Budapest Travel Card?

The Budapest Card is a sightseeing pass created for tourists and encompasses the Budapest Travel Card.

The Budapest Travel Card is a transportation pass
that allows you to travel around Budapest without any extra cost. With this card, you can hop on buses, trams, metros, and even suburban trains, all included in the card's price.

It's available for different durations, such as 24 hours, 72 hours, or 15 days. The 7-day version was discountinued.

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