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Why choose Budapest hop-on-hop-off tours?
Explore all top attractions efficiently
Skip the hassle of navigating public transport and deciphering maps in a new city. Budapest hop-on-hop-off bus tours offer a seamless sightseeing experience and cover all the major attractions, including the Buda Castle, Parliament Building, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Chain Bridge. Simply board your bus and enjoy the scenic views, as you are whisked from one landmark to the next.
Hop on and hop off at your leisure
If you are an independent explorer and feel rushed in group tours, choose hop-on-hop-off buses. Not only can you hop on and hop off whenever you want, but you can also customize your own itinerary. Since you can choose where to get off and how long to stay at each stop, it is easy to tailor the experience to your interests and schedule.
Informative commentary and insider tips
All Budapest hop-on-hop-off tours offer audio guides in multiple languages, providing insights into the city’s history and culture. These added knowledgeable tidbits enhance your sightseeing experience. In addition to buses, a few Big Bus tours also include Danube sightseeing cruises. Boat tours give you a unique perspective of the city's iconic skyline, including the Parliament Building, Buda Castle, and Gellert Hill.
Makes for budget-friendly sightseeing
Hop-on-hop-off tours help you save a pretty penny, especially if you plan to visit multiple attractions. Instead of paying separate transport fares every time you visit a landmark, one ticket covers your travel for the entire route. You can also choose tours that include access to the city’s public transport for your entire stay or allow you to visit multiple museums and landmarks.
The perfect introduction to the city
Hop-on hop-off tours provide a fantastic introduction to the city's layout and major attractions. Whether it’s your first time in Budapest, or your second, or third visit, these bus tours will help you make the most of your time in the city. Familiarize yourself with the places, choose landmarks you’d like to explore further, and create a personalized itinerary for the rest of your trip.
Find hidden gems
The Budapest hop-on hop-off tours go beyond the usual tourist hotspots. Their routes include lesser-known gems, allowing visitors to discover the city's unique character. Stop by the Fairy Tale Museum, Budapest Pinball Museum, Palinka Museum, Dohany Street Synagogue, Gresham Palace, and many other landmarks.
All weather sightseeing
Budapest's unpredictable weather can sometimes dampen sightseeing plans. Not with hop-on hop-off tours! Most buses offer both open-air and covered seating, allowing you to enjoy the city come rain or shine. The double-decker buses also provide an eye-level view of the city’s architectural treasures, encouraging you to appreciate the intricate details on their facades.
Accessible and convenient
The hop-on-hop-off bus tours are designed to be accessible to everyone, including families with children, elderly travelers, and people with disabilities. These buses feature ramps that deploy from the door, making it easy for visitors on wheelchairs to get on or de-board the bus. If you require assistance, inform the driver or guide on board.
Maximize your time
With predefined routes and regular intervals, hop-on-hop-off tours save you the hassle of navigating public transportation. You can maximize your time by hopping on and off near your destination. Spend as much time as you want at any attraction and then catch the next bus on the route. These buses run frequently, every 10 to 15 minutes.
Hidden gems on your Budapest hop-on-hop-off bus tour
Palinka Museum
The Palinka Museum offers an immersive experience into the world of Hungary’s famous fruit brandy. Inside this museum, you can learn more about the history of this traditional spirit and its production process. Enjoy a guided tasting session, where you can sample a variety of palinka flavors, from plum to apricot.
- Nearest stop: Opera (Big Bus), Jozsef Attila Street (City Sightseeing), & Andrassy Avenue (City Sightseeing)
Hungarian National Gallery
Located in Buda Castle, the Hungarian National Gallery showcases an extensive collection of Hungarian art from medieval times to the present. Look out for paintings by renowned artists like Mihaly Munkacsy and Laszlo Paal. The gallery also offers temporary exhibitions, providing fresh insights into Hungarian and international art.
- Nearest stop: Castle (Big Bus) & Castle Garden (City Sightseeing)
Memento Park
Memento Park is an open-air museum that houses monumental statues and plaques from Hungary’s Communist era. Wander around the lush greenery and admire the colossal figures of Lenin, Marx, and other Soviet-era leaders. If you are interested in history and the lives of Hungarians under Communist rule, this park is a must-visit.
- Nearest stop: Gellert Bath (Big Bus) & Gellert Bath (City Sightseeing)
Kazinczy Synagogue
The Kazinczy Synagogue, nestled in the Jewish Heritage Quarter, is an exquisite example of Art Nouveau architecture. Step inside to admire the vibrant stained-glass windows, intricate woodwork, and beautifully decorated walls. We recommend booking a guided tour to learn more about its mosaics and the Jewish community in Hungary.
- Nearest stop: Opera (Big Bus), Jozsef Attila Street (City Sightseeing), & Andrassy Avenue (City Sightseeing)
Gresham Palace
Gresham Palace, now the Four Seasons Hotel, is an Art Nouveau masterpiece. Walk along the Danube’s banks to admire its outside facade, showcasing intricate ironwork and mosaic tiles. As you step inside, you will be greeted by a grand lobby with elegant chandeliers and stained-glass windows.
- Nearest stop: Chain Bridge (Big Bus), Jozsef Attila Street (City Sightseeing), & Siklo (City Sightseeing)
Vajdahunyad Castle
The Vajdahunyad Castle, set in City Park, offers a whimsical blend of architectural styles, inspired by various historical buildings across Hungary. Marvel at its fairy-tale towers and Gothic courtyards. Inside, stop by the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, offering fascinating exhibits on the city’s farming heritage.
- Nearest stop: Heroes’ Square (Big Bus) & Heroes’ Square (City Sightseeing)
Kunsthalle Art Museum
Kunsthalle, also known as the Hall of Art, is a contemporary art museum located on Heroes’ Square. The museum hosts rotating exhibitions, primarily showcasing contemporary artworks by Hungarian and international artists. Its grand Neoclassical architecture provides a striking contrast to the modern artworks displayed within.
- Nearest stop: Heroes’ Square (Big Bus) & Heroes’ Square (City Sightseeing)
House of Terror
The House of Terror chronicles the dark times of the 20th century when the city was under Fascist and Communist regimes. Housed in the former headquarters of the secret police, the museum’s exhibits include remains of prison cells, torture chambers, and other chilling artifacts.
- Nearest stop: Opera (Big Bus) & Andrassy Avenue (City Sightseeing)
Hospital in the Rock
The Hospital in the Rock offers a unique glimpse into Budapest’s wartime history. Located in the caves beneath Buda Castle, this underground museum served as a hospital during World War II and the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Look out for the museum’s preserved operating rooms, wards, and medical equipment.
- Nearest stop: Castle (Big Bus) & Castle Garden (City Sightseeing)
The Ethnographic Museum
The Museum of Ethnography aims to provide a deeper understanding of Hungarian rural life and traditions. Its extensive collection includes exhibits from various regions of Hungary. Some of the museum’s major highlights include folk art, everyday objects, traditional fabrics, intricately decorated pottery, textiles, and furniture.
- Nearest stop: Parliament (Big Bus) & Parliament (City Sightseeing)
Hungarian Railway Museum
Located in a former railway maintenance depot, the museum features an impressive collection of steam engines and vintage carriages. You can climb aboard historic locomotives, take a ride on a miniature railway, and even try your hand at driving a steam engine. The museum’s engaging displays and hands-on activities make it a fun and educational outing for all ages.
- Nearest stop: Batthyany Square (Big Bus), Parliament (Big Bus), & Castle Garden (City Sightseeing)
Budapest Pinball Museum
With over 130 playable machines, ranging from vintage to modern, the Pinball Museum is a haven for gaming enthusiasts. Learn about the history and evolution of pinball while enjoying unlimited playtime on the various machines. The museum’s lively atmosphere and interactive experience make it a delightful and entertaining stop for both kids and adults.
- Nearest stop: Margaret Bridge (Big Bus), Buda Margaret Bridge (City Sightseeing), Nyugati Railway Station (City Sightseeing)
Budapest hop-on-hop-off tour schedule
Big Bus
City Sightseeing
- Route: Red route
- Stops: 18
- Operating hours: 9am to 5pm
- Frequency: 10 to 20 minutes
- Inclusions: Danube River sightseeing cruise (optional), round-trip transfers to and from the Budapest Airport and the Keleti railway station, and from the Airport and the City Center (depending on the tickets you choose)
- Top sights: St. Stephen’s Basilica, Szechenyi Chain Bridge, Gresham Palace, State Opera House, Szechenyi thermal baths, and others
- Route: Red and Green routes
- Stops: 25
- Operating hours: 9am to 6pm
- Frequency: 10 to 15 minutes
- Inclusions: Danube sightseeing cruise (optional)
- Top sights: Dohany Street Synagogue, Hungarian National Museum, Erzebet Bridge, and others
Book Budapest hop-on-hop-off bus tours
Frequently asked questions about Budapest hop-on-hop-off tours
What’s included in Budapest’s hop-on-hop-off tour?
Budapest hop-on-hop-off tours include multilingual audio guides in over 16 languages and free Wi-Fi. Bring headphones and enjoy learning about the historical landmarks as you pass them by. Depending on the kind of tickets you choose, you can also go on a Danube sightseeing cruise, and enjoy round-trip transfers from the Budapest Airport to the Keleti railway station.
How to book Budapest hop-on-hop-off tours?
We recommend booking Budapest hop-on-hop-off bus tours online to ensure a hassle-free sightseeing experience. With online ticket bookings, you can secure your spot in advance. Booking online also allows you to browse different tour options, compare routes, and choose the one that best suits your interests and time constraints.
How many times can I hop on and hop off?
With Budapest hop-on-hop-off bus tours, you can step off and board the buses as many times as you want. These buses run frequently, every 10 to 20 minutes. You can hop off, explore at your own pace, and hop on the next bus on the same route.
Are there places to eat near the Budapest bus stops?
Budapest is a foodie’s paradise, offering cuisines from around the world. You will find restaurants and pubs near every hop-on-hop-off bus stop. Around Castle District, you can stop by the LANG Bistro & Grill, Corvin Gastropub, and Spiler Biergarten. Bamba Marha Burger Park and Olive Sushi Restaurant are popular near Astoria. If you are around Andrassy Avenue, Retro Langos Restaurant and Ape Regina are must-try options.
Do the buses offer free Wi-Fi?
Yes, all Budapest hop-on-hop-off buses offer free Wi-Fi to download the multilingual guides available on board. These guides are translated into over 16 languages for your convenience.
Are hop-on-hop-off tours ideal for first-timers?
Budapest hop-on-hop-off bus tours are perfect for those traveling to the city for the first time. Unlike rigid itineraries, these buses offer you to flexibility to explore at your own pace. You can hop on and hop off at designated stops and spend as much time as you want at any attraction.