Budapest’s Metro Goes Late: The Night Owl’s Guide to the City’s New After-Hours Transport
Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, grand architecture, and ruin pubs-but now it’s about to become a paradise for night owls and late-night adventurers. Starting June 1, 2025, the city’s metro system is rolling out a game-changing upgrade for anyone who loves to squeeze every last drop out of Budapest’s vibrant evenings. Whether you’re catching a midnight concert, lingering over a late dinner, or just not ready to let the night end, Budapest’s metros are here to keep you moving.
Metro Until Midnight and Beyond: The New Schedule Explained
Let’s face it: nothing kills the buzz of a magical Budapest night like the realization that your last metro is leaving just as the city lights start to sparkle. But those days are over. The Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) has announced that metro lines M2, M3, and M4 will now run until midnight on weekdays and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. That means more time to explore, more freedom to roam, and far fewer panicked sprints to the platform.
Here’s how it works: from Sunday night through Thursday night, the last metro from the city center departs at midnight. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can catch the last train at around 1 a.m.-with trains running every ten minutes, so you won’t have to elbow your way through a crowd of equally desperate partygoers. And if you’re the type who likes to squeeze every minute out of your Budapest adventure, you can now do so without worrying about being stranded in the city center.
Seamless Connections: Buses, Trams, and Trolleys in Sync
The metro isn’t the only thing getting a glow-up. More than 40 daytime bus, tram, and trolley lines are syncing their schedules with the new metro timetable. This means that even after the clock strikes midnight, you’ll have a smooth connection from the city’s heart to its outer districts. No more awkwardly waiting on a cold platform for a bus that may or may not show up-Budapest’s surface transport is stepping up its game to keep up with the metro’s new hours.
If you’re venturing to the city’s edges, you’ll find that the last metros are now perfectly timed with the last departures of key surface lines. So whether you’re heading back to your hotel in the outer districts or making your way to an afterparty across town, Budapest’s public transport is working overtime to make sure you get there.
Night Buses: A Supporting Cast with a New Script
With the metro running later, the city’s night buses are also getting a makeover. Some routes that used to cover the metro’s tracks will now be adjusted or replaced, making the whole system more efficient and less confusing for visitors. For example, on the M3 line, night buses like the 914 and 950 will now only run from Határ út and Nyugati pályaudvar or Újpest központ to the outer districts during the metro’s operating hours. Other night lines, like the 931, 990, 907, and 908A, are also getting timetable tweaks to fit the new metro schedule.
The result? A more streamlined, logical, and user-friendly night transport network that makes it easier than ever to get anywhere in Budapest-even after the city’s famous ruin pubs have called last orders.
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Why the Change? Listening to Locals and Visitors Alike
This isn’t just a random decision from city hall. Budapest’s new late-night metro schedule is the result of extensive consultation with both locals and civil organizations. The city’s travel habits have changed, with more people staying out later and expecting the city’s infrastructure to keep up. The BKK has responded by extending metro hours, adjusting surface transport, and promising to keep listening to feedback as the new system rolls out.
And don’t worry-this is just the beginning. The city is already planning further improvements to the night network, with ongoing consultations and a commitment to making Budapest’s public transport as accessible and enjoyable as possible for everyone.
What About the Airport Bus and Ticket Prices?
If you’re flying in or out of Budapest, there’s more good news. The 100E airport bus is getting a new terminus at the Western Railway Station (Nyugati pályaudvar), making it even easier to connect with the city’s main transport hubs. The bus will still stop at Deák Ferenc Square, so you’ll have plenty of options for getting to and from your flight, no matter what time you land or take off.
As for ticket prices, there will be some adjustments starting June 1. Single tickets, onboard purchases, and travel passes will see a slight increase, but the convenience and extended hours more than make up for it. For tourists, the 24-hour and 72-hour Budapest tickets remain a great deal, giving you unlimited travel on all public transport options during your stay. And with the BudapestGo app, you can buy your and others’ passses and tickets wherever you are.
A Nightlife Revolution: Why This Matters for Tourists
Budapest is a city that comes alive after dark. From riverside strolls and Danube cruises to late-night eats and world-class music, there’s always something happening. With the new late-night metro schedule, you can experience it all without worrying about how you’ll get home. No more cutting your night short or splurging on taxis-the city’s public transport is now your reliable companion, well past midnight.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Budapest explorer, these changes make the city more accessible, more enjoyable, and more in tune with the rhythms of modern urban life. So go ahead-book that late dinner, say yes to one more drink, and catch that midnight show. Budapest’s metros will be waiting to whisk you home, no pumpkin transformation required.
The Bottom Line: Budapest After Midnight Has Never Been Easier
With extended metro hours, coordinated surface transport, and a city committed to constant improvement, Budapest is setting a new standard for late-night urban adventure. The next time you’re planning a night out in Hungary’s capital, rest easy knowing the metros have your back-right up until the city’s lights begin to fade.
So stay out late, make the most of every moment, and discover why Budapest is quickly becoming Europe’s favorite city for night owls, partygoers, and anyone who believes the best memories are made after midnight.
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