Page 241 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Budapest

GE T TING AROUND BUD APEST  239

Travelling on the Hév

The overland hév railway is an essential means of
transport connecting Budapest with its suburban
districts. It carries residents to and from work and tourists
to attractions located 20–30 km (12–20 miles) away from
the city centre. The standard tickets used on other forms
of transport (see p238) can be used to travel to central
destinations and other places within the city limits, such
as the Roman town of Aquincum, but passengers leaving
the city boundaries by suburban railway have to purchase
an extension ticket at the ticket office, ticket vending A standard hév train carriage
machines or from the conductor on board.
Other Town Transport
Several modes of transport
Suburban Rail Lines
The hév line (H9) runs from Örs operate in the Buda Hills west
The hév line H5 is most vezér tere and terminates in the of the city (see p165). A cog-
commonly used by tourists and village of Csömör just off the wheel railway connects Szilágyi
runs north from Batthyány tér northeast boundary of Budapest. Erzsébet fasor with Széchenyi
(see p104) towards Szentendre A fourth hév line (H6) begins Hill, with its picturesque walking
(see p169), taking in such sights at Közvágóhíd and terminates trails – BKK tickets and passes
as Aquincum (see pp166–7) approximately 40 km (25 miles) are valid right along the line.
along the way. Many of the away at Ráckeve on Csepel The Children’s Railway
trains on this line terminate Island (see p171). Tourists who runs from Széchenyi Hill to
at Békásmegyer rather than make this long journey can Hűvössvölgy (see p11). A chair
running on to Szentendre. You enjoy a visit to the palace of lift, or libegő, descends from
should check the destination Prince Eugene of Savoy. the top of János Hill down on
on the front of the train The fifth hév service (H7) to Zugligeti út.
before boarding. between Boráros tér and In the centre of the city the
Another line (H8) runs from Csepel Island is the shortest, Budavári Sikló is an old funicular
Örs vezér tere (at the eastern extending only 7 km (4 miles). railway which runs between the
terminus of the M2 metro line) Hév trains run regularly Buda end of the Chain Bridge
to Gödöllő, passing the between 4am and 11.30pm. and the top of Castle Hill.
Hungaroring Grand Prix race BKK tickets are valid up to the Buy tickets for all three modes
track (see p63) near Mogyoród city boundary; a supplementary of transport at the ticket offices
en route. ticket is required to go further. before boarding.

Getting Around by Taxi
It has always been easy to find a taxi in Budapest. The
competition was so fierce that some companies used
unfair methods to attract passengers or exploited foreign
visitors, especially those unfamiliar with Budapest. To
reduce this risk, the municipality of Budapest devised taxi
regulations. All licensed taxis have to be yellow, apply the A licensed Budapest taxi
same fares and conform to strict standards, such as having
air conditioning and accepting payment by credit card.
DIRECTORY
Using Taxis Taxi Companies
operators on duty. The total
Taxi ranks can be found fare you will be asked to Budapest Taxi
throughout Budapest and pay is made up of three Tel (06 1) 777 77 77.
are seldom empty. Taxis can parts; a basic charge, a per- ∑ budapesttaxi.hu
also be hailed on the street kilometre charge, and a City Taxi Tel (06 1) 211 11 11.
but to avoid problems it is waiting charge. On getting ∑ citytaxi.hu
often better to book from into the taxi, ensure that Főtaxi Tel (06 1) 222 22 22.
your hotel or by phone. the meter is set at the ∑ fotaxi.hu
All of the companies listed beginning of the journey Taxi 2000 Tel (06 1) 200 00 00.
in the Directory are likely and ask for an estimate of ∑ taxi2000.hu
to have English-speaking what the fare will be.

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