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Car hire in Budapest

Hiring a car in Budapest

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and is developing as a great city break destination.

The city is located on the Danube River and has a rich history, as well as a vibrant nightlife.

Hungary as a whole has undergone significant regeneration in recent years and this is reflected in the improvements being made to Budapest’s infrastructure.

Visitors can now enjoy lots of new upgraded venue, as well as benefiting from resurfaced roads and pavements.

Of course, there is evidence of the country’s troubled past and it is hard not to be moved by some of the fitting tributes to past inhabitants that can been seen across the beautiful city.

What you need to know

There are a number of locations to pick up a hire car in Budapest, with many of the leading rental firms having a base at the city’s airport.

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is around 16km from the centre of the capital and was renamed to honour the country’s Hungarian composer Franz Liszt as part of celebrations to mark his 200th birthday.

It is well worth making use of our booking engine to pre-book your car hire before arriving in Budapest as it reduces hassle on your arrival, as well as ensuring you get the best price.

Where to pick up your car

If you are planning to collect your hire car from Budapest’s airport then the majority of car rental firms in the city will have a desk in Terminal 2 after the arrivals lounge.

Budapest airport is not the only spot in Hungary to pick up a car as the country has a number of other airports including Debrecen International Airport (DEB) - well placed near the border with Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine.

Best Car Hire Companies Budapest

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Car Hire Reviews Budapest

  • “The pick-up was easy, it took 5 minutes from arriving at the desk to driving out the car, and the return took even less time.”
    Diane T

Where to go

There is plenty to do while staying in Budapest, ranging from enjoying the local cuisine to discovering the city’s vibrant nightlife.

You can also explore the city’s markets, as well as the popular St Stephen’s Basillica.

Many people who visit the European city take advantage of the various thermal springs that are located across Budapest. There are numerous thermal baths that are open all-year round and some are open 24 hours a day.

Most of the popular baths have several pools of differing temperatures, complete with ice-cold plunge pools and the chance to have a relaxing massage.

Nearby Budapest

Getting around Budapest is easily done in a hire car, just remember they drive on the right. Since joining the European Union, Hungary has invested heavily in its road network and the majority of routes are in good condition.

If you are venturing away from Budapest then remember the speed limits in towns and cities are 50 km/h, away from built-up areas speed limits vary up to 130 km/h on motorways - keep an eye out for signs to ensure you are keeping with the legal limits. Police in Hungary are able to issue on the spot fines for minor traffic offences.

There are plenty of attractions within an hour’s drive from Budapest, including Esztergom Basilica Cathedral. A stunning building, there is the chance to take a tour of the cathedral's main floor, treasury, tower and crypt.

Longer drives

Budapest is well-positioned if you plan to go on a road trip to other cities in Europe. One of the most popular routes is Budapest to Vienna - it takes around three hours to travel to the capital city of Austria and passes through some spectacular landscape.

Top attractions in Budapest

There is a real wealth of things to see and do in Budapest - making it ideal for romantic breaks, girly-weekends away and a family vacation. Here are a few things that should make it on to your must-see list.

Hungarian Museum of Trade and Tourism

Although small, the Hungarian Museum of Trade and Tourism is a quirky attraction that looks at the development of different trades. Featuring a whole host of exhibits, ranging from packaging to shop signs, this is a really lovely day out.

Great Synagogue

Budapest’s Great Synagogue is the largest of its kind outside of the US. The building was built in 1859 and also houses the Hungarian Jewish Museum.
The Great Synagogue has a mix of Moorish and Romantic architectural styles and is one of the most popular attractions in the Hungarian country.
The Synagogue is also a short distance from many of the central hotels in the city and is close to the main shopping street in the city - Váci utca.
Visitors can also see a special memorial to mark the victims of the Holocaust. Designed by Imre Varga in 1991, the tree of life structure contains the family names of those killed during the Second World War.

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace has undergone a number of changes since being built as a royal residence in the 13th century. Nowadays, the impressive site is home to two museums and Hungary’s national library.

Visitors should visit the Hungarian National Gallery, where there are four floors of Hungarian art dating back to the 11th century, as well as more modern pieces.

The palace is also home to the Castle Museum, which details the rich history of Hungary and includes numerous artefacts that trace the development of the country’s culture.