From Wednesday, motorists in Budapest will only be able to pay for on-street parking using their mobile phones, as the Hungarian capital removes parking meters and introduces higher parking fees across all paid parking zones.
Drivers can pay for parking through mobile applications, SMS or voice calls. However, payment through the BudapestGO application will not be available immediately, with the feature expected to be added in a future update.
The changes follow a decision by the Budapest General Assembly in November 2024 to phase out parking meters by amending the city’s parking regulations. The new rules officially take effect on 1 July, while the city has already supplied information boards that district parking operators are responsible for installing.
Parking fees will also increase significantly. Hourly rates in Zone A will rise to HUF 800, while those in Zone B will cost HUF 600 per hour. Parking in Zone C will increase to HUF 400 per hour, and Zone D will cost HUF 300 per hour, representing increases of between 33 and 50 per cent depending on the zone.
Additional changes affect Budapest’s paid park-and-ride facilities. The overnight parking fee at guarded P+R car parks will increase to HUF 300 per hour, monthly daytime parking passes will be discontinued, and the hourly fee at the northern paid parking area on Margaret Island will rise to HUF 800.
The transport changes extend beyond parking. Budapest’s public transport operator will also introduce a redesigned night bus network from Wednesday night to Thursday.
According to the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK), the revamped network will provide broader coverage and faster travel across both the capital and surrounding suburban communities. The redesigned system aims to create a more coherent network connecting the city centre and the Grand Boulevard area with every district, while also improving access for commuters travelling from the metropolitan area.
Among the new direct services will be routes linking Deák Ferenc Square with Pécel and central Budapest with Gödöllő. Connections serving Budaörs, Budakeszi, Zsámbék and nearby settlements will also be expanded through services extending as far as Törökbálint. Night-time public transport will also improve for passengers travelling to and from Szentendre, Solymár, Szigetszentmiklós and Gyál.
Related articles:
At a time when public debate is increasingly polarized and superficial, Hungarian Conservative remains committed to depth, intellectual honesty, and independent conservative thought.
Producing high-quality journalism requires resources. Your contribution helps us expand our coverage, reach new audiences, and keep our content accessible.
Please consider supporting our mission.
