The Budapest Castle funicular at a glance
The Budapest Castle funicular runs between Clark Ádám tér, at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge, and the Szent György tér station next to the Sándor Palace. It is operated by BKV, the city transport company. It saves you the climb up Castle Hill.
Cars leave on demand every 5 to 10 minutes. That is the departure rhythm, not a forecast for the queue, so plan some slack at busy times.
The funicular has its own fare. A normal city transport ticket or day pass does not cover it, so you buy a separate funicular ticket.
Our picks: getting up Castle Hill
The Budapest Card includes the funicular only in its 72-hour plus version. The castle bus is a clearly separate alternative, not a funicular ticket.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Budapest Card with museums and public transport
- Public transport
- National Gallery and Castle Museum
- Danube cruise
The listed museums include the National Gallery and the Castle Museum on the hill. The funicular ride and Matthias Church entry come only with the 72-hour plus version.
Check availability →
Hop-on hop-off castle bus
- Hop-on hop-off castle bus
- One full round
An electric bus up the hill that works as an alternative to the funicular, not as a funicular ticket. The ticket covers one round and ends back at Clark Ádám tér.
Check availability →Castle Hill walks and Budapest tours
Guided walks through the Castle District, city tours and day trips, with live prices and availability.
Funicular fares 2026
Fares for 2026. Return tickets fall within a range, shown in the table. Check the price at the ticket window before you pay.
| Passenger | One way | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | HUF 4,500 | HUF 5,000 to 5,500 |
| Child 3 to 14 years | HUF 2,000 | HUF 2,000 to 3,000 |
| Child under 3 years | Free | Free |
The usual senior and public transport discounts do not apply on the funicular. For the rest of your day, regular city transport costs HUF 500 for a single ticket, HUF 700 if you buy it from the driver where that is offered, HUF 2,750 for a 24-hour pass and HUF 5,750 for a 72-hour pass. Validate single tickets when you board. These tickets normally do not include a change to another bus, and the funicular and the airport bus 100E have their own special fares.
If you plan to ride more than once, compare the return fare with the Budapest Card Plus, which includes the funicular. For most visitors who ride up once and walk down through the Castle District, a single one-way ticket is the simplest choice.
Opening hours and maintenance days
The funicular runs every day from 08:00 to 22:00. The last tickets are sold at 21:50.
Regular maintenance day
As a general rule the funicular stops on the Monday of odd-numbered weeks. If that Monday is a public holiday, the stop moves to the next working day.
Planned stops in 2026
The calendar shows closures on 2, 16 and 30 November and on 14 and 28 December 2026. Check the current timetable before you go.
Longer closures
Longer maintenance periods happen, so on a tight schedule keep the bus or the walk as your second plan.
Plan the visit
Once you are up, the palace grounds and the museums are your first stops.
Buda Castle tickets →The upper station sits on Szent György tér, right beside the Sándor Palace. From there you reach the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum and the palace courtyards on foot.
Buses 16 and 916 and the walk up as alternatives
Bus 16 is the standard alternative to the funicular. At the upper station you will also find 16A and 116 named as ways to reach the hill. Bus 916 is a night line and serves stops in the Castle District. Do not plan around a fixed bus rhythm, and check the current timetable before you go.
You can also walk. The route runs through the Tabán district, where lifts link Palota út with the Csikós Court. Further up, the Stöckl staircase and lifts connect the Csikós Court with the Lion Courtyard. The courtyard paving is partly uneven, so wear sturdy shoes.
Funicular, bus or walk: which way up?
| Way up | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Funicular | Own fare, from HUF 4,500 one way | A direct ride from the Chain Bridge to Szent György tér |
| Bus 16 | Regular city fare, HUF 500 for a single ticket | Saving money on a regular city ticket |
| Stairs and lifts | Free | A slow walk through Tabán and the courtyards |
For most visitors with a tight budget, bus 16 up and a walk down is a good mix. If you want the direct ride from the Chain Bridge to the Szent György tér station, take the funicular.
Plan the rest of your visit
Budapest Castle funicular: frequently asked questions
How much is the Castle funicular in 2026?
An adult one-way ticket costs HUF 4,500. Children from 3 to 14 years pay HUF 2,000, and children under 3 travel free. Return tickets are HUF 5,000 to 5,500 for adults, so check the price at the ticket window.
Which cable car goes up to Buda Castle?
The ride up Castle Hill is the Budapest Castle funicular, which many visitors call the cable car. It runs between Clark Ádám tér and the Szent György tér station, and an adult one-way ticket costs HUF 4,500.
When does the funicular run?
Every day from 08:00 to 22:00, with ticket sales until 21:50. Cars leave every 5 to 10 minutes as needed.
Is the funicular closed on some days?
Yes. Regular maintenance usually falls on the Monday of odd-numbered weeks. Closures in 2026 are scheduled for 2, 16 and 30 November and 14 and 28 December.
Does my city transport pass cover the funicular?
No. The funicular has its own fare. Normal tickets and day passes do not include it.
Which buses go up to Castle Hill?
Bus 16 is the usual alternative, and 16A and 116 are named at the upper station. Night bus 916 serves Castle District stops.
Can I walk up instead?
Yes. Lifts in Tabán and the Stöckl staircase connect the lower district with the palace courtyards. Part of the courtyard paving is uneven.