Budapest, Hungary’s vibrant capital, is a city full of history, culture, and stunning architecture. To make the most of your visit, having the right mobile apps can make your experience seamless and enjoyable. Here’s a guide to the most useful and popular mobile apps for navigating Budapest:

1. Transportation Apps

• BKK FUTÁR This official app of the Budapest public transportation system is a must-have. It provides real-time schedules, route planning, and service updates for buses, trams, and metro lines. You can also buy digital tickets directly through the app.
• Bolt For quick and reliable rides, Bolt (formerly Taxify) is the most used option to book taxis. It’s cheaper than traditional cab services and widely available throughout the city.
• MOL Bubi Budapest’s bike-sharing system used to locate bike stations, unlock bikes, and pay for your rides easily. The pass is only 1000 HUF a month and is an ideal for eco-friendly travel because a fast and cheap way to get around the city. You can use the bikes without a pass but it’d cost you more since it’ll charge you by the minute.
• Bird/Lime/Tier for e-scooters
• Mol Limo, GreenGo, ShareNOW for car rental.

2. Navigation Apps to explore the city or commute

• Google Maps An essential app for getting around Budapest, Google Maps provides detailed walking, driving, and public transport directions. It also includes reviews and information about restaurants, attractions, and shops.
• BudapestGO has some advantages over Maps like being able to indicate the bus/tram/etc. you’re currently on as a starting point for your route. You can also purchase tickets and passes on the app as well.
• Waze If you’re driving, Waze is an excellent choice for real-time traffic updates and the quickest routes around the city.

3. Dining and Food Delivery Apps

• Wolt (previously NetPincér) or Foodora: when hunger strikes, use it to order food from Budapest’s top restaurants. Both apps offer a wide range of cuisines and reliable delivery services.
• TripAdvisor Use TripAdvisor to find top-rated restaurants, cafes, and bars in Budapest. You can read reviews, check menus, and make reservations through the app.
• Munch for cheap food and reducing food waste. Munch.hu for the local ‘Too Good to Go‘ kind of services.
• Kifli.hu – online grocery shopping, a bit pricier than other places but high quality & great customer service. • Természetjáró – hiking app, also available in English. The interface is not the best and it’ll take a bit of time to figure it out but it’s useful for checking out potential hiking/trail running routes. • Bolt – taxi app, please use this every time you want to call a taxi, as others might try to scam you. It’s much safer and you pay in advance.

4. Cultural and Event Apps

• Jegy.hu: for theather, concerts, and other cultural events, Jegy.hu is the go-to app. You can browse upcoming performances and purchase tickets directly.
• Eventbrite: to stay updated on the latest events, workshops, and festivals happening in Budapest with Eventbrite. It’s perfect for discovering unique experiences.
• Facebook Events: check there what’s happening! Facebook here is used a lot to find events, meet-up for any kind of group
• Welovebudapest.com: website for events and plans. Budapestbylocals.com

5. Language Assistance Apps

• Google Translate: although many people in Budapest speak English, it’s helpful to have Google Translate for deciphering menus, signs, or phrases in Hungarian. The camera translation feature is particularly handy.

6. Tourist Information Apps

• Budapest Official Guide: this app provides curated itineraries, maps, and tips about Budapest’s top attractions, including opening hours and ticket information.
• PocketGuide: it offers audio tours of Budapest, allowing you to explore the city’s rich history and culture at your own pace.

7. Payment and Banking Apps

• Revolut: for hassle-free currency exchange and payments, Revolut is a popular choice among travelers. It allows you to pay in Hungarian forints without additional fees.
• Simple by OTP: this app is perfect for buying cinema tickets, paying for parking, or even booking event tickets in Budapest.

8. Accommodation Apps

• Booking.com: whether you’re looking for luxury hotels or budget hostels, Booking.com is a reliable app for finding and reserving accommodations.
• Airbnb: if you prefer unique stays, Airbnb offers a wide selection of apartments and rooms across the city.

9. Shopping Online Apps

• No Amazon unfortunately, you could order from the German one if you really needed something from there but shipping will still be super high. If you really need something from Amazon, Amazon DE might actually works to get some stuff for cheaper, even with the shipping and handling fees
• Árukereső to compare prices for local stores
• Alza has an English version for their website and their app which will make it easier to search.
• Vatera is something people use for used goods, but there is a high chance no one speaks english
• Ebay works here just fine, but Facebook Marketplace is way a preferable option
• Hardverapró is good for second hand electronics stuff
• Facebook Marketplace: it is a place where you can find any sort of items on the market, but beware of scams. You’ll most likely to have a higher chance of being targeted as a foreigner
• Emag and Alza are local alternatives to Amazon in Hungary

10. Apartment rental and Real Estate Apps

• Ingatlan.hu is the website most people use to find apartments rentals
• Facebook Marketplace for apartment rental (look for rental groups/pages)

11. Grocery Delivery Apps

• Wolt, Foodora for food/small grocery delivery
• Munch for cheap food and reducing food waste. Munch.hu for the local ‘Too Good to Go‘ kind of services.

Final Thoughts

With these apps in your arsenal, navigating and enjoying Budapest will be a breeze. From transportation to dining, cultural experiences, and accommodation, these tools ensure you make the most of your time in this enchanting city. Download them before your trip, and enjoy the seamless experience they provide.