Taxi companies in Budapest, Hungary

Taxis aren’t cheap anymore and, considering the excellent public transportation network, you won’t really have to use them much. We’ve heard from several readers who were grossly overcharged and even threatened by taxi drivers in Budapest, so taking a taxi in this city should be approached with caution. Not all taxi meters are set at the same rates, and some are much more expensive than others. The taxis with no name on the door and only a removable light box on the roof are the most likely to cheat you. Never get into a taxi that does not have a yellow license plate (as required by law), the logo of a reputable taxi firm on the side doors and a table of fares posted on the dashboard inside.

Budapest taxis have yellow number plates and yellow taxi signs on them. The sum to be paid at the end of the journey consists of three different parts:
- the basic fee, which does not depend on the distance you travel
- the kilometer fare, based on the actual distance you took
- the waiting tariff, which is used if the taxi has stopped or advances slower than 15 kms/hour

Taxi companies use different tariffs, there is one thing, however, which is common in them, there is a maximum price applied. If you take a taxi, the tariffs displayed on the dashboard and on the right rear window cannot be different. Only the Price on the dashboard can be lower..

These prices are valid for all trips started in Budapest, including the railway stations and airport terminals. In case you take a taxi in Budapest and your destination is outside the city border, the driver may ask you to pat the return fare to the border.

All cabs are equipped with taxi meters, which prints you the receipts.

The telephone numbers of reliable taxi firms in Budapest - in order of preference. You can call them from anywhere (the dispatchers usually speak English), and they’ll arrive in a matter of minutes. Make sure you know the number of the phone you’re calling from, as that’s how they establish your address.

The best places to find taxis are in ranks at bus and train stations, near markets and around main squares. But you can flag down cruising taxis anywhere at any time. At night, taxis illuminate their sign on the roof when vacant. If an independent taxi stops on the street, wave it on and wait for one with the logo of a reputable firm emblazoned on its door.

Taking a taxi in the provinces is almost always without incident, and because fewer people take them than in Budapest the driver will usually be courteous and helpful. It’s a different case altogether in Budapest, and you should be on your guard at all times when taking a taxi in the capital. If all goes well, passengers usually tip drivers about 10% (or round up to the nearest 100 Ft, even if it means tipping a little less or a little more).

If you have got a taxi-related problem you can complain at one of the following offices:
Tourism Office of Budapest
+361 266-0479

Budapest Chamber of Commerce
H-1553 Budapest
Pf. 671.

Municipality of Budapest
H-1052 Budapest
Karoly Krt. 28.

Bureau of Consumer Affairs
H-1088 Budapest
Jozsef Krt. 6.