Biking in Budapest
Only for the Brave Ones

Although the number of cycle lanes and bikers has grown in recent years biking in Budapest is still problematic.

This applies to cycling in the congested areas, like the city centre, and along the main traffic routes but Margaret Island and the Buda Hills are perfect for biking around.

Hopefully more and more designated cycling paths will be built in Budapest in the coming years so that cycling would be a pleasant and safe way of discovering the city.

There're many suggestions and plans on ways to improve conditions for biking in Budapest the implementation of which is very slow.

Cycling Paths in Budapest

Budapest has altogether 170 km pathways designated to cycling. This includes the cycling paths, cycling lanes and side streets designated as suitable for cycling. The management of Budapest aims to incerase the length of cycling paths to 300 km by 2015.

Designated cycle paths are painted in red and are marked with two yellow stripes running along the path'sides and a yellow bicycle is painted in the middle of the route at some points.

Cycling path along Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út in VI. district

Be prepared however that in most areas in Budapest you have to share the pavement with pedestrians and zigzagging on two wheels among walkers in the busy downtown is very frustrating.

Cycling on the roads of Budapest is very dangerous. Drivers have no respect for each other let alone for bikers. And it's not pleasant and healthy to ride behind a a truck or old bus and inhale the exhaust fumes.

Best Places to go for Biking in Budapest

If you want to enjoy biking in Budapest do it on Margaret Island where there're long stretches paths for bikers, lots of green, and fresh air.

Other nice place for cycling is up in the Buda Hills. You can take up your bike by the Cogwheel Railway (fogaskerekű vasút) that runs between Városmajor and Széchenyi Hill stations.

The only other public vehicle you can take your bike with you on board is the HÉV suburban railway (bikes aren't allowed on metro, trams and buses).

Andrássy avenue is also favoured by bikers.

Bicycle Rental in Budapest

There're a couple of bike rental companies in Budapest,like:

Budapest Bike
Tel: (+36)30/944 5533

It operates in Szóda café (Wesselényi utca 18., VII. district, M2 metro Astoria station, and it's also close to Deák tér metro station)

Bicycle rental prices: 3000 HUF/day, 2000 HUF/6 hours, 5000 HUF/2 days Price incudes safety helmet, safety chain and child seat if necessary.

Bikebase
Address: Podmanizcky utca 19., VI. district, M3 metro or trams 4-6 Nyugati tér or Oktogon stop
Tel: (+36) 70 625 85 01

Rental prices: 2000 HUF/day, 3500 HUF/2 days

On request they organize guided bike tours in Budapest in English, German, French, and Italian languages.

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