Since you are not around enough to sign a contract with a Budapest taxi company, the cheapest way for you would be to book a taxi over the phone. But none of the taxi dispatchers speak any foreign language and quite often they have no tolerance towards those who do not speak perfect Hungarian. So a simple task of calling a cab becomes an insurmountable difficulty because of not speaking Hungarian.

But taking a taxi in Budapest can also involve other considerations. For example, some drivers drive like maniacs. A taxi might take you from the airport to downtown Budapest in 15 minutes. Normally, it is at least twice as much, with traffic, three times. I had friends coming in like this and they were holding on for dear life. But after all, a taxi is a means of getting somewhere fast, and that's exactly what happened.

All in all, Budapest taxis are still relativly cheap and are a fast way of getting around. They can use the bus lane and have a chance of getting you somewhere much faster. If you are 3-4 people it might not even be more expensive getting a taxi somewhere instead of public transportation.

Click here to to book your airport transfer from the airport to downtown Budapest.