How to get to Buda Castle & Fisherman's Bastion by metro

Station, line, walking time and exit — the complete guide.

Quick answer

Get off at Széll Kálmán tér station (Line M2). From there it is a short bus ride or a ~15-minute walk uphill to Buda Castle, the Castle District and Fisherman’s Bastion.

Batthyány tér (M2) is the stop for the Castle Hill Funicular at Clark Ádám tér, a short ride up to the palace.

Alternatively: Batthyány tér (Line M2).

Overview

Buda Castle (Budavári Palota) is the historic royal palace crowning Castle Hill above the Danube — a UNESCO World Heritage site that today houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. The same cobbled hilltop, the Castle District, is home to Matthias Church and the fairy-tale white turrets of the Fisherman’s Bastion, with its famous panorama across the river to the Parliament. Castle Hill has no metro of its own: the nearest station is Széll Kálmán tér on the M2 (red) line, from where a short bus ride or an uphill walk brings you into the district.

Getting there from key points

Starting point	Metro route
Deák Ferenc tér	Line M2 (red) toward Déli, ~6 min, then bus 16 / walk
Keleti pályaudvar	Line M2 (red) toward Déli, ~11 min, then bus 16
Batthyány tér	Line M2 (red), 1 stop, then the Castle Funicular

Step by step

Take Line M2 and get off at Széll Kálmán tér.

Follow the signs to the exit for the attraction.

Take bus 16 or walk ~15 min uphill you reach Buda Castle, the Castle District and Fisherman’s Bastion.

What else to see nearby

Fisherman's Bastion📍 Map12 min
Matthias Church📍 Map13 min
Hungarian National Gallery📍 Map16 min

Useful information

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Ticket

A single ticket is 500 Ft and does not allow a change. If you need to transfer, buy the 30-minute (600 Ft) or 90-minute ticket (850 Ft), which allow unlimited changes within that time. The Budapest 24-hour ticket is 2,750 Ft. Buy in the BudapestGO app or at station machines.

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Accessibility

Széll Kálmán tér has lifts and escalators, but reaching the Castle involves slopes and steps — bus 16 is the most step-free way up to the district.

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Tip

From Széll Kálmán tér take bus 16 or 16A up to the Castle District, or walk up through the Vienna Gate in about 15 minutes. The Castle Hill Funicular (Sikló) is a scenic alternative, running up from Clark Ádám tér near Batthyány tér. The lower terraces of Fisherman’s Bastion are free; only the upper towers charge a small fee at peak times.

Station: Széll Kálmán tér Route planner Metro map

Frequently asked questions

How much is a metro ticket in Budapest?

A single ticket is 500 Ft with no change allowed; for a transfer, use the 30-minute (600 Ft) or 90-minute ticket (850 Ft). The Budapest 24-hour ticket costs 2,750 Ft. Tickets are sold in the BudapestGO app and at machines in every station. See the "Schedule" page for hours.

How long does it take from the centre?

Deák Ferenc tér: Line M2 (red) toward Déli, ~6 min, then bus 16 / walk.

Which line serves the station?

Széll Kálmán tér station is on Line M2.

What time does the metro run?

Budapest’s metro runs from about 04:30 to 23:10 every day, with trains every 2–3 minutes at peak times. After the metro closes, night buses cover the same routes.

Where can I see more sights?

See all attractions near the metro for the station, line and walking time to each one.

Updated: October 2026