Budapest Card Discounts in Buda Castle

Budapest Card offers several discounts in the Buda Castle area, the most generous of which is the 72h Budapest Card Plus. Book your Budapest Card in advance, and enjoy the benefits across the whole city.

Free Entry with Budapest Card

The following Buda Castle attractions are free to visit with a valid Budapest Card.

Free Entry to History Museum in Buda Castle

Free ticket with Budapest Card to the Budapest History Museum and its historical permanent exhibitions in the old and new buildings inside the Buda Castle. For a small additional fee you may request an audio guide to learn more about the history of the Buda Castle Royal Palace. Fully accessible with a wheelchair. Note: closed on Mondays. Available with Budapest Cards: 24, 48, 72/72+ 96 and 120h

Free Entry to St Stephen’s Hall with Budapest Card

Saint Stephen’s Hall, a stunning masterpiece of Hungarian design and craftsmanship, is a must-visit attraction in Buda Castle. This magnificent hall, once destroyed during World War II, has been restored to its former glory and is now open to the public. Available with Budapest Cards: 24, 48, 72/72+ 96 and 120h

Free Entry to National Gallery in Buda Castle

Free admission with Budapest Card to the Hungarian National Gallery displaying hundreds of exquisite artworks made by Hungarian painters, sculptors over the centuries. The panorama dome inside offers beautiful views over the Buda Castle district (the dome has limited opening hours). Fully accessible with a wheelchair. Note: closed on Mondays. Available with Budapest Cards: 24, 48, 72/72+ 96 and 120h

Free Entry to Matthias Church with Budapest Card

Founded in 1015 by the first Hungarian king, Saint Stephen, Matthias Church is a testament to the rich history of Budapest. This architectural gem, located on Buda Castle Hill, is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, renowned for its intricate tile roof and vibrant stained glass windows. This historic church has served as the site of several coronations, including that of King Franz Joseph I. Available with the Budapest Card 72h Plus and the Tourist Pass 72h Plus.

Free Entry to Medieval Jewish Prayer House

The Medieval Jewish Prayer House is a unique attraction that shares the history of the Jewish community from the 13th to the 17th century, including the early Middle Ages and the Ottoman Turk occupation. Available with the Budapest Card 72h Plus and the Tourist Pass 72h Plus.(Note: closed on Mon, Sat and worship days.)

 

Free return Funicular ride with Budapest Card

The Funicular, located at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge, offers a brief ride with stunning views of Budapest and the River Danube since 1870. This UNESCO World Heritage site operates on a 95-meter route with a 50-meter elevation and features two tram cars. Available with the Budapest Card 72h Plus and the Tourist Pass 72h Plus.

Free Hop on Hop off Castle Bus Ride with Budapest Card

The Buda Castle electric bus service offers a comfortable and eco-friendly way to explore the Castle District, allowing travellers to access the protected inner zone that larger coaches cannot reach. Passengers can enjoy the charming open-air minibuses, which stop at 23 major attractions and high-quality restaurants, with the convenience of hop on and hop off using the same ticket up to three times. Available with the Budapest Card 72h Plus and the Tourist Pass 72h Plus.

Free Public Transportation with Budapest Card

The Castle District can be easily accessed by bus no. 16 or 116 from the Buda side and bus no. 16 from the Pest side.

Free Tram / Bus / Trolley Pass in all zones in Budapest.

More info on How to Get to Buda Castle. 
Available with Budapest Cards: 24, 48, 72/72+ 96 and 120h

 

 

Free Guided Tours with Budapest Card

Budapest Card holders can participate in 2 guided tours in Budapest for free. Both of them are 2 hour long walking tours with a professional English guide, running once daily throughout the year (even on bank holidays). Advance booking with Budapest Card is not necessary. Budapest Card provides several other discounts on sightseeing tours, but these 2 tour are free of charge/ included in the Budapest Card list of accepted places.

Available with Budapest Cards: 24, 48, 72/72+ 96 and 120h

 

Free Walking Tour in Buda Castle District

Budapest City Center walking tour from 2pm (running every day, even on bank holidays) exclusively in English. The succinct walking tour starts from the Holy Trinity Statue nearby the Matthias Church, visiting the major attractions of the Buda Castle district (Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, courtyards of the Castle). The guide will point out the relevant Castle District attractions along the tour. Available with Budapest Cards: 24, 48, 72/72+ 96 and 120h

Free Tour in City Centre Budapest

Also a daily walking tour from 10am on the Pest side. This English language tour starts from the city centre (31 Vaci str., Budapest District V.), and features the most important attractions of Pest, such as the St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Hungarian Parliament and the Liberty Square.Available with Budapest Cards: 24, 48, 72/72+ 96 and 120h

 

Free entry to Magdalene Church Tower (Budatower) with Budapest Card

Free admission to the 13th century ruins and the tall Magdalene Church Tower in the Buda Castle District, formerly the church of the Hungarian population living inside the castle walls.

The Mary Magdalene Tower in Budapest’s Kapisztrán Square is a well-preserved medieval Gothic monument, originally built as a chapel for Hungarian civilians. Over the centuries, it served as a Christian church, a Muslim place of worship, and a coronation site, and today offers a stunning panoramic view from its lookout. Visitors can explore its unique history and view the bronze chime structure, though the carillon is currently out of order due to storm damage. The tower also hosts temporary art exhibitions, and its chapel includes a significant collection of Hungarian royal artefacts, including St. Stephen’s coronation mantle. Available with Budapest Cards: 24, 48, 72/72+ 96 and 120h

Further Discounts with Budapest Card in the Buda Castle

Hospital in the Rock: 25% discount from the entry price of the underground waxwork exhibition of the former secret bunker and hospital 15 metre under the Buda Castle Hill. 75% of the exhibition is wheelchair accessible (please let the museum know if you use a wheelchair in advance). Originally constructed as a WWII emergency hospital and bomb shelter, Sziklakórház was later expanded during the Cold War to serve as a nuclear bunker. It offers a unique glimpse into Hungary’s wartime and Cold War history. Nestled within the Buda Castle Hill’s natural cave system, this underground museum maintains a chillingly authentic atmosphere, with its dimly lit tunnels and preserved wartime setup providing an immersive experience.

Halászbástya Restaurant: Located within the iconic Fisherman’s Bastion, Halászbástya Restaurant offers one of the best panoramic views in Budapest, overlooking the Danube River, the Hungarian Parliament, and the historic Pest side of the city. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy a meal while taking in the breathtaking scenery.

Kindly note that the rest of the surrounding Fisherman’s Bastion, designed as a tribute to the guild of fishermen who defended this part of the city walls during the Middle Ages, does not share this discount option.You can use 20% discount in this restaurant.

Additional Discounts with the Budapest Card 72h Plus

Budapest Card 72h Plus adds more goodies to the normal Budapest Card, extra activities and entries. With regard to the Buda Castle District, the Budapest Card Plus (not identical with the cheaper Budapest Card), also includes a free ride with the Funicular cable car that runs from the Tunnel under the Buda Castle Hill up to the Castle Hilltop (the upper station is by the presidential palace called Alexander Palace/ Sandor Palota): it is free in both directions, uphill and downhill, with a pre-booked ticket.

In addition to the Funicular, you can also use another vehicle free of charge, the hop on hop off Castle Bus that specifically runs around the Castle District (daily, from 9 am to 5 pm). These open sided mini buses are independent from the public transport buses that run all day long connecting the Castle District with the city centre and other attractions in the city.

Former Discounts – Discontinued

Kindly note that the following vouchers are currently not part of the Budapest tourist card acceptance list:

Fisherman’s Bastion Lookout Towers in Buda Castle District – currently not part of the Budapest Card acceptance list

Fisherman’s Bastion: currently the discount for the upper tower entry price is not available (the lower parts are free to visit all year round – available to visit with a guided tour in Buda Castle)

Museum of Music History in Buda Castle District –  currently not part of the Budapest Card acceptance list

Museum of Music History: currently the discount for the entry price is not available form the entry price. Kindly note that the admission fee is nominal and the museum often features public classical concerts.

Festival of Folk Arts – currently not part of the Budapest Card acceptance list

The most popular annual festival in the Buda Castle, The Festival of Folk Arts is held every year in August (usually ending on Aug 20). Entry to the festival is free for Budapest Card holders.

3D History Show in Buda Castle District – currently not part of the Budapest Card acceptance list

The 3D History video show is moving to its new home in the Royal Guard Cafe (coming soon). Currently the show is not available as a free entrance with Budapest Card. (The 3D historical film show was formerly in the St Michael’s Chapel hidden under Fisherman’s Bastion with free admission with the tourist card). The 3D Hungarian Historical show overviews the over 1000 year old history of the Hungarian people / Magyar tribes.

Kindly check with the official Budapest Card provider for the updated list of places of acceptance of your Budapest Card as we cannot take responsibility for any changes (changes may happen even during a given calendar year, not only with the new season).

Last updated, Jan, 2025