Budapest is gorgeous from any angle, but cruising around on two wheels is one of my favorite ways to see the city! With a growing amount of bike paths and plenty of rental options, you’re never too far from getting behind the handlebars. If you want to sightsee along the Danube, explore leafy parks, or just try to get around, here are some things to make your Budapest bike rental journey easy as can be. Grab your helmet, and let’s go!
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Is Budapest a Bike-Friendly City?
It’s getting there! I can definitely see an improvement from when I first moved to the city in 2017. There are loads of spacious bike paths along the river and on the outer edges of the city. It can still be harrowing to cycle through the center, but the city is adding more and more bike paths all the time. Not to mention, there’s been a push to create more newly renovated pedestrian zones, and car-free areas which make it it super easy (and fun) to get around by bike.
Where to Rent a Bike in Budapest
If you’re looking for a traditional bike rental shop with quality bikes and expert service, here are some great options:
BikeBase Budapest
- District: VI (Terézváros)
- Day Rate: starting from ~4,500 (approx. €13)
- Notes: Central location, variety of city and trekking bikes
Yellow Zebra Bikes
- District: V (Belváros-Lipótváros)
- Day Rate: ~6,000–7,000 HUF/day (approx. €15–18)
- Notes: Offers rentals + guided tours, bikes and e-bikes
Budapest Bike Breeze
- District: VI (Terézváros)
- Day Rate: €12–25, rentals for minimum of 3 days
- Notes: Good for quality hybrid bikes
Zed Bikes
- District: V
- Day Rate: €13–29, minimum 4 hours rental
- Notes: City and electric bikes
Buda Explorer
- District: I (Castle District / Várkerület)
- Day Rate: ~5,000–6,000 HUF/day (approx. €13–16)
- Notes: Best for exploring Buda hills and Castle District trails
Pay-As-You-Go Bike Rentals: Apps & Docking Stations
If you only want a quick ride from Point A to Point B, or you occasionally like to explore the city on two wheels, then a bike-sharing service could be the way to go. Try:
- Mol Bubi – Where can you rent the green bikes in Budapest? With Mol Bubi! I absolutely love this pay-as-you-go bike sharing service in Budapest. In fact, I never bought my own bike because there was always a Mol Bubi close by. All you have to do is download the app and then pick up a bike at one of the many docking stations. Pay 50 HUF/minute, or get the half-yearly pass for 6,500 HUF (totally worth it if you’re living in Budapest long term!).
- Lime – Also bright green, and known more for their electric scooters, you can also find Lime e-bikes around the city. Just download the app and ride!
Bike Tours in Budapest
Cut out the guess work by following a guide around Budapest’s biggest sites. Some top-rated options include:
- Grand Sightseeing Bike Tour: You can’t go wrong with this classic bike tour that takes you all around Budapest!
- Budapest Downtown E-Bike Tour – See highlights of both Buda and Pest, including the Dohány Street Synagogue, Parliament, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, and more without breaking a sweat.
- MonsteRoller E-Scooter Tour: You can take these big-wheeled beauties all over the city. The tour provider has 6 different routes to choose from!
My Favorite Places to Bike in Budapest
Of course I’m going to tell you about my favorite spots for a Budapest bike ride! Here are a few places to start:
- Margaret Island – Flat, tree-lined, and completely car-free. I love riding over Margaret Bridge and then coasting down past the fountain for a chill afternoon ride. It’s gorgeous year-round, but I especially love going during the autumn when you can ride past all of the changing leaves. There are multiple MoL Bubi stations on the island. You can also rent tandem bikes on the island for group fun!
- City Park (Városliget) – City Park is one of the largest green spaces in Budapest, and they’ve put a lot of time and money into renovations. So you have a lot of cleared bike paths to look forward to! And bonus, you’re able to ride past landmarks like Heroes’ Square and Vajdahunyad Castle.
- The Danube Riverside – This is hands-down one of my favorite summer activities in Budapest! On summer weekends, they pedestrianize the Pest riverside, and people come out to walk, run, bike, and even picnic. Cycling past Parliament never gets old!
Don’t Miss It! The I Bike Budapest Parade
For one afternoon, major streets of Budapest are shut down and droves of cyclists take over the city. The event started in 2015 when a small group of bike-lovers wanted to demonstrate for better cycling infrastructure in Budapest. Now, it’s grown into a huge celebration of cycling! I did it for the first time in 2024 and was swept away by the freedom and positive energy (I just rented a Mol Bubi, by the way)! They publish the route beforehand, so you can join the parade at any point. Learn more about it here!
Happy pedaling, and have so much fun!
Xx Denae
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