Parking zones in Hungary’s capital, Budapest

Budapest’s parking system is built on a unified zone structure: instead of the previous, hard-to-follow 27 waiting zones, there are now four tariff zones. Hourly rates were last raised on July 1, 2026, and the following rates have applied since then:

• Zone A: 800 forints/hour, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., for up to 3 hours.
• Zone B: 600 forints/hour, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., for up to 3 hours.
• Zone C: 400 forints/hour, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., for up to 3 hours.
• Zone D: 300 forints/hour, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with no time limit.

The paid parking period and the maximum waiting time may differ by zone, and some areas may have a different hourly rate. You can view the up-to-date zone-by-zone rates and operating hours on our Budapest city page, including by zone code.

The system aims to steer motorists toward public transport instead of kilometer-long traffic jams and hunting for parking spaces. The posted traffic and information signs make the zone boundaries easy to recognize.

In addition to the tariff, the maximum waiting time is also limited: conditions are stricter in the city center and more favorable farther out from the city. The rules apply to all passenger cars, three- or four-wheeled motorized bicycles, three- or four-wheeled motorcycles, motorhomes, and trucks under 3.5 tons.

On weekends, parking is free in the vast majority of Budapest’s zones. An important change, however, is that since July 1, 2026, Budapest has been gradually becoming cashless: parking meters are being removed at different rates by district, and parking fees must be paid digitally.