Budapest car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Budapest
The best car rental companies in Budapest are Sixt, Europcar, Avis. Prices start from €28/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Budapest
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor's pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Europcar
Local favouriteFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#3
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€26/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€26/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-05 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Budapest
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €28 | Opel Corsa | 5 |
| Compact | €34 | Škoda Octavia | 5 |
| SUV | €50 | Škoda Kodiaq | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €65 | Ford Galaxy | 7 |
| Luxury | €88 | Mercedes E-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Budapest
Airport — Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD)
Rental desks are in the arrivals hall of Terminal 2A and 2B. The airport is 16 km from the city centre.
Downtown — Budapest City Centre
Pick-up points near Keleti railway station and the city centre. Driving in the inner city is limited by a blue-zone parking system.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | Airport pickups at BUD |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €10–20/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €7–12/day | Per extra driver |
| Hungarian motorway vignette | €12–15 for 10 days | Required for all Hungarian motorways (M0–M7 etc.) — may be included in rental or charged separately |
| Austria vignette | €10–15 for 10 days | If crossing into Austria (Vienna is 2.5h west) |
| GPS/nav device | €8–12/day | Optional; useful for exploring the countryside |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Budapest
- Hungary drives on the right. Most rental cars are manual transmission; automatic is available but book in advance.
- Hungarian motorways require a vignette (e-matrica) — a digital toll paid per vehicle category (10 days ~€12–15, available at petrol stations or online at ematrica.nemzetiutdij.hu). Without it you risk a €200+ fine.
- Hungary has a strict 0.0% drink-driving law — zero tolerance, no exceptions. This is more strict than most EU countries.
- Minimum age is 21; young-driver surcharge under 25. A credit card is required for the deposit; some suppliers accept debit.
- Budapest is excellent for road trips: Vienna is 2.5h west; Prague 3h north; Lake Balaton 1h south-west. All major rental contracts cover these neighbours.
- Budapest's historic city centre (Castle District, Andrássy Avenue) has some one-way streets and parking restrictions. Use garages — street parking is metered zone (blue/green).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Budapest
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Budapest?
You must be at least 21. Drivers 21–24 pay a young-driver surcharge of €10–20/day. Hungary has a strict 0.0% drink-driving limit — even trace amounts are illegal.
Do I need a vignette to drive on Hungarian motorways?
Yes — all motorways require a digital e-matrica vignette. A 10-day vignette costs around €12–15. Buy it at any petrol station near the border or online before you drive on the motorway. Enforcement is by ANPR camera; fines are €200+.
Can I drive from Budapest to Vienna or Prague?
Yes — both are excellent day trips or overnight trips. Vienna is 2.5 hours west. Prague is about 3 hours north. Most rental contracts include Austria and Czech Republic; confirm for Slovakia and other neighbours.
Is parking easy in Budapest?
Manageable — the city centre uses a colour-coded paid parking zone (blue, green, red) with 1–3 hour time limits. Garages are widely available and affordable by Western European standards (€10–20/day). Avoid driving in the Castle District without a permit.
What is the cheapest car type in Budapest?
Economy cars (e.g. Opel Corsa) start around €28/day — Budapest is one of Central Europe's best-value rental markets, often 20–30% cheaper than Vienna or Prague.
Nearby trips
