Three metro lines stop within a short walk of St. Stephen’s Basilica, which stands on Szent István tér in central Pest. Most visitors walk in from somewhere else in central Pest; driving is neither necessary nor advisable. This page covers each route, where the ticket office is, and the step-free way in.
The Basilica is one of the easiest landmarks in Budapest to reach. It stands on the flat grid of central Pest, surrounded by hotels and cafes. One thing catches people out. The metro, the buses and the taxis all arrive at the back of the building, on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út, and the way in is at the front, on the pedestrianised square.
Location and address
By public transport
Budapest’s BKK public transport network covers the Basilica from every direction. The yellow M1 line and the blue M3 line both stop on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út behind the church, and the 100E airport bus drops you at Deák Ferenc tér, a short walk away.
By metro
Three metro stations put you within an easy walk:
- M1 (yellow line), Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út: the closest, about 150 m from the building. The exits are on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út behind the church, so walk round either side to reach the front. Stairs only.
- M3 (blue line), Arany János utca: about 300 m to the north. Walk south down Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út with the dome ahead of you. This is the station with lifts.
- M1/M2/M3, Deák Ferenc tér: about 250 m to the south, up Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út. This is the city’s main interchange station and the most useful option if you are coming from further afield.
Buy a single ticket, a 24-hour travel card, or a Budapest Card before boarding; single tickets must be validated before you travel.
By tram
Trams do not stop outside the Basilica, but two routes pass within a walk:
- Tram 2: runs along the Pest side of the Danube past the Parliament and the Chain Bridge. Get off at Széchenyi István tér, by the Chain Bridge, and walk up Zrínyi utca, which ends at the Basilica’s steps. It is about 600 m.
- Trams 47 and 49: stop at Deák Ferenc tér, a short walk to the south.
By bus
The most useful lines are:
- Bus 9 and trolleybus 72: stop at Szent István Bazilika, on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út right behind the church.
- Bus 105: runs between Buda and Pest and stops at Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út M.
- Bus 100E: direct from Liszt Ferenc International Airport to Deák Ferenc tér. It needs its own ticket.
On foot
Walking is genuinely the best way to arrive. The distances below are straight lines from our map, so the walk itself is a little longer.
From the Chain Bridge (about 800 m)
From the Pest end of the Chain Bridge at Széchenyi István tér, walk straight up Zrínyi utca. The street is pedestrianised and runs dead straight to the Basilica, with the dome framed at the far end. You pass the Gresham Palace (now the Four Seasons) on the corner as you set off.
From Deák Ferenc tér (about 250 m)
From the M1/M2/M3 interchange, head north up Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út. The Basilica’s dome comes into view after a block or so and you arrive at the back of the church. Flat and fully paved.
From the Opera House (about 400 m)
From the Hungarian State Opera on Andrássy út, walk down Andrássy towards the centre until it meets Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út. The Basilica is across the road and to the right.
From the Hungarian Parliament (about 900 m)
From Kossuth Lajos tér, head south through Lipótváros. For the best arrival, keep towards the river as far as Széchenyi István tér and turn up Zrínyi utca.
By car and taxi
If you do need to arrive by car, the nearest car park is the underground Bazilika Garázs, beneath the west end of the square. Taxis and Bolt (the main rideshare app in Budapest) can drop you on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út behind the church, from where you walk round to the front. Ask the driver for “Bazilika, Szent István tér” so there is no confusion with other landmarks.
By hop-on hop-off bus
Accessibility
- The main entrance is up a flight of steps. The step-free way in is a lift at the side of the building, operated by staff. Someone needs to go up to the main door and ask, and staff take you in and see you out again.
- Panorama Terrace and Treasury: neither is step-free. Both involve stairs, even with the lifts.
- Metro lifts: M3 Arany János utca has lifts to the street. The M1 stations have stairs only.
- Buses and trolleybuses on the routes behind the church are mostly low-floor.
- The square and Zrínyi utca are flat, paved and free of traffic.