Getting caught in Budapest

Posted by Amanda Kendle Dec 14, 2006

I tried to do the right thing. I was in Budapest, Hungary and had bought my metro ticket. I'd even asked the ticket-seller to tlel me what to do with it, and I thought I'd understood - I validated it in the machine at the entrance to the platform.

But then I had to change lines. Like most of the underground trains in my traveling experience, I expected that I could just use this ticket to continue to my destination. No! I had to stamp it in a second machine on the new platform! I was just a couple of meters past this machine when the inspectors "caught" me. They were friendly enough, but wouldn't let me off the fine for not validating my ticket again. It wasn't so expensive, but the system is different to most other metros and I wasn't too impressed at having to pay anything.

All of this, however, didn't stop me from enjoying the rest of my day. I headed over to Castle Hill and explored everything up top of Buda. Best part of the day (and it made up for my run in with the ticket inspector): a really nice hot chocolate at the cafe inside the Fishermen's Bastion. Do the same when you go to Budapest - the hot chocolate, that is, not the metro fine!