Debrecen is the third largest and second most populated city in Hungary. It is the intellectual, cultural, economic, tourist, and transport hub of the Eastern Hungary region. Debrecen is now considered one of the most dynamically developing cities in the country.

Debrecen has the largest international airport in the region. Debrecen International Airport has been open to the international public since 2004 and is one of Hungary’s five international airports and the second busiest following Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. 

The airport serves scheduled flights to several major European cities, including Munich, London, Eindhoven, and Tel Aviv; in addition, many chartered flights depart from Debrecen, mostly to Mediterranean destinations in the summer season.

Debrecen is directly connected to the Hungarian motorway network, making the city easily accessible from any major European city via motorways. The city can be reached on the M3 and M35 motorways and on the main transport roads, including roads No. 4, 33, 35, 42, 47, 48, and 471. Debrecen is also easy to reach from Slovakia and Ukraine via Miskolc and Nyiregyháza, respectively, as well as Romania through the border crossing point at Ártánd.

Thanks to the well-established intercity coach service network nationwide, Debrecen is easy to reach by coach. To check out the current schedule of coaches, visit the following website here.

Debrecen is an important hub of the international railway corridor connecting Budapest and Moscow, and the Hungarian section is the busiest railway line in Hungary. There are frequent rains between the capital and Debrecen: trains run every hour from Budapest Nyugati railway station (also stopping at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport) and every two hours from the internationally connected Budapest Keleti railway station. The journey takes approximately two and a half hours. Debrecen is one of the largest railway junctions in the country; therefore, many nearby towns and villages can be easily reached by train. To book your train ticket online or check the current schedule, visit the official website of the Hungarian national railway company (MÁV) here.

Debrecen has an efficient, diverse, and low-cost network of public transport, including bus, tram, and trolley bus lines. You can reach your destination fast and conveniently in the city by using any kind of transportation. There are two tram lines, five trolley bus lines, and 51 bus lines. Public transport in Debrecen is provided by the local public transport company DKV Zrt provides public transport in Debrecen, while nearby towns and villages are linked to the city by Hajdú Volán bus services.

Tram lines
There are currently two tram lines in Debrecen. Line 1 connects the Main Railway Station with the Great Forest area; on this line, you can also reach the University of Debrecen and the Clinical Centre within and the Aquaticum Debrecen (spa). Travelling on Line 2, you can get from the railway station via the city centre to the residential areas in the north-western part of the city, Doberdó Street being the final stop.

Trolleybus lines
Trolleybuses run on five routes in the city between Segner Square and the Public Cemetery.

Bus lines
There are fifty-one bus lines in Debrecen. For the convenience of passengers, most buses are equipped with low floors and air conditioning. Scheduled airport bus services (Airport 1 and Airport 2) provide a quick and convenient way to reach Debrecen Airport from the Main Railway Station.

If you would like to travel by public transport, please always remember to have a valid ticket. Tickets are available all around the city at permanent and seasonal points of sale or ticket vending machines; you can find the list here. You can also buy your ticket online here. You can use the same type of ticket for all forms of public transport, but you need to validate a new ticket for each journey. Additionally, single tickets can be purchased from the driver with an extra fee. Tickets and season tickets are valid for regular buses, trolley-buses, and tram services operated by DKV Zrt. To view the current fares and for more detailed information, please visit the transport company’s website here.

Debrecen has an extensive network of cycling routes. Some designated cycle paths are shared with pedestrians, making it exceptionally safe for families with young children to cycle together. 

Let’s not forget that in Hungary, only those bicycles which are equipped with the following tools are allowed to take part in road transport:

• Two independent brakes (front and rear brakes)
• Front lamp: White or cadmium yellow light front lamp, which can be flashing
• Taillight: Light that can be flashing
• Bell
• Spoke prism: Orange-coloured spoke prism, at least on the front wheel (at least two pieces), which may be supplemented or replaced by a reflex strip on the tire
• Rear reflector, Red rear reflector If you want to go shopping or sightseeing while cycling, you can place your bike in designated bicycle storage areas at several points in the city

The waze application can help avoid congestion and traffic jams in the city. Those who drive have the option to park in 5,300 above-ground, five underground, three downtown businesses, and three private car parks around Debrecen. Parking fees differ according to parking zones and types of cars. You can pay for above-ground parking at payment machines or using your mobile phone. More information on parking opportunities in Debrecen can be found here.

If you want to rent a car, you can choose from the services of several local companies. If you do not want to drive, consider calling a taxi. Taxi companies in Debrecen provide a reliable, accurate, and affordable service. 

Regarding driving, the principle of ‘zero tolerance’ is in place in Hungary, which means that even a minimal amount of alcohol is prohibited if driving. As a cyclist, you can only consume alcohol that does not affect safe cycling. The “zero tolerance” principle also applies to the use of electric bicycles.

The details of car rental and taxi companies can be found in our database of local service providers.