Car Sharing in Budapest: Market Overview for 2025

Car sharing in Budapest has evolved into one of the key pillars of urban mobility over the past several years. In 2025, the city remains one of the most developed markets for per-minute car rental in Central Europe. Convenience, flexible pricing, the ability to rent a car without returning it to a fixed station, and a wide service area make car sharing in Budapest popular among both locals and tourists who are looking for an alternative to traditional car rental in the city.

Below is a current 2025 market overview: formats, operators, conditions, fleet composition, and infrastructure specifics.

Sharing Formats

In Budapest, almost the entire car sharing market operates on a free-floating model — cars can be picked up and dropped off anywhere within the designated service zone. This is a major advantage over classic car rental, which requires returning the vehicle to a predefined location. For residents and visitors, free-floating has become the norm: users can find a nearby vehicle quickly and end their rental exactly at their destination.

This model is used by the main operators on the market: MOL Limo and GreenGo.

In the past, Budapest also had station-based and mixed sharing formats, but most of them gradually disappeared. Some companies exited the Hungarian market altogether, while others retained small fleets that no longer influence the overall landscape.

As a result, car sharing in Budapest in 2025 is primarily a flexible, free-floating mobility model — ideal for short city trips, district-to-district travel, and evening rides when public transport runs less frequently.

Market Players and Fleets

Budapest’s car sharing market is represented mainly by three major operators, each serving its own niche and audience.

MOL Limo

One of Hungary’s largest car sharing services.
Its fleet includes more than 600 vehicles — electric, hybrid, and gasoline-powered. MOL Limo is a Hungarian company owned by the large energy group MOL Group. The service targets a wide user base: from everyday city trips to full-day rentals.

GreenGo

An operator focused on sustainability.
Its fleet consists entirely of electric vehicles — about 500 cars. GreenGo is especially popular in central Budapest, where parking fees for conventional cars are higher and EVs with green license plates receive notable privileges. The service originally entered the market from the Czech Republic and has firmly established itself in Budapest.

ShareNow

A previously major European car sharing operator.
ShareNow was once present in Budapest but exited the market in 2023, scaling back operations in several countries. Even after its departure, many users continue to compare current pricing and conditions with its former offerings, so the brand is still referenced in market analyses.

The combined car sharing fleet in Budapest exceeds 1,500 vehicles, including hatchbacks, compact EVs, hybrids, minivans, and several larger models.

Parking and Infrastructure

Parking rules and availability play a significant role in the success of car sharing in Hungary — and Budapest is one of the most convenient cities for it.

• Parking within the service zone is free. This is a major factor for both tourists and young users.
• Green-plate electric cars (e.g., GreenGo) benefit from additional privileges and can park for free in many high-tariff areas.
• Certain districts require vehicles to be left in designated sub-zones to regulate density.
• Parking at Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD) is available but usually comes with an extra fee — for example, MOL Limo charges +1990 Ft (~5 €).
• EV charging is handled entirely by the operator, so users do not need to search for charging stations.

Thanks to this infrastructure, Budapest is considered one of the most car-sharing-friendly cities in Europe.

Alternative Transport

Despite the rapid growth of per-minute car rental, public transport remains the backbone of urban mobility.

Budapest has a well-developed network of:

• metro lines,
• tram routes,
• bus connections,
• suburban trains.

A single ride costs 350–450 Ft (~1 €), making transport widely accessible.

Car sharing complements — rather than replaces — public transport. People typically choose it for:

• evening trips when intervals increase,
• travel with luggage or large purchases,
• routes to districts with limited transit coverage,
• comfortable rides to Buda and other hilly areas.

Many users describe car sharing in Hungary as a hybrid between taxi and traditional car rental: full control of the vehicle without worrying about insurance, parking, or maintenance.

Rates, Comparison, and Rental Conditions

Reference rate: 1 EUR ≈ 400 Ft (July 2025)

Below are up-to-date prices from the major operators, including the former market player. The table helps compare offers for per-minute car rental in Budapest and contrast them with traditional car rental.

Additional Conditions

• Registration is done through the app; ID and driver’s license required.
• Damage deductible (excess) — from 100,000 Ft (~260 €).
• Some operators offer discounted night parking or long-term rental deals.
• Compared to traditional car rental in Budapest, car sharing is more cost-efficient for short and mid-length trips.

Usage Area

Users can freely drive throughout the city. Car Sharing Budapest also permits:

• highway and suburban trips,
• travel to certain areas outside Budapest (depending on tariff).

Cross-border travel is prohibited across all services.

Rental must be ended within the designated zone shown in the app. Ending outside the zone may result in a fine of 5,000 Ft or more.

These limitations make car sharing particularly convenient within the city, where flexibility and easy parking play a major role.

Conclusions

Car sharing in Budapest in 2025 represents a mature, well-established market with strong competition and stable demand. It has become an integral part of urban mobility and one of the best alternatives to traditional car rental in Budapest for short and medium-length trips.

Carsharing in Hungary is especially popular among young professionals, students, tourists, and residents who do not want to own a vehicle but need access to one occasionally.

Each operator offers clear advantages:

• GreenGo — the top choice for eco-friendly urban travel,
• MOL Limo — a versatile option with a large and diverse fleet,
• ShareNow — a historical player whose presence shaped market expectations.

With strong infrastructure, convenient pricing, free parking, and high vehicle availability, Budapest is one of the most comfortable cities in Europe for car sharing.