Getting from Budapest Airport to the City Center

When you land at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, you're only 20 kilometers from the city center. We've tried pretty much every way to get into town, and honestly, there are tons of options depending on what you want to spend and how much hassle you can deal with. If you're on a tight budget, public transport is a breeze. If you want door-to-door comfort, taxis and private transfers work great.

Budapest has really good transport connections from the airport. The 100E bus goes straight downtown, taxis are everywhere, and you can book private transfers ahead of time. We always recommend figuring out your transport before you land so you're not standing around the airport trying to decide what to do with all your luggage.

About Budapest Airport

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is Hungary's main airport and gets about 16 million people through it every year. It has Terminal 2A and Terminal 2B, which are connected by a walkway that takes maybe 5 minutes to walk. The airport is in the southeastern part of the city and they've done a lot of work on it recently. Everything is much cleaner now and the signs are in multiple languages.

After you get your bags, it's pretty easy to find where all the transport options are. There are signs everywhere pointing you toward buses, taxis, and pickup areas. The airport connects to the city via the M4 motorway, which is the fastest route by car. We've noticed the whole passenger flow is much better now than it used to be, especially if it's your first time visiting.

Public Transport

Public transport is definitely the cheapest way to get into Budapest from the airport. BKK runs the city's transport system and it's pretty reliable. You have two main choices here, and both work well if you don't mind dealing with buses and maybe a metro transfer.

100E Airport Express Bus

The 100E is basically the premium bus option that goes straight from the airport to downtown without any stops in between. It runs all day and night, every 7-10 minutes during busy times and every 30-40 minutes late at night. The trip takes about 40-45 minutes if traffic isn't too bad.

This bus stops at three places downtown: Deák Ferenc tér (which is the main transport hub), Kálvin tér, and Astoria. These are all good spots to get off because you can easily walk to hotels or catch other transport from there. The buses are modern with air conditioning and space for luggage, but during summer it gets pretty crowded and you might have to stand.

You need to buy a special ticket for 2,200 HUF (about €6) before you get on. You can get tickets from the purple machines at the bus stop, from the BKK desk inside the airport, or through the BudapestGO app. We learned this the hard way once - regular Budapest travel passes don't work on this bus, so you have to buy a separate ticket no matter what other passes you have. The machines take cash and credit cards, and the app is pretty convenient if you have wifi.

200E Bus Plus Metro

If you want to save money, take the 200E bus to Kőbánya-Kispest metro station and then catch the blue Metro Line 3 into the center. It's much cheaper but takes longer and you have to change trains once.

The 200E is just a regular city bus that goes from the airport to the end of the metro line. Then you hop on the metro for the rest of the trip. Total time is usually 50-60 minutes depending on how long you wait for connections and where exactly you're going in the city.

Regular transport tickets cost 350 HUF from machines or 450 HUF if you buy from the bus driver. You need two tickets for the whole trip, so it's about 700-900 HUF total (around €2). This is definitely the cheapest option. If you already have Budapest travel cards or tourist passes, this route is covered and you don't pay extra.

Taxis

Official taxis are probably the most straightforward way to get to your hotel. Főtaxi has the exclusive contract at the airport, so all their cars are clearly marked and the drivers know the fixed pricing system.

The pricing is regulated so you don't have to worry about getting ripped off. There's a base charge of 1,000 HUF plus 400 HUF per kilometer and 100 HUF per minute when you're stuck in traffic. Most trips to central Budapest cost 9,000-12,000 HUF (about €25-30) depending on exactly where you're going. No extra charges for luggage or multiple people, which is nice.

The drive usually takes 30-40 minutes to get downtown, but this really depends on traffic. We've done it in 20 minutes late at night and it's taken over 45 minutes during rush hour. Weekday rush hours (7-9 AM and 4-6 PM) are definitely the worst times for traffic.

You can pay with cash (Hungarian forints) or credit card. Paying in forints is usually better because taxi companies give terrible exchange rates if you pay in euros. All licensed taxis have to use the meter and give you a receipt if you ask. The taxi rank is right outside arrivals and there's usually airport staff around if you need help.

Rideshare

Uber doesn't operate in Budapest anymore, but Bolt works pretty much the same way. You book through their app and pay through the app, which is convenient.

Bolt rides from the airport to downtown usually cost 9,000-13,000 HUF (€25-35), so it's sometimes a bit cheaper than regular taxis. The app shows you the estimated price before you book, but prices can go up during busy times. Payment happens automatically through the app with your credit card.

You need to request the ride once you have your luggage and can get online (either airport wifi or your data plan). The app tells you where to meet the driver, usually in the general pickup area outside the terminal. We've never waited more than 10 minutes, even during busy periods.

Private Transfers

Pre-booked private transfers are the most convenient option if you don't mind paying extra. Companies like Welcome Pickups and local operators provide guaranteed transportation with drivers who meet you in arrivals with a sign.

Private cars for up to 3 people usually cost €25-40 to central Budapest. Bigger vehicles for groups cost €40-60 or more. The price is fixed when you book, so there are no surprises. Most good companies include tips and waiting time in their prices.

Your driver waits for you in arrivals with your name on a sign, helps with luggage, and takes you straight to your hotel. This is really helpful if you're arriving late at night, have lots of bags, or it's your first time in Budapest. We always recommend this for families with young kids.

You have to book ahead through company websites or ask your hotel to arrange it. The best companies monitor flights for delays and have 24-hour customer service. Professional drivers usually know the city well and can give you basic tips during the ride.

Shared Shuttles

Shared minibus shuttles are a middle option between public transport and private transfers. MiniBUD is the official airport shuttle service that uses 8-10 passenger vans to drop people off around the city.

They group passengers going to nearby areas and follow a route that hits multiple hotels or addresses. The trip can take anywhere from 30 minutes if you're lucky and go first, to 90 minutes if you have to make lots of stops around different parts of the city.

Prices start around 5,900 HUF (about €15) per person for central Budapest. It's cheaper than private transfers if you're traveling alone but more convenient than public transport. The service runs 24 hours, so it works for early morning or late night flights.

You can book online ahead of time, at the miniBUD counter when you arrive, or sometimes just show up. We recommend booking ahead during busy travel times to avoid waiting around. They help with luggage and take you right to your hotel address.

Comparing Your Options

Each transport method has pros and cons depending on what matters most to you - cost, time, comfort, or convenience.

If you're trying to save money, public transport is great, especially the 100E bus which goes straight downtown for a fraction of what taxis cost. The 200E plus metro is even cheaper if you don't mind the transfer.

For groups of 3 or more people, taxis and private transfers start making more sense cost-wise since you split the fare. Solo travelers and couples have to decide if the extra convenience is worth the higher price.

If you're in a hurry, taxis, rideshares, and private transfers are usually fastest. But during rush hour traffic, the 100E bus can actually be quicker because it uses some bus lanes.

Things to Keep in Mind

Most public transport needs Hungarian forints for ticket machines, but newer machines take international credit cards and contactless payments too.

We always recommend downloading the BKK app before you arrive. It lets you buy digital tickets, see real-time bus times, and plan routes in English. You can use the airport's free wifi to get it set up without using your data.

Timing matters a lot, especially for late arrivals. The 100E runs 24 hours but less frequently at night. The 200E stops around 11 PM and night buses are more complicated to figure out.

If you have an early morning flight and need to get to the airport before dawn, pre-arranged transport is probably your best bet since public options might not run early enough. Rush hour traffic can double your travel time, especially 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM on weekdays.

Think about your luggage situation too. Public buses can handle normal suitcases but might be tough if you have multiple large bags. Taxis and private transfers help with luggage and have plenty of space. Shared shuttles are somewhere in between.

Safety and Reliability

All the official transport options in Budapest are quite safe and reliable. Főtaxi is especially good since they're the official airport taxi service with clear pricing and professional drivers.

Public transport has security cameras, professional drivers, and inspectors, especially on airport routes. The 100E and regular BKK services run on time most of the time, though delays can happen during bad weather or traffic problems.

Good private transfer companies check their drivers properly and have tracking systems. We always recommend choosing companies with good online reviews and proper licenses.

If you're arriving late at night, stick with official transport options since they maintain the same safety standards regardless of time. Airport security is always around the transport areas, even at night.

Common Questions