The Budapest Airport, known as Ferenc Liszt Airport, is located less than 20 km from the city center. With around 10 million travelers annually, it’s Hungary’s busiest airport.
About Budapest Airport
Formerly called Ferihegy Airport, the terminal here is split into two sections, 2A and 2B. If you don’t see your flight on the 2A screens, don’t worry—it might be departing from 2B, and screens in each section only display flights for that area.
Located a short distance from Budapest, you can quickly reach your hotel and start your day exploring Budapest’s sights.
Getting from Budapest Airport to the City Center
One of the first questions travelers ask upon landing is how to reach the city center. With the airport located under 20 km from Budapest, arranging transport is essential. Here are the options based on arrival time:
Daytime Arrivals
Several options are available during the day:
Private Transport
The fastest, most convenient way to reach your hotel. We recommend a private transfer if you’re looking for ease and comfort after a long flight. This option lets you avoid the hassle of public transit and start your Budapest journey smoothly.
Explore these transfer options with Civitatis:
Other private transfer options include:
Airport Bus Services
Public transport takes about an hour from the airport to the city center, offering a cost-effective solution. Depending on your arrival time, different bus options may be available, so plan accordingly. We recommend the bus over taxis, which can be prone to circuitous routes.
If your flight lands between 03:30 and 23:00, the 200E bus is ideal for reaching the city center, costing only 3 euros. Take it to its last stop, Déak Ferenc Square, right in the heart of Budapest.
This is a practical way to travel from Budapest Airport to the city center.
Metro and Bus Combination
You can reach central Budapest in about eight metro stops, though you’ll first need to take the 200E bus. Tickets are available in the arrivals hall, where a counter sells both single tickets and travel passes (useful if you plan to stay for multiple days). Cards are widely accepted, so you can pay even if you don’t have Hungarian forints yet.
Once you have your tickets, head to the bus area and take the 200E bus towards Kőbánya-Kispest (for the metro connection).
On board, the driver may check your tickets or ask you to validate them using the small orange machines on the bus. They’re attentive to this, so be sure to validate your ticket.
The bus will take you to Line 3 of the metro in about 20 minutes (nearly everyone gets off here, so it’s easy to follow along). Near the metro turnstiles, you’ll see attendants checking tickets, ensuring everyone validates before passing through.
The metro ride to the city center usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Budapest’s metro is one of the oldest in Europe, and though historic, it’s highly efficient and full of charm.
Night Arrivals
Private Transfers
For late-night arrivals, particularly with low-cost flights, private transfers can be the easiest option, especially when you’re likely to be tired and ready for a smooth trip to your hotel. For reliable and convenient transportation at odd hours, consider using a private car transfer like those offered by Civitatis.
Night Bus Services
If arriving late at night, Budapest offers night bus lines connecting the city center with the airport. Timing is key, so here’s a breakdown for getting from the airport to central Budapest:
- From 23:00 to 00:21: First, take bus 200E to Határ út M. From there, buses 914, 914A, 950, and 950A cover various important parts of Budapest. Buses run every ten minutes.
- From 00:22 to 03:29: Take bus 900 to Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út, where you can connect with buses 950 and 950A, which service key areas in the city. These buses run every half hour.
- From 23:37 to 03:04: Take bus 950 from any of its stops to Honvéd Utca/Ulloi Utca, then transfer to bus 900, which will take you directly to the airport.
- From 03:05 to 04:09: Board bus 914A from any of its stops to Határ út M, then transfer to bus 200E, which takes you straight to the airport.
We hope this information makes getting to and from Budapest Airport clear and convenient. The Budapest Airport operates on a reliable schedule, and the city is one of the best in Eastern Europe for efficient public transportation.