Budapest Airport

Budapest Ferenc Liszt airport (IATA code: BUD), formerly known as Ferihegy Airport, is the international airport serving the Hungarian capital city as well as the largest of the country’s four commercial airports.
It is located 16 km southeast of the city center. The name Ferihegy comes from the neighborhood around the airport; it was renamed in honor of the famous Hungarian composer Ferenc Liszt on the occasion of the 200° anniversary of his birth.

To this day, Terminal 1 is no longer active. Terminal 2, which is divided into 2A and 2B, is under reconstruction and expansion works. The Sky Court area, located in the transit area, features a number of restaurants and shops. Expansion works are underway for Terminal 2 and the so called area 2C.

Passengers can walk from Terminal 2A to 2B. Terminal 2A is used for flights in the Schengen area, while flights outside the Schengen area depart from Terminal 2B.

Airlines

Budapest airport offers international connections throughout Europe, Africa, Middle East, and the Far East. Since 2015 there are transatlantic flights to Toronto and Montreal.

Due to the collapse of Malév Hungarian Airline, the airport experienced a massive drop in terms of flight connections; the company indeed had more than one third of the air traffic. This collapse, though, has increased Ryanair’s investment policy; since 2002 it has constantly expanded its flight offer at very affordable rates.

To date, besides Ryanair most of the flight are operated by Wizz Air, Lufthansa and Air Berlin.

How to get to Budapest city center from the airport

Budapest Airport can be reached via Ülloi Road. Cabs are available at parking spots, however only one taxi company (Fotaxi) is allowed to use taxi stands.

Thanks to the improvement and increase of the BKK bus lines which connect downtown Budapest to the airport, getting to the city center from Ferihegy is very easy. Additionally, there is a metropolitan train system stopping at Terminal 1 – which is now closed.

Private or shared airport transfer

Once landed at Budapest airport, passengers can reach the city center or their hotel by using one of the private transfer services listed above. You can book their service online and they will come to pick you up at your arrival, so you won’t have to stress about it.

If you want to get to the city center on your own, you will find a BKK Information Point at the arrivals area of both Terminal 2A and Terminal 2B, where you will be able to find tickets and transport network maps. Besides single tickets, here you will be able to purchase transport subscriptions. In order to reach Budapest city center you will need to take a bus and the train; therefore you will have to buy two tickets.

Reaching Budapest by bus 200E + metro

Outside the terminals there is a parking area dedicated to BKK buses. You will need to look for bus 200E, which will take you to Kőbánya-Kispest metro terminal (metro line M3).

If you arrive at Terminal 2A, the bus stop is located on the right side after the arrival area. If you land at Terminal 2B, the bus stop is located on the left hand.

From Kobànya-Kispest train station passengers can take the metro line M3 towards Újpest-Központ. You can get off at Kálvin tér if you wish to change to metro line M4, or at Deak Ferenc ter if you wish to change to metro lines M1 and M2.

Getting to Budapest at night

The bus service is available also at night; night bus number 900 guarantees four runs from midnight to 4am. However, once you arrive to Kobànya-Kispest station you will need to take another night bus as the train line will be closed.

MiniBUD Shuttle Service

In addiction to public transport, passengers can reach Budapest city center from the airport by using a shuttle service. The company MiniBUD provides a number of modern shuttle buses offering shared rides to small group of passengers traveling to the same area of the city.

Due to a number of stops along the way, reaching the city center by shuttle could take a little longer compared to public buses or train; however, not having to change transport can be a suitable solution for many travelers.

By taxi

The fastest way to get to Budapest from the airport is by taxi; taxi stands are located in front of both Terminal 2A and 2B. Only one company is actually authorized to provide taxi rides. Főtaxi guarantees regulated rates with prepaid tickets available at taxi stands.

Beware of scams!

Outside the terminal you may find other taxi companies waiting for passengers to arrive and offering very convenient rates. However, using these taxi services could be way more expensive.

Car rental at Budapest airport

The airport is located in a great location to visit Budapest downtown and its surrounding areas; landing at this airport is a great starting point to explore the Hungarian capital city as well as to start your tour around Hungary.

The best way to explore the Hungarian countryside is to rent a car from the Budapest airport. Rates are very convenient compared to other European countries and you will be able to move around freely without relying on buses and trains.

Renting a car to move around Budapest will allow you be independent without having too many troubles with traffic of parking spots.

Book a car in the Budapest car rental section.

Currency Exchange

Those who wish to withdraw Hungarian forint upon arrival will find an available ATM on the right side of the baggage claim hall, just after the magazines and tobacco kiosk. Withdrawing money at ATMs is way more convenient than using exchange offices that apply very low exchange rates.

Premium Lounge in Budapest Airport

If you want to relax during your stay at the airport, purchase a Lounge service.

Fun facts about the airport

The original idea of building an airport in Budapest dates back to 1938. The airport was intended to serve for both civil and military purposes. Architect Kàroly Dàvid Jr was in charge of the construction works, which ended in 1943. Subsequently a number of improvement were made. Due to warfare, the military facilities were built faster compared to civil ones, although at the end of Second World War many buildings were damaged.

In 1947 the city authorities decided that the airport would have been reconstructed exclusively for civil purposes. The first regular flight took off from the airport during the summer of 1956.

Arrivals and Departures