Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is refreshingly compact and easy to navigate, sitting about 25 km (15.5 miles) from the city center. The airport has two terminal sections, 2A and 2B connected by the central SkyCourt area, and rarely feels overcrowded since it doesn’t currently service nonstop flights from the US (though American Airlines plans to launch seasonal nonstop Philadelphia–Budapest service). Until then, you’ll connect through major European hubs like Frankfurt, Paris CDG, Amsterdam, or Istanbul instead. This lack of transit traffic is actually a blessing, and it’s a breeze to fly in and out of Hungary’s capital.
How to get to and from Budapest city center by car
The 40-minute car ride into Budapest is my usual choice for its convenience. You’ll find Főtaxi cabs just outside both terminal arrival areas, though I prefer using the Bolt app (Europe’s answer to Uber). Both options cost roughly the same and run only slightly cheaper than what you’d pay for a rideshare at home.
Car renting tips
If you’re planning to travel to other regions in Hungary or beyond on your trip, booking a rental car may be a good option. Europcar and Schiller are confirmed to have locations in Terminal 2B arrivals hall.
Renting a car at BUD is quite cost-effective. A 3-day rental of a mini model, for example, can cost about the same as a one-way taxi ride into the city. Be sure to check which car type you’re requesting, as cars with manual transmission are more common (and usually cost less).
The cheapest airport transportation options
Bus service is a cost-effective option to get into Budapest if you don’t mind taking public transport. The airport is serviced by two bus lines, 100E and 200E, and the stops for both lines are located on the arrivals level, between 2A and 2B.
Airport Express
The 100E Airport Express is my pick for public transport because it runs 24 hours with direct service to central Budapest, with three stops at Kálvin tér, Astoria and Deák Ferenc tér metro station. During the day, I’ve never waited more than 10 minutes (it runs every 6-10 minutes on Mondays and Fridays, every 7-10 minutes other days), though at night it slows to every 20-40 minutes.
You can buy tickets onboard with a bankcard using the Budapest Pay&GO device or through the BudapestGO app. The shuttle costs a fraction of the car ride and takes about 40 minutes, which the operator states is “as fast as a Taxi service” (assuming no traffic jams).
Regular bus line
The 200E bus line is more convenient if you want to access the Budapest metro or if your journey takes you outside of Budapest. This bus will take you to Kőbánya-Kispest, a station with access to the Budapest Metro (M3 line) and the MÁV train network, the Hungarian national railway.
Minibus
Finally, there’s a hybrid option with a cute name, miniBUD. This minibus shuttle service combines the convenience of door-to-door drop off with the reduced cost of a shared transport. You can book your transfer ahead of time on the miniBUD’s website, just be mindful that getting into town would take longer than a taxi since you would be sharing your ride with other passengers.
How to navigate Budapest Airport terminals
All arrivals and departures go through Terminal 2, which is divided into two sections: 2A and 2B. These sections are connected via SkyCourt, a passenger area filled with shops and restaurants that makes moving between terminals effortless. Terminal 1 has been closed for over a decade and is now used as an event center, so you won’t need to worry about it.
On a recent trip, I arrived in Budapest from Vienna at Terminal 2A, while my friend landed from Istanbul at 2B. Terminal assignments are actually based on destination rather than airline type: Terminal 2A handles Schengen flights, while Terminal 2B handles Non-Schengen flights. This means airlines flying to both zones (like Wizz Air and Ryanair) operate from both terminals, while airlines with only non-Schengen flights (like British Airways to London or United to the US) operate exclusively from Terminal 2B. Whether you’ll arrive in 2A or 2B depends on your origin point, as Schengen-area flights land in 2A. This almost doesn’t matter though, as the distance between the two sections is just a few minutes’ walk through the SkyCourt.
The small arrivals hall at Terminal 2B is home to SPAR, a European supermarket network. There, I recommend picking up a refreshment like kefir, a yogurt-like drink popular throughout Eastern Europe, for your ride to the city.
Navigating check in and security
Security at BUD typically moves fast. I’ve never seen large queues here, and the lines move at a speedy rate. This is because Budapest Airport handles far fewer passengers than major hubs like Frankfurt or Paris, and it makes the entire check-in and security process much more efficient.
Budapest Airport also offers a Fast Track Lane service, available to passengers with eligible airline classes (such as Business) provided the airline has an agreement with the airport. Participating airlines offering this service free of charge include Aegean, Air France-KLM, Brussels Airlines, Finnair, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, TAP, and Wizz Air. Before going through security, check with the airline counter to see if your fare class entitles you to the Fast Track Lane.
You can purchase the Fast Track Lane service at kiosks located throughout 2A and 2B departure halls, as well as online. While it costs 2,700 HUF (approximately 6.75 EUR), in my experience, fast track service at Budapest Airport is not necessary, unless you’re terribly late for your flight in a situation where every minute counts.
Budapest Airport lounge options
BUD has six lounges (the SkyCourt Lounge, Mastercard Airport Lounge, bud:vip Services & Lounge, 2A Platinum Lounge, 2B Platinum Lounge and Plaza Premium Lounge T2B), which is impressive for its size. Priority Pass (available through cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve) gets you into four of them: the SkyCourt Lounge, the Platinum Lounges in Terminal 2A and 2B, and the Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 2B.
In Terminal 2A, you’ll find the Platinum Lounge. It’s pretty basic but gets the job done with quiet seating and refreshments. Terminal 2B has both Plaza Premium Lounge and Platinum Lounge. I prefer the Plaza Premium for its slightly more high-end service, though both are light-filled with good airfield views. The SkyCourt area between terminals has its own SkyCourt Lounge.
No Priority Pass? You can still access most of the lounges. Both Plaza Premium Lounges, at SkyCourt and at 2B, can be booked online on the airport’s website for 2 or 3 hour use (the one at SkyCourt is a little cheaper). The same goes for the Platinum Lounges at 2A and 2B.
If you happen to have a Hungarian Mastercard Premium card holder traveling with you, you’ll be able to access the Mastercard lounge, located on the mezzanine level of the SkyCourt, for free if they hold a World Elite or Platinum Mastercard issued in Hungary (Gold and Business Premium cardholders from Hungary can access for a fee). And if you hold a Black or a World Elite Mastercard issued outside of Hungary, you can access this lounge for 12,000 HUF or 30 EUR.
A guide to passenger experience
The logistics of traveling can induce stress or fatigue, no matter how seasoned of a traveler you are. I always find that a little bit of comfort during the trip can go a long way. At Budapest Airport, that includes kid-friendly experiences and multiple ways to decompress. BUD has consistently won the Skytrax Best Airport in Eastern Europe award, earning recognition year after year. Let’s look at how they did that.
Kid-friendly amenities
There are 5 nursing rooms inside the airport. Terminals 2A and 2B each have one, while SkyCourt mezzanine has three. Each room includes an armchair, closet, changing table and microwave. You’ll also find four stroller storage facilities where you can grab free strollers for use after security screening until boarding. Kids can burn off energy at the SkyCourt mezzanine play area, complete with a food truck theme, or at the aviation-themed play area at Pier 1.
Outdoor area
On my last departure from BUD, I loved getting some quiet time at the open-air Visitor Terrace while observing real airplanes landing and taking off (Terminal 2A departure hall, mezzanine Level 3). The partially-covered terrace is open year-round with seasonal hours (24 hours from March to November, and 10:00-18:00 from December to February), has a bar called BUD:BISTRO onsite and a seating area with benches and umbrella tables. Access to the terrace is free.
A city center hub
Many airports around the world now offer amenities like free Wi-Fi (available throughout Terminal 2A/2B, SkyCourt and Visitor Terrace), services for people with reduced mobility, or luggage storage. Budapest airport is no exception, but it goes further, literally, by opening a station at the city center called Universal Airport HUB. The hub is located at 1053 Budapest, Kálvin tér 4, just a 2-3 minute walk from where the 100E Airport Express stops at Kálvin Square, and it’s a good way to linger in the city if you have some time between your hotel check-out and your flight. Inside, you can store luggage, rent suitcases, check in and print boarding passes for select airlines including Wizz Air, Air France, and KLM, shop traditional Hungarian wines, and even pick up some coffee and ice cream along the way.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
