How To Get From Budapest Airport to the City Centre (2024 Update)
It’s super easy to get from Budapest Airport to the city centre, with a range of transport options to suit all budgets, from the super cheap and efficient 100E bus to the more luxurious private transfer options.
Updated - April 2024
When we first arrived in Budapest, we feared it’d be another one of those cities where the only way to get into town from the airport was via an expensive taxi, long train rides, or multiple buses (looking at you, Melbourne!).
How wrong we were.
After living in the city for over two years, we’ve realised how well Budapest Airport is connected to the city centre. At worst, the journey takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour, and at best you can be at your hotel within 30 minutes.
There is a range of Budapest airport to city centre transport options to suit all budgets, from the super cheap and efficient 100E Airport Express bus, to the more luxurious private transfer options.
Below you’ll find all the transport options listed to help you make an informed decision before you arrive in Budapest.
PS. Want to explore more of Budapest? Read our in-depth guides here | The best things to do in Budapest, a guide to the Jewish Quarter, Szechenyi Baths, Gellert Thermal Baths, New York Cafe, Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar, where to stay in Budapest
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BUDAPEST AT A GLANCE | TOP HOTELS & TOURS
Short on time? Below are our recommended hotels & hostels, tours, and insurance to help you plan an incredible Budapest trip!TOP HOTELS & HOSTELS IN BUDAPEST
LUXURY | Kozmo Luxury Hotel
BOUTIQUE | Hotel Collect
BEST VALUE | Maverick City Lodge
BEST HOSTEL | Wombats City Hostel Budapest
RECOMMENDED TOURS OF BUDAPEST
1 | The Budapest Card (provides access to museums, attractions + transport)
2 | A Danube River sunset river cruise
3 | The grand Budapest city walking tour
4 | Szechenyi Baths day pass
5 | A guided walking tour of the Jewish District
6 | A guided tour of the Great Synagogue
7 | Budapest Castle evening walking tour
8 | Hungarian Cuisine food tour
TRAVEL INSURANCE
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HOW TO GET FROM BUDAPEST AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER
BUDAPEST AIRPORT EXPRESS BUS TO CITY CENTER (100E)
In our opinion, the best way to get from Budapest Airport to the city centre is through the 100E Airport Express bus.
In fact, it’s the bus we’ve used over 15+ times during our time living in Budapest, and it’s such an easy, affordable option for travellers of all types.
The 100E Airport Express services Budapest Airport Terminal 2 with three separate city centre stops, including Kalvin Square, Astoria, and Deak Ferenc Square, and return.
All three stops are located right in the city centre, close to hotels in the inner city and the Jewish Quarter, as well as the party hostels in the 7th District.
The Airport Express bus runs daily, every 7 - 10 minutes during the day, and every 30 - 40 minutes between midnight and 3 am. It takes around 45 mins to get from the airport to the city centre.
The cost of the journey is HUF 2,200 (£5, €6) per person, and tickets can be purchased outside Budapest Airport terminal 2 (accepts cash and card), or at Deak Ferenc Square for the journey back to the airport.
2024 Update | You can now also use your bank card as a ticket. Buy and validate your airport shuttle bus single ticket for 2,200 HUF at the same time, or book through the BudapestGO app (read more here: bkk.hu/budapestpayandgo_en).
Alternatively, there is a 200E bus that runs from Budapest Airport to the Kobanya-Kispest Metro Station, at which point you can alight the M3 Metro to Deak Ferenc Square in the city centre.
This option is cheaper (€2 total - 450 HUF for the bus and 350 HUF for the Metro), but having taken this route once before, it’s inefficient and a waste of time for those staying in the city centre.
THE DETAILS
Departure | Budapest Airport terminal 2, and Deak Ferenc Square
Cost | HUF 2,200 per person / €6 (2024 price)
Schedule | Check the 100E bus schedule here
SHARED AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS TRANSFER | BUDAPEST AIRPORT TO CITY CENTRE
If you’re not one who enjoys waiting for public transport, there’s a super affordable and hassle free option to get from Budapest airport to the city centre; via MiniBUD shared airport shuttle bus transfer (book here).
The benefit to an airport shuttle is multi-layered - not only are you able to book the shuttle before you arrive, but it also drops you and picks you up from your hotel, taking the stress out of lugging your bags around Budapest’s tight city streets looking for your hotel or Airbnb.
When you reach the airport arrivals terminal, visit the MiniBUD information points to validate your voucher. Once your voucher has been scanned you can board the shuttle bus. The service also runs 24 hours - perfect for those horribly timed Ryanair or EasyJet flights.
This option costs more than the Airport shuttle bus, but considerably less than a taxi, so it’s a great, hassle from alternative to get from Budapest Airport to the city centre.
THE DETAILS
Departure | MiniBUD information point Airport / Hotel pick up
Cost | HUF 4,000 per person / €12
BOOK | MiniBUD Airport Shuttle
PRIVATE TRANSFER | BUDAPEST AIRPORT TO CITY CENTRE
If you have the budget, a wonderful hassle-free Budapest Airport to city centre transfer option is via private car (book here).
Get picked up from Ferenc Liszt International Airport and dropped directly to your accommodation choice in a luxurious car with an English-speaking professional driver.
Forget about dealing with public transport, or other passengers, and be greeted by your driver at the airport arrivals area, before sitting back and enjoying the 30-minute drive into downtown Budapest.
It’s worth noting that for groups of 3 passengers or fewer, you can choose a sedan vehicle that can fit 3 standard-sized pieces of luggage. Alternatively, for larger groups of up to 6 passengers, choose the minivan option that can fit 6 standard-sized pieces of luggage.
THE DETAILS
Departure | Budapest Airport arrivals hall
Cost | HUF 15,000 per person / €35
BOOK | Private transfer
RIDESHARE OR TAXI
While Uber does not exist in Hungary, the ride-share app Bolt does and is a cheap and efficient way of getting from the airport to your accommodation.
We’ve used this service regularly in the city and think very highly of it - the drivers and friendly, helpful and efficient.
Download the app before you arrive, and organise a registered taxi as you leave the airport arrivals hall. It’s super easy, and we’ve never had a problem. One thing you should note is that unregistered Budapest taxis are notorious for causing problems, so always use Bolt in the city.
The trip should cost you around HUF 6,500 - 8,000 (£15 - £20, €18 - €25) and takes around 30 minutes.
THE DETAILS
Departure | Budapest Airport arrivals hall
Cost | HUF 6,000 - 8,500 per person / €18 - €25
BUDAPEST TRAVEL INFORMATION & FAQS
WHERE TO STAY IN BUDAPEST
The range of accommodation options in Budapest is endless, from epic party hostels through to 5* luxury. Whatever your budget, our where to stay in Budapest guide will have you covered.
Search and book your perfect accommodation here.
Below, we’ve provided our top recommendations on where to stay in Budapest to suit each budget:
MATILD PALACE |This Luxury Collection Hotel has finally reopened its doors. It’s luxurious, stylish, spacious and a huge splurge, but worth it for a once-in-a-lifetime stay in exceptional luxury.
BOOK | MATILD PALACE
HOTEL MEMORIES | Right in the heart of downtown Budapest, Hotel Memories is a stylish, modern stay with the lively 7th district right at your fingertips. Just a minute’s walk from the Dohany Street Synagogue, 10 minutes from the river, and 8 minutes from St Stephen’s Basilica, it’s conveniently located for sightseeing.
BOOK | Hotel Memories
HOSTEL ONE BUDAPEST | Consistently rated as one of the best hostels in the city, Hostel One is right in the heart of the 7th district (aka where all the nightlife is). It’s known for being all about community and socialising, but not just in the party sense.
Guests are provided with free homemade dinners each night, and the staff go out of their way to organise activities, sightseeing, etc.
BOOK | Hostel One Budapest
BUDAPEST HOTELS | Search and book Budapest accommodation here
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BUDAPEST?
Having now lived in Budapest for almost a year, we can safely say the shoulder seasons of May/June and September/October, are the best times to visit the city.
There are a few reasons for this;
#1 Budapest can get reallllllly busy during the peak summer months, so we recommend coming pre/post the peak season!
#2 The weather in the middle of summer can be a little stifling, so spring/autumn is much more comfortable
#3 It’s certainly cheaper to visit the city outside peak periods
#4 Did we mention the crowds in Summer?
WHAT’S THE CURRENCY IN BUDAPEST
Hungary’s an EU member state, so you’d be forgiven for assuming that they use the Euro as their currency.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case - Hungary continues to use the Hungarian Forint, so you’ll need to keep this in mind when you visit.
For reference, 100 Hungarian Forints is generally equal to about £0.25, or €0.30 - you can check the most up to date exchange rate here.
CASH OR CARD IN BUDAPEST?
After spending 6 weeks living in Vienna, we got very used to always carrying cash - it’s like that city only works in notes and coins! So after moving to Budapest, we expected much the same.
Fortunately, you are able to use your card/Apple Pay and almost every single store, restaurant, bar etc. To save on fees, always select to pay in Hungarian Forint on the machine, as this will save you unnecessary exchange fees.
If you need to get cash out, we suggest only doing this at recognised banks, including OTP, K & H, Erste, Budapest Bank, MKB, Raffheisen etc. These banks don’t charge absurd withdrawal fees or poor exchange rates, designed to thieve from unsuspecting tourists, unlike the ever-popular EuroNet machines you’ll see all around the city.
Quite simply, never, ever use a EuroNet machine in Europe - they’re a scam.
HOW TO GET AROUND BUDAPEST
A lot of the best places to visit in Budapest are located within a short distance from each other in the expansive, and outrageously beautiful inner-city districts - therefore we highly recommend walking while visiting the city.
Alternatively, if you’re short on time, or looking to explore as much of the city as possible, we recommend purchasing a Budapest Card, which provides access to the city’s public transport, discounts on top attractions (including the thermal baths) and free access to 19 of the city’s best museums.
Depending on the length of your stay, the card is available for between 1-5 days. It’s super easy and useful!
Alternatively, there are a heap of e-scooter options, such as Lime and Bird, which are located throughout the city, as well as Bike Sharing from Mol Bubi.
Finally, the city has an extensive and efficient public transport network, which services all of Budapest’s attractions. Tickets are cheap (HUF 350 per ride, HUF 3,000 for 10 ticket packs - or free with the Budapest Card), so we suggest buying a pack of 10 tickets when you arrive, and then using them when needed.
BOOK | Get free public transport with the Budapest Card
OUR BUDAPEST POCKET GUIDE
Our Budapest City Guide is a curated travel guide, designed to be downloaded to your phone and used as your trusty companion when exploring the city.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find our personal recommendations on the best things to see, eat and drink, places to stay, and things to know, gathered over the two years we spent living in Budapest.
You’ll also find example itineraries to help you make the most of your time there, and plenty of inspiration to guide your travels.
BUY NOW | Purchase the pocket guide here
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN BUDAPEST
If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the current global situation has taught many people, things can go wrong anywhere in the world - and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
Here are our recommendations, based on 8+ years of full-time travel:
FOR TRAVELLERS | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out-of-pocket fees.
*Readers of The Common Wanderer get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
FOR DIGITAL NOMADS | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
CAR INSURANCE | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
PLANNING A TRIP TO BUDAPEST SOON?
BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDES | 25+ amazing things to do in Budapest, A guide to Szechenyi Baths, Gellert Thermal Baths, New York Cafe, Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar, Józsefváros, Budapest’s hipster 8th district, the best brunch in Budapest, and where to stay in Budapest, How to visit Dohany St Synagogue, A guide to St. Stephen’s Cathedral
BALATON BLISS | What to see and do on Lake Balaton, and our 3-day guide Balaton
EXPLORE MISKOLC | Enjoy our short city break guide to Miskolc, explore the enchanting forest town of Lillafüred, or discover the Miskolctapolca Cave Baths
AIRBNB GUIDE | Our essential guide to getting the best out of Airbnb
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world? Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT. Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
EXPLORE THE BEST OF BUDAPEST WITH OUR GUIDES
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