Budapest Airport (BUD) Guide: How to Get Around BUD With Ease!

If you’re planning a trip to Hungary, chances are you’ll be flying into Budapest Airport.

We all know that navigating through airports can be nightmarish at the best of times, so to help you out on your next trip, we’ve put together a complete guide to Budapest Airport. So, whether you’re flying in or out, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out about all the necessary info that'll make navigating through the Budapest airport a breeze!

Where Is the Airport in Budapest?

The first thing you’ll probably want to know about flying into Budapest is where the airport actually is. The main airport in Budapest is the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, airport code BUD. This is about 10 miles from the city center, to the southeast.

There is actually another airport close to Budapest, the Hármashatárhegy Airport — but you won’t be able to fly into or out of this one, as it’s a private airport rather than a public one.

So, if you’re looking to fly into Budapest from an international location, you’ll be booking a flight to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International. You may also hear people referring to it as Ferihegy airport, but it is the same place!

How to Get from Budapest International Airport to the City Center

There are a few different ways to get from the airport in Budapest to the city center. There is no direct train route to or from the airport, so we recommend taking a bus if you’re planning to use public transport.

The easiest way to get to the city center is to take the 100E bus. It’s a specific airport transfer that takes you right into the center of Budapest. It runs every 30 minutes between around 4 a.m. and midnight, and a single ticket costs 900 HUF (about $3).

Another option is to take the 200E. This is a regular public bus service rather than a dedicated airport transfer, so it might be a little less comfortable. It runs between terminal 2 and the Kőbánya-Kispest metro station, from where you can easily take the metro into the city. The bus ticket costs just 350 HUF (about $1.15 — a total bargain!).

Public transportation is very cheap from the airport, but it’s obviously going to be less of a hassle to take a taxi. A taxi transfer from the airport to the center of Budapest will probably cost roughly 7,200 HUF ($25 or so). It’s a big step up in terms of cost, but it’s a good option if you’re arriving late at night or very early in the morning, especially if you have lots of heavy suitcases!

Car Rental at Budapest Airport

Another transport option is to hire a car. There are seven car rental companies that operate directly inside Budapest International, including well-known brands like Avis, Hertz, and Sixt. It’s a good option if you’re planning to travel outside the city to see the rest of Hungary, but if you plan to stick to Budapest itself, you probably won’t really need a car. Public transport is cheap and quick, and the center of the city is actually small enough to tackle on foot.

If you do choose to hire a car, you’ll find the car hire companies right inside Terminal 2B — easy!

Getting Around Budapest Airport

Budapest Airport is split into two terminals: Terminal 2A and Terminal 2B. These terminals are connected by the SkyCourt shopping area, so you can easily move from one to the other on foot.

Once you check-in and go through security, you’ll find yourself in the SkyCourt retail zone. Here, you’ll find a wide range of restaurants, stores, and facilities — head upstairs for even more food options.

If you need to know where to exchange money, there’s a currency exchange desk in the SkyCourt area too, so you can easily swap your dollars for Hungarian forints.

Where to Stay Near Budapest Airport

If you’re looking for hotels near Budapest Airport, you’re in luck. There are a number of good hotels close to the airport.

Airport Hotel Budapest is just a short drive from the airport and it runs a free 24-hour shuttle between its front desk and the departures area. It’s pretty good value, too, with prices as low as $80 per night.

Ibis Styles Budapest Airport is also a good choice. It’s just a 5-minute walk to the airport, so you can roll out of bed at the last possible moment before your flight! Prices start at around $115 for a one-night stay.

Hotel Ferihegy is a 10-minute drive from the airport and is probably the cheapest choice of hotels near the airport. You can reserve a single room for as little as $45 a night. There is a shuttle bus available, or the 200E bus stops about half a mile from the hotel’s front door.

Airport MicroStore Panzió is a slightly different option, perfect if you’re looking for a self-contained apartment instead of a hotel room. It’s just under 2 miles from the airport and there is a shuttle available to drop you off at the departures gate. Apartments are available for $55 per night and upwards.

Where to Sleep In Budapest Airport

It’s unfortunate but true that sometimes you just get stuck at an airport overnight. If you’re looking for a place to sleep at Budapest Airport (without forking out your hard-earned cash for a hotel room), there are only a couple of options.

As is the case in all airports, there are plenty of seats around the departures area and the shopping zone, so it shouldn’t be too tricky finding somewhere to doze off. The SkyCourt building has padded benches, which are probably going to be the most comfortable options.

Be warned that the airport cleaning takes place overnight, so you’ll want to bring earplugs to block out the noise!

Have a Good Trip!

Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or booking a flight direct from your hometown to Budapest, navigating the airport is the first step to enjoying your trip.

Once you’ve made it out of the airport, you can relax into your vacation and start sightseeing!

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