How to Get to Budapest Airport: Easy Navigation and Access from Surrounding Cities
Budapest Airport is a favored choice for Slovak travelers due to its direct flights across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This guide covers all transportation options to the airport.
J
Hungary's main air hub lies 24 km southeast of downtown Budapest in Ferihegy. It hosts both local and international flights, including low-cost options.
After the challenges following the collapse of Malév Hungarian Airlines and the pandemic, Liszt Ferenc Airport is now thriving.
In 2023, the airport handled over 14.7 million passengers. As a hub for Wizz Air, its popularity continues to rise.
>>> Parking at Budapest Airport offers many options. Details are available in this article.
Liszt Ferenc International Airport Budapest (BUD)
Budapest Airport was renamed in 2011 to honor the composer Franz Liszt. Previously, it was called Budapest Ferihegy International Airport, after its location.
How to Navigate the Airport Structure
The compact and efficient airport allows for quick navigation. After the bankruptcy of MALÉV, Budapest Airport operates one terminal, T2, split into two sections.
Terminals 2A and 2B are linked by the modern five-story SkyCourt, featuring shops, restaurants, and lounges. You can walk through it in minutes after security. Two separate terminals serve various global destinations.
- Terminal 2A – handles Schengen area flights (gates A)
- Terminal 2B – manages non-Schengen flights (gates B)
Both terminals offer duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, and car rentals. Due to growing demand, Budapest Airport may reopen terminal T1 and build terminal T3, with plans starting after 2025.
Where Can You Fly from Budapest?
Hungary's largest airport serves 41 airlines and connects to over 120 destinations in 43 countries. Major low-cost carriers like Wizz Air and Ryanair are based here.
Budapest Airport offers flights to Africa, North America, and the Middle East. For instance, Emirates flies to Dubai, and Air China connects to Beijing and Bangkok.
The airport handles over 350 flights daily. Popular routes include those to American cities like New York, Chicago, and Miami, usually requiring a layover. Find tips for traveling with a layover here.
How to Get to Budapest Airport
From Slovakia, you can reach Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD) via direct connections from cities like Bratislava, Zvolen, and Košice. Options include buses, trains, or driving.
If traveling by train, you'll need to transfer to public transport in Budapest. The train station provides a straightforward route to the airport.
By Bus to Budapest Airport
Direct bus services are available from companies like FlixBus and Slovak Lines, especially from Bratislava, Košice, or Zvolen. Booking tickets online in advance is recommended.
The journey takes about 3 hours from Bratislava and slightly longer from other cities, with buses taking you directly to the airport. This convenient option costs around 12 to 20 euros.
By Train to Budapest Airport
Traveling by train is comfortable, with good connections from Bratislava and Košice to Keleti pályaudvar station in Budapest, where the metro is accessible.
To reach the airport, transfer from the metro to a bus line. When buying tickets, consider both metro and bus options. Bus drivers sell tickets for cash only. At metro stations, look for purple BKK machines.
Metro access is at the train station, marked with symbol M. Take the red line M2 towards Déak Ferenc tér and get off at Astoria. Continue with bus line MHD 100E to the airport.
The trip from Keleti pályaudvar to Liszt Ferenc Airport takes about 50 minutes.
Some travelers opt for private transport services like BlaBlaCar.
Parking at Liszt Ferenc Airport
Driving to the airport is hassle-free. Budapest Airport offers a large parking area with about 4,900 spaces. Premium parking, close to terminal T2, has 70 spaces mainly for short stays and quick pickups, with the first 5 minutes free.
A more affordable option is the covered parking lot, located 5 minutes on foot from the terminal. For long-term parking, consider Parking Holiday, Smart, or City Break, all within a 10-minute walk of terminal T2.
Reserve parking online in advance for the best spot and price. Choose parking that suits your needs.
Conclusion
The first civil flight took off in 1950 from a military airport, which later became Hungary's main international hub. It was a strategic point during the Cold War.
Since then, the airport has modernized rapidly, investing in safety and services to enhance passenger comfort, earning several awards over the years.
The international aviation research organization Skytrax ranked Budapest's Liszt Ferenc Airport among Europe's best, awarding it four stars after a three-day audit.
The airport continually improves services for all visitors, offering 6 nursing rooms, playgrounds, and free strollers for families. It also features a variety of shops, restaurants, and relaxation zones.
J
