How To Get From Budapest Airport To The City Centre

Reaching the city centre from Budapest Airport is surprisingly easy, with plenty of options from buses to private transfers.

I don’t know about you, but one of my least favourite parts of travelling is getting from the airport to where I’m staying. It’s always either an extortionate taxi fare or some chaotic combination of buses and trains while dragging half your bodyweight in luggage.

But Budapest was honestly one of the easiest airport transfers I’ve ever done. We landed recently and were in the city within about 45 minutes with no stress, no confusion and no ridiculous prices.

Your two best options are the 100E bus (cheap, simple, super reliable) or a private transfer that takes you door to door. There are taxis and Bolt too, depending on your budget and how much luggage you’re hauling.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through every way to get from Budapest Airport to the city so you can pick the option that actually makes sense for your trip.

Ways to Travel from Budapest Airport to the City Centre

So as I’ve mentioned, there are multiple ways you can reach the centre of Budapest from the airport and there is something that will suit every type of budget. Transfer options can cost as little as £4 – £5 ($5 – $6) while still being really convenient and easy to use.

City Centre Express Bus (100E) from Budapest Airport

I’ll start by saying I’m not usually a fan of hopping on a bus with all my luggage after a flight. However, I’ve used the 100E bus a couple of times now, and I think it’s the best way to get from Budapest Airport to the city centre if you’re travelling on a budget.

You can catch the 100E bus right outside the Terminal 2 arrivals area, and it’s clearly signposted as you exit the building. The bus stops at three different locations in the city: Kálvin tér Metro Station, Astoria Station, and Deák Ferenc tér. All of these stops are centrally located and we ended up walking from Astoria Station to our accommodation.

The journey is really reasonable and only costs 2,200 HUF (approx £5 / $6) per person. You can buy tickets from a machine outside the terminal using cash or card, but the easiest way is to tap your bank card on the bus and select the number of travellers on the keypad.

The bus runs every 6-10 minutes during the day, every 10-15 minutes in the morning and evening, and then every 30-40 minutes during the night. The journey can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.

The bus does get busy and you might need to stand for the journey if you’re not able to grab a seat. We didn’t mind this but it’s something to keep in mind for your trip.

You can also catch the 100E bus from the city centre back to Budapest Airport, but it doesn’t pick passengers up from Astoria Station except at night between 12:12 am and 4:32 am. During other times, you’ll need to board the bus at Kálvin tér Metro Station or Deák Ferenc tér.

Find more information on the 100E bus here.

Private Transfer Service from Budapest Airport to City Centre

A private transfer will be your best choice if you’re looking for door-to-door service and the most convenient option. This will be the most stress-free way to travel after your flight as your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall once you have come through customs.

Once your driver has picked you up they will drive you straight to your accommodation in the comfort of a spacious car. The journey should take anywhere between 30 – 45 minutes but this will vary depending on traffic, especially at peak times.

Private transfers typically cost somewhere between £40 – £70 depending on the size of your group and the type of car you book.

Shared Shuttle Bus Service

If you’re looking for something in the middle of budget-friendly and splurging on a private transfer then the shared shuttle bus service is a great option.

This is still a door-to-door service but as the shuttle is shared with other passengers there will be multiple stops along the route. This can mean that the journey can take a little longer than a private transfer but I don’t think it will delay you too much.

The shuttle service is called Mini BUD and you can either pre-book your ticket or head to the service desk in the arrivals hall to book your journey.

If you pre-book your ticket, you will need to take your voucher to the service desk to be validated and then you can go to the pick-up point. Tickets cost between £8 – £12 per person and you can book a one-way or a return ticket.

Using Ride-Sharing Apps

Another way to reach Budapest city centre from Ferenc Liszt International Airport is by using a ride-sharing app. The two that you can use in Budapest are Uber and Bolt.

You might have read that there is no Uber in Budapest, but this changed in early 2024 when the app returned to the city. Both apps have similar prices but when we were in Budapest earlier this year, I did find that Bolt was slightly cheaper than Uber. You can check both apps to see which is cheapest at the time you need to travel.

To get from the airport to Budapest average journeys cost between £20 – £30 / $25 – $38. You will need an internet connection to book your driver or you can connect to the airport wifi.

It’s best to have the apps downloaded to your phone with your accounts already set up before arriving in Budapest. You can choose to pay by either cash or card when making your booking.

Getting to the City Centre by Train

Getting to the city centre by train is the least convenient way to travel from the airport and not one I would personally choose. However, it is the cheapest of all the transfers and costs around £2 / $2.50 for the whole journey.

This is the least efficient way to travel as no train service goes directly to the airport. Instead, you’ll need to catch the 200E bus to reach the Kobanya-Kispest Metro Station. From there, you’ll need to take the M3 to Deák Ferenc Tér in the city centre.

Taxi from Budapest Airport

If you’re planning to use a taxi to Budapest’s city centre, FoTaxi is the only cab company that can operate from the airport. When I first visited Budapest in 2019 this was the option I used when we landed and it was fine. I have read the more recent reviews though and it is a bit of a mixed bag.

If this is the option you go for, their ticket counter is just outside the terminals on the arrivals level, and you’ll see a taxi rank with a queue of bright yellow cabs waiting in line. Before getting in your cab, you’ll need to register at the ticket counter. The average cost is £28 / $30 although this can vary due to traffic.

Do not get into any unlicensed taxis, they will rip you off and it’s really not worth the hassle.

Budapest transport FAQs

Now that we have gone through all the different transport options from the airport, these are some of the most frequently asked questions about reaching the city centre.

How Far Is Budapest City Centre From The Airport?

The distance from Ferenc Liszt International Airport to Budapest city centre is just under 21km and is a pretty straightforward route. On a good journey without traffic, you can make the trip in just 30 minutes.

However, as the roads can get very busy at times you should allow for up to an hour in case of traffic or delays.

How Much Is A Taxi From The Airport to The City?

On average a taxi from the Budapest airport to the city will cost around £28 / $30. Again this will vary based on traffic and the time it takes to reach your drop-off point.

If you opt to use one of the ride-sharing apps, costs will usually range somewhere between £20 – £30 / $25 – $38. It is always best to check on the day which option will be cheapest for you to use.

How To Travel Around Budapest City Centre?

I love exploring places on foot and was so happy to find that Budapest is a very walkable city. Many of the sights and areas of interest are found very close together and the city’s architecture is beautiful to explore at a slower pace.

That being said if walking isn’t an option, you’re short on time or you simply prefer catching a ride then I recommend using Bolt or Uber. The prices for getting around the city are quite reasonable, and there are usually plenty of drivers, so you won’t have to wait long.

I don’t recommend hailing a cab from the street. Several Bolt drivers told us that this often leads to passengers being overcharged. While we didn’t personally experience this since we only used ride-sharing apps, it’s something to keep in mind.

What Currency is Used in Budapest?

Even though Hungary is part of Europe, the currency used is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). In Budapest’s city centre, many shops and restaurants will accept the euro but this will often mean the exchange rate is higher and you’ll end up spending more money.

When we travel, we put most of our spending money on a travel card; we use Revolut. It doesn’t have any hidden fees, and the exchange rate is usually pretty good. We then carry a small amount of cash in case we need it for tips or other small expenses.

At the time of writing, £1 is worth approximately 468 HUF, and $1 is around 368 HUF.

Where To Stay In Budapest

Saying you’ll be spoilt for choice on where to stay in Budapest is an understatement!

If you want luxury hotels with spas and indoor pools, Budapest has got it. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly social hostel, Budapest has got it. And if you want something in between, you guessed it, Budapest has got that too!

Queens Court Hotel & Residence

Booking a stay at the Queen’s Court Hotel & Residence is a bit of a luxury treat!

Found in the heart of Budapest, the hotel has different-sized rooms and suites for you to choose from and a quiet garden courtyard. They also have an onsite spa, gym and indoor pool!

Ó 38 Luxe Loft

Ó 38 Luxe Loft reminds me of a New York-style apartment as it’s super modern and stylish. It has two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and even a washer and dryer for you to use.

Plus, it has all the amenities you need nearby!

Onefam Budapest

Found in the heart of the 7th district, Onefam Hostel has a warm and friendly vibe, making it a great place to stay if you’re on a budget and want to socialise.

The hostel arranges evening entertainment and has an onsite bar that’s open till 11pm which is great if you want to meet people.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of ways to get from Budapest Airport to the city centre, with options to suit every budget. The best option if you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to travel from the airport is the 100E bus. All you need to do is tap on with your bank card when you board the bus and head into the city.

If you don’t mind spending a little bit of money and want the hassle-free option of door-to-door service, then a private pick-up is the best option for you. Or if you’re looking for something in the middle of the two, then a shared airport shuttle is reasonably priced and will take you to your accommodation.

Whichever one you choose, I’m sure it will be the beginning of an amazing trip to Budapest!