PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
BUS 200E AND SUBWAY
First go to the customer service point of the public transport company (BKK) in the arrivals hall. You can find this stand in Terminal 2A from 08:00 to 22:00 and in Terminal 2B from 09:00 to 21:00. There you can not only get single tickets, but all other travel cards. You can find more information about the different tickets on my Website. It is best to pay for the tickets with a debit or credit card, as the exchange rates at the airport are very unfavorable.
If these counters are no longer open, then go outside and next to the bus stop (in the middle between 2A and 2B) you will find the purple colored machines. You can also buy all kinds of tickets (24 hours, 72 hours, etc.) from the machines and also payment by debit or credit card is possible. You can also buy a single ticket directly from the bus driver for a small surcharge. But you should have exactly 450 HUF for this, because the bus drivers don’t have change with them.
First take the airport bus no. 200E to the end station “Köbánya-Kispest”. The journey takes about 20 minutes. From there you can change to the subway (M3) and head into the city.
If you want to reach the subway without stairs, go to the end station. Most will get off at the one stop before the last, but there you will have to walk over stairs to the subway with your luggage. That’s why you bravely stay seated to the end station, only when the bus drives into the new terminus should you get off. From there, escalators or elevators are available. If you were only able to buy a single ticket at the airport, you have the option here to buy other tickets at the counter or from the machines.
Please note that the single tickets are only valid for one journey without interruption and without changing lines. That’s why you have to validate a new single ticket every time you change lines. Only in the subway network youcan transfer directly to another line with a single ticket (interruptions in the journey, return journeys, etc. are not permitted.)
You can then take the subway to the city center. If you still need to transfer to another line, you can reach the M4 (green) at Kálvin tér or the M1 (yellow) or M2 (red) at Deák Ferenc tér.
BUS 100E
Since the summer of 2017, there has been a new, convenient way of taking public transport from the airport directly to the city center without having to change lines. The 100E buses offer a direct connection, but cannot be used with normal single tickets, day tickets, etc. Special tickets (price: 2.200 HUF) are available from any machine or from the driver. The bus has only two stations in the city center, namely at Kálvin tér and the terminus Deák Ferenc tér.
The buses run from the two end stations every 10-20 minutes. The journey takes – depending on traffic – about 35 to 50 minutes. This line offers a 24/7 service on every day of the year. This bus is also free for EU citizens over the age of 65!
TAXI
In December 2010, Budapest Airport has signed a new contract with the oldest taxi company in Budapest (Fõtaxi). Since then you will find their cars in front of the terminal buildings. With these cars you can of course easily drive into the city.
The price depends on your destination. According to the Taxi Regulation of September 1, 2013, there is a uniform tariff in Budapest, namely 440 HUF / km (about 1.22 EUR) and a basic price of 1.100 HUF (about 3.05 EUR) An average trip between the airport and the city center (depending on traffic) costs around 12.500 HUF (about 34,70 EUR). With this new regulation, the taxi companies are unfortunately no longer allowed to offer cheap fixed prices.
It is best to ignore the taxi drivers who approach passengers in the arrivals hall. Exit the building and go to the official company counter!
So the final price depends on the distance driven. For example, you can use a route planner like Google Maps at home to calculate how far your hotel is from the Airport Terminal 2. The city center (Chain Bridge) for example is about 22 km.
The service is good and reliable, you can even pay by card in every car (also debit card). You usually don’t have to wait more than 2-3 minutes for a taxi.
With this company you can of course also go back to the airport. You can book taxis to your hotel or any address in Budapest by calling (00 36 1) 222 2222.
Of course, you can also take another taxi company from the airport. These cars must be called by telephone. If you order a taxi (English is spoken in the headquarters), you will be picked up in about 5-8 minutes. But the price must also be the same flat rate of 440 HUF/km.
The most reliable companies with their phone numbers are the following:
Citytaxi: (+36 1) 211 1111
Fötaxi: (+36 1) 222 2222
Taxi 6×6: (+36 1) 666 6666
miniBUD Airport Minibus
Especially for single travelers and since the introduction of the uniform taxi tariff, a practical alternative to public transport and taxis is the Airport Minibus, a kind of shared taxi that takes you to your desired destination within Budapest. Simply register at the miniBUD counter at the airport.
In contrast to the taxi, you can calculate here with a fixed price. The price depends on the number of passengers and the destination. There is a 10% discount for online pre-orders. Click on the image on the right for more info or visit the page: www.minibud.hu
RAILWAY
With the closure of Terminal 1, traveling by train has lost much of its importance, as the train station “Budapest-Ferihegy” is located at Terminal 1. However, there are cases where it is worthwhile. For example, if you don’t want to go to Budapest at all, but want to continue straight from the airport in the direction of eastern Hungary, for example to Debrecen, Szeged or Nyíregyháza. All Intercity trains also stop at this small train station.
During the day (06.00-18.00) there is a small container counter where you can get all train tickets. Vending machines can be found on the platforms.
And in practice:
Drive from Terminal 2 in the same way as if you were driving downtown. You can reach the train station with the bus line 200E, if you drive in the direction of the city center. After about 6-7 minutes you will reach the stop “Ferihegy vasútállomás” (train station Ferihegy). There is a covered transition to the train station and a few elevators, but these are often defective.
Trains usually stop every 20 minutes during the day. About 40 minutes in the evening and early in the morning. The train journey between the airport and the Western Railway Station (Nyugati) takes about 20-25 minutes.
A ticket costs 370 HUF (about 1.15 EUR), which you can get from the machine on the platform (you probably won’t have change with you, but card payment is also possible) or during the day at the container counter on the platform under the stairs.
There are numerous travel agencies and other companies that offer private transfers from the airport. Of course I can organize something like that for you. In this case, a driver will be waiting for you directly in the arrivals hall with a sign with your name on it. If there is an appointment, I can of course pick you up myself.
Travel groups have the option of booking just a transfer or a transfer with a English-speaking guide. In the second case, there is also an English-speaking tour guide with the guests during the transfer. For more details, simply contact me by email.
- Travelling by taxi
- Currency exchange
- Public transportation in Budapest
- Pickpockets and similar dangers
- EU citizens 65+ travel for free
- Driving your own car in Hungary
- Inside visit of the Parliament building
- Sightseeing boats on the river Danube
- Buying cigarettes and smoking
- Where and how much tip is usual?
- Private tour in Budapest. By car or on foot?