BUD Airport Transportation: Ways to Reach Central Budapest

For BUD airport transportation, the main choices are the direct 100E bus, the 200E bus with a metro connection, a train reached by bus, a taxi or a shared shuttle.

The direct bus runs to Deák Ferenc tér, while the other public transport routes involve a connection. The airport lists a 30-minute train connection to the city centre; BKK lists a 40-minute journey on the 100E.

Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport is about a 46-minute drive from Paulay Downtown Apartments. Your best fit depends on whether you value a direct ride, a rail connection or door-to-door service, as well as the ticket rules and fares for each route.

100E Airport Express

The 100E runs directly between the airport and Deák Ferenc tér, with stops at Kálvin tér and Astoria. BKK lists a 40-minute journey to the city centre and service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Frequencies vary by day and time: daytime service is generally every 6–10 minutes on Mondays and Fridays, and every 7–10 minutes on the other days. BKK lists intervals of every 10–15 minutes in the mornings and evenings, and an average of every 30–40 minutes at night.

A single journey requires a 2,500 HUF Airport shuttle bus single ticket. It covers one uninterrupted trip in one direction, with no transfers or travel on other lines.

If you hold a valid Budapest pass—except the 15-day pass—or a valid Pest County Pass or Hungary Pass, you can buy a 1,000 HUF add-on airport shuttle bus single ticket. Children under 14 with a Hungarian student ID and people over 65 can travel free with the required proof.

You can buy 100E tickets in the BudapestGO app, at BKK customer service centres, ticket offices and ticket vending machines, or onboard with the Budapest Pay&GO bankcard device.

200E bus and M3 metro

Bus 200E connects Terminal 2 with Kőbánya-Kispest, where you can transfer to metro line M3. It operates around the clock according to its usual schedule. Unlike the direct 100E, this route includes a bus-to-metro connection.

A standard single ticket, travelcard or pass can be used for the 200E route and its M3 transfer. The 100E airport shuttle ticket and its add-on are not valid here. BKK lists an onboard single ticket at 700 HUF and says you can pay by bankcard when buying one on 200E.

Train via Ferihegy

Ferihegy is the closest train station to Terminal 2. Take bus 200E to reach it, then catch a train to Budapest’s Nyugati railway station. The airport says the connection to the city centre takes 30 minutes.

Train tickets are not sold at Terminal 2. You can buy domestic tickets around the clock from machines on the platform at Ferihegy station, so allow for the bus connection before boarding the train.

For more on the city’s transit network and metro connections, see the Budapest metro and public transport guide.

Főtaxi

You can book Főtaxi at the stands by the entrances to Terminals 2A and 2B, then take a taxi from the ranks in front. Hungary’s regulated tariff is a 2,100 HUF base fare, 520 HUF per kilometre and 130 HUF per minute. Főtaxi prepares a fare calculation using your destination address before the trip starts.

Főtaxi vehicles have POS terminals and accept credit cards. The airport cautions that using non-contracted taxi companies that solicit passengers inside the terminal may be risky.

miniBUD shared shuttle

Budapest Airport identifies miniBUD as its official airport shuttle provider. Its shared transfer to the city centre costs from 2,499 HUF per person, with no base fee, and is described as a door-to-door service.

The listed price includes unlimited baggage, child seats, extra legroom and free Wi-Fi. This is a shared ride rather than a private taxi, so the service and fare are distinct from booking a Főtaxi.

Use the direct 100E if you want a bus that goes to Deák Ferenc tér without a transfer. Keep its separate airport ticket requirement in mind, especially if you already have a Budapest pass: most valid passes need the add-on ticket, while the 15-day pass is excluded from that offer.

The 200E route may suit you if you want to use a standard single ticket, travelcard or pass and are comfortable changing to M3 at Kőbánya-Kispest.

For the rail option, factor in the 200E ride to Ferihegy and the train to Nyugati. A taxi or miniBUD shuttle offers a road transfer; compare Főtaxi’s fare calculation with miniBUD’s per-person shared-transfer price.

For the reverse journey—Budapest city center to airport—check which stop or station serves your departure and leave time for any bus, metro or train connection included in your route.

Fares, ticket conditions and service details can change. Check BKK’s official site before you go for current bus, ticket and payment information, and Budapest Airport’s official site for airport transport and taxi details.

For the 100E, confirm that you have the correct airport shuttle ticket; it does not cover other lines or transfers. For the train, remember that tickets are bought at Ferihegy rather than Terminal 2. If you choose a taxi, use the airport’s Főtaxi stands and ranks.