Airport transfer Budapest- the top 6 Budapest airport transfer choices

1. Private transfer – book your best airport shuttle option in Hungary (recommended- Budapest Airport to city)

Leave it to us – that’s right, we do private transfers from the airport to anywhere in the city and back! Just tell us your pickup time, when you land and your driver will be waiting for you with a VIP car at the airport, ready to take you to your accommodation in style.

To visit Budapest city center or anywhere else in the city? Of course, every location is easily and comfortably accessible with our help!

What’s more, as experienced tourism professionals, we can give you tips, tricks, and recommendations while we’re taking you to your accommodation. In fact, as trusted partners of several long-established and trending companies specialized in tourism, you’ll be able to get tickets to tons of attractions and things to do at discounted prices. And to top it all off, you can also call us to take you places while you’re in the city – we’re happy to help!

Advantages to having your own private airport transfer to the city center (or anywhere else in the city)

In addition to the above-mentioned benefits you’ll get from our private airport transfer service, there are a number of other upsides to choose this option:

• Share the price – the more friends you travel with, the less each of you needs to pay
• Room for your luggage – you can comfortably place your luggage and rest assured it’s safe
• There are no surprises – we work at a fixed rate, so no matter the traffic or distance, you’ll only need to pay what you agreed to in advance
• Professional drivers ensuring a smooth ride
• Excellent service with VIP treatment

Meeting Point at the Budapest Airport

If you choose a private transfer service, it’s recommended to request a welcome sign or name board. In this case, the driver will already be waiting for us in the hall, and there’s nothing else to do. This service usually costs 10 euros, generally covering the parking fee at the airport. The inner road in front of the airport is divided into nine zones (indicated by large, orange signs). After arriving and walking out of the airport, notify the private driver in which zone you are, and they will arrive at the location within minutes. You just need to watch for the car. This is usually the case because parking at the airport is very expensive, and most drivers wait near the airport. Again, it’s recommended to request a welcome sign or name board for a private transfer service. The driver will wait for us in the hall, with no further action needed. This 10 euros, generally covering the parking fee at the airport. The inner road in front of the airport is divided into nine zones (indicated by large, orange signs). After arriving and walking out of the airport, notify the private driver in which zone you are, and they will arrive at the location within minutes. You just need to watch for the car. This arrangement is typical because airport parking is very expensive, and most drivers wait near the airport.

Sound good? Book your Budapest airport transfer with us now.

2. Budapest Airport Taxi – the most popular choice

The waiting area of Főtaxi, the only taxi company authorized to idle at Budapest Airport.

Getting into a cab is probably the most widespread way of leaving or arriving at an airport – or in movies it is anyway – and it’s for a reason. Taxi from Budapest airport services are available 24/7, eliminating the need for pre-booking. They offer door-to-door service, so you don’t need to hassle with luggage.

However, always be aware of taxi scams. Stick with official taxis like Főtaxi, which have a fixed fare system, ensuring a reliable Budapest airport transfer experience.

Bolt Taxi at the Airport

Many travelers are aware that in Budapest, the most reliable taxi is the “bolt” taxi (with a green logo on a yellow background). This is true, but I don’t recommend it for transfers from the airport to the city. In Budapest, all taxis work with a fixed fare, so traveling with a bolt taxi will not be cheaper. Moreover, you have to order a bolt taxi in advance, and it can take a lot of time for them to arrive since they cannot park at the airport area but wait nearby or come from the city, which can make finding the ordered taxi difficult. There’s also a chance that the driver might charge extra for entering the airport as they are only allowed free entry twice a day. Therefore, if you insist on taking a taxi to the city, I recommend the main taxi service.

At Budapest airport, the only taxi company authorized to idle on the premises is Főtaxi (literally ‘main taxi’).

Transfer booking: how to get a Főtaxi

Get a taxi from their airport booths located outside both terminals:

When you’re up next, go to the booth, tell the coordinator where you want to go, and take the little paper slip they hand you. Then, go to the taxi waiting area, check the number on the paper slip, and look for the taxi that’s going to pick you up. The driver will have already been informed of the address they need to take you to, but of course, there’s no harm in cross-checking it.

Cost of transfer

12,000-18,000 Ft (€30-45) depending on distance and duration of journey. There’s a credit card terminal in all cabs, so you don’t need to worry about exchanging money at the airport (plus money exchange offices usually work with higher rates at airports, so we definitely recommend you don’t exchange money as soon as you land).

Naturally, Főtaxi isn’t the only taxi company in Budapest, so you can request a cab from other companies, too. However, since they’re not authorized to wait at the airport, they are usually parked a bit further out and only drive into the premises when they have somebody to pick up, which means you’ll probably need to wait a bit after you call them. There are two roads running parallely in front of the terminals, you’ll want to wait for your taxi by the outer one, as the first one is reserved for the city’s airport buses and authorized taxis. The good news is taxi fares are regulated at city level, so whichever company you choose, you’ll be charged at the same rates. However, beware of the so-called ‘taxi hyenas’ who appear to claim to be licensed taxi drivers but are actually frauds trying to rip off their passengers (mostly unsuspicious tourists) with unreasonably high prices. It’s best to always get a taxi from an official taxi company via phone or an app.

Keep in mind that most taxis can only fit up to 4 people (which is already kind of crowded) and the ones that can pick up 6 passengers don’t have any room for luggage. If you’re traveling in a group of 5 or more, it’s already worth opting for private transfer rather than getting two cabs, so pre-book now, if you can plan ahead your private car.

3. Transfer from Budapest Airport: MiniBUD – the official Budapest Airport shuttle service

MiniBUD is the official minibus shuttle service provider of Budapest Airport, transporting passengers from the airport to their homes and vice versa. As such, they’re a reliable means of airport transfer with great customer service, tons of helpful hostesses, and multiple locations at the airport.

You can use miniBUD both individually and in a group, but if you’re traveling alone, it might take a while till you get home or to the airport. MiniBUDs pick up several passengers from the same area before they head to the airport and, similarly, wait for several passengers at the airport before they leave and start dropping them off one at a time. If you’re the last on the driver’s list, it might even take 1.5-2 hours.

If you need a ride to the airport, you can book a miniBUD way ahead of time and on relatively short notice as well (but make sure you book your seat on their website or on the phone no later than 5 hours before your flight departs). If you need a lift from the airport, all you need to do after you land is looking for a miniBUD customer service counter – they’ll assist you right away.

Cost of transfer

Seats in a miniBUD are available from as low as €20 (depending on number of passengers and transport destination), but it’s also possible to book a whole van for approximately €51.

Find more information on: https://www.minibud.hu/ (you might need to change the language manually).

4. Car rental – the most independent airport transfers in Budapest

For those who prefer to drive themselves, car rental is available at the airport, though renting a car in the city might be cheaper. Most car rental businesses in Budapest have offices at the airport, so going into town by car is a piece of cake, however, it’s worth looking around prices on the Internet, as most car rentals work with increased prices at the airport. In extreme cases, it might even be cheaper to take a taxi to the city and rent a car there.

Prices can vary on a broad spectrum depending on the car of your choice, the duration of your holiday, and more, so for the most accurate information, check out our article on car rental.

5. Bus – the most local way of transportation

Choosing bus as airport shuttle transfer is alsp very popular. Those who like getting familiar with their holiday destination’s public transportation (and don’t mind dragging their luggage around) will be happy to learn that BKK, the capital’s public transport service operates 2 buses to and from Budapest Airport: 100E and 200E. Let’s cover them in increasing order:

100E Airport Express bus– the fast airport bus transfer

100E is an express bus transfer service racing through the south-eastern regions of Budapest connecting its center with the airport. It only stops twice in each direction:

• Budapest Airport – Kálvin Square – Astoria – Deák Ferenc Square
• Deák Ferenc Square – Kálvin Square – Budapest Airport

The airport stop is located in front of the airport’s exit, about halfway between the two terminals – you can’t miss it! Whichever bus you choose, you can buy all types of tickets and passes using the BKK vending machines placed outside the terminals (or the company’s official app). And you don’t need to worry about cash either: all the machines accept card payment.

• Cost of transfer: 100E has its own ticket which costs 2200 forints (approximately €5,8).

• Pro: it’s a lot faster than the other bus line and takes you directly to the city center without the need to transfer.

• Con: the cost of 100E is significantly higher than 200E which can be used with a generic single ticket.

The bus service runs 24/7 every day of the week,

• on Mondays and Fridays, during the day, every 6-10 minutes,
• on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, during the day, every 7-10 minutes,
• in the morning and evening, every 10-15 minutes,
• at night, on average, every 30-40 minutes.

With the pay-and-go devices on the bus, you can also purchase and validate tickets with a bank card, even for multiple people.

E100 Pay-and-Go for Ticket Purchases: This card reader is also found on the M1 (yellow) metro line.

For more information on the bus and its schedule, visit 100E Airport Express

Airport transfers Budapest to city: 200E – the cheap airport bus transfer

Bus 200E runs between Budapest Airport and Kőbánya-Kispest, the terminus of metro line M3 (the blue one running across the city vertically), serving a large number of stops. For this reason, many people use it for their daily commute, so don’t get alarmed if the bus gets pretty crowded about halfway through the journey. As the terminus of the bus is Kőbánya-Kispest, chances are you’ll need to transfer to metro line M3 to get closer to the inner parts of the city. In this case, consider getting a transfer ticket which comes out to less than two single tickets combined or – if you’re planning to explore the city using public transportation a lot – a 10-ticket block for the price of 9 tickets, or even a multi-day pass that you can use on every line throughout the city during the whole duration of your stay.

• Cost of transfer: you can use bus 200E with a single ticket which costs 450 forints (1.2 euro).

• Pro: the cost of riding 200E is about a third of the price of a ticket for 100E.

• Con: since 200E has a lot of stops, it takes a lot more to reach its terminus, and you also need to transfer to metro line M3.

Budapest public transfer Tickets and Passes:

Maps and departures for airport buses:

Additional info for bus riders

Remember, public transportation isn’t a door-to-door service, so whether it’s 100E or 200E you choose, you might need to transfer to another metro, tram, or bus line, walk a bit, or do a combination of these. Don’t forget to check how you can reach your accommodation from the airport using BKK.

For more information on the bus and its schedule, visit https://bkk.hu/en/timetables/#200E.

Where Can I Buy Tickets at the Airport?

Tickets for the buses can be purchased at four locations:

1. At the ticket counter located near terminal 2A at the airport, open daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
2. From the ticket machines outside the airport, which operate non-stop.
3. Through the Budapest Go app. This app is available for Apple and Android phones (currently not for Huawei). More information can be found at https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/budapestgo/. It’s advisable to download the app before leaving home.
4. On the buses themselves.

Pro tip: For public transportation, try the Budapest Card.

6. Train – the quickest transfer option during rush hours from Budapest Airport to city

For those on the adventurous side, there is one more way of transportation from Budapest Airport to the city center: taking a train rright to Nyugati Railway Station (Nyugati pályaudvar) which is about as central as a train station can get. With a direct connection to metro line M3, tram 4-6, and a bunch of bus lines, any part of the city is easy to reach from there.

Before you board the train, however, you do need to take bus 200E for a couple of stops (or bus 900 at night). You’ll want to get off at Ferihegy vasútállomás (Ferihegy Railway Station), which is theoretically 7 stops from the airport, but the bus might skip a few stops if no one wants to board or get off, so watch carefully. It’s best to keep an eye on the displays placed on the ceiling of the bus and listen to what stop is announced on the PA.

When you get off at Ferihegy vasútállomás, you can purchase your train ticket at a domestic ticket office (open every day from 6 AM to 6 PM), or from the ticket machines located on the platforms. The good news is that any train that stops at Ferihegy vasútállomás will be good for you, and what’s even better is that there are about 100 trains operating between the airport and Nyugati every day.

Cost of transfer: a single ride is 370-915 Ft (approx. €1-2.5) depending on train type and class and 72-hour, weekly and monthly travel passes for Budapest public transport are also valid for these trains.

To get more info on trains or purchase your ticket in advance, visit https://www.mavcsoport.hu/en. 

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