Budapest from above: The best hot air balloon, air cruise, and helicopter tours
Explore Hungary from above! Get a bird’s-eye view of Budapest and the countryside from a hot air balloon, a private airplane, or a helicopter.
- • The best ways to see Budapest from above include the stationary BalloonFly in the City Park (Városliget), private helicopter tours over the city center, and scenic airplane cruises that offer a bird’s-eye view of the Parliament and the Danube bridges. For a premium experience, helicopter transfers are also available for the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix.
- • A typical scenic flight over Budapest lasts between 20 to 60 minutes. The hot air balloon in the City Park rises to about 150 meters, providing a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire city. These tours are weather-dependent, so it’s best to book for the beginning of your trip.
- • Budapest air tours start from around 30,000 HUF for the City Park balloon, while private helicopter and airplane tours are priced based on flight duration and group size. Most tours depart from the Budaörs Airport (LHBS) or directly from the City Park for the balloon.
If you’ve explored every nook and cranny of Budapest on foot, by bike, on four wheels, and on
water, it’s time to level up your game and get a panoramic view over the Hungarian capital.
We’ve collected the best air tours the country has to offer from spectacular hot air balloon rides
to private air cruises and exclusive helicopter transfers. Get a bird’s-eye view over Buda and
Pest, marvel at the Lake Balaton from above, or get to the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix like
a king. Take your pick and prepare for takeoff!
The best hot air balloon tours in Budapest
Imagine floating in the air, light as a cloud, taking in the incredible views Hungary lays in front of
you. Or stop daydreaming and book a hot air balloon tour for a breathtaking 360° view over the
country.
1. Try the new hot air balloon in the Budapest City Park
As the latest attraction of the City Park, a spectacular red-and-white hot air balloon emerges
from the trees every half an hour to give you the thrill of floating in a basket 150 meters from the
ground. Prepare for a panoramic view over the Danube with the most beautiful bridges of
Budapest, the Buda Castle, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the Gellért Hill, and more. Securely
fixed to the ground with cords, the balloon is almost like an open-air lift that takes you above
tree level. It accommodates max. 30 passengers and offers a relaxed ride of altogether 15
minutes for those wanting to try the hot air balloon experience. If this floats your boat, choose
between daytime and evening rides or book a private ride for a more exclusive experience.
Note, however, that the balloon only operates in calm weather.
Find more information here.
2. Hungarian countryside and Lake Balaton in a
hot air balloon
Fly over the
If the 15-min hot air balloon ride in the City Park piqued your interest, and you’re looking for a
longer hot air balloon tour around Budapest and the countryside, you came to the right place.
There are many companies operating hot air balloons with maximum safety in Hungary. It’s on
you (and the wind conditions) to decide if you’d like to fly over cathedrals and castle ruins in
Visegrád and Esztergom or Lake Balaton with the dormant Badacsony volcano and Tihany
peninsula. No matter which one you choose, rest assured, you’ll get a once-in-a-lifetime
experience – with a glass of champagne after landing.
Find more information here.
The best private air cruise tours in Budapest
You might have got a glimpse of Budapest from your plane window before landing at the
Budapest Airport, but if you’d like to take that to the next level, private air cruise tours around
Budapest and the Hungarian countryside are for you.
3. Get a bird’s-eye view over Budapest
Flying over Budapest in a four-seater aircraft? Why not! Book a daytime air tour and get a
bird’s-eye view over the Hungarian capital, or pick the sunset air tours and marvel at the city
lights as your private jet flies over the Danube river and the beautiful bridges of Budapest. Or if
you’d like to see beyond the downtown of Budapest, venture out to the Danube Bend and
explore nearby scenic towns like Szentendre, Visegrád, and Esztergom from above.
Find the best air tours in Budapest here:
4.Panoramic flight tour to Lake Balaton and Hévíz
Want to see more than just Budapest during your weekend getaway? Hop on a private air tour
and get to the most famous countryside locations of Hungary, like Lake Balaton, or Hévíz, the
unique natural thermal lake where you can revive your body and soul. Choose the panoramic
flight tours to and from Budapest or use the plane as your private jet that waits on you as you
take a dip in the sweet water.
Find the best air tours to Balaton and Hévíz here:
The best private helicopter tours in Budapest
In Budapest, various companies offer 30-min helicopter tours around the most famous sites of
the city. Alternatively, you can get a bird’s-eye view over the countryside or get your helicopter
transfer to Hungaroring.
5. Panoramic view of Budapest and beyond from the cockpit
If you’d like to see Budapest in a whole new perspective, you can book a helicopter tour and fly
over Buda Castle, the Matthias Church, Margaret Island, and Gellért Hill. For a more romantic
setting, we recommend the sunset helicopter tours. Alternatively, you can get a breathtaking
view over the Danube Bend or explore the royal panorama of Visegrád and Esztergom.
Find the best helicopter tours in Budapest here:
- Helicopter tour in Budapest
- Sunset helicopter tour
- Night helicopter tour
- Panoramic flight over the Danube Bend
- Journey of the three emperors: Visegrád, Esztergom
The prices of helicopter tours depend on the type of vehicle, the number of passengers,
and the chosen tour. Generally, they range between HUF 100,000 – 750,000.
6. Private helicopter transfer to Hungaroring
Besides sightseeing tours, helicopters are also used as exclusive transfer options, especially
during the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix. If you don’t want to get stuck in traffic, you can
arrive to Hungaroring in style – with your private helicopter ride. It’s definitely the fastest and
most exclusive way to arrive to the paddocks, in addition to which you’ll get a panoramic view
over Budapest. You can get helicopter shuttles either from the Danube river or from the
Budapest Airport.
The prices of the Hungaroring helicopter transfer range between EUR 190 (one way
from the Buda Riverside Heliport) and EUR 2,000-2,400 (round trip from the Budapest Airport)
depending on the type of helicopter (Bell-206, AS-355, Robinson R-44).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go for a hot air balloon ride in Budapest?
The most atmospheric option is the BalloonFly in the City Park (Városliget), which is a tethered balloon that stays in one place. For traditional free-flying hot air balloon tours, you can find options near Lake Balaton or Velence Lake, just a short drive from Budapest.
How much does a helicopter tour cost in Budapest?
Private helicopter tours typically start at around 150,000-200,000 HUF for a group of 3 people for a 20-minute flight, offering a luxury perspective of the city's landmarks.
Is it safe to fly over Budapest?
Yes, all air cruises and helicopter tours in Budapest are operated by licensed pilots with certified aircraft, following strict aviation safety regulations and air traffic control from Liszt Ferenc International Airport.
