Is there a direct train from Budapest Airport to the city?

No, Budapest Airport currently does not have a direct passenger railway connection to the city center or to any of the major train stations.

Which train station in Budapest is the main one?

Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station) is the primary international and intercity train hub in Budapest, handling the vast majority of trains to Vienna, Prague, and beyond.

How much is the 100E airport bus ticket?

The 100E Airport Express bus requires a special, dedicated ticket (currently 2200 HUF). You cannot use standard single tickets or standard travel passes for this specific airport route.

Budapest Airport to Keleti Train Station Guide

The multi-lane pick-up zone and parking area right outside the airport exits — The fastest, stress-free option.

Keleti Railway Station is the main international and inter-city train station in Budapest. It is situated within the city’s limits where Rákóczi Avenue splits to become Thököly Avenue and Kerepesi Avenue.

Key Takeaways

• The absolute easiest direct method to reach Keleti Train Station from Budapest Airport is taking an official yellow Főtaxi from the airport taxi stand. It takes about 35 minutes and costs roughly 8500-9500 HUF (approx. 25 EUR).
• For a cheaper public transit option, take the 100E Airport Shuttle Bus directly to Astoria station in the city center, then take a short walk or a quick ride on the M2 (Red) metro to the Keleti pályaudvar stop.
• Alternatively, for the absolute cheapest route using standard transit tickets, take the 200E bus to Kőbánya-Kispest, take the M3 (Blue) metro to Kálvin tér, switch to the M4 (Green) metro, and ride it directly to Keleti.

The distance from Liszt Ferenc Airport, the Budapest airport, to the central railway station is around 20 kilometers. And the travel time varies depending on the mode of transportation you take. How to Get From Budapest Airport to the Main Train Station? So what is the main train station in Budapest called?

The grand illuminated neoclassical facade of Keleti Train Station at twilight — Your final destination.

Keleti Railway Station

Keleti Railway Station is the international main train station and inter-city train station in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. It is situated within the city’s limits where Rákóczi Avenue splits to become Thököly Avenue and Kerepesi Avenue. The station was built between 1881 and 1884, and it remains an impressive building.

Waiting trains parked at the platforms under the massive iron roof inside Keleti Station — A grand central hub.

Traveling from the airport of Budapest to the central train station can be done in two ways – by Budapest airport taxi or by Budapest airport bus shuttle. Of course, the taxi is the fastest and more convenient option, although it is obviously more expensive: around 26€ (8045 HUF).

The official Főtaxi booking kiosk sitting outside the airport terminal doors — The fastest, stress-free option.

The bus, on the other hand, although cheaper, will take you an hour to travel. But, being indirect, you’ll have the discomfort of also having to change buses) It will cost you approximately 4€ (1250, HUF).

The distinctive blue 100E Airport Express bus picking up waiting passengers — Direct to the city center.

But let’s compare the two in more detail:

Budapest Airport Transfer to Main Train Station Via Taxi

Renting a taxi from the Budapest airport is the convenient transfer method to take if you are traveling from the airport to Keleti train station. Taxis authorized to pick up riders in the airport have a yellow color and have a taxi roof sign. The ride will only take around 30 minutes if there is no traffic.

A bright yellow official taxi driving through the downtown streets of Budapest — All official taxis are bright yellow.

Fare

Being aware of the car rental rules is essential! The taxi fare from the Budapest airport to the city center varies, there is no flat fee. The ride fare will be determined using the taximeter and is calculated based on distance. Other costs such as late-night driving may be applied. The average taxi fare from the airport to the train station is around 26€ (8045 HUF). Before getting a ride, you can do some research and check if there are taxi companies that offer a fixed price for transfer from the airport to the central train station.

Convenience

As mentioned earlier, taxi is the most convenient and preferred method of Budapest airport transfer for many people when traveling from the airport to Keleti train station. Ensure that you have taken enough money with you, and also consider that if you use Euros, that the exchange rate might not be so favorable.

Yellow taxis waiting in line right in front of the Keleti train station entrance — Dropped directly at the door.

Traveling from Budapest Airport to the Main Train Station via bus

Sad to say, there is no direct route from the airport to the main railway station. Thus, it takes you around 45 minutes to 1 hour before you can reach Keleti Station via bus. Also, you need to change the means of transport, not just once. The bus has two different routes to follow.

A modern purple BKK public transport ticket vending machine with a touch screen — Use the purple BKK machines.

You can ride the bus 100E, stop at the metro station Deák Ferenc tér and transfer to the red metro line M2 that will take you to Keleti station. (You will need to take the metro in the direction of Örs vezér tere from Deák tér.) Another route is by taking the bus shuttle 200E, getting off at the nearest M3 Metro station stop, (traditionally this Kőbánya-Kispest terminal), then taking the M3 Metro to Kálvin tér, and there transferring to the ‘green line’ of Metro 4. Metro 4 will take you to Keleti pályaudvar (Keleti Station).

Fare of this type of Budapest Airport transfer

The regular bus ticket fare for the 100E is 3€ (900 HUF), and you can buy it from the newsagents, customer service centers, ticket offices or ticket vending machine at the arrival hall. The tickets cost for the other bus rides, and metro trains are 1.15€ (350 HUF).

The BKK public transport customer service desk inside the airport arrivals hall — Get help picking the right ticket.

Where to take the ride?

The 100E buses are parked at the BKK stop situated between the two terminals on the arrivals level. The 200E buses can be found outside terminal 2.

The regular public transit 200E bus arriving at its stop

Convenience

Riding a bus from the airport to the central railway station is the cheapest way to reach Keleti station. But, it is quite tiring and potentially less safe, particularly if you are traveling with your kids and need to carry a lot of luggage since you need to change lines several times. Obviously, if you are on a budget, the bus has to be considered, but other than that, the taxi has to be the best option.

However, if you’re lucky enough to have a friend drop by to pick you up from the airport, you should be aware of the parking rules at Budapest airport.

If you’ve arrived in the city and want to spend your time relaxing, try one of the 7+1 luxurious spa hotels in Budapest. If you prefer a lively evening, visit Szimpla Kert ruin pub or Fröccsterasz.