How to Get From Budapest Airport to the Main Train Station?

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.

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?

Keleti Railway Station

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. The station was built between 1881 and 1884, and it remains an impressive building.

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

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).

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.

Fare

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.