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BUD

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport

Budapest, Hungary

Where to start
100E Airport Express / Bolt

Budapest's airport has no direct train, so the smart public option is the 100E Airport Express bus straight to Deák Ferenc tér (where all three metro lines meet), ~40–45 min — but it needs a special airport-express ticket (a normal single/pass is NOT valid). The cheapest route is bus 200E to Kőbánya-Kispest, then Metro M3. For door-to-door, Bolt is the dominant, well-priced ride app (Uber returned but is smaller), and Főtaxi is the official regulated taxi with fixed zone pricing — ignore any other driver soliciting you.

Ride Options

100E Airport Express Bus

shuttle

Direct to the centre (Deák Ferenc tér, all metro lines)

Availability~40–45 min; runs day and night
Pickup NoteStop outside Terminal 2 arrivals. Direct to Deák Ferenc tér (M1/M2/M3). Buy the SPECIAL airport-express ticket at machines/the desk — a normal single/travelcard is NOT valid on the 100E.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Bus 200E + Metro M3

transit

Cheapest route into the centre

AvailabilityEvery ~7–15 min; standard transit fare
Pickup Note200E from outside Terminal 2 to Kőbánya-Kispest, then Metro M3 into the centre. A standard single ticket or travelcard covers it (validate on board/at the metro).
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

Bolt

rideshare

The dominant, well-priced ride app

AvailabilityWidely available; usually the best value
Pickup NoteBook in-app and meet your driver at the designated ride-hailing pickup point outside Terminal 2 arrivals. App pricing; pay in-app.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Uber

rideshare

Familiar app alternative to Bolt

AvailabilityReturned to Budapest but smaller than Bolt
Pickup NoteSame designated ride-hailing pickup point outside arrivals. Fewer cars than Bolt, so waits can be longer — compare in-app.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Főtaxi (Official Airport Taxi)

taxi

The only authorized, fixed-price taxi

AvailabilityAvailable 24/7 at the official desk/rank
Pickup NoteFőtaxi desk/rank outside arrivals — regulated fixed zone-based pricing (you're given a voucher/estimate). It's the only authorized airport taxi; avoid any other driver soliciting you.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

miniBUD Shared Shuttle

shuttle

Door-to-door to any city address

AvailabilityShared van; wait while it fills
Pickup NoteBook at the miniBUD desk in arrivals; door-to-door drop to any Budapest address. Cheaper per person than a taxi for solo/pairs, but you may share and make stops.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at Budapest — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Bolt is the dominant, well-priced ride app in Budapest (Uber has returned but is smaller). Book in-app and meet your driver at the designated ride-hailing pickup point outside arrivals. App pricing; card in-app. Verify the car.

Taxi

Főtaxi is the official, regulated airport taxi with a desk/rank outside arrivals — fixed zone-based pricing (a voucher/estimate is given), the only authorized taxi. Avoid any other driver soliciting you.

Shuttle

The miniBUD shared shuttle offers door-to-door drops to any city address (booked at the arrivals desk); pre-booked private transfers meet you with a name sign.

Transit

The 100E Airport Express bus runs direct to Deák Ferenc tér (all three metro lines M1/M2/M3), ~40–45 min — it requires a special airport-express ticket (a normal single/pass is NOT valid). The cheapest route is bus 200E to Kőbánya-Kispest, then Metro M3 into the centre.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked private transfers and the shared miniBUD shuttle meet arrivals — good value for families or late nights.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

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Local Tips

  • The 100E Airport Express needs its own special ticket — a normal single ticket or travelcard is NOT valid on it, and you'll be fined if you board without the right one. Buy the airport-express ticket at the machine before boarding.
  • For the cheapest ride, take bus 200E to Kőbánya-Kispest and change to Metro M3 — a standard transit fare covers the whole trip.
  • Bolt is the go-to ride app in Budapest and usually the best value; Uber has returned but has fewer cars, so compare wait times and price in-app.
  • If you want a taxi, use Főtaxi — the official regulated airport taxi with fixed zone pricing. Ignore any other driver offering a ride in arrivals.
  • There's no direct train to the city centre — plan on the 100E/200E bus, a ride app, or a taxi rather than looking for an airport rail link.
  • The 100E goes to Deák Ferenc tér, where all three metro lines (M1/M2/M3) meet — handy for reaching almost any hotel with one easy change.

Tarmyq local tip

The one thing to get right in Budapest is the 100E Airport Express ticket — it's a special airport ticket, and your normal single or travelcard won't work on it (that's a fine waiting to happen). The 100E drops you at Deák Ferenc tér where all three metro lines meet. If you'd rather a car, Bolt is the local favourite and usually the best price; for a taxi, stick to the official Főtaxi desk and skip anyone else offering a ride.