Getting from Budapest airport to the city centre
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) departures are from Terminal 2, about 24 km southeast of the city centre (Deák Ferenc tér). There is no direct rail or metro line to the terminal, but several reliable options exist: the 100E Airport Express as a direct bus to the centre, the 200E bus connecting to metro line M3 as the cheapest route, plus taxi (the official Főtaxi) and the miniBUD airport transfer. Prices and times were checked from official sources (bud.hu, bkk.hu) in 2026.
Prices and times checked in 2026 from official sources. Fares can change: always confirm with the operator before you travel.
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
2500 HUF · 40 min
Where to buy: At the purple BKK ticket machines by the terminal exit, in the BudapestGO app, or at the BKK customer service point. Tickets are not sold on board.
11000-14000 HUF · 30 min
Where to buy: At the official Főtaxi rank in front of the terminal, or via the Főtaxi / Bolt app. Avoid touts offering rides inside the terminal.
| Service | Arrives at | Time | Price | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚌 | 100E Airport Express | Deák Ferenc tér (city centre) | 40 min | ~€6.30 2500 HUF | About every 7-10 minutes by day, every 10-15 minutes in the evening, every 30-40 minutes at night; runs 24/7. |
| 🚌 | Bus 200E + metro M3 | Kőbánya-Kispest, then metro M3 into the centre (e.g. Deák Ferenc tér) | 55 min | ~€2.15 850 HUF | The 200E runs frequently, roughly every 10-20 minutes by day; night bus services cover the overnight hours. Metro M3 runs approximately 06:00-23:00. |
| 🚕 | Főtaxi (official airport taxi) | Any city-centre address, door to door | 30 min | ~€28-35 11000-14000 HUF | Continuously available at the taxi rank, 24/7. |
| 🚌 | miniBUD airport transfer (shared minibus) | To your accommodation or address, door to door | None min | ~€11-13 ~4500 HUF | By advance booking, matched to your flight. |
Connecting to the metro
- → Metro line M3 (blue line) — The 200E bus connects to this line at Kőbánya-Kispest.
- → Deák Ferenc tér — Terminus of the 100E; where lines M1, M2 and M3 meet.
- → Budapest tickets and passes — Single ticket 500 HUF, 90-minute ticket 850 HUF - but the 100E needs a separate airport ticket.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way from the airport to the city centre?
The 100E Airport Express bus is the fastest public-transport option: it goes directly to Deák Ferenc tér in about 40 minutes, with no transfer, stopping at Kálvin tér and Astoria. A taxi can be similar or a bit quicker, but is much more expensive and depends on traffic.
Is a normal Budapest travelcard or single ticket valid on the 100E bus?
No. Only the dedicated airport single ticket (2500 HUF) is valid on the 100E Airport Express. A normal BKK single ticket and the Budapest / Pest County / Hungary travelcard are not valid on their own - with a valid pass you can buy a 1000 HUF add-on airport ticket. This is the most common mistake tourists make.
How much does a taxi cost from the airport to the city centre?
A taxi uses a metered, zone-based tariff, not a fixed flat fare. To the centre it is typically 11,000-14,000 HUF (~28-35 EUR) depending on traffic. Főtaxi is the only official operator at the airport. From 1 August 2026 the tariff rises, together with an approx. 800 HUF airport surcharge.
How do I get from the airport to metro line M3?
Take the 200E bus at Terminal 2 and ride to the terminus, Kőbánya-Kispest - that is the terminus of metro M3 (blue line). From there the metro runs into the centre (Kálvin tér, Deák Ferenc tér). For the whole trip buy a 90-minute ticket (850 HUF), which covers the transfer, or a separate ticket for the bus and the metro.
Is there night transport between the airport and the city centre?
Yes. The 100E Airport Express runs 24/7, less frequently at night (about every 30-40 minutes). The 200E is connected to the network by night services too, but metro M3 stops around 23:00, so at night the bus + night services or a taxi are the practical options.