How to Get from Budapest Airport to City Center (2025)

Budapest Airport to City Center Distance

The Budapest Airport is around 21 km from the city center and you can get there by taxi, airport shuttle bus or by booking an airport transfer.

It takes between 30-40 minutes to get from the Budapest Airport to the city center.

How to Get from Budapest Airport to City Center

The 3 easiest way to get from the Budapest Airport to the city center is by the airport shuttle bus, taxi, or booking private transfer.

1. Taxi from Budapest Airport to City Center

The only taxi company that operates at the Budapest Airport is the FőTaxi company.

Taking a taxi from the Budapest Airport to the city center is the fastest and most comfortable option.

There is also Bolt and Uber in Budapest but they are not allowed to operate at the Budapest Airport. So, the only taxi you can get at the airport is the FőTaxi.

There is a taxi booth counter after you exit the airport building and there you can book a taxi to the city center.

Budapest Airport to City Center Taxi Cost

The taxi costs around USD 30 from the Budapest Airport to the city center.

2. Bus from Budapest Airport to City Center: Bus 100E

Taking the shuttle bus from the Budapest Airport to the city centre is the cheapest option and it is also pretty fast.

The bus number is Bus 100E and it is located near the exit. Once you exit the airport building, just turn left and you will see the shuttle bus a few metres away.

The Budapest Airport Bus to city center takes around 40 minutes and costs USD 6 one-way. It is an express airport shuttle and after leaving the airport, it only has 3 stops (all in the city centre).

Budapest Airport Bus 100E

Where to get on the bus 100E: turn left after exiting the airport and you will see the Airport shuttle bus. The Budapest airport is not very big, so you will be able to spot it easily.

Budapest Airport Bus Ticket Price

The price of the Budapest Airport Bus (100E) is HUF 2,200 (USD 6) one-way

How to Buy the Budapest Airport Bus Ticket

• Ticket machine: there are a ticket machines as you exit the airport building. It is behind the taxi booth, on the way towards the airport shuttle. You can select and buy here the ticket to the airport shuttle bus. You can pay by card or cash.
• On board the bus: you can also buy the ticket directly from the bus driver with contactless payment.
• BudapestGO app: you can also buy the ticket for the shuttle through the BudapestGO app (on Google Play, Apple Store). You will have to download and register on the app. After that you will be able to buy bus tickets on the app.

Budapest Airport Bus Route Map

The Budapest Airport Bus 100E is an express bus transport. Although the airport is far out from the city centre, the bus will only make 3 stops in the centre of Budapest.

It means the bus goes quickly into the city centre of Budapest without making any stops in the suburbs.

Once in the Budapest city center, it stops in central location where most of the hotels/hostels are located or can be reached easily. The three stops in the Budapest city center are:

1. Kálvin tér
2. Astoria
3. Deák Ferenc tér

Budapest Airport Bus Operating Times: 24 hours

• Day time: it runs approximately every 10 minutes
• Night time: approximately every 30 minutes

Getting from the City Centre to the Budapest Airport

If you are planning to take the shuttle bus from the city center to the Budapest Airport, you can take the same Bus 100E airport shuttle.

On its way to the Budapest Airport, you can get on at the following stops: Deák Ferenc tér, Astoria or Kálvin tér.

The Budapest Airport Bus from the city center to the airport costs HUF 2,200 (USD 6).

3. Budapest Airport Transfers to City Center

It is also possible to pre-book an airport transfer from the Budapest Airport to the city center. There are shared and private airport transfers available.

For the shared transfer, you may have to wait 10-15 minutes to depart the airport, but if you book the private transfer, you will not have to wait and the driver will be waiting for you as you exit the airport.

4. Budapest Airport Bus: 200E

There is another airport shuttle service at the airport that is run by Bus 200E. However, it does not go to the city centre of Budapest. 

If you are going to the city centre, be careful not to take this bus. It is more like a local bus for people living in areas near the airport. It has many stops and even the final stop will drop you far away from the city centre.

The final stop is at Kőbánya-Kispest Metro Station from where you can get on the metro to get to the Budapest city center. Overall, I do not recommend taking this route as it will take much longer than the Bus 100E or a taxi.

Where to Stay in Budapest

Looking for a place to stay in Budapest? Here are my top recommendations for every budget:

There are also some nice hotels near the Budapest Airport that are a great option if you have a short layover, or just need a good sleep near the airport.

Best Things to Do in Budapest

There are so many great things to do in Budapest but here are my top recommendations for activities:

1. Sightseeing: Parliament, Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, Heroes’ Square
2. Relaxing: Spa and Thermal Baths
3. River Danube Cruise

Budapest Monthly Guides

Not sure when to visit Budapest? Check out my Budapest monthly travel guides!

• Budapest in January
• Budapest in February
• Budapest in March
• Budapest in April
• Budapest in May
• Budapest in June
• Budapest in July
• Budapest in August
• Budapest in September
• Budapest in October
• Budapest in November
• Budapest in December

Budapest Seasonal Guides

• Budapest in Spring
• Budapest in Summer
• Budapest in Autumn
• Budapest in Winter

FAQs: How to Get from Budapest Airport to City Center

How do I get from Budapest Airport to city center?

The 3 easiest way to get from the Budapest Airport to the city center is by the airport shuttle bus (100E bus), taking a taxi or pre-booking a private transfer.

How much should a taxi cost from Budapest Airport to city center?

The taxi costs around USD 30 from the Budapest Airport to the city center. The taxi is a quick and comfortable way to get to the city center and it takes around 30 minutes.

How much is the 100E bus from Budapest Airport to city center?

The 100E bus from the Budapest Airport to city center costs HUF 2,200 (around USD 6) one-way.

It’s an express shuttle bus that only has 3 stops in the city center of Budapest and takes around 40 minutes to get there.

Do Taxis in Budapest take credit cards?

Yes, taxis in Budapest take credit cards. Taxis in Budapest accept both cash and card payments.

The currency in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF), however, if you don’t have the Hungarian currency, taxi drivers also tend to accept the equivalent amount paid in USD, EUR or GBP.

Conclusion

The Budapest Airport is located 21 km from the city center and it takes around 30-40 minutes to get to there by taxi or shuttle bus.

The 3 easiest way to get from the Budapest Airport to the city center is by the airport shuttle bus, taxi, or pre-booking private transfer.

The Airport Shuttle Bus is the 100E Bus and it leaves around every 10 minutes from the airport. It takes around 40 minutes to get to the city center and costs USD 6.

The taxi from the Budapest Airport to the city center costs around USD 30 and takes up to 30 minutes to reach the city center.

You can also pre-book a shared or private transfer from the Budapest Airport to the city center. If you pre-book a private transfer, the driver will be waiting for you at the arrival halls.