By plane
Thanks to its location, Budapest is easily accessible by air in 2-3 hours from most major cities of Europe, 5-6 hours from the Middle East and about 9 hours from the East Coast of the American continent. The major airlines and several low cost airlines are present in Budapest.
The Ferenc Liszt International Airport is located about 20 kilometres south-east of Budapest. The airport has two terminals: 2A and 2B. The airport’s official website https://www.bud.hu/ offers up-to-date flight information, maps and information about the services offered.
Passengers arriving at the Ferenc Liszt Airport can get to the city centre by public transport, car or taxi. There is a direct Bus Line between the Airport and the City (line number 100E). The bus 100E takes passengers directly to the city centre (Deák Ferenc Square), making only two stops en route.
- at Kálvin Square, offering transfer to metro lines M3 and M4
- at Astoria, where passengers can transfer to metro line M2, as well as a number of tram and bus lines
- the route terminates at Deák Ferenc Square, offering options for transferring to metro lines M1, M2 and M3
Buses depart every 30 minutes, the travel time to the City Center is approx. 40–45 minutes.
The shuttle bus single ticket is HUF 900 (approx. € 3)
For further information and timetable please check the website of the Centre for Budapest Transport at https://bkk.hu/en/airport-shuttle/
By train
Budapest is connected to the European rail system. There are direct rail links between Budapest and 13 capital cities of Europe and 47 international scheduled trains arrive daily to Budapest. Many international trains have dining and sleeping cars or couchettes. Most international express trains arrive and depart from the Eastern (Keleti) Railway Station.
By bus
Quite a few international coach service companies operate regular and frequent routes between Budapest and the neighbouring countries (Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Romania etc.) and many other places in Europe. Most international coach lines terminate at the coach terminals of Népliget (metro line M3), Etele Square (at the Kelenföld Railway Station – metro line M4) or the Mexikói Road (metro line M1).
By car
A high quality public road network offers easy access to Hungary by car. The major expressways start from Budapest and typically head to the state border, constituting a radial network.
Hungary has an electronic road toll payment system. You must purchase your e-sticker prior to entering the toll road. E-stickers are available on the internet (payable via bank card), at border crossing points, petrol stations and the customer offices of the National Toll Payment Services PLC. For more information on the road tolls, please visit the National Toll Payment Services PLC website: http://toll-charge.hu/
By Boat
Many boat companies run boat lines on the Danube, one of Europe’s busiest and most important waterways. In Budapest, most Danube boat lines moor in the city centre.
From June to September, MAHART Passnave, the Hungarian state shipping company, runs a hydrofoil service between Budapest and Vienna, stopping in Bratislava. The service includes a two-day land trip.