Budapest Transfers
Forget about worrying about finding the right transportation to get to your hotel from Budapest Airport. I'll tell you all about transfers and other transportation options you'll find at the airport.
Airplane landing at Budapest Airport | ©Sony SLT-A57
Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (formerly Ferihegy Airport) is located 16 km from the city center, which is about a 40-minute journey by road or train.
Private transfer from Budapest Airport to your hotel
The main advantage of booking a one-way or return transfer between Budapest Airport and your hotel is that it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (so it doesn't matter what time your flight arrives).
With this service, you will have a professional driver at your disposal waiting for you upon arrival with a sign with your name on it. You won't have to wait in line and you will make the trip comfortably with space for your luggage and a maximum of 15 passengers. The vehicle is also adapted for baby strollers or travelers who use wheelchairs.
How it works
Bookings are made online and can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance. Once you have chosen the day you want to book the service, you will need to provide your flight details by email (so that the driver can adapt to any delays) and your hotel details (so that the driver knows the address to take you to). Once you have confirmed your booking, you will be given instructions on how to meet your driver, who will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it at the exit of your flight.
Return service from the city to the airport
This transfer service is also available to take you from your hotel to the airport at the end of your trip. The service, prices, and booking process are the same: you will need to provide your hotel details so that the driver can pick you up at the time you choose. If I may offer some advice, allow yourself enough time to arrive without rushing (same conditions apply, except that you will need to be available well in advance so as not to miss your flight).
Ana's Traveler Tip
If your flight arrives early in the morning, it will be particularly difficult to get to the city center by public transport; private transfers are available 24 hours a day.
Transfer from Budapest train station to your hotel
If you arrive in Budapest by train because you have been visiting the surrounding area beforehand, you will need to get to your hotel. For me, the most convenient way to do this is with a private transfer from Budapest train station to your hotel. With this service, a driver will be waiting for you (and your group) upon arrival and will take you directly to your hotel, without any waiting.
As with the airport transfer service, you will need to provide your arrival details at the station so that they can arrange your pick-up. The driver will wait for you even if your train is delayed.
Return service from your hotel to the station
You can also book a return transfer from your hotel to the Budapest train station at the end of your trip. After a long journey, especially if you are carrying luggage, I recommend this option.
Other options for getting from the airport: public transportation or taxi
If you use public transportation to get to the center of Budapest, you will save money. It is a less convenient option as it does not take you directly to your hotel and you will probably have to wait at the airport, but it is available if you arrive in Budapest during the day (at night, particularly between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., schedules and connections are complicated).
Bus 200E + Train
The 200E bus takes about 25 minutes and costs around one euro. It is the cheapest option, but it will not take you to the center, but to a train stop (Köbánya-Kispest) from where you can reach the center (Western Railway Station), also for one euro and in another 25 minutes.
Shuttle bus 100E
From 5 a.m. to 1:20 a.m., this bus leaves every 20 minutes (approximately) and drops you off in the center of Budapest (either at the Kálvin tér and Astoria M stops in Pest or at the Deák Ferenc Tér stop in Buda). It costs around €3 and takes about 40 minutes. If you choose this option, remember to always check the distance from the stop where you get off to your hotel to see if it is a walkable distance or if you need to find another means of transport.
Bus 900 (night bus)
Between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., this line runs to the Bajcsy-Zsilinsky stop. From there, two other night lines, 950 and 950A, will take you to the center of Budapest.
Taxi
If you arrive in Budapest and haven't booked a transfer to your hotel, there is also a taxi rank at the airport (always make sure the taxi you take is official). The journey can cost around $20, which may not seem like much, but it is one of the most expensive options compared to the average price of a transfer in this city. Taxis are safe and a convenient option, but at certain times of the day it can be difficult to find one.
Ana's Traveler Tip
If you want a transfer to your hotel, book in advance. There are minibuses at the airport that offer this service, but they do not have a fixed price and you will have to wait until they are full.
This is what Budapest Airport is like
Budapest Airport is quite efficient and has the advantage of not being very large for a European city, making it easy to find your way around. It has two main terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Both are connected to each other, and whichever one you exit, you will arrive at a main lobby where family, friends, or private drivers wait for passengers.
In addition to shops where you can buy water or snacks (prices are reasonable), you will also find ATMs on your way out. Although Hungary is part of the European Union, its currency is still the Hungarian forint and not the euro, so these ATMs are there for you to exchange or withdraw money. The fees at these ATMs will be higher than those at other ATMs you may find in the city center.
First tips for your arrival in Budapest
The airport is also your first contact with the city. A city that, if you like it as much as I do, could become your favorite. It is important to know how to get around the airport, what kind of services you will find, and how to get to your hotel in the center, but there are also some initial tips to keep in mind when planning your trip. Before taking out your guidebook and camera...
When to travel to Budapest
Budapest can be enjoyed at any time of year. The high season is in summer when, except during heat waves, you will have very pleasant temperatures for sightseeing in the city. For example, many hotels do not have air conditioning because it is not necessary. If you travel to Budapest in winter, you will find temperatures several degrees below zero, so it is essential to bring warm clothing and make short stops during your sightseeing tours to warm up.
Getting around Budapest
The city has a metro and a public transport network that works quite well, but its size means that you can easily get around on foot. Taxis are very cheap and operate on a fixed meter rate: my advice is to walk for short distances and consider using a tourist bus to get between the main points of interest (you can read more here: Budapest Hop-On Hop-Off Buses).
How to exchange money
The currency in Budapest is the Hungarian forint. One US dollar is 240 Hungarian forints. You can exchange money at the airport, but you will get a better rate at exchange offices in the city center. In any case, prices in the city are very low if you are traveling with US dollars, so you can treat yourself to whatever you want during your trip.
Where to stay in Budapest
If you book your accommodation in advance, you'll have plenty to choose from without paying exorbitant prices (although you can also go all out and stay in one of Budapest's luxury hotels). The river is the reference point for finding your way around the city; it divides the banks of Buda and Pest, with Pest being the more modern part of the city. Any accommodation located near the river will be a good option for your trip.
Special requirements for transfers
If you are booking a private transfer and have special requirements such as bulky or delicate luggage, remember to let the company you are booking with know. It won't be a problem, but they will take it into account when deciding whether or not you need extra space in the vehicle.
What to pack
If it's winter, bring plenty of warm clothing, including thermal T-shirts. I also recommend downloading an app to your cell phone that will allow you to find your way around the city without using data. Street names can be confusing when you first arrive in the city, which will make it more difficult to get around than in other European cities.
What to eat
Hungarian food is delicious and very cheap in most restaurants. Don't leave the city without trying stews such as goulash, but don't forget street snacks such as langos, a hot fried bread with different toppings.
If you take a guided tour of Budapest, always ask your guide for a restaurant with a set menu that is popular with local workers. Finally, don't forget the sweets, as Hungary has some real delicacies that are very different from what you can eat elsewhere in Europe. In fact, if you're thinking of taking a guided tour of Budapest, here's a list of the best ones: 16 Best Day Trips and Tours from Budapest.
About the train station
The main train station in Budapest is Keleti, located on the Pest side of the city center, although it is a bit far from the river. From there, you can take trains to neighboring countries such as Vienna or Prague, as well as others that will take you to towns near the Hungarian capital. If you arrive at the train station instead of the city's airport, you will also have options for private transfer to your hotel or public transportation.