Airport Transfers in Budapest — Compare & Book 2026

At a glance

Airport overview: Budapest Ferenc Liszt (BUD)

BUD has one terminal (Terminal 2, divided into 2A and 2B connected by a walkway). Drivers meet at the Arrivals level near the exit. The Főtaxi official desk is inside the terminal — use only this desk for taxis.

Getting to the city by train or metro

No direct train. Bus 100E express to Deák Ferenc tér: HUF 2,200 (~€5.50), 35 min — runs every 20 min from 5am to 12:30am.

Bus and shuttle options

Bus 200E to Kőbánya-Kispest metro station: HUF 530 (~€1.30), then M3 metro to center — 50-60 min total. This is the cheapest option.

Taxi situation

Budapest airport taxis are now regulated through Főtaxi. Fixed fare of ~HUF 9,900 ($27) to center. Significantly improved from past scam reputation.

Best transfer service for Budapest

Kiwitaxi — Competitive pricing for Hungary. Fixed prices from ~$22 to central Budapest.

Read full Kiwitaxi review →

Cheapest transfer option

GetTransfer — Bids from $18 to central Budapest. Cheapest reliable option.

Read full GetTransfer review →

Uber & ride-hailing

Bolt is the dominant rideshare app in Budapest (not Uber). Works at the airport with designated pickup.

Public transport from the airport

Bus 100E (30 min to Deák Ferenc tér, HUF 2,200/$6) runs every 20 min. Cheap and direct. Night bus 900 replaces it after midnight.

Practical arrival tips for Budapest

Forint, not Euro: Hungary uses the forint (HUF), not the Euro. Exchange rates at the airport are poor — withdraw from ATMs instead (Erste Bank and OTP have fair rates). Many tourist places accept Euros at unfavorable rates.

Főtaxi monopoly: Főtaxi is the only authorized taxi company at BUD. Their fixed zone pricing (HUF 9,900 to city center, ~€25) is transparent. Don't accept rides from anyone else at the airport.

Buda vs Pest: Budapest is two cities divided by the Danube. Most hotels are in Pest (the flat side). Buda (the hilly side with the Castle) takes slightly longer to reach. Confirm which side your hotel is on.

Thermal baths on arrival: If your hotel isn't ready, some travelers head straight to the thermal baths (Széchenyi or Gellért). A pre-booked transfer can drop you there with luggage storage nearby.

The 100E bus trap: why locals avoid it at peak times

The 100E airport bus (HUF 2,200, ~€6) sounds like a bargain — direct to Deák tér in 35 minutes. In practice, it's standing-room-only during peak hours, has limited luggage space, and the queue at the airport can stretch to 30+ minutes. Locals use it off-peak. For arrivals between 10am–1pm and after 8pm, it's fine. During morning or evening rush, a pre-booked transfer is faster and only marginally more expensive for two people sharing.

Transfer service prices from Budapest airport

Prices for a sedan (up to 3 passengers). GetTransfer prices are typical winning bids. See our full comparison for Budapest for detailed pricing by route.

Local travel nuances

Currency: HUF (forint) — NOT in the Eurozone. Have some local currency for small purchases — many taxi meters display in local currency.

Language: Hungarian (good English at airport) Having your hotel address saved on your phone (screenshot or Google Maps pin) is always helpful for drivers.

Tipping: 10% is customary in Hungary. HUF 1,000-2,000 for a transfer driver.

Safety: Use only Főtaxi (the official airport taxi service) or pre-booked transfers. Főtaxi has fixed zone-based pricing.

SIM / connectivity: Hungarian SIM cards from Telekom, Vodafone, or Yettel at BUD. Tourist SIMs from HUF 3,000 (~€8).

Tips for Budapest airport transfers

Tip 1: Budapest has cleaned up its airport taxi situation. The regulated Főtaxi service is now safe and fairly priced.

Tip 2: Bus 100E is excellent value at $6, direct to the city center in 30 min. Recommended for budget solo travelers.

Tip 3: For transfers to Lake Balaton (1.5 hrs), thermal bath towns, or Vienna (2.5 hrs), pre-booking is practical.

Tip 4: Budapest uses Forint (HUF), not Euro. Some transfer services quote in EUR — check the currency.