Budapest Airport to the City Centre: Bus, Taxi and Transfer Costs

Budapest airport to city centre options compared

Budapest airport bus 100E: the easiest direct option

BKK’s 100E Airport Express runs between Terminal 2 and central Budapest. In the airport-to-city direction it drops off at Kálvin tér, Astoria and Deák Ferenc tér without a time restriction on the Astoria stop.

In the city-to-airport direction, boarding at Astoria is available only during the published overnight window. BKK gives an approximate city-centre journey time of 40 minutes.

Traffic can change the actual time.

The standard airport shuttle bus single ticket is 2,500 HUF. It is valid only for one uninterrupted journey on 100E and does not include transfers to other services.

You can buy and validate it with a bank card on the bus through Pay&GO, or use an approved mobile-ticket channel or BKK sales point.

Travellers who already hold an eligible Budapest pass, Pest County Pass or Hungary Pass can buy a 1,000 HUF add-on airport shuttle ticket instead. BKK excludes the 15-day Budapest pass from this add-on arrangement, so check the exact pass rules before boarding.

Service runs 24 hours a day. BKK’s current frequency guidance is:

• Daytime: roughly every 6–10 minutes
• Mornings and evenings: roughly every 10–15 minutes
• Night: an average of 30–40 minutes between buses

That makes 100E the clearest option for first-time visitors staying near its central stops, but it may not be the best value if you are comfortable transferring.

Budapest airport bus 200E with metro or train

Bus 200E is part of the regular BKK network. During the day it links Terminal 2 with Kőbánya-Kispest, where you can change to metro line M3 for central stops.

The route also serves Ferihegy railway station, where MÁV trains run toward Nyugati station. There is no railway station directly at Terminal 2, so the train option still begins with a bus ride.

200E plus M3 metro

A digital 90-minute BKK ticket currently costs 850 HUF and allows transfers between BKK services, including 200E and M3, as long as the transfer is started within the ticket’s validity period. BKK requires the mobile ticket to be scanned again when changing to another line; an active internet connection and compatible ticketing app are needed.

If you prefer ordinary single tickets, each pre-purchased ticket costs 500 HUF, so the bus and metro normally require two tickets. A valid BKK travelcard or accepted pass can also cover 200E and M3.

Do not use a 100E airport shuttle ticket on 200E: BKK specifically says it is not accepted there.

200E plus MÁV train

The rail connection can be practical for accommodation near Nyugati station or for an onward train. Get off 200E at Ferihegy vasútállomás and check the live MÁV journey planner before committing to the connection.

Ticket and pass coverage differs between BKK and MÁV products, so confirm whether you need separate tickets rather than assuming one local ticket covers both stages.

This route is more connection-sensitive than 100E. Allow time to reach the platform and check for current MÁV timetable changes, especially during engineering works.

It is not automatically the fastest way to every central address.

Budapest airport taxi cost and pickup

Budapest Airport’s contracted taxi service is Főtaxi. Arriving passengers can order a vehicle at the taxi stands by the entrances to Terminals 2A and 2B, then take the assigned taxi from the rank in front of the stand.

The airport’s current guide estimates a trip to the city centre at around 10,800 HUF, depending on traffic. This is not a flat airport-to-centre fare.

Budapest taxis use the regulated meter, and the total changes with distance, slow traffic and the exact address. Bank-card payment is available in the airport taxis.

A taxi becomes more competitive when several people split one vehicle, particularly if a hotel is far from the 100E stops or if luggage makes a transfer awkward. Use the official stand rather than accepting an unsolicited ride inside the terminal, and keep the receipt.

miniBUD official airport shuttle

miniBUD is Budapest Airport’s official shared shuttle provider. The airport advertises transfers to the city centre from 2,499 HUF per person, but that is a starting price.

Enter the exact address and passenger count to see the live total before booking.

The standard airport minibus is a shared, door-to-door service. Its own guidance on timing:

• Expected journey time: 30–40 minutes
• Actual time depends on traffic and the addresses of other passengers sharing the ride
• Airport wait: miniBUD’s FAQ says no more than 30 minutes

A shared shuttle can therefore be convenient without being the quickest option after every flight.

After landing, check in at a miniBUD customer-service counter in the arrivals areas of Terminals 2A or 2B. Keep the booking code available.

For a group, compare the per-person shuttle total with the approximate taxi total before deciding.

Late-night transport from Budapest Airport

The direct 100E bus remains the simplest public option after the metro closes because it runs throughout the night, although intervals widen. Bus 200E also operates around the clock.

At night it continues to Határ út, where travellers connect to the current night-bus network.

Budapest’s night network changed from 1 July 2026, so avoid relying on an older list of route numbers. Use BudapestGO with your exact arrival time and destination.

If a delayed flight makes the public route impractical, use the official taxi rank or a confirmed miniBUD booking rather than assuming a daytime connection is still operating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan your Budapest arrival

Match the transport stop to your actual hotel rather than choosing on price alone. The 100E bus is simplest for many central stays, 200E with metro or train is cheaper but needs a transfer, and taxi or miniBUD is useful when a door-to-door arrival matters more.

Recheck the live fare and timetable after your flight time is confirmed.

Sources

• Budapest Airport — official 100E, 200E and Ferihegy rail-connection guidance
• BKK — 100E Airport Express journey time, stops and frequency
• BKK — 100E ticket and add-on fare
• BKK — 90-minute ticket validity and transfer rules
• BKK — current ticket and travelcard prices
• BKK — current night transport network
• MÁV — official journey planner for Ferihegy and Budapest-Nyugati trains
• Budapest Airport — official taxi pickup and city-centre cost estimate
• BKK — licensed taxi and metered-fare guidance
• Budapest Airport — official miniBUD shuttle and starting fare
• miniBUD — shared shuttle journey-time guidance
• miniBUD — official shared-service, waiting and check-in FAQs

Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.