For the Budapest city center to airport trip, you can take the 100E Airport Express, connect by bus and metro, or travel by taxi. The 100E runs directly between Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport and Deák Ferenc tér, while the 200E links the airport with metro line M3.
- Airport location: about 25 km southeast of Budapest city centre.
- Direct bus: the 100E takes about 40 minutes to the city centre and runs around the clock.
- Bus and metro: the 200E connects with M3 at Kőbánya-Kispest.
- 100E ticket: a single ticket costs 2,500 HUF and is valid for one uninterrupted journey on that bus.
Where Budapest Airport Is and What to Expect
Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport is about 25 km southeast of the city centre, with public transport and taxi connections into Budapest. The 100E and 200E both serve Liszt Ferenc Airport 2; check your arrival terminal and follow the airport signs to the relevant bus stop or taxi stand.
For the direct bus, Deák Ferenc tér is the city-centre endpoint. The 100E also stops at Kálvin tér and Astoria on its way into the city. If your destination is elsewhere, consider which stop suits your onward journey before boarding.
How do you get from Budapest Airport to the city by public transport?
The 100E is the simplest public-transport route to central Budapest: it runs between Liszt Ferenc Airport 2 and Deák Ferenc tér, takes about 40 minutes to the city centre and operates around the clock, seven days a week.
The 100E ticket is specific to that service. A single ticket costs 2,500 HUF and covers one uninterrupted, one-way trip; it does not cover transfers or travel on other lines.
If you hold a valid Budapest-pass other than the 15-day pass, a Pest County Pass or a Hungary Pass, you can buy a 1,000 HUF add-on ticket for the airport shuttle. Children under 14 with a Hungarian student ID and people over 65 can travel free when they meet BKK’s proof-of-eligibility conditions.
You can buy and validate a 100E ticket onboard with a bank card using Budapest Pay&GO, or get it in the BudapestGO app. For broader ticket and metro guidance, see this Budapest public transport guide.
The 200E offers a bus-and-metro alternative. It runs from the airport to Kőbánya-Kispest, where you transfer to M3 for the city centre.
For a daytime trip, allow for one transfer and use either two validated single tickets or a travelcard or pass that covers both the bus and metro. A regular ticket or pass is valid on 200E; neither the 100E single ticket nor its add-on ticket is accepted there.
Can you take a taxi or pre-booked transfer?
Főtaxi is the taxi company identified by Budapest Airport for service between the airport and the capital. Arriving passengers can book at the stands by the Terminal 2A and Terminal 2B entrances; booked taxis wait at the ranks in front of the stands.
The airport publishes a regulated fare structure: a 2,100 HUF base fare, 520 HUF per kilometre and 130 HUF per minute. Főtaxi can calculate the fare to your exact destination before the ride begins, and its vehicles accept credit cards through POS terminals.
BKK gives 12,000 HUF as a typical taxi fare for the 21 km city-centre-to-airport trip, while noting that traffic can increase the fare.
Use the airport’s designated pickup points for pre-booked taxis without an airport service contract; drop-off points are for taxis arriving with passengers. Budapest Airport cautions that non-contracted taxi companies soliciting passengers inside the terminal may not follow the published rules.
Which airport route suits your arrival time?
The 100E works at any hour because it operates around the clock, while the 200E also runs 24 hours a day. At night, the 200E connection continues via Határ út M, where you can transfer to night bus 914, 914A, 950 or 950A toward central stops including Kálvin tér M, Astoria M and Deák Ferenc tér M.
For a direct ride into the centre, take the 100E and check its current frequency and ticket conditions with BKK before you travel.
If you choose the 200E, make sure your ticket or pass covers both the bus and your onward connection. A taxi is another option if you prefer a direct ride; ask Főtaxi for the destination fare calculation before setting off.
Before you go: Routes, service frequencies, fares and ticket rules can change, so check the official BKK and Budapest Airport sites before you go.
Getting from central Budapest to the airport
From central Budapest, take the 100E toward Liszt Ferenc Airport 2 for a direct bus journey, or use M3 and the 200E via Kőbánya-Kispest. You can also take a taxi; BKK’s typical fare reference for the 21 km city-centre trip is 12,000 HUF, with traffic potentially increasing the cost.
For a central starting point close to the Parliament Quarter, Anabelle Bed and Budapest is about 50 minutes by car from the airport. The airport is also about 17.5 km from the bed and breakfast. If you’re planning time around the Parliament area, this one-day walk from the Parliament Quarter gives useful context for that part of the city.
FAQs
How long does the 100E take to reach central Budapest?
BKK gives the journey time to the city centre as about 40 minutes. The bus runs around the clock, seven days a week.
Does the 100E ticket cover transfers?
No. The 2,500 HUF single ticket is for one uninterrupted, one-way trip on the 100E only. It does not cover other lines or transfers.
Can you get from the airport to central Budapest at night?
Yes. The 100E and 200E operate 24 hours a day. At night, the 200E connects at Határ út M with night buses serving central stops.
Where do you book an airport taxi?
Főtaxi booking stands are by the Terminal 2A and Terminal 2B entrances. Booked taxis wait at the ranks in front of those stands.