Budapest Airport: A Traveler's First Impression

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Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is the largest and busiest airport in Hungary. Located 16km southeast of the city centre, it is the main aviation hub in the country, serving both global, low-cost, and local airlines and handling international and domestic flights. The airport offers connections to destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America, and the Far East. In 2024, it handled 17.6 million passengers, surpassing pre-pandemic records. Budapest Airport has two main passenger terminals: Terminal 2A and Terminal 2B, with Terminal 1 currently inactive. The airport provides various amenities, including shops, restaurants, lounges, and special assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. It also offers different transport options to the city centre, such as buses, trains, taxis, and private transfers.

Characteristics Values
Name Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Former Name Budapest Ferihegy International Airport
Location 16 kilometres southeast of Budapest
IATA BUD
ICAO LHBP
Number of Terminals 2 (Terminal 1 is inactive)
Number of Runways 2
Area 1,515 hectares
Airlines Wizz Air, Ryanair, LOT Polish Airlines, American Airlines, Air China, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways
Destinations Europe, Africa, Middle East, North America, Far East
Transport to City Centre Taxi, Bus, Train, Shuttle Service
Services Free WiFi, Assistance for Reduced Mobility, 6 Lounges, Car Rental, Parking

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Terminals: Two terminals, with Terminal 1 closed and Terminal 2 divided into 2A and 2B

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is the largest of Hungary's four commercial airports, located 16km southeast of the city centre. It is the main aviation hub in Hungary, serving both global, low-cost, and local airlines and welcoming international and domestic flights. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 closed and Terminal 2 divided into 2A and 2B.

Terminal 1 was closed in 2012 due to low traffic, with all airlines moved to Terminal 2. Terminal 1 was previously used for low-cost carriers and was divided into Schengen and Non-Schengen boarding gates. It offered faster public transport to the city centre compared to Terminal 2, with a 20-minute direct train journey.

Terminal 2 is divided into two sections, 2A and 2B, which are regarded as separate terminals serving different airlines and handling flights to and from different destinations. Terminal 2A is used for flights within the Schengen Area and offers services such as check-in, shops, restaurants, and VIP lounges. Terminal 2B manages flights outside the Schengen Area and provides similar amenities. Both terminals are connected by the SkyCourt, a central hub offering additional shopping and dining options, including the Plaza Premium Lounge.

Passengers can walk between Terminal 2A and 2B, and taxi stands are located in front of both terminals. Terminal 2 also has parking options, including Terminal Parking for short stays and pickups, and Premium Parking for long stays, which is the closest to the terminal and the most expensive.

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Transport: Trains and buses available, with taxis located outside Terminal 2A and 2B

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is located 16 km southeast of the city centre. The airport has two main passenger terminals: Terminal 2A and Terminal 2B, which are connected by the SkyCourt—a central hub offering shops, restaurants, and lounges. Terminal 2A is used for flights within the Schengen Area, while Terminal 2B is used for flights outside the Schengen Area.

There are several transport options available when travelling to and from the airport. For those who prefer public transportation, there is a bus line, 100E Airport Express, that provides a direct, convenient, economical, and fast connection to and from the airport. The bus runs around the clock, every 6-10 minutes during the day, every 10-15 minutes in the morning and evening, and every 20-40 minutes at night. At night (23:00-4:00), bus 200E operates to Határ út station, from where night bus lines 914, 914A, 950, and 950A will take you to the city centre. Tickets can be purchased directly on the bus using a bank card or through the BudapestGO app.

If you prefer to travel by train, the closest train station to the airport is Ferihegy, which provides transfers to the city centre and other cities in eastern Hungary.

Taxis are also available at the airport. The official taxi rank is located outside the arrivals hall of both Terminal 2A and 2B. Főtaxi, the taxi company with the longest tradition in Hungary, has booths located at the exits of Terminals 2A and 2B, and their taxis are continuously waiting for passengers. The price of taxis is regulated by the government at a fixed tariff per kilometre, with additional basic and waiting fees. It is recommended to pre-book your taxi to avoid the crowds and ensure a fixed fare.

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History: Construction began in 1942, but the airport only opened in 1950

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, formerly known as Budapest Ferihegy International Airport, is the largest of Hungary's four commercial airports. It is located 16 kilometres southeast of Budapest's city centre.

The airport's history can be traced back to the late 1930s when the city was served by Budaors Airport. However, by 1938, this airport was deemed too small, and officials decided to build a new airport outside the city. The airport's design by architect Karoly David Jr. envisioned a structure resembling an aircraft when viewed from above. Construction on the new airport began in 1942 but was slowed down due to World War II, eventually coming to a halt in early 1944.

Towards the end of World War II, many of the airport buildings were damaged, and Budapest and its airport came under Soviet occupation. In 1947, the Hungarian government decided to reconstruct the airport for civil aviation, allocating 40 million forints for the project. The airport officially opened in May 1950, with the first flights operated by MASZOVLET, the principal Hungarian carrier at the time. These initial flights connected the new Budapest Airport to other capital cities in the region.

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Location: 16km southeast of the city centre, in the Ferihegy neighbourhood

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, commonly known as Ferihegy, is located 16 kilometres southeast of the city centre in the Ferihegy neighbourhood. Ferihegy is the former name of the airport and the name of the area where it is located. The airport is easily accessible by public transport, with several bus services available. The cheapest option is to take bus number 200E to the Ferihegy train station and then take a train to the city centre. This journey will take around 37 minutes in total.

At night, passengers can take the night bus number 900, which runs four times between midnight and 4 am. However, passengers will need to change to another night bus to get to the city centre. The closest train station to the airport is Ferihegy, and the train is a fast and cheap option for passengers. Taxis are also available at the airport, with designated stands outside the arrivals hall at Terminal 2A and 2B. Passengers should be aware of potential scams and only use authorised taxi companies.

Budapest Airport is the largest of Hungary's four commercial airports and is the main aviation hub in the country. It is a significant hub for several airlines, including Wizz Air and Ryanair. The airport offers international connections within Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America, and the Far East. It is composed of two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with Terminal 1 currently inactive. Terminal 2 is divided into two sections, Terminal 2A and Terminal 2B, which are regarded as separate terminals serving different airlines and handling flights to and from different destinations. Terminal 2A is used for flights within the Schengen Area, while Terminal 2B manages flights outside the Schengen Area.

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Amenities: Shops and restaurants in the Sky Court area, with parking options available

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is the largest and busiest airport in Hungary. It is located 16 kilometres southeast of Budapest city centre and is the main aviation hub in the country. The airport offers international connections primarily within Europe, but also to Africa, the Middle East, North America, and the Far East.

The airport's passenger buildings consist of four main areas: Terminal 1, Terminal 2A, Terminal 2B, and SkyCourt. Terminal 1 is currently closed and was previously used for charter and private flights. Terminal 2A is used for flights within the Schengen Area, while Terminal 2B is for flights outside the Schengen Area. The Sky Court area, located in the transit area, features shops, restaurants, and lounges. It is a five-story building that houses the majority of BUD stores and eateries. Some of the lounges in the Sky Court area include the SkyCourt Lounge, Mastercard Lounge, and Plaza Premium Lounge.

The airport offers various parking options for passengers. The Terminal Parking has 746 parking spots and is ideal for short stays, pickups, and drop-offs. The Premium Parking is the closest to the terminal and is the most expensive option. For long-term parking, passengers can choose between Holiday Parking and the Smart Parking Lot.

Passengers can reach Budapest city centre from the airport by taxi, train, bus, shuttle service, or private transfer. The fastest way to get to the city centre is by taxi, with taxi stands located in front of both Terminal 2A and 2B. The official metered taxi service, Főtaxi, offers regulated rates with prepaid tickets available at the stands. Passengers can also take a 12-minute bus ride to Ferihegy Train Station and then a 25-minute train ride to Nyugati Station near the city centre. Several shuttle services, such as MiniBUD, offer shared rides to small groups of passengers travelling to the same area. Additionally, private transfers can be booked in advance for a seamless journey to the passenger's chosen address in central Budapest.

Frequently asked questions

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Hungary, located 16 km southeast of the city centre. It covers 1,515 hectares (3,744 acres) and has two runways.

The airport has two main terminals, Terminal 2A and Terminal 2B, which are connected by the SkyCourt, offering shops, restaurants, and lounges. Terminal 1 is currently inactive. The airport offers free WiFi, special assistance for reduced mobility, and various parking options.

Passengers can reach the city centre by taxi, train, bus, shuttle service, or private transfer. The fastest way is by taxi, but the bus is the cheapest option. There is no direct train connection, so passengers must take a bus to the Ferihegy Train Station first.

Budapest Airport serves as a hub for several major airlines, including Wizz Air, Ryanair, and formerly Malév Hungarian Airlines. It offers international connections within Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America, and the Far East.

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