By plane

Budapest has direct flights to most major European cities. Many of these are operated by the budget carrier WizzAir, which is based here and is now in effect Hungary's national airline. Other budget operators include Easyjet, Ryanair, Jet2, Norwegian and Vueling. This competition holds down prices on the traditional airlines such as KLM and Lufthansa.

Direct destinations around the fringes of Europe include Reykjavik, St Petersburg, Moscow, Kyiv, Kutaisi, Baku, Astana, Tel Aviv and Agadir. Gulf carriers connect via Doha and Dubai to the Far East, Australasia and Africa. There are no direct flights between Budapest and North America: connect via London, Amsterdam or Paris.

1 Budapest Franz Liszt International Airport (BUD IATA Budapest Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér pronounced "list-ferents", often still called by its old name Ferihegy) (It's located about 16 km (9.9 mi) south-east of the city centre), ☏ +36 1 296-7000 (call centre). Hungary's chief airport. All flights use Terminals 2A and 2B. Terminal 1 was closed in 2011. There's no practical distinction between Terminals 2A and 2B, and they're freely connected landside by corridors and airside by "SkyCourt" food & retail area. (Originally 2A served Schengen Area destinations, and 2B the rest of the world, but this has been dropped.) Check-in and bag-drop desks 1-30 are in Hall 2A and desks 31-60 in Hall 2B, but do not correspond to the gates. This means that if 2A has a long line for security, you can get airside through 2B (and vice versa), as both lead into the SkyCourt.There are several small cafes in Skycourt and in 2A & 2B near the gates. Duty-free stores are operated by Heinemann. They are seldom a bargain - by all means blow away your last local currency here. But if you're looking for something in particular (eg Tokay wine), check prices in advance on their website and compare with downtown supermarket prices. You can usually only buy duty-free if you're taking a direct flight: if you're transiting another European airport, security there will confiscate liquids.Central information: ☏ +36 1 296-9696Luggage services: ☏ +36 1 296-5965

Getting between airport and city: the main options are bus, bus & metro, bus & train, and taxi / transfer.

Bus line 100E Airport Express

This runs from city centre to Airport Terminal 2 every 10 minutes during the day, every 20 minutes early morning and late night, taking 30-40 minutes. The city centre bus stop is by Deák tér at Károly krt in front of Városháza Park; look for a blue articulated bus with an airplane sign. The only stop on the way is called "Kálvin tér", but it's around the corner into the top of Üllői út. The airport bus stop is just outside Terminal 2 Arrivals. The bus runs every day, outbound 03:40-00:40, city-bound 05:00-01:20. The fare is Ft2200 (as of Jul 2025); you're encouraged to buy tickets from vending machines or at customer service kiosks, but the driver will issue tickets and give change. Be careful not to buy the 450Ft tickets, these are not valid and if you stamp them in the bus, they will be wasted.

Metro + Bus line 200E

Bus line 200E runs between Terminal 2 and Kőbánya-Kispest Metro station, taking 25 min, bus fare Ft500. You there buy a Metro ticket for another Ft500 and ride line 3 to the city centre, about 20 mins to the main interchange at Deák Ferenc tér. The bus runs all day every day, with 7-8 minutes frequency during the day, 30-60 minutes at late night. The metro runs every 3-5 mins, 04:30-00:00. If the connections are slick, this route takes 45 minutes.

Train + Bus line 200E

Kőbánya-Kispest also has a mainline train station, with trains every 10-15 min to Budapest Nyugati in the northern city centre taking about 25 min. More likely you'd change here to reach eastern towns such as Szeged, Kecskemét, Debrecen, Miskolc for, and Szolnok where you can change again for trains into Romania. Do not board a train for Budapest Keleti: it will make a grand 6-hour scenic tour of the countryside before looping back to the city. Reach Kőbánya-Kispest from the airport on Bus 200E as described above.On the way, the bus runs past Ferihegy station, which used to serve the former airport Terminal 1. Trains do stop here but the place is dismal and dilapidated, you won't feel safe, and the ticket machine has probably been vandalised. Stay on the bus for another 5 min unless you're frantic to catch a last train.

Taxi: the only licensed taxi operator at the airport is Főtaxi - don't accept offers from drivers or touts waiting around Arrivals. However, you can order via phone/app a taxi to the terminal from other company, too. A trip inbound to central Budapest will cost from Ft13000. Queue at the taxi stand first to receive a written quote for your fare, then pay it when you arrive at your destination. Pre-ordering by phone may get you a better price.

Note that Főtaxi does not provide child seats of any kind, whereas MiniSud shared shuttle does.

Shared Transfer: the official shared shuttle for the airport is MiniBud. From a central hotel fares would be around Ft8990 single, Ft15990 return for one person, plus Ft2000 per extra person. Check prices and make reservations on the company's website.

Private Transfer: to and from the city of Budapest and all location in Hungary by Airport Transfer Budapest . One to three people will cost Ft13500 oneway, Ft26400 return per estate car. Four to seven people will cost Ft21000 oneway, Ft41000 return per minibus. Total vehicle prices, without sharing the car with strangers. Pay the driver in cash or card. Online booking is possible up to 21 people, beyond that contact them for a quote.

Alternatively you can check flights to Vienna, Zagreb, Debrecen or Bratislava and arrange to take a train or bus to Budapest.

By train

Direct trains connect Budapest with 11 countries. You can plan international and domestic trips and buy tickets on jegy.mav.hu (Note that the site doesn't include services by all private operators, ex. RegioJet.)

Berlin: one direct train (11 hr) from Budapest Nyugati via Brno, Prague and Dresden, continuing to Hamburg. Several indirect services from Nyugati or Keleti take 12-15 hours, usually changing in Prague.

Munich: five direct trains (7 hr) from Budapest Keleti via Vienna, Linz and Salzburg; indirect services changing in those cities.

Vienna: direct trains every 1-2 hours (2:37 hr) from Budapest Keleti. Also several from Budapest Déli changing at Györ. Change in Vienna for Venice. There is also a daily first-class ÖBB-UZ sleeper through-car (147/749) to Vienna coming from Kyiv via Budapest Kelenfold and Budapest Keleti, but may be quite expensive.

Graz: one direct train (6 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise change in Vienna.

Zürich: one direct train (11 hr) from Budapest Keleti, otherwise change in Vienna.

Prague: five direct daytime trains (6½ hr) from Budapest Nyugati via Bratislava, Břeclav and Brno, plus one overnight train (10 hr) from Keleti.

Bratislava: nine direct trains (2½ hr) from Budapest Nyugati, departing every 2 hr. As of September 2024, a Bratislava–Budapest ticket costs €17.80

Košice: seven direct trains (3½ hr) from Budapest Keleti.

Warsaw: one direct daytime train (10 hr) from Budapest Nyugati and one overnight train (13 hr) from Keleti.

Bucharest: two overnight trains (16 hr) from Budapest Keleti via Arad, Deva, Sibiu and Brasov in Transylvania. Daytime connections are via Timisoara. Bucharest is nowadays the best route for Istanbul.

Ljubljana: one direct train (8 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise change in Zagreb or Salzburg.

Zagreb: two direct trains (6 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise change at Zidani Most. Change in Zagreb for Split.

Belgrade: this line is closed until 2025 because of engineering work in Serbia. Normally there are two direct daytime trains and one overnight (8½ hr) from Budapest Keleti via Novi Sad. Change in Belgrade (spelt "Beograd" on DB) for Sarajevo, Podgorica and Bar. This is also the usual route for Sofia and Istanbul, but it's slow and with unreliable connections.

Lviv: one direct train (14 hr) from Budapest Nyugati via Debrecen and Chop. Other indirect services from Keleti or Nyugati. Change at Lviv for Kyiv and Odesa. This is probably also the simplest route to Moscow, but look for other means of transport. There is also a daily first-class ÖBB-UZ sleeper through-car (147/749) to Kyiv coming from Vienna via Budapest Kelenfold and Budapest Keleti via Chop, but may be quite expensive.

Railway stations

Stations in Budapest, as elsewhere in Hungary, are frankly a bit rough. The fabric of the buildings is in poor repair, stations and trains are hard to access for people with disabilities, and passenger facilities are very limited. Do not expect luggage trolleys or clean toilets. English is rarely spoken by staff except at international cash desks. If you haven't pre-booked online, be prepared for long queues at the ticket office. Hazards include bad exchange rates, predatory taxi drivers, aggressive drunks, and pickpockets.

There are three large terminus stations for long-distance trains: Nyugati (west), Keleti (east) & Déli (south). These are surrounded by decent cafes, fast food places, and other facilities.

2 Nyugati pályaudvar (Western Railway Station), Nyugati tér ( : Nyugati pályaudvar; bus 9, 26, 91, 191, 226, 291; tram 4, 6; trolley: 72, 73; night bus: 914, 914A, 923, 931, 934, 950, 950A). Daily 02:30-00:50; international cash desk: Daily 07:30-19:00, between 30 June and 25 Aug 05:50-19:00. International trains to Prague, Berlin, Hamburg, Warsaw and Lviv. Domestic trains to Esztergom, Vác, Cegléd, Szolnok, Debrecen, Nyíregyháza and Szeged. Services: ticket vending machines, E-Ticket terminal, Budapest Season ticket sale, credit cards accepted. Luggage storage (daily 03:30-24:00). Parking near the station, bike parking at the station. (updated Apr 2018)

3 Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station), Baross tér ( : Keleti pályaudvar; bus: 5, 7, 7E, 8E, 20E, 30, 30A, 107, 108E, 110, 112, 133E, 230; tram: 23, 24; trolley: 73, 76, 78, 79, 80; night bus: 907, 907A, 908, 931, 931A, 956, 973, 973A, 990). Daily 03:45-24:00, International cash desk in Business Waiting Room: Daily 6:00–21:15. International trains to Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Kosice, Warsaw, Bucharest, Sibiu and Belgrade, announced in English. Domestic trains to Békéscsaba, Miskolc, Szerencs, Sátoraljaújhely, Eger, Győr, Komárom, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tata and Tatabánya. Services: Ticket vending machine, E-Ticket terminal, Budapest season ticket sales, credit cards accepted. Decent restaurant. Parking near the station. Luggage storage open daily 03:30-23:30. Customer Service Office located beside track #9, open daily 04:00-23:30, sells souvenirs, City Tour, Budapest card, START Club card for cash only. See map of the station here. (updated Apr 2018)

4 Déli pályaudvar (Southern Railway Station), Alkotás utca, Krisztina körút corner ( : Déli pályaudvar, bus: 21, 21A, 39, 102, 139, 140, 140A, 221; tram: 56, 56A, 59, 59A, 59B, 61; night bus: 960, 990), ☏ +36 40 494949. Daily 03:00-00:30, International cash desk: daily 05:30-18:30. International travel ticket, seat reservation, travel card can be paid in euros with change in forints. International trains to Prague, Graz, Ljubljana and Zagreb. Domestic trains to Lake Balaton, Győr, Komárom, Mosonmagyaróvár, Székesfehérvár, Tatabánya, Tata, Pécs and southwest Hungary. Suburban trains to Pusztaszabolcs via Százhalombatta. Services: Ticket vending machine, E-Ticket terminal, Budapest season ticket sales, credit cards accepted. (updated Apr 2018)

On their way to the terminus, long-distance trains may also stop at two smaller stations: Kelenföld (west) and Kőbánya-Kispest (south near the airport).

5 Kelenföld vasútállomás (Kelenföld Railway Station), XI. Etele tér ( : Kelenföld vasútállomás, a bus hub and the 'Etele tér Bus Station' is nearby. The following bus lines terminate here (City Bus) 8E, 40, 40B, 40E, 87, 87A 88, 88A, 101B, 101E, 141, 172, 173, 187, 188, 188E, 250, 250B, 251, 251A, 251E, 272; Volánbusz (Intercity) lines: 689, 691, 710, 712, 715, 720, 722, 724, 725, 727, 731, 732, 734, 735, 736, 760, 762, 763, 767, 770, 774, 775, 777, 778, 798, 799; Passing through city bus: 53, 58, 108E, 150, 150B, 153, 154; tram 1, 19, 49; night bus: 901, 907, 918). Domestic cash desk daily 03:30-00:15. Trains stop here on the way from Vienna, Lake Balaton and cities in western Hungary. (updated Apr 2018)

6 Kőbánya-Kispest vasútállomás (Kőbánya-Kispest Railway Station), X. Sibrik Miklós út/Vaspálya út 10 ( : 'Kőbánya-Kispest' metro station is also here. Plus bus hub, including Bus 200E to the airport.), ☏ +36 40 494949. Cash Desk daily 03:00-00:50. Has trains from eastern Hungarian cities, eg Szolnok and Debrecen: change at Szolnok for trains to Romania. Services: ticket vending machine, E-Ticket terminal, Budapest season ticket sales, credit cards accepted. Some cash desks also sell 'Volánbusz' tickets. (updated Apr 2018)

By bus

Hungary’s national bus network is operated by the MÁV-Group. To get to Budapest from another Hungarian city, a coach is often the best option. For services, discounts, schedules and on-line booking possibilities check Hungary#Get around.

International bus routes are operated by Eurolines +36 1 318-2122. Most connections run two or three times a week; connections to/from Austria and Slovakia run daily. Incomartour operates a connection to/from Chop in Ukraine four times a week.

Eurobusways offers direct, door to door transfers from/to any place in Central and Eastern Europe

Flixbus offers multiple connections per day mostly from German-speaking cities.

Bus stations

Budapest’s long distance bus stations are outside the city centre, but are very well connected to the rest of the city. The main stations are:

7 Népliget Bus station (Népliget autóbusz-pályaudvar), Üllői út 131. ( : 'Népliget' station), ☏ +36 1 219-8086, +36 1 382-0888, info@volanbusz.hu. Travel Centre M-F 08:00-18:00, Sa-Su 08:00-16:00; Waiting Room daily 04:30-23:00; Public (disabled) toilet daily 04:30-22:45, ATM and public telephone daily 04:30-23:00; Baggage storage daily 06:00-21:00; Snack Bar and currency exchange 6:00 to 20:00; Newspaper sales M-F 06:00-20:00, Sa-Su 06:00-16:00. Buses from abroad and most of Western Hungarian destinations arrive and depart here. It's a fairly modern station with reliable facilities. Don't forget to check-in if you travel abroad. Orangeways buses depart opposite side. (updated Nov 2016)

8 Stadion Bus Station (Stadion autóbusz-pályaudvar, formerly known as Népstadion autóbusz-pályaudvar), Hungária körút 48–52. ( : 'Puskás Ferenc Stadion' station), ☏ +36 1 251-0125. Information 05:30-21:00; Domestic pre-purchase ticket office M-F 06:00-18:00, Sa Su 06:00-16:00; Ticket office M-Sa 06:00-18:00 Su 06:00-16:00. This is the big hub for Northeastern Hungarian destinations. It's a quite modern but somewhat dirty station built underground. Lines (selected): Suburban bus #396-397 to Veresegyház via Szada. Long distance bus #1020, 1021 Salgótarján (108-112 km, hourly, 1¾ hour) via Hatvan, Mátraverebély, Pásztó. #1023 Hollókő 2 hr via Pásztó, #1031 Ózd via Borsodnádasd, #1034 Jósvafő (201 km, daily two, nearly 4 hr) via Ózd, Aggtelek, #1035 Kazincbarcika (190 km, 3 hr, daily) via Ózd, #1040 Gyöngyös (~80 km, hourly, 1-2 hr) via Hatvan, #1045 Fallóskút (110 km, daily three, 2½ hours, scenic trip) via Mátrafüred, Mátraháza, Kékestető (the highest point of Hungary, 1¾ hr, daily three-four, some terminated some even not stop here!), Galyatető. (updated Nov 2016)

9 Árpád Bridge Bus Station (Árpád híd autóbusz-állomás), Árbóc utca 1–3. ( : 'Göncz Árpád városközpont' station), ☏ +36 1 329-1450. Daily 06:00-18:00. This is a smaller station for some Northern destinations and suburban traffic; use it to and from Pilisvörösvár, Szentendre, Esztergom or Visegrád. (updated Nov 2016)

10 Kelenföld Bus Station (Kelenföld autóbusz-állomás), Somogyi utca 35. ( : 'Kelenföld vasútállomás' station), ☏ +36 1 382-0888. Cash desk: M-F 06:00-21:00, Sa Su 06:00-16:00. This station ie next to Kelenföld Railway Station, at the terminus of metro line 4. Useful for getting to Statue Park and some suburban destinations. Lines go to Biatorbágy, Érd, Százhalombatta and surrounding area. (updated Nov 2016)

By boat

11 Mahart International Port (Nemzetközi Hajóállomás), Belgrád rakpart (near Iranyi street corner) ( : Ferenciek tere, 5 min by walk), ☏ +36 1 484-4000, hydrofoil@mahartpassnave.hu. M-F 09:00-16:00. Operates a scheduled (F Sa Su) hydrofoil service on the Danube to and from Esztergom stopping at Vác and Visegrád. (updated Jun 2024)