Budapest Airport to City Center on the 100E Express Bus or Taxi
Compare Budapest 100E Airport Shuttle (35 min / 2,200 HUF), Bus 200E to Metro M3, and official Főtaxi rates between BUD Airport and central Pest.
- ✓The 100E Airport Express Bus travels direct from BUD Airport to central Deák Ferenc tér in 35 minutes for 2,200 HUF (~€5.50 / $6.00 USD), operating 24/7.
- ✓Onboard Pay&GO contactless terminals allow passengers to tap a Visa, Mastercard, or Apple Pay device directly upon boarding without buying paper tickets.
- ✓Official Főtaxi booths outside Terminals 2A and 2B dispatch licensed cabs with regulated zonal rates to central Pest ranging from 10,000 to 12,500 HUF (~€25–€32).
Arriving at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), Hungary’s grand Danube gateway?
Located 16 kilometers (10 miles) southeast of Budapest’s iconic Parliament Building, Buda Castle, Ruin Bars, and Thermal Baths, reaching the city center is fast, affordable, and seamless.
Transfer choices include the direct express airport shuttle, local bus and metro combinations, and municipal licensed taxis.
Budapest Airport Transit Overview
| Transport Option | Direct Destination Hubs | Travel Time | Fare (HUF / EUR) | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100E Airport Express Bus | Deák Ferenc tér (Heart of Pest) | 35 mins | 2,200 HUF (~€5.50 / $6.00 USD) | Every 7–10 mins (24/7) | Most tourists: fastest direct connection to downtown |
| 200E Bus + Metro M3 (Blue) | Kálvin tér / Nyugati Station | 45–55 mins | 900 HUF (Free with City Pass) | Every 7–10 mins | Budget travelers holding Budapest 24h/72h TravelCards |
| Official Főtaxi / Bolt | Door-to-Door anywhere in Budapest | 25–40 mins | 10,000 – 12,500 HUF (~€25–€32 USD) | 24 Hours on demand | Groups of 3–4 with heavy luggage & late-night arrivals |
Matching Routes to Pest and Buda Accommodations
Choosing the most efficient transfer depends on which side of the Danube you are staying:
- For hotels around Deák Ferenc tér, the Jewish Quarter, and Fashion Street, the 100E Express Bus delivers you directly without transfers.
- If staying along Metro Line M3 or holding an active 24-hour or 72-hour Budapest TravelCard, Bus 200E to the M3 terminus avoids additional ticket fees.
- For accommodations on the Buda side near Castle Hill or Gellért Hill, official taxis provide direct door-to-door transit without dragging luggage across bridges.
100E Airport Express Shuttle: Top Pick for Central Stays
The 100E Airport Shuttle operates from a dedicated bus terminal located directly between Terminal 2A and 2B on the Arrivals level.
The route connects four major central hubs:
- BUD Airport Terminal 2
- Kálvin tér (28 mins, connecting to Metro Lines M3 and M4)
- Astoria (32 mins, adjacent to the Jewish Quarter and Ruin Bars)
- Deák Ferenc tér terminus (35 mins, connecting to Metro Lines M1, M2, and M3)
Fares and Contactless Pay&GO Validation
Single tickets cost 2,200 HUF (~€5.50). Passengers do not need to queue at ticket kiosks; simply tap a contactless bank card or smartphone on the black Pay&GO reader inside the bus doors for instant paperless validation.
200E Bus and Metro Line M3: Best for TravelCard Holders
The Bus 200E departs from the same terminal median outside Terminal 2:
The bus runs in 25 minutes to Kőbánya-Kispest, the southern terminus of Metro Line M3. From there, passengers transfer directly to the modern M3 subway into central Budapest, stopping at Kálvin tér, Deák Ferenc tér, and Nyugati Railway Station. The journey requires two single BKK tickets (450 HUF each) or is completely free for holders of the Budapest 24-Hour (2,500 HUF) or 72-Hour (5,500 HUF) TravelCard.
Official Főtaxi Cabs and Bolt Rideshare
Főtaxi is the exclusive contracted airport taxi operator in Budapest:
- Approach the yellow Főtaxi booths on the sidewalk outside Terminal 2A and 2B arrivals.
- Provide your destination address to receive a printed voucher detailing your car number and estimated tariff.
- Regulated municipal taxi rates comprise a base fee of 1,100 HUF plus 440 HUF per kilometer. Total fares to central Pest typically average 10,000 to 12,500 HUF (~€25–€32).
- Bolt is authorized and operates under the identical regulated municipal meter rates.
Terminal Navigation to Deák Ferenc tér
100E Express: BUD Airport to Deák Ferenc tér
Exit Terminal 2A/2B to Central Bus Median
BUD Arrivals ConcourseWalk straight out the glass sliding doors between Terminal 2A and 2B. Follow the prominent purple 100E bus signs to the boarding bay.
Board 100E Bus & Tap Pay&GO Terminal
100E Airport ShuttleTap your contactless credit card or Apple Pay against the Pay&GO terminal inside the doors. Stow suitcases in the designated luggage racks.
Arrive at Deák Ferenc tér Terminal
Central Budapest HubDisembark at the final stop at Deák Ferenc tér. Walk directly to your central hotel or connect to Metro Lines M1, M2, or M3.
Recommended Hotels Near Deák Ferenc tér
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus & Hotel Memories OldTown
📍 Steps from Deák Ferenc tér & Jewish Quarter Hubs
Prices and availability update in real time. We may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Selecting Your Ideal Budapest Airport Transfer
- Take the 100E Express Bus (2,200 HUF / 35 mins) IF: You are staying near Deák Ferenc tér, Astoria, or Kálvin tér and want the most efficient direct shuttle.
- Take Bus 200E + Metro M3 (Free with pass / 50 mins) IF: You purchased a Budapest 24h/72h TravelCard and want zero incremental transit costs.
- Take an Official Főtaxi or Bolt (10,000–12,500 HUF) IF: You are staying across the river in the hilly Buda Castle / Gellért Hill district, or traveling as a group of 3–4 with multiple heavy bags.
If your journey continues through Central Europe, review our airport transfer guides for Vienna Airport to City Center and Prague Airport to City Center.