Best / quickest way to get from Budapest Airport to the City Centre
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 8
Best / quickest way to get from Budapest Airport to the City Centre
Hi everyone.
I'm travelling to Budapest this weekend and staying at the InterContinental hotel, which looks to be very central. I was wondering if anyone could recommend to me to quickest way to make this journey. Will be travelling from the Airport at around 6pm local time. Any advice appreciated!
I'm travelling to Budapest this weekend and staying at the InterContinental hotel, which looks to be very central. I was wondering if anyone could recommend to me to quickest way to make this journey. Will be travelling from the Airport at around 6pm local time. Any advice appreciated!
#2
Join Date: Sep 2012
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The quickest way will be a taxi
The best way depends on what you mean by best. The bus 100E goes from the airport to Deák Ferenc tér for 900 forints each way which is within walking distance of the IC and much cheaper than a taxi.
Even cheaper would be to take bus 200E to Kőbánya-Kispest where you can transfer to the metro replacement bus, but this may not qualify as 'best'. This trip would be included in a daily travelcard should you decide to get one.
The best way depends on what you mean by best. The bus 100E goes from the airport to Deák Ferenc tér for 900 forints each way which is within walking distance of the IC and much cheaper than a taxi.
Even cheaper would be to take bus 200E to Kőbánya-Kispest where you can transfer to the metro replacement bus, but this may not qualify as 'best'. This trip would be included in a daily travelcard should you decide to get one.
#4
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The bus / metro combo takes about an hour and includes a transfer, so I imagine it would be about the same, maybe a tad longer. I'm a Budget Traveler, so no idea on taxi, but I would guess between half hour and 45 minutes travel time.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2013
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If I'm alone, I might take the bus. But the taxi is the easiest from the airport, especially if the OP is with other people and has heavy luggage. And my hunger level at arrival sometimes dictates how long I can stand to sit on a bus vs. just getting there quickly and finding dinner.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Taking the taxi is definitely the best option from my perspective. Fo taxi is the official airport taxi and they have a booth directly outside arrivals.
The referenced price of 8,000 Forints is still a good estimate as well as the travel time of 30 minutes.
If you plan to take public transport while in town, a good idea would be to purchase your travel pass at the staffed desk in the airport.
We've stayed at the IC several times and it is very well located; tram 2 makes a stop out front.
The referenced price of 8,000 Forints is still a good estimate as well as the travel time of 30 minutes.
If you plan to take public transport while in town, a good idea would be to purchase your travel pass at the staffed desk in the airport.
We've stayed at the IC several times and it is very well located; tram 2 makes a stop out front.
#7
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I agree. This is easy, right before the airport exit, and I've never had to wait in line. You can get basically anywhere you want to go for a decent price, and not have to worry about finding a ticket vendor after you get to the hotel.
#8
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BTW, for those who get the transit pass, Budapest has second oldest subway in Europe (oldest on the continent), and a ride on the old section is WAY cool IMHO (I am a rail enthusiast, so I may be biased ).
It's short, only a few stops and barely below ground, not like today's lines that are way below ground. Moreover the stops are so close together that you may think why bother, but it's just fun. Worth a trip even if you don't get the day pass.
It's short, only a few stops and barely below ground, not like today's lines that are way below ground. Moreover the stops are so close together that you may think why bother, but it's just fun. Worth a trip even if you don't get the day pass.
#9
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#10
Join Date: Sep 2005
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The pass is not good on the 100E bus to Deák Ferenc Square.
To use the pass, you'll have to travel via the 200 bus to Metro Line 3. I'd recommend this option. It's a bit longer to the center city, but you'll end up directly in front of your hotel.
If you decide to do this...let me know, and I'll post directions to the previously mentioned Tram 2 which will drop you off directly in front of the Intercontinental Hotel.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,135
BTW, for those who get the transit pass, Budapest has second oldest subway in Europe (oldest on the continent), and a ride on the old section is WAY cool IMHO (I am a rail enthusiast, so I may be biased ).
It's short, only a few stops and barely below ground, not like today's lines that are way below ground. Moreover the stops are so close together that you may think why bother, but it's just fun. Worth a trip even if you don't get the day pass.
It's short, only a few stops and barely below ground, not like today's lines that are way below ground. Moreover the stops are so close together that you may think why bother, but it's just fun. Worth a trip even if you don't get the day pass.
Reasons not to do this:
- It's very hot. (Subway is not air-conditioned.)
- You have a lot of unwieldy luggage or have mobility issues. (IIRC, you have to climb a flight of stairs at Kőbánya-Kispest to get to the rail platform.)
- Somebody else is paying.
#12
Join Date: Apr 2016
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Best and quickest? Blacklane E Class Mercedes.
That was my favorite way. As quick as a bus, but with a big backseat and a bottle of cold water and a cold towel. It was about 75 Euros
(I took the bus on the way back)
That was my favorite way. As quick as a bus, but with a big backseat and a bottle of cold water and a cold towel. It was about 75 Euros
(I took the bus on the way back)
#13
Join Date: Sep 2012
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There is no need to find a ticket vendor as ticket machines are everywhere.
The staffed desk in arrivals is a good choice mainly because nobody else seems to know about it. There was one person ahead of me in the line when I got there.
There are also ticket machines outside at the bus stops themselves, but there were 10 people queueing up at each one, and most of them appeared to be clueless about how to use them plus unfamiliar with Hungarian currency.
I watched a 100E depart which was packed full like sardines. I wouldn't want to stand like that for 45 minutes, especially if having to pay extra (the 200E route was free for me since I bought the 5/30 ticket).
The 200E bus was also full, but many people got off at the first few stops. I had a seat all the way. The only negative was that the heating was on!
I agree with EmailKid that riding the old subway rolling stock is interesting. It's easy to buy the right ticket (one that includes the bus-to-rail transfer) from the staffed transit desk at the airport.
Reasons not to do this:
Reasons not to do this:
- It's very hot. (Subway is not air-conditioned.)
- You have a lot of unwieldy luggage or have mobility issues. (IIRC, you have to climb a flight of stairs at Kőbánya-Kispest to get to the rail platform.)
- Somebody else is paying.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,135
#15
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,596
For anyone thinking of taking this way to/from the airport (which is generally perfectly do-able if you avoid rush hours), the metro line 3 is closed at weekends, until a date to be determined, for engineering work. This means getting a replacement bus along the whole length of the line, which I wouldn't particularly recommend.