World City Guide

Getting There By Air

Budapest Ferihegy (BUD)
Tel: (01) 296 9696.
Website: www.bud-airport.hu

Ferihegy airport is located 24km (15 miles) southeast of Budapest. There are two terminals, approximately 4km (2.5 miles) apart. Terminal 1, which is for cargo freight planes, will be closed from the autumn until summer 2005. Terminal 2A is for the national airline Malév (www.malev.com) (and partner airlines, such as Lufthansa, Delta and Alitalia), while terminal 2B is used by all other airlines. In 2003, 5 million passengers used Ferihegy airport, which provides good links with Western and Eastern Europe.

Approximate flight times to Budapest: From London is 2 hours 20 minutes; from New York is 9 hours 45 minutes; from Los Angeles is 19 hours 15 minutes; from Toronto is 9 hours 40 minutes and from Sydney is 26 hours 30 minutes.

Airport facilities: Facilities include a duty-free shop, florist, newsagent, restaurant, bar, gift shop, post office, bureaux de change, banks and car hire. There is also a business lounge, and left-luggage facilities are available.

Transport to the city: The easiest way to the city centre from Ferihegy is by LRI’s Airport Minibus Shuttle (tel: (01) 296 8555), which takes visitors to any address in the city (journey time – approximately 40 minutes). The bus operates every half an hour, daily 0530-2100. Single (Ft2100) or return (Ft3600) tickets can be purchased from LRI’s passenger service desks or booked before departure. The service also picks up passengers at hotels or private addresses for the return flight. The Budapest Card (see Sightseeing) includes travel on the Minibus Shuttle.

Centrum Minibuses (also operated by LRI) depart every 30 minutes for Erzsébet tér bus station, tickets are sold on the bus. The public bus 93 travels to Kobánya-Kispest metro station (passengers may wish to alight at Deák tér, where all three metro lines converge). Buses with the number 93 displayed in black serve only Ferihegy terminal one, buses with a red 93 serve both terminals. This is a cheap alternative to and from the airport, but the journey takes over an hour.

Taxis are available at all times.