Best time to arrive at Budapest airport

First of all, yes, the 100E AirPort bus is free to anyone 65 or over. Have your passport handy just in case they need to check ID, but I never had that problem. I'm not sure what that says about me, but just saying.

Second, if you have an 11:15 am flight to Vienna, you should get there by 9:15-9:30. I would shoot for 9:15 am, just to be on the safe side. Which stop do you get on the 100E? Deák Ferenc tér? Either way, you might want to have a look at this website, which gives an idea of how often the bus comes. You shouldn't have any worries if you are at the stop by, say, 8:15 to 8:30 AM, in my opinion. You can maybe shoot for a little later, but I like to play it safe. https://bkk.hu/en/travel-information/airport-express/

You could take a ride share or cab, and it's not terribly expensive (probably around $50+), but it's a whole lot more than the free bus. 😊

Thanks so much, Mardee. We have no problem using the bus. We’re by the Astoria stop Which is a stop before Deak Ferenc tér so not an issue for us.

Oh great! You will love Budapest! It's such a wonderful city, and the public transportation is wonderful!

I am a conservative old fart. When I leave town I take a taxi. I ask for pickup 3 hours prior to flight time. Yes, its rush hour. I use City Taxi, I use their app, I book the night before. I might shave 20 minutes off that with no checked luggage and a schengen flight. I have a little extra confidence because I know a sort of back door for security.

Yes you can use the bus. In theory, I would be at the bus stop 3 hours prior to flight time. Same rules as the taxi. You know where the stop is for the bus going towards the airport ... correct? If not, find it in advance. Also worth downloading the BudapestGO app as it will help with this.

You dont need a passport for age verification. A US DL is fine. I get asked every time on the 100E, maybe 9 times by now, but never elsewhere.

Dont forget if you are leaving Schengen there is now EES.

Thanks to both of you!

The transportation is great! We’ve been here for 4 days and using it a lot. And we got “carded” today for the first time, whipped out our drivers licenses and got a smile in return!

A question about EES- we did it when we flew in to Prague via Warsaw; will we need to go through the whole process again? If so, in Budapest or Vienna? Or both?!

I thought it was a one and done thing as the first step toward the ETIAS but I’m reading so many different experiences, I’m not sure what to expect.

paulesue, my completely uneducated assumption is that you will need to go to the machine on the way out of Schengen. Two weeks ago to Rome, Schengen to Schengen I did not. In 2 weeks I go to Schenge to Montenegro i assume that will have to go to the machine but I am exempt from the fingerprint requirement ... I think. What a mess.

On the bus discussion. I have ridden it quite a bit in both directions. Twice it has been delayed (broken down) but the replacement was less than 10 minutes behind. The bus is just as good as a taxi.

Thanks again!

STOP!!

Something was eating at me, but I got lazy and just assumed you had checked and Mardee ... Then I decided to find the Astoria stop for you and send you a link to exactly where it is located.

Well ....................... https://bkk.hu/en/travel-information/airport-express/

The bus doesnt stop at Astoria on the way to the airport during your time of the day. I knew that but it just wasnt clicking for some reason.

Well, shoot. I am due to stay near Astoria in October. It would require a bus ride to Kalvin ter and a change to the 100E. I may reconsider…..

And we got “carded” today for the first time, whipped out our drivers licenses and got a smile in return!

paulesue, this made me laugh - I remember that feeling exactly! Like “Hey, I’m officially here!” I felt the same way in Amsterdam when the official came through the tram checking to see if we had tapped in. 🤣

paulesue, it's still doable if you don't mind walking for a few minutes. It looks like it's a 7-8 minute walk from Astoria to Deák Ferenc and a 10-minute walk to the Kálvin stop. That could obviously be offset by where your actual hotel or apartment is, so you may just want to go to Google Maps and map it out for yourself and see.

And of course, if you don't want to, there's always the rideshare or taxi option, as Mr. E mentioned.

That time of day, you could ride the tram to Deak F. (Dont do Kalvin).

And of course, if you don't want to, there's always the rideshare or
taxi option, as Mr. E mentioned.

There is Bolt and Uber but there is no "rideshare" in Budapest

Thank you!!! Of course I was going to double check, but it’s good to know ahead of time that the bus doesn’t stop at Astoria. But darn! We’re just around the corner from the stop as we’re literally opposite the Dohány Synagogue.

We’ll probably just walk to Deák Ferenc but that means getting out a few minutes earlier. And the tram works, too, if it’s not too crowded (we’ll be schlepping luggage - carry on, but still). Oh the travails of travel!

Then, for others that dont know where all the bus stops are; names and locations sometimes can be misleading. The 100E stop called Kalvin ter is a great example. Best choice is the BudapestGo app for finding your bus stop.

Just an update and thanks for all the help! We decided, after much back and forth, to arrange for a Bolt, which arrived early and got us to the airport in great comfort. We had a long day ahead, with a flight to Vienna and another to Krakow, so we sprang for the Bolt. At 10,000+ huf, it was more than worth it.

Thanks all for your help!

You did well. Not many major cities where you can reach the airport in under 45 minutes, and $33.00.

Oh, Bolt, Uber, City, it doesn't matter. They are all fully regulated, yellow, metered taxis that can only charge the rate fixed by the city. So who ever makes you comfortable and who ever you can most easily pay.