This keeps coming up on the forum and in my email.
As an example, and in rough terms from the exit door of the BUD Arrivals Hall to the front door of the K+K Opera Hotel which is adjacent to the Hungarian State Opera in the heart of District VI will take 50 minutes; 60 if you use the 200E / M3 method. Other hotels in District V and District VI will not require significantly less or more time or involve significantly different costs. Car and Bus Travel times are the average on a weekday at noon. Assume that driving time could be 10 minutes faster (and most often is) or 10 minutes slower (if there is an accident on the road and sometimes during rush hour) than what is listed.
- Private Transfer
Prices vary widely but expect to pay 75€ as a minimum. The only inconvenience is that the driver is not permitted to park at the Arrivals Hall. You will meet your driver then walk upstairs to the Departure Hall curb, then wait for the driver to bring the car to you from the parking lot across the street. Travel Time: 5 minutes to walk to the Departure curb on the upper floor, then wait for the driver to bring the car from the parking lot + 45minute drive = 50-minutes to the front door of the hotel.
- Taxi
The Kiosk is right outside the Arrivals Hall door and the service is very good. Cost may vary by traffic conditions, but on average the fare will be 10.000 Ft (27€). Travel time includes no more than a 5-minute wait for the next available taxi + 45-minute drive = 50-minutes.
- MiniBUD Transfer Service
A direct shared shuttle bus service to your hotel. You may have to wait for the van to fill, and your hotel may be the last served.
The price for two people, one-way, to the hotel is 12.990 Ft (35€), MiniBUD becomes more economical when purchasing a round trip ticket. For two, the round trip ticket would be 20.990 Ft (56€). Travel time is a 5-minute wait for a full van (this could be less or more) + 45-minute drive = 50-minutes to the front door of your hotel. However, if your hotel is not the first stop this could be considerably longer.
- 100E Airport Express Bus
You can buy a ticket at the BKK office inside the Arrivals Hall, or you can buy one from one of the machines at the bus stop outside of the Arrivals Hall or you can swipe a card at the door to the bus. The bus is not included in any of the TravelCards or Public Transportation Passes. The cost is 5.000 Ft for two tickets (13.50€) or if you are 65 or over, the bus is free. This bus runs often and the wait is rarely more than 5 minutes. Travel time to Deák Ferenc tér averages 40-minutes + a 5-minute walk up Andrassy ut to the hotel will take (the M1 requires comparable time) = 50-minutes to your hotel.
- 200E Airport Express Bus
In this scenario your TravelCard or Public Transportation Pass is accepted for the entire journey. There is no additional cost. If you are 65 or older, it is also free as is all public transportation in Budapest. The route is to use the 200E bus from the airport (just outside of the Arrivals Hall) to the Kőbánya-Kispest M3 Station (end stop of the bus). You board the M3 metro to Deak Ferenc ter, and then to walk up Andrassy ut to your hotel. In rough terms including walking from bus to metro the public transportation portion will take about 50-minutes and the walk-up Andrassy ut from the underground metro stop about 10-minutes = 60-minutes to your hotel.
magyarjd