Airport Guide: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is the biggest airport in Hungary and handles more than nine million passengers a year. The airport recovered from a huge blow in 2011, when the Hungarian flat carrier Malév collapsed. However, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport nowadays is in a very good shape again with modern facilities and several aircraft movements by flag and low-cost carriers.
Since the collapse of Malév, Ryanair and Wizz Air decided to open large bases at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.
Both airlines offer flights to several destinations all over Europe. Other low-cost carriers including Norwegian, easyJet and Jet2.com play a key role at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport as well.
Lufthansa has a significant market share at Budapest Airport
When it comes to network carriers, Lufthansa together with its subsidiaries Austrian Airlines, Germanwings, Brussels Airlines and Swiss plays an important role for passengers at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.
Most important carriers at Budapest Airport:
- Ryanair: Several destinations all over Europe
- Wizz Air: Several destinations all over Europe
- Lufthansa: Frankfurt, Munich
Shopping and eating at Budapest Airport
With the closure of Terminal 1 in 2012, there is only one terminal left at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. This one once was used by Malév and SkyTeam exclusively. Nowadays, it is separated in two areas with Star Alliance and SkyTeam airlines using terminal 2A and oneworld as well as non-alliance and low-cost carriers using terminal 2B.
There are several clothing stores at Budapest Airport
Shopping and eating opportunities can be found in both, but the most important area is the Sky Court which is located in between the two wings of the terminal (airside). In this area, passengers can find all major fast food chains, restaurants, bars and several shops offering press, clothing, electronics and luxury goods.
Sleeping at Budapest Airport
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is one of those airports that are rarely dedicated for spending a night there. Neither is there a sleeping area nor are chairs at the airport shaped for those who wish to spend a night there. It occurs that there is no airport hotel right at the terminal as well.
There are several good hotels like Kempinski Hotel Corvinus in the city center
There are some choices in a short distance of the airport including many non-star rated hotels and two four star hotels named “Airport” and “Stáció Airport”. If you don’t feel comfortable with these hotels, you may check for a place to stay in the inner city. As Budapest is not very expensive, you may get a good deal for a decent hotel in the city center.
Lounges at Budapest Airport
Interestingly enough, at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport there is not a single airline lounge. All lounges at the airport are provided by third party operators.
The SkyCourt Lounge at Budapest Airport is quite decent
The lounges include Platinum Lounge, SkyCourt Lounge, Duna Lounge, Millenium Lounge and the MasterCard Lounge. None of the large alliances agreed on a single lounge operator, making it quite complicated finding the right lounge for your flight.
Overview of lounges at Budapest Airport:
- Platinum Lounge (Lufthansa, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways, selected SkyTeam airlines, Priority Pass)
- SkyCourt Lounge (Air Berlin, Finnair, selected SkyTeam airlines, Priority Pass)
- Duna Lounge (Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, LOT, selected SkyTeam airlines, Priority Pass)
- Millenium Lounge (Egypt Air, SAS, selected SkyTeam airlines, Priority Pass)
- MasterCard Lounge (Exclusively for MasterCard Gold, Platinum or World holders)
Transportation at Budapest Airport
Not only sleeping at Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport is anything but easy, transportation is, too. There is no direct connection from Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport to the city center. The bus line 200E connects the airport with the Ferihegy Railway Station (once connected to the now closed Terminal 1) and the stop of metro line 3, Köbanya-Kispest.
Public transportation to the city center is very stressful
Due to the long distance and the difficult transportation, a ride to the city center takes at least 50 minutes. Tickets for public transportation in Budapest are quite cheap, while taxis are very expensive in comparison. A ride to the city center currently costs around 6.500 HUF (~ 21 Euro / 23 US-Dollar) while a ticket for bus and metro costs only 350 HUF (~ 1.10 Euro / 1.25 US-Dollar).
- More information about public transportation at Budapest Airport
- Prices for taxis at Budapest Airport
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is the lounge open all night ?
Thanks for your comment! Sadly, the lounges at Budapest are not open during the night. The lounges with the longest opening hours are the SkyCourt Lounge (5 am to 11:30 pm) and the Platinum Lounge (5 am to 11 pm). I hope that’s helpful 🙂
does arranging a private car of the non uber variety work in hungary to help keep costs down.i will be there later this year cruise is same day i arrive budapest and they only charged me $78 for that.