BUD — Budapest (Ferenc Liszt) — Taxi Fare Guide
Főtaxi is the only taxi company authorized to pick up at Budapest Airport under an exclusive concession. Go to the marked Főtaxi desk outside the arrivals hall (Terminal 2A/2B); staff hand you a slip with the car's plate number and an estimated price. Ignore any driver who approaches you inside the terminal.
Hungarian taxi tariffs are fixed by government regulation and metered, so there is no haggling and every licensed cab charges the same rate. As of 2025 the tariff is a base fare of HUF 1,100, HUF 440 per kilometre and HUF 110 per minute of waiting. The metered run into central Pest typically totals about HUF 10,000–14,000, depending on the exact address and traffic.
Ride-hailing works differently here: classic Uber does not operate, but Bolt is widely used and can be cheaper than a rank taxi, though airport pickup surcharges and surge pricing apply. Főtaxi also has its own app for booking and card payment. Cards are accepted in Főtaxi cars, but confirm before departure.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| City centre (Deák Ferenc tér / V. district) | HUF 11,000–14,000 | 25–35 min |
| Parliament / Kossuth tér | HUF 11,000–14,000 | 30–35 min |
| Buda Castle district | HUF 12,000–15,000 | 30–40 min |
| Keleti railway station | HUF 9,000–12,000 | 25–30 min |
Practical tips: Only use the official Főtaxi desk; keep the printed slip; the fare is metered, not fixed, so it varies with traffic; expect the total to be higher than the base estimate at rush hour; pay by card or in HUF cash, and have small notes for tips.
Other ways to the city
Budapest Airport has no rail station, but two well-organised bus routes connect it to the metro network:
- Bus 100E (Airport Express) - the direct airport service to Kálvin tér, Astoria and Deák Ferenc tér in around 40 minutes. It requires a dedicated ticket of about HUF 2,200, which is not covered by travelcards or the Budapest Card. Runs roughly every 10-20 minutes from early morning to late evening.
- Bus 200E + Metro M3 - the cheapest route. Take 200E to Kőbánya-Kispest, then Metro Line 3 (blue) into the centre. A standard single ticket costs around HUF 450, and the whole trip takes 50-60 minutes.
- Night bus 900 - covers the airport when 100E and the metro are not running, connecting to the night network.
- Főtaxi - the airport's exclusive taxi concession, metered at the regulated citywide tariff, roughly HUF 9,000-13,000 to central Pest.
- Bolt - the main ride-hailing app in Budapest, usually slightly below the taxi fare; pick up from the designated area outside arrivals.
Tickets can be bought from the BKK machines and counter in the terminal, or in the BudapestGO app. Validate before or when boarding.
Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Is there only one taxi company allowed at Budapest Airport?
How much is a taxi from Budapest Airport to the centre?
What is the cheapest way from Budapest Airport to the city?
Does the Budapest travelcard cover the 100E airport bus?
Traveling via another city?
Check taxi fare guides for other airports before you fly.
See more airport guides