How to get from Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport to Buda Castle

Cities & Metropolitan Areas · Hungary · Urban & Cultural · Buda Castle · Budapest · Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport

Getting from Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD) to Buda Castle is straightforward once you decide between the fast 100E Airport Express bus, the cheaper 200E+metro combo, a shared shuttle, or a door-to-door taxi/private transfer; below you’ll find at-a-glance picks, booking tips, and step-by-step directions for each route.

At A Glance (Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport to Buda Castle)

Mode Duration Best For
🚍 100E Airport Express + Castle Bus 16 ~50–70 min (including transfer) Most travelers, good balance of speed & cost
🏷️ Cost: ~HUF 3,000–3,500 total (100E ticket + local ticket) » official 100E info | alt. airport transfers
🚌 Bus 200E + Metro M3/M2 + Castle Bus 16 ~60–80 min (connection-dependent) Budget-conscious travelers, pass holders
🏷️ Cost: From ~HUF 1,000–1,500 with single tickets or included in city passes » tickets & passes
🚐 Shared Airport Shuttle Minibus ~45–75 min door-to-door No-transfers arrival, small groups
🏷️ Cost: ~HUF 3,000–7,000 per person » shared shuttles | alt. transfers
🚖 Taxi / Ride-hailing / Private Transfer ~35–60 min door-to-door (traffic-dependent) Late arrivals, heavy luggage, maximum comfort
🏷️ Cost: ~HUF 12,000–18,000 per car to Castle District » prebooked taxi | private car deals

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

How to Book and Practical Tips

  • Tickets for 100E & 200E: Buy BKK tickets from purple ticket machines in the airport arrivals hall or bus stops, or via the BudapestGO app. If you’ll ride several times in a day, consider a 24-hour or longer pass instead of singles.
  • Compare airport transfers online: For shared shuttles and private cars, compare offers on GetYourGuide, Klook, and Trip.com airport services.
  • Prebook a car if you land late: For night arrivals or lots of luggage, prebook a taxi-style ride with Welcome Pickups or a sedan/van with GetTransfer. As a local alternative, many travelers use the Bolt ride-hailing app in Budapest.
  • Plan your castle-area hotel: If you haven’t booked yet, it’s easiest to stay near Szentháromság tér or Dísz tér so you can walk from bus 16; you can check deals on hotels in Budapest, or filter specifically for Castle District/Buda side.
  • Drop bags before sightseeing: Buda Castle sights don’t have large luggage storage – stash bags at airport, station, or in town with Radical Storage Budapest locations.
  • Public transport etiquette: Validate paper tickets before boarding metro or immediately on buses/trams, keep your ticket/pass handy for inspections, and stand on the right on escalators.
  • Getting around Buda later: To explore further afield, consider a scooter or bike via BikesBooking Budapest, or simply rely on BKK trams, buses, and metro around the city.

🚍 Option #1 — 100E Airport Express + Castle Bus 16 (Most Popular)

Fast Frequent One easy transfer

  • Overview: Take the dedicated 100E Airport Express bus from Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport to Deák Ferenc tér in the city centre, then hop on castle bus 16 up to the Buda Castle District (stops at Dísz tér and Szentháromság tér), both a short walk from the palace complex.
  • How to book (with price): The 100E requires a special airport shuttle bus single ticket of about HUF 2,500. Buy it from BKK machines or via BudapestGO; castle bus 16 uses a standard ticket from about HUF 500 or is covered by most travelcards. For route details see the official 100E Airport Express page. If you’d rather reserve a bus or car in advance, check airport transfer listings from Budapest Airport on 12Go.
  • Pros: Direct into the city centre; simple connection to Buda Castle; runs early till late; good value for money.
  • Cons: Can be crowded at peak times; you must buy the correct 100E ticket (regular single tickets are not valid); one transfer still required for the castle.

Step-by-step: 100E Airport Express + Castle Bus

  1. After landing, follow signs for Bus or Public transport from arrivals in Terminal 2; look for the 100E bus stop just outside the terminal building.
  2. Use the purple BKK ticket machines at the stop or inside the terminal to buy an Airport shuttle bus single ticket (100E), or purchase/validate via the official BudapestGO app.
  3. Board bus 100E Airport Express towards Deák Ferenc tér. Keep your ticket handy as inspections are common.
  4. Ride the bus to the final stop Deák Ferenc tér. From here, walk a couple of minutes towards Erzsébet tér to find the stop for castle bus 16 (or follow signs for buses towards Buda Castle).
  5. Validate a standard BKK ticket or use your travelcard, then board bus 16/16A heading to the Castle District. Get off at Dísz tér or Szentháromság tér, both a short walk to Buda Castle and the Matthias Church/Fisherman’s Bastion area.
  6. From the bus stop, follow pedestrian signs to the main courtyards of Buda Castle and enjoy the views over the Danube and Parliament.

Getting to the main embarking points (Airport 100E stop / Deák Ferenc tér)

  • From airport arrivals to the 100E stop: Walk straight out of Terminal 2 towards the bus bays; the 100E stop is clearly marked. Ticket machines and information boards show next departures.
  • At Deák Ferenc tér: This is a major hub where three metro lines meet (M1/M2/M3). Look for surface stops signed for 16/16A to Buda Castle; staff and information boards can confirm the right stop.
  • Alternative last stretch: You can also ride metro M2 from Deák Ferenc tér one stop to Batthyány tér, then use bus 116 or walk/tram towards Clark Ádám tér and take the Buda Castle Funicular for a scenic uphill ride.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚌 Option #2 — Bus 200E + Metro M3/M2 + Castle Bus 16 (Cheapest)

Low cost Frequent More changes

  • Overview: Ride local bus 200E from the airport to Kőbánya-Kispest metro station, continue on metro M3 into the city centre, then switch to metro M2 or castle bus 16 to reach Buda Castle. This is usually the lowest-cost option, especially with a travel pass.
  • How to book (with price): Each leg uses standard BKK tickets (or passes). A single ticket is about HUF 500; you’ll typically use 2–3 tickets (~HUF 1,000–1,500) unless you hold a 24-hour or longer pass. Check valid ticket types and passes on BKK’s official tickets & passes page.
  • Pros: Very cheap, especially with a travel pass; frequent departures; 24/7 coverage with night services on parts of the route.
  • Cons: Involves more changes (bus + metro + bus); less comfortable at peak times; slightly slower than 100E.

Step-by-step: 200E + Metro + Castle Bus

  1. From airport arrivals, follow the signs to the public bus area and locate the stop for bus 200E toward Kőbánya-Kispest.
  2. Buy and validate a standard BKK ticket (or make sure your pass is valid), then ride 200E to Kőbánya-Kispest, the southern terminus of metro line M3.
  3. Enter the metro and ride M3 towards the city centre, exiting at Deák Ferenc tér.
  4. From Deák Ferenc tér, either:
    • Walk to the nearby stop for bus 16/16A directly to Buda Castle, or
    • Change to metro M2 towards Széll Kálmán tér, then ride castle bus 16 uphill from there.
  5. Get off bus 16 at Dísz tér or Szentháromság tér, then follow signs to Buda Castle’s courtyards and museums.

Getting to the main embarking points (Airport 200E stop / Kőbánya-Kispest / Deák Ferenc tér)

  • Airport to 200E stop: The 200E stop is in the same bus area as 100E; check the electronic displays for the next departure.
  • Kőbánya-Kispest: This is a combined bus, metro, and shopping mall hub. Follow metro signs and take line M3 into the city; escalators and elevators are available.
  • From Deák Ferenc tér to Buda Castle: Use bus 16/16A or metro M2 (one stop to Batthyány tér or two to Széll Kálmán tér) and connect to castle buses; signs clearly mark Buda-bound routes.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚐 Option #3 — Shared Airport Shuttle Minibus (Door-to-Door)

Door-to-door Good with luggage Can involve waiting

  • Overview: Shared shuttle minibuses (like miniBUD) pick you up at the airport and drop you close to your hotel or apartment in Buda, including near the Castle District. You share the vehicle with other passengers whose stops are on a similar route.
  • How to book (with price): Expect around HUF 3,000–7,000 per person depending on time of day and exact destination. You can prebook through providers listed on GetYourGuide airport shuttles, Klook Budapest transfers, or shuttle offerings on Trip.com. Some airlines and hotels also link directly to the official miniBUD booking page.
  • Pros: No need to navigate ticket machines or transfers; available late at night; good compromise between cost and comfort.
  • Cons: You may wait a bit for all passengers; drop-off may not be exactly at the castle but at your hotel nearby; more expensive than public transport for solo travelers.

Step-by-step: Shared Shuttle

  1. Before you travel, reserve a shared shuttle slot online with your flight details and destination address in Buda (for example a hotel near Buda Castle).
  2. After landing, follow the booking confirmation instructions to the shuttle meeting point in the arrivals hall or outside the terminal.
  3. Check in with the shuttle desk or driver, show your voucher or QR code, and wait for your vehicle to be assigned.
  4. Ride the shuttle into the city; you will be dropped at or near your accommodation, usually on the nearest accessible street to Buda Castle.
  5. From your drop-off, walk or take a short local bus/funicular ride uphill to reach the main Buda Castle courtyards and viewpoints.

Getting to the main embarking points (Airport Shuttle Desks)

  • Shuttle counters: Most shared shuttles have desks in the arrivals hall of Terminal 2. Follow the Shuttle or Transfer signs or the instructions in your booking confirmation.
  • Hotel coordination: Many Budapest hotels can arrange or confirm shuttle pick-up if you book your stay through platforms like Booking.com – check your reservation details for transfer options.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚖 Option #4 — Taxi / Ride-hailing / Private Transfer (Fastest Door-to-Door)

Door-to-door Comfortable Higher cost

  • Overview: Licensed airport taxis or prebooked private cars take you directly from the terminal to your hotel or accommodation by Buda Castle, with no changes and plenty of space for luggage.
  • How to book (with price): Official airport taxis to central Budapest and Buda Castle usually cost around HUF 12,000–18,000 per car depending on traffic. You can use the official taxi desk in arrivals, or prebook fixed-price transfers via Welcome Pickups Budapest, GetTransfer Budapest Airport, or listings on Booking.com (airport taxis & cars).
  • Pros: Fastest and easiest with luggage or kids; available 24/7; direct drop-off at your door.
  • Cons: Most expensive option; travel time can vary significantly with traffic; you need to watch for unlicensed taxis if you don’t book in advance.

Step-by-step: Taxi / Private Transfer

  1. On arrival, either go to the official taxi desk in the arrivals hall to request a licensed cab, or open your confirmation if you’ve prebooked with a service like Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer.
  2. Provide your accommodation address near Buda Castle (for example, a hotel around Szentháromság tér or Dísz tér); the dispatcher or driver will calculate or confirm the fare.
  3. Meet your driver at the designated pick-up point outside Terminal 2 and load your bags into the car.
  4. Drive into the city; in normal traffic the journey to the Castle District takes about 35–45 minutes, longer at rush hour.
  5. Your driver will drop you as close as possible to your accommodation (some historic streets are pedestrian-only, so a short walk may still be needed).

Getting to the main embarking points (Airport Taxi Stands)

  • Official airport taxis: Use only the official taxi partners signposted in the arrivals hall and at the terminal curb; avoid touts inside or outside the building.
  • Ride-hailing apps: In Budapest, many locals use the Bolt app to request rides; check the app for estimated prices from the airport to Buda Castle and follow in-app instructions to the pick-up zone.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport to Buda Castle)

How long does it take to get from Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport to Buda Castle?
Most trips take about 50–70 minutes with the 100E Airport Express plus castle bus 16, 60–80 minutes with the cheaper 200E + metro combo, and around 35–60 minutes by taxi or private transfer depending on traffic.

What is the cheapest way to reach Buda Castle from the airport?
Using bus 200E + metro M3/M2 + castle bus 16 with standard BKK tickets or a 24-hour/72-hour pass is usually the cheapest, especially if you’ll also use public transport later in the day.

Is there a direct train from the airport to Buda Castle?
No, there is currently no direct train from Budapest Airport to the city centre. The quickest public options are bus 100E or 200E combined with metro and castle buses; trains to the city run from other stations, not from the airport terminal itself.

Can I use a Budapest travelcard on 100E and other routes?
City travelcards and most passes are valid on regular buses, trams, and metro lines (like 200E and M3/M2), but not on the 100E Airport Express, which requires a special airport shuttle ticket. Always check current validity on BKK’s official site when you buy your pass.

Where can I store my luggage before visiting Buda Castle?
If you want to explore luggage-free before check-in, consider airport storage facilities or city-centre services like Radical Storage Budapest, which has locations around major transport hubs and tourist areas.

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