Start from where you're actually staying
Deák Ferenc tér, where 100E terminates, sits in the heart of central Pest, within walking distance of much of the inner city and connected to all three metro lines. If your accommodation is anywhere near central Pest, 100E gets you close without a transfer. If you're staying further out, or somewhere better served by the M3 metro line than by Deák tér directly, 200E's connection to the M3 may actually be the more direct route once you account for the walk or transfer at the other end.
Work this out before you land, since deciding at the terminal with luggage in hand is when an unofficial "taxi" offer inside the arrivals hall is most likely to catch you.
Bus 100E: the direct option
According to BKK's own page, bus 100E runs from the airport directly to Deák Ferenc tér, passing through Kálvin tér along the way, and operates around the clock, seven days a week. BKK's dedicated Airport Express page lists a journey time of about 40 minutes to the city centre, with daytime frequency varying by day of week but generally falling somewhere between every 6 and 15 minutes, dropping to every 30–40 minutes overnight.
The fare is a single dedicated airport-shuttle ticket costing 2,500 HUF, purchased on board via a card-payment device BKK calls Budapest Pay&GO, through the BudapestGO app, or at BKK ticket sales points. This ticket is specific to the 100E route — BKK's page states plainly that a standard Budapest transit pass does not cover it on its own, though pass holders can buy a discounted 1,000 HUF add-on fare through the BudapestGO app instead of the full single fare.
Bus 200E: the metro connection
Bus 200E also runs 24 hours a day, but instead of heading straight into the centre, it connects to the M3 metro line, according to BKK. Unlike 100E, it takes a standard BKK single ticket or valid pass rather than a dedicated airport fare — BKK's page states explicitly that the airport shuttle ticket used on 100E is not accepted on 200E, and vice versa, so check you're holding the right ticket type for whichever bus actually pulls up.
This route suits travellers who already hold a multi-day Budapest travel pass and don't want to pay for a second, separate airport fare, or whose accommodation sits closer to a station on the M3 line than to Deák Ferenc tér itself.
Taxis and ride-hailing
An official taxi rank operates outside the terminal. This guide could not independently confirm a current fixed or metered fare range from an official source, so treat any figure you see elsewhere as unverified and confirm the price with the dispatcher or driver, or check the fare through an official taxi company's own app, before you get in. Avoid anyone approaching you inside the terminal building offering a ride outside the marked rank or an app-based pickup point — this is a common pressure tactic at airports generally, not something specific to Budapest, but worth watching for regardless.
Compare by what matters to you
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Bus 100E | Staying near central Pest, no transfer wanted | Needs its own separate ticket, not covered by a standard pass |
| Bus 200E | Already holding a Budapest travel pass, staying near the M3 line | Not a direct run into the centre; needs a metro connection |
| Taxi | Heavy luggage, groups, late arrival, door-to-door | Highest cost; fare not independently confirmed here |
Late arrivals and luggage
Both 100E and 200E run through the night according to BKK, so a late landing doesn't strand you the way it might elsewhere, though night frequency is lower than daytime service. Both are standard buses rather than dedicated airport shuttles with generous luggage racks, so plan for holding your own bags rather than expecting large stowage space, particularly if the bus is busy. A taxi remains the more comfortable choice with heavy luggage or a late-night arrival where waiting 30–40 minutes for the next bus is unappealing.
Before you leave the arrivals hall## Currency and connectivity before you board a bus
If you haven't sorted out forint or a working data connection yet, do it inside the terminal rather than assuming you'll find a convenient option once you're on the move — buses don't wait, and neither 100E nor 200E give you a comfortable window to sort out payment mid-journey if your card or cash situation isn't already settled. See VoyageWindow's separate guide to paying in Hungary for what to actually watch for at an airport currency exchange counter specifically, since airport rates are not always the most competitive option available.
Decide between 100E and 200E based on your destination and what ticket you're already holding, buy the correct ticket type before boarding rather than assuming your existing pass works on both, and use the marked bus stops or official taxi rank rather than any unsolicited offer inside the terminal. This guide does not cover onward travel from Budapest to other Hungarian cities, or transfers between Budapest's own rail stations.