The COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak may impact travel to Budapest. Current restrictions to Budapest are based on Hungary travel restrictions.
Budapest is a cultural hub that promises rich history, art and architecture on one hand, and multifaceted shopping, dining, and entertainment on the other.It’s worth exploring every inch of the city’s rich Jewish heritage and any time is a good time to visit. In spring, from March – May, the weather is pleasant, and summer crowds are yet to come. You’ll also find cheaper flights to Budapest and reasonable room rates. By the time fall sets in, the tourist crowds have dwindled. A visit between September – November will be appealing for similar reasons as during spring. In the peak tourist season from June – August, average temperatures reach 75 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit and it rains quite frequently. If you are planning a summer visit, try to book your accommodation in advance as most hotels are fully booked, and room rates are significantly higher. Winters in Budapest are quite chilly, and snowfall is common. Room rates are at their cheapest during this time of the year. February is carnival season, full of masked balls, donut festivals and wild parties. Bring your boots, coats, scarves, and gloves, and enjoy the lineup of fun festivals all through winter.
In the past two weeks, users have booked deals to Budapest for $19/person, which is 98% cheaper than the average flight to Budapest. To find the cheapest price to Budapest from your area, use momondo’s Airport-to-Airport Pricing Tool.
The cheapest month to fly to Budapest from United States is in March. Flight prices, which tend to average around $580, are often lower during this time because this is during the off-season. The month of February is another great option to travel to Budapest, with average flight prices from United States averaging around $583.
In general, most travelers find the cheapest time to book a flight to Budapest is about 56 days prior to their departure date when tickets on average are $631. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Budapest from United States for as low as $435 on momondo.
The cheapest day to depart on your flight to Budapest is on a Monday when prices can be found for as low as $652. This is often the case because there is less demand to fly during this day of the week. The most expensive day to fly to Budapest is Friday, with ticket prices averaging around $694.
Our most recent data shows that the best time of day to fly to Budapest is in the morning. Flights from United States to Budapest during this time can be as low as $617. In contrast, the most expensive time of day to depart to Budapest is in the afternoon when prices are around $703.
Budapest has a lot of good places to hike, such as Gellért Hegy. Many locals as well as tourists enjoy hiking the mountains near Budapest, especially in the colder months for more of a challenge and some beautiful scenery. Hiking in the area is often enjoyed most when the weather begins warming up and the chance for rain is low. Considering this, it would be recommended to fly to Budapest during May, June, and July to take advantage of the warmer weather and go for a hike. During the warmer months, hikers around the Budapest area find that parks like Nepliget are the best for taking long walks with their families and/or pets. Those looking for this type of experience are likely best suited to fly to Budapest in May, June, or July.
Miskolc Airport can be an alternative airport used for travel to Budapest.
Prices vary based on where travelers are departing from, but on average, the cheapest airport to fly to in Budapest is Miskolc Airport where the average price is $957pp. Users typically find the best prices when using momondo’s Airport-to-Airport Pricing Tool.
Currently, Hungary travel restrictions include travel to Budapest. Entry restrictions
As of September 1, the Government of Hungary has reintroduced border protection measures in force during the first wave of COVID-19. Hungary has restricted flights to and from the UK from December 22. Hungary has restricted the entry to most foreign travelers starting from September 1, except Hungarian nationals, residents, military, diplomatic, humanitarian, transit flights and foreign nationals attending or participating in some sports events. Travelers with a residence permit issued by Hungary with validity for at least 90 days may enter Hungary.
Entry requirementsForeign nationals may enter Hungary to attend international sporting or cultural events, but must leave within 72 hours of arrival. Travelers must present proof that the purpose of travel is to attend and international sporting or cultural event. Travelers arriving from Schengen Zone, the US or Canada must present two negative COVID-19 tests within 5 days of arrival but at least 48 hours apart. Travelers are subject to a temperature check on arrival but are not subject to quarantine measures. Foreign nationals arriving to Hungary for business and trade related purposes may enter the country without the need to show a negative test results, nor any time limit on their stay. On entry, travelers must present proof of an essential business requirement for entering Hungary, e.g. an official letter from your company that includes contact details for verification purposes, or an invitation to a business event. Travelers are subject to a temperature check on arrival but are not subject to quarantine measures.
Quarantine requirementsTravelers are subject to medical screening and quarantine for 14 days.
Transiting rulesTravelers transiting through Hungary must provide proof that entering the border is for the purpose of traveling directly to another destination outside Hungary; state the reason for travel and provide proof that they are able to transit to their final destination, for example a hotel reservation or proof of address in another country, a travel ticket, or similar evidence.
If you are planning to travel to Budapest at this time, it is recommended that you stay up to date on current restrictions and follow proper safety measures while in public.There are no direct flights from any U.S. city to Budapest. Several airlines offer flights with 1 or more stops. You can chose to fly with Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, TAP Air Portugal, British Airways, Air France, Swissair, Aeroflot, Norwegian Air Canada, Finnair, Delta Air Lines, Brussels Airlines, Ukraine International, KLM, Air China, Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, Alitalia, SAS, United Airlines, Aer Lingus, eurowings, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Austrian Airlines, and Iberia.
Known by various names such as Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, or Budapest Ferihegy International Airport or just Ferihegy, BUD is about 10 miles from Budapest. Here are some of the transportation options from the airport to the city center.
Public transportation
A few of the local city bus routes pass through the airport. Bus route #100E provides a direct link between the airport and city center. Buses run between 5.00 a.m. – 12.30 a.m. and drop passengers to Deák Ferenc tér in Budapest. One-way fare for this route is 900 HUF. Bus route #200E runs between Terminal 2 and the Kőbánya-Kispest metro terminal (metro line M3). From here you can take the M3 metro towards Újpest Központ to reach the city center. One-way fare on this route is 350 HUF for the bus and another 350 HUF for the metro. Tickets can be purchased from several BKK customer service points, newsagents, the post office located on the mezzanine level of Terminal 2A, or from the ticket machines at the bus stop. You can also buy a ticket on-board from the bus driver for 450 HUF. Since this journey involves a transfer, you may want to look at purchasing a Transfer Ticket for 530 HUF. The total journey time is approximately 40 minutes.
Airport shuttles
miniBUD is the official airport shuttle service provider for Budapest Airport. One-way fares start at approximately 2,200 HUF per person. The journey time from the airport to the city center depends on the destination of various passengers, hence it may not be the fastest option for reaching the city.
Taxis
Főtaxi is the official taxi company that transports passengers between the terminals and Budapest. You can reserve a taxi at the Főtaxi booths located at the exits at Terminals 2A and 2B. Fares start at a base fee of 450 HUF, followed by 280 HUF per kilometer and a waiting charge of 70 HUF per hour. A ride to the city center will typically cost around 6,500 HUF – 8,000 HUF and take 30 – 40 minutes depending on traffic.
Car rentals
Most of the major car rental companies have a presence at Budapest Airport. You can also look for deals on car rentals with momondo.
Budapest’s vibrant neighborhoods, historic architecture, and pedestrian-friendly streets are best explored on foot. An added advantage is that many of the popular tourist attractions are within a short walk from each other. If you do not wish to walk everywhere, you can use the efficient and extensive public transport system. As far as possible, avoid driving in the city, as parking is scarce and several one-way streets make navigation quite tedious.
Public Transportation
The BKK operated public transport network consists of over 200 bus routes, 4 metro lines, and several tram lines. A single ticket on most of the bus routes and all trams and metro lines costs 350 HUF. A transfer ticket which allows 1 transfer costs 530 HUF. You can also purchase a 24-hour Budapest travelcard for 1,650 HUF and enjoy unlimited day long travel on buses, trams, and the metro. There is a scheduled boat service on the Danube river from spring through fall. One-way boat fares are 750 HUF. Use the Funicular service to travel up to Castle Hill from Clark Adam Square. The fare is 1,100 HUF for a single ride and 1,700 HUF for a return ticket.
Taxis
Taxis are easily available throughout the city. Official taxis bear a yellow license plate, a yellow taxi sign and an ID badge on the dashboard.
Biking
Budapest offers close to 100 miles of designated cycling pathways and the city’s official bike-share program is called BuBi (short for Budapest Bicycle). Visitors can buy a 24-hour ticket for 500 HUF and enjoy access to over 1,300 bikes across 100 plus bike stations in the city. Each ride should not exceed more than 30 minutes.
U.S. nationals do not need a visa to enter Hungary for up to 90 days for business or tourism. For foreign nationals, please check the Schengen Visa Info website.
Get an overview of the top hotels in the most popular neighborhoods of Budapest
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Find cars in BudapestEnjoy the amenities of home away from home. Learn more about vacation rentals here.
Find rentals in BudapestA city that dates back to the Old Stone Age, Budapest is steeped in history, and offers a range of sights and attractions. Architecturally, the city is a treasure trove with Roman, Neo-Gothic, Renaissance and Ottoman styles on display. Culturally, you will discover something new in the food, drinks, and round the year line-up of festivals. The scores of thermal baths are reason enough for a dedicated trip for wellness and relaxation. With so much to see and do here, it is quite likely that you may want to travel to Budapest more than just once!
Invest in a Budapest Card
Earn significant discounts and savings, a few free tours, and unlimited usage of all public transport when you buy a Budapest Card. The card comes with a validity of 24-hours, 48-hours or 72-hours and costs between 6,000 HUF – 11,600 HUF depending on the duration you choose.
Don’t miss the thermal baths
The fürdoks (thermal baths) in Budapest are open all year round. A soak in one of the baths is a quintessential Budapest experience. With over 100 thermal springs, various baths around the city cater to different tastes, from relaxation to cures for illnesses. Check out the 1913-built Széchenyi Spa and Swimming Pool, one of the largest bathing complexes in Europe. Széchenyi offers 18 pools of medicinal natural hot spring waters. Visit the Gellért Spa for its grand Art Nouveau architecture, and Art Deco details. History buffs will appreciate the Király Bath that dates back to the Middle Ages, or the 16th-century dated Rudas Bath. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit when you visit Budapest!