Airlines serving Budapest

Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is well connected across Europe and to a growing number of long-haul markets. Budget carriers Wizz Air (headquartered in Budapest) and Ryanair both operate extensive route networks from the city, generally offering the lowest fares but with the usual budget-airline trade-offs (baggage fees, less flexible changes). Full-service carriers including Lufthansa, British Airways and various Star Alliance/SkyTeam members connect Budapest to their respective hub cities for onward long-haul connections.

When to book

As a general rule, booking 2–4 months ahead of a summer visit tends to land reasonable fares; popular periods — the Christmas market season, major festival weekends, and any public holiday overlapping a weekend — are worth booking earlier, since both fares and hotel availability tighten up faster than for an ordinary week.

Which airport terminal

Budget carriers typically use Terminal 2A, while most full-service and Star Alliance/SkyTeam carriers use Terminal 2B — the two are within walking distance of each other, but check your specific terminal before planning a tight connection or arranging a pickup.

After you land

Once you've booked, see our full airport transfer guide for every option to get from BUD into the city centre.

Frequently asked questions

Which airlines fly to Budapest?

Budapest is served by a broad mix of full-service carriers (Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France-KLM among others) and budget airlines (Ryanair and Wizz Air both operate extensively from Budapest), giving a wide range of price points from most major European and several long-haul markets.

How far in advance should I book flights to Budapest?

For the best fares, booking 2–4 months ahead for a summer trip is a reasonable general rule, earlier for peak dates like the Christmas market season or major festival weekends.

Is Wizz Air based in Budapest?

Yes — Wizz Air is headquartered in Budapest and operates a large share of its network through Ferenc Liszt International Airport, often giving it a strong route selection and competitive fares into the city.