Budapest airport transfer with Meet & Greet
Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name sign, walks you to the car and takes you to your address.
After a long flight, the first half hour decides what your arrival will feel like. If someone is already waiting in the arrivals hall with your name, you need not look for the taxi queue, a ticket machine or an app: your suitcase goes into the boot, and you can sit back. That is the idea behind our Budapest airport transfer with Meet & Greet.
With our airport transfer you can travel from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) to any address in the city, elsewhere in Hungary or to the neighbouring capitals – and back again – door to door, in a vehicle agreed in advance. We have worked in premium chauffeur-driven travel for more than 25 years and completed more than 150,000 rides in that time. Our passengers have included business people, families, international performers, politicians, religious leaders and royalty – and the welcome is the same for all of them: discreet, punctual and safe.
A personal welcome
Meet & Greet – with a name sign in the arrivals hall
Meet & Greet is the foundation of our airport transfers. Your chauffeur meets you in person in the arrivals hall: waiting with a name sign, escorting you to the car and driving you to your address. You need not make phone calls in the hall, search for a car in the multi-storey car park, or work out which way to go in an unfamiliar city.
Three principles guide every pick-up: discretion, efficiency and safety. This matters all the more when you are not the traveller but are expecting a business partner, a distinguished guest or a family member visiting Budapest for the first time. From the very first minute, your guest meets the person who will accompany them throughout the journey – and you do not have to go out to the airport.
If the person booking and the passenger are not the same, please give us the passenger’s name exactly as it should appear on the sign, and a phone number on which they can be reached after landing.
Meet & Greet with a name sign
The chauffeur waits in the arrivals hall, so your guest spots them at once, even in a crowd.
Escorted to the car
They walk together from the hall to the car – nobody is left alone with the luggage.
Door to door
Hotel, office, private home or an address in the countryside – in a single journey, with no changes.
Local knowledge
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport – what you should know
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (code BUD, still known to many locals simply as “Ferihegy”) lies on the south-eastern edge of the capital, about 16–20 km from the city centre. Its traffic has grown dramatically in recent years: in 2025 it handled some 19.6 million passengers. In the morning and evening waves, that means noticeably busier halls and a busier access road.
One terminal, two sections: 2A and 2B
Today all passenger traffic uses Terminal 2; the old Terminal 1 has not handled passengers since 2012. If an older travel guide or booking confirmation still mentions “Terminal 1”, you can disregard it. Terminal 2 consists of two adjoining sections:
- 2A – mainly flights within the Schengen Area, for example from Germany, Austria, France, Italy or Spain.
- 2B – flights from outside the Schengen Area, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey, the Middle East and overseas.
- SkyCourt – the central hall linking the two sections, where shops, restaurants and lounges are found after security.
The flight number tells us where the aircraft is coming from – and therefore which section you will come out of. That is why we ask you always to give us your flight number when booking.
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
Since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at the external borders of the Schengen Area. Citizens of non-EU countries must have their facial image and fingerprints recorded on first entry. On non-Schengen flights – especially when several long-haul aircraft land at once – this can lengthen passport control. If your guest is arriving from outside the EU, do not schedule their first engagement immediately after landing.
Route
Budapest airport transfer to the city centre – route and journey time
From the airport towards the city you take the Ferihegyi gyorsforgalmi út expressway, which becomes Üllői út at Határ út. Üllői út leads straight into central Pest, as far as Kálvin tér; the districts favoured by most hotels and offices are reached via the Grand Boulevard (Nagykörút), inner Józsefváros and Ferencváros. For the Buda side, the route continues across the Danube bridges. To bypass the capital, or for destinations elsewhere in Hungary, the M0 ring road is the shortest link: heading from the airport towards Vecsés, the road joins it.
| Destination area | Typical route | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Central Pest (Districts V, VI, VII, VIII, IX) | Ferihegyi gyorsforgalmi út – Üllői út | The quickest area to reach; around the Grand Boulevard traffic slows at peak times. |
| Buda Castle District, Víziváros, Districts II and XII | Üllői út or Könyves Kálmán körút – Danube bridge | The bridges are the bottleneck; the Castle District is a restricted traffic zone. |
| Suburbs, rest of Hungary | Airport – M0 – M1 / M3 / M5 / M6 / M7 | Bypassing the centre, straight to the motorways. |
In normal traffic the journey to the city centre takes from around 25 minutes, but on weekday mornings and late afternoons it can reach an hour. In the morning rush, traffic heading into town is heavier; in the afternoon, it is traffic heading out – towards the airport. In rain, during major events and before long weekends it is wise to allow extra time. Renovation and widening of the Ferihegyi gyorsforgalmi út are being prepared for the coming years, so temporary traffic changes may also occur.
Two features of the city centre are worth knowing in advance. Private cars may not use the renovated Chain Bridge, and the Buda Castle District can only be entered with a permit. If you are staying in the Castle District or right by the Chain Bridge, please give us the hotel’s name as well as the exact address, so that we can agree the drop-off point beforehand.
Passengers and luggage
Which car should you choose? Vehicles by passengers and luggage
For an airport journey, two numbers mainly determine the vehicle: how many people are travelling, and how many suitcases they bring. The table shows the maximum number of passengers and pieces of luggage for each vehicle, together with the transfer fare and hourly rate published on our website. Free Wi-Fi and mineral water await passengers in every car.
| Vehicle | Category | Passengers (max.) | Luggage (max.) | Wi-Fi | Transfer incl. tax and parking | Hourly rate incl. tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Executive | 3 | 3 | free | €119 | €70 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Luxury | 3 | 3 | free | €199 | €125 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS electric | Eco / Luxury | 3 | 3 | free | €199 | €125 |
| Mercedes-Benz V-Class | VIP minivan | 7 | 7 | free | €179 | €110 |
| Peugeot e-Traveller electric | Eco | 7 | 7 | free | €149 | €95 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter VIP | VIP minibus | 6 | 12 | free | €334 | €120 |
One to three passengers
The classic airport sedan is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class: elegant, comfortable and restful even on longer journeys. For a distinguished guest, the spacious rear cabin of the S-Class or the quiet of the electric EQS is the right fit.
Families and small teams
The Mercedes-Benz V-Class takes up to seven passengers and seven pieces of luggage, with a premium leather interior. Its electric, also seven-seat counterpart is the Peugeot e-Traveller.
Lots of suitcases
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter VIP carries six passengers and up to twelve pieces of luggage – with golf bags, ski equipment or packing for a longer stay, it is the safe choice.
Families
Arriving with children? Child seats and a spacious boot
For families with young children, the airport arrival is the most tiring part of the trip: alongside the pushchair, travel cot and suitcases, you have the children to look after. With a car booked in advance, at least the transport is one less worry.
You can request a child seat when booking, suited to your child’s age:
- infant seat – up to 1 year,
- toddler seat – 1 to 3 years,
- booster seat – 3 to 6 years.
Please tell us the number and ages of the children, and any larger items – pushchair, travel cot, bicycle, ski equipment, wheelchair. That lets us tell you whether a sedan is enough, or whether you need the boot of the V-Class or even the Sprinter VIP. Far better to settle this in advance than to discover at the kerb that the car is too small.
Business travellers
Business arrivals: the meeting can start in the car
On a business trip every minute counts. If your flight lands late in the morning and a meeting awaits in the afternoon, the drive from airport to office is not wasted time: on the back seat you can review your notes, answer emails and make calls. Free Wi-Fi and USB chargers help with that too.
We offer companies a corporate rate; all of a company’s journeys can appear on a single invoice, and electronic payment is available. If you regularly welcome partners, or your colleagues fly often, it is worth getting to know our corporate chauffeur service – from airport pick-ups to meeting days at several venues, everything stays in one pair of hands.
When welcoming a distinguished guest, the vehicle is a message in itself. With its excellent sound insulation and massage seats, the Mercedes-Benz EQS offers a calm half hour even after a long flight, while the facing seats of the V-Class turn the cabin into a small meeting room when an entire delegation arrives.
Private and business aviation
Passengers arriving by private jet
Alongside scheduled traffic, Budapest Airport sees considerable private and business aviation traffic; these passengers are served by a separate general aviation terminal. Those who travel this way typically expect the shortest and most discreet possible transition between aircraft and car.
We welcome guests arriving by private jet in the same spirit as everyone else: punctually, unobtrusively, in the vehicle of their choice. When booking, please give us the aircraft’s registration or flight identifier, the expected arrival time, and the name and contact details of the ground handling partner. On that basis we agree the meeting point. The rules for the airport’s security area are set by the airport and the handling partner.
For such arrivals our clients most often choose the S-Class or the electric EQS; with a larger entourage and plenty of luggage, the Sprinter VIP is more practical.
Beyond the city limits
Airport transfers across Hungary and to neighbouring countries
An airport transfer does not end at Budapest’s city limits. From Budapest Airport you can travel straight to Lake Balaton, to Hungary’s larger cities, to the wine regions or to the neighbouring capitals – without train connections, changes or hauling luggage. The airport’s direct link to the M0 ring road also means there is no need to cross the city centre for destinations elsewhere in the country.
| Destination | Distance from Budapest | Travel time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Siófok (Lake Balaton) | about 109 km | about 1 h 15 min |
| Balatonfüred | about 129 km | about 1 h 45 min |
| Hévíz | about 196 km | about 2 h 15 min |
| Eger | about 129 km | about 1 h 30 min |
| Debrecen | about 229 km | about 2 h 25 min |
| Szeged | about 171 km | about 1 h 55 min |
| Bratislava (Slovakia) | about 200 km | about 2 h |
| Vienna (Austria) | about 245 km | about 2 h 30 min |
| Prague (Czech Republic) | about 525 km | about 5 h 30 min |
Distances and travel times are approximate, for normal traffic and without breaks.
Lake Balaton and Transdanubia
From the airport, via the M0 onto the M7 motorway, the road runs straight to Siófok and the southern shore, as well as Balatonfüred, Tihany and Hévíz. For holidays, weddings or conferences, see our Lake Balaton transfer page for details.
Northern and eastern Hungary
The M3 motorway takes you to Eger, Miskolc and the Tokaj wine region, and on towards Debrecen; the M5 reaches Kecskemét and Szeged. You will find the full range among our transfers within Hungary.
Vienna
From the airport via the M0 and the M1 motorway, crossing the border at Hegyeshalom (Nickelsdorf), you reach the Austrian capital after about 245 km. Details: Budapest to Vienna transfer.
Bratislava and Prague
Bratislava is reached on the M1–M15 route, crossing the border at Rajka; from there the journey continues via Brno towards Prague. See: transfer to Bratislava and Budapest to Prague transfer.
As a rule there are no regular passport checks at Schengen internal borders, but temporary or random checks can occur, so every passenger should carry a valid travel document. For routes around Hungary and abroad we send a tailored quote based on the vehicle rates – once we know the exact addresses.
A car booked in advance
Pre-booked airport transfer or the taxi queue?
There is an official taxi rank outside the terminal, and for spontaneous travel it can be a good option. A pre-booked car with a chauffeur, however, works on a different logic – it is not about the next vehicle in the queue, but about your booking.
- The vehicle is your choice. In the taxi queue you get whichever car is next. Booking ahead, you know whether an S-Class, V-Class or Sprinter VIP is waiting, and whether every suitcase will fit.
- No queuing. When several flights arrive one after another, a queue can form at the taxi rank too – but a pre-booked car is yours.
- The price is known in advance. Our transfer fares and hourly rates are published, and you receive the final quote before you travel. You can also pay by credit card.
- Welcoming guests, all in one place. If you are expecting a partner or family member, you handle the booking, and your guest knows before arrival who will be waiting.
If you are arriving alone, with hand luggage and a flexible schedule, public transport or a taxi may suit you. If it matters that the price and vehicle are certain in advance, if several of you are travelling, there is a lot of luggage, or you are welcoming a business partner or relative, a pre-booked transfer is the more predictable solution.
Departure
Transfer to Budapest Airport – when should you leave?
Planning your departure is simple arithmetic, yet many people leave it until the last moment. The starting point is when you should be at the terminal: at least two hours before take-off for a Schengen flight, and two and a half to three hours for a flight outside the Schengen Area. In the summer high season, during school holidays and before public holidays you need even more margin, and non-EU passengers must also allow for EES registration on departure.
Add the journey time to that. From central Pest it is roughly half an hour in normal traffic, up to double that at peak times, and even longer from the Buda side and outlying districts. For an afternoon non-Schengen flight from a hotel in Buda, then, a pick-up three and a half to four hours before take-off is by no means excessive.
- Check your departure time and terminal.
The flight number shows whether the aircraft departs from section 2A or 2B. - Count backwards.
Add the recommended airport time to the journey time for that time of day, then add a little in reserve. - Give us the pick-up address and time.
For a hotel, include its name; for a private home, describe the doorbell or entrance. - Say your goodbyes at home.
Only brief stops are possible at the terminal’s departures level, so farewells and rearranging luggage are best done before you set off.
If you are leaving from elsewhere in Hungary, a pre-booked transfer is especially worthwhile: several days’ airport parking for your own car plus the drive there and back often cause more trouble than they save, and train and bus timetables rarely suit early-morning flights. Leaving from Győr, Pécs, Szeged or the shores of Lake Balaton, ask us for a quote for the whole journey.
Booking
What details do we need for your booking?
You can book an airport transfer by phone 24 hours a day, on WhatsApp or by email; we have summarised the details on our booking and quote request page. The more complete your request, the more accurate the quote – and the fewer questions left for the day of travel.
About the arrival
- date and scheduled arrival time,
- flight number – for a private jet, the registration and handling partner,
- the passenger’s name for the sign and how to reach them after landing.
About the journey
- the destination address and any stops on the way,
- the number of passengers and pieces of luggage, and any larger items,
- the preferred vehicle and any child seats needed.
If you already know when you are flying back, you can book both directions at once. Vehicle rates and common questions are also on our prices and FAQ page. Our team will come back to you shortly with a final quote; if your flight is significantly delayed or moved to another day, please let us know as soon as possible.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How will the chauffeur find me at the airport?
Your chauffeur waits in the arrivals hall with a name sign, escorts you to the car and drives you to your address. Please tell us when booking which name should appear on the sign.
Which terminal will I arrive at in Budapest?
Today all passenger traffic uses Terminal 2. On a Schengen flight you will usually come out in section 2A, and arriving from outside the Schengen Area in section 2B; Terminal 1 has not handled passengers since 2012.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
The airport lies on the south-eastern edge of the capital, about 16–20 km from the city centre. Depending on the time of day, the journey takes roughly between 25 minutes and an hour.
How much does a Budapest airport transfer cost?
Transfer fares per vehicle, including tax and parking: E-Class €119, Peugeot e-Traveller €149, V-Class €179, S-Class and EQS €199, Sprinter VIP €334. For destinations elsewhere in Hungary and abroad we send a tailored quote.
How many passengers and suitcases fit?
The E-Class, S-Class and EQS take up to 3 passengers and 3 pieces of luggage, the V-Class and e-Traveller 7 passengers and 7 pieces, and the Sprinter VIP 6 passengers and 12 pieces.
Can I request a child seat?
Yes, when booking you can request an infant seat (0–1 years), a toddler seat (1–3 years) or a booster seat (3–6 years). Please tell us the number and ages of the children.
What is the EES, and does it affect my guest?
It is the EU Entry/Exit System, fully operational since 10 April 2026. Non-EU citizens must have their facial image and fingerprints recorded on first entry, which can lengthen the time it takes to come out on non-Schengen flights.
I am arriving by private jet. Can I still book a transfer?
Yes. Give us the aircraft’s registration, expected arrival time and the contact details of the ground handling partner, and we will agree the meeting point on that basis.
Can I go from the airport to an address outside Budapest?
Yes – to destinations elsewhere in Hungary, such as Lake Balaton, Eger or Debrecen, as well as to Vienna, Bratislava, Prague and other cities in the region. We send a tailored quote for the route.
Do you have electric cars for airport transfers?
Yes, the Mercedes-Benz EQS and the Peugeot e-Traveller are 100% electric. Every car has free Wi-Fi.
Read on
Related pages
Corporate chauffeur service and delegation transportCorporate rates, one invoice and electronic payment – in Budapest, across Hungary and abroad.Read more 
Budapest to Vienna transfer – door to door with a driverAbout 245 km, two and a half hours – even a business day in Vienna and back fits in comfortably.Read more 
Our fleet – Mercedes-Benz sedans and VIP minibusesFrom the Mercedes-Benz S-Class to the electric Peugeot e-Traveller minibus – free Wi-Fi in every car.Read more 
Booking 24/7
Book your Budapest airport transfer
Give us your flight number, destination address and number of passengers – your chauffeur will be waiting with a name sign in the arrivals hall. Call us 24 hours a day, or message us on WhatsApp or by email.