Budapest Airport Made Easy: How to Use the 100E Airport Express Like a Local

If you are already dreaming of spring or summer in Budapest and busy booking flights, there is one thing you really do not have to stress about: getting from the airport to the city centre quickly and affordably. From October 2025, Budapest’s 100E Airport Express has become an even smarter choice for many travellers, especially if you already use public transport passes during your stay. This direct bus connects Liszt Ferenc International Airport with downtown Pest all day and all night, giving you a smooth, predictable start or end to your holiday.

What is the 100E Airport Express and why is it so popular?

The 100E Airport Express is a dedicated airport bus that runs between Budapest Airport (Liszt Ferenc Airport 2) and the city centre, with a travel time of around 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. It operates around the clock, every day of the week, with frequent departures during the day and regular night services, so even late-night arrivals or early-morning departures are covered. The bus runs between the airport and Deák Ferenc tér in the heart of the city, stopping at key central hubs such as Kálvin tér and, at certain times, Astoria, making it ideal if your hotel or apartment is in the inner city. For many visitors, this line offers the perfect balance of comfort, price and reliability compared to taxis or shuttle services.

New: discounted 100E tickets for pass holders

From 1 October 2025, travelling between the city centre and the airport has become cheaper for those who already hold certain passes. If you have a valid Budapest-pass (except the 15-day Budapest-pass), a Pest County Pass or a Hungary Pass – either in paper form or in the BudapestGO app – you can buy an add-on ticket for the 100E Airport Express for just 1,000 HUF, which is the price of two regular single tickets. This add-on ticket is significantly cheaper than the standard airport shuttle bus single ticket and is a great deal if you are staying longer in Budapest and plan to use public transport a lot during your visit.

The add-on ticket is available in the BudapestGO app under the “Further transport tickets” or “Other transport tickets” section and can only be purchased and validated if you have a valid digital or paper pass. When boarding the 100E, you first show your valid pass to the driver or inspector, then validate your add-on ticket in the app – once that is done, you are ready to enjoy the ride to the airport or back into town. This solution is particularly convenient if you already use a pass for trams, metros and other buses during your stay, as you do not need a separate full-fare airport ticket.

How much does the 100E ticket cost without a pass?

If you do not have any of the above passes, you can still easily use the 100E, but you will need to buy the regular Airport shuttle bus single ticket. From 1 October 2025, this ticket costs 2,500 HUF instead of the previous 2,200 HUF. You can purchase this ticket in several ways: via the BudapestGO mobile app, from BKK ticket machines, or at ticket offices at the airport and in the city. The digital ticket must be validated before starting your journey by scanning the QR code on the bus or using NFC with your phone, then showing the animated screen when boarding through the front door.

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If you accidentally buy the add-on ticket without having a valid pass, you are not allowed to travel with it on the 100E, but you can refund the unused product and instead purchase the full-price airport shuttle bus single ticket in the app for 2,500 HUF. It is worth checking carefully which ticket you select in BudapestGO to avoid confusion and make sure you board with the right product.

Who can ride the 100E for free?

Budapest remains very friendly for certain traveller groups when it comes to public transport. Passengers under 14 and over 65 years of age can use the 100E Airport Express free of charge. In addition, anyone who is entitled to free local travel in Budapest due to age or health reasons may also ride the 100E without buying a ticket. This is particularly good news for multigenerational family trips, where grandparents and younger children can travel together from the airport into the city without additional costs.

Why you should download the BudapestGO app before your trip

The BudapestGO app has become an essential tool for moving around the city and to and from the airport. According to BKK, more than 3.8 million users have already registered in the app, and each month around 1.4–1.5 million people use it actively to plan their journeys. Since its introduction, customers have planned over 160 million trips with BudapestGO, and in a single month almost half a million people buy tickets or passes through it. For you as a visitor, this means a mature, reliable digital service where you can buy your Airport shuttle bus single ticket or the add-on ticket for 100E if you have a pass, purchase Budapest public transport tickets and passes, and plan your route in real time across the whole network.

To make sure you always get the latest features and improvements, it is a good idea to enable automatic updates for the app in your phone’s settings. When combined with navigation tools like Google Maps, BudapestGO gives you a very smooth experience and helps you avoid queues at ticket machines, especially at busy times at the airport or near major sights.

Start your holiday relaxed – let 100E do the work

Once you have your ticket or pass sorted, there is really nothing else to worry about: just hop on the 100E Airport Express and enjoy the ride into the city. The bus drops you right in the centre, close to many hotels, hostels and metro connections, so you can continue your journey easily whether you are heading to the Danube, the ruin bars, or the historic Castle District. With clear signage, English-language information and frequent departures, the 100E is one of the simplest ways to start or end your stay in Budapest. Instead of negotiating taxi prices or searching for shuttles, you can sit back, look out the window and let the city slowly reveal itself as you roll towards your next adventure.