Budapest Airport Guide

sleeping in budapest airport — (photo courtesy of a guest reviewer / June 2022)

Whether you have a layover, an overnight sleepover or you’re just passing through, our Budapest Airport Guide can help you get the most out of your visit. Here, you will find information about services and facilities available inside the airport. These include airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and more.

the only annoying thing was the cleaning lady blasting past me at 3am with her cleaning machine not really worried much about all the ppl trying to sleep. – jaxstar

BUD Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down of what to expect during your time at Budapest Liszt International Airport.

What to Expect

Budapest Airport (Code: BUD) consists of two terminals: Terminal 2A (primarily Schengen flights, Gates A1-A14) and Terminal 2B (non-Schengen and some Schengen flights, Gates B1-B19), connected by SkyCourt, a new passenger hall containing a shopping-mall-like selection of restaurants, cafes and shops. Some eateries are also on the landside, including at least two 24-hour eateries in Terminal 2B. You can easily walk between the two terminals. The airport offers free WiFi to help you pass the time. Looking for more comfort while you wait? There are several airport lounges, though none offer showers.

budapest airport guide — (photo courtesy of a guest reviewer / June 2022)

Sleeping in Budapest Airport

Airport staff are reported to be generally tolerant of overnight sleepers; however, travellers say that the overnight cleaning services can be loud. While there is plenty of seating in Terminals 2A and 2B, travellers report that landside areas and SkyCourt contain more comfortable seating and cushioned benches. For those seeking uninterrupted sleep, a hotel is connected to Terminal 2B and several others within easy shuttle distance. See the Airport Hotels section below.

Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Budapest Airport Guide.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.

Airport Hours

Budapest Airport is open 24 hours, both landside and airside. Security checkpoint hours generally follow flight schedules and may vary by day and season. As a guideline, security typically opens around 4:00 AM in both Terminal 2A and Terminal 2B and remains open until the last departing flight.

What this means for airport sleepers:
You can stay inside the terminal overnight. Security checkpoints reopen early in the morning, so if you arrive late and haven’t checked in yet, you may need to wait landside until screening opens.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

A reader reports a designated rest area in the corridor connecting the terminals. Seating is limited, but the chairs are described as more comfortable than standard seating. (Reader report, December 2024)

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Budapest Airport:

ibis Styles Budapest Airport Hotel – (0.3 mi) Mid-range hotel opposite Terminal 2, about a five-minute walk from the terminal.
Tribe Budapest Airport – (0.3 mi) Upscale hotel connected to Terminal 2 by a covered walkway.
Airport Hotel Budapest – (1.2 mi) Mid-range hotel with a complimentary airport shuttle.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

Terminal 2A

2A Platinum Lounge – Location: Terminal 2A, Airside, Schengen Departures, opposite Gate A8. Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Eligible airline passengers and frequent flyers • Partner programs.

Terminal 2B

Plaza Premium Lounge – Location: Terminal 2B, Airside, Non-Schengen Departures, Mezzanine Level. Hours: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Eligible credit cardholders and airline passengers.

2B Platinum Lounge – Location: Terminal 2B, Airside, Non-Schengen Departures, after Passport Control, Mezzanine Level. Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Eligible airline passengers and frequent flyers • Partner programs.

SkyCourt

SkyCourt Lounge – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, SkyCourt, Mezzanine Level. Hours: 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Eligible airline passengers and frequent flyers • Partner programs.

Mastercard Airport Lounge – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, SkyCourt, Mezzanine Level, next to the SkyCourt Lounge. Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Eligible Hungarian-issued Premium Mastercard cardholders, subject to card-specific access conditions.

Landside

BUD Services & Lounge – Location: Terminal 2A, Landside, BUD Centre. Hours: By advance reservation. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Advance booking required through BUD Services. The service includes a private VIP lounge, dedicated passenger assistance, private security screening and passport control, baggage assistance and premium vehicle transfer to or from the aircraft.

Food & Drinks

Food outlets are spread across both terminals and most follow flight schedules rather than staying open overnight. A few venues in the SkyCourt area are reported to operate 24 hours, including Negroni and Upper Crust. On the landside, Panopolis and Flocafé are open 24 hours.

For groceries, SPAR is useful for snacks and drinks.
Location: Terminal 2B, Landside, Arrivals
Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Drinking Water
Several readers report drinking water fountains airside, typically near restrooms and marked by a green “grass” symbol above the taps. (June 2024)

Another reader adds that tap water in Budapest is safe to drink, including at the airport. If fountains are busy or hard to find, you can refill bottles at restroom sinks—though the taps are not especially bottle-friendly. (Reader report, February 2025)

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Left luggage services are available. Rates range from 2,750 HUF (up to 4 hours) to 10,500 HUF (up to 72 hours) per item. Long-term storage is available for approximately 2,500 HUF per day beyond the initial period. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Location: unknown.

Mobile Charging

Travellers report power outlets and USB ports under some seating areas, as well as charging points near certain gates. Additional charging stations have been reported in the SkyCourt food court (upper level), with a mix of USB and standard power outlets.

Showers

Showers are not currently available at Budapest Airport. If this has changed, click here to update this guide.

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available throughout Terminal 2A, Terminal 2B, SkyCourt, and the Visitor Terrace for up to four hours per session. Connect to “bud:free wifi” and register with an email address. If the connection fails, retrying usually helps.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Chapel/Room of Silence – A quiet space is available for prayer or reflection. Location: Terminal 2B, Mezzanine Level. Hours: 4:00 AM – 12:00 AM.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available at Heinemann in the SkyCourt and in Terminals 2A and 2B during most of the day. In addition, you’ll find a mix of convenience shops, souvenirs, and travel essentials throughout the terminals. [ read more ]

Family Services

Baby Care Facilities – Four nursing rooms are available, each equipped with a chair, changing table, storage, and a microwave. Baby-changing tables are also available, mainly near women’s restrooms.
Strollers – Complimentary strollers are available throughout the terminals.
Children’s Play Area – A small children’s play area is located in the SkyCourt, offering a place for kids to burn off some energy before a flight.

Fast Track Security – Fast Track security is available as a paid service, offering access to priority screening lanes. Availability depends on the airline. Passes can be purchased online or at departure-hall kiosks in Terminals 2A and 2B.

Luggage

Luggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your bags? Baggage trolleys are available throughout the terminal buildings and parking areas.
Luggage Wrapping – BagWrap offers luggage-wrapping services in the check-in areas of both terminals. Hours vary by terminal and day.

Medical Services

Dental Clinic – A dental clinic dental clinic is located in the T2A, Arrivals area.
Pharmacy – A pharmacy is located in Terminal 2B (Departures, upper level). Over-the-counter medication is also sold at Relay shops throughout the terminals.

Money

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available in multiple areas of the airport, including baggage claim and SkyCourt. Fees may apply depending on your bank.
Currency Exchange – Interchange operates several currency-exchange counters across Terminals 2A and 2B. Hours vary by location.

Observation Deck – There are four outdoor observation terraces offering open-air views of aircraft operations and free WiFi. Entry is free, with seasonal hours and shorter access during the winter months. The terraces are located:

Landside, before security, overlooking the Terminal 2A apron
On the mezzanine level of the SkyCourt
On the mezzanine level of Pier B
On Pier 1, near Café Frei

These terraces provide a chance to step outside, stretch, and watch aircraft movements, particularly during daylight hours. Access, seating, restrooms, and hours vary by location, so it’s best thought of as a short mental reset rather than a place to settle in for an extended stay.

Post Office – A Magyar Post office is located in Terminal 2A.
Spa & Salon Services – Unavailable.
Smoking Rooms – There are no indoor smoking rooms inside the terminals. Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas, including the SkyCourt rooftop terrace and marked areas outside the terminal buildings.
Travel Agencies – OTP travel agency can be found in Terminal 2B.

Sightseeing

Do you want to make the most of your stopover or long layover by leaving the airport to do some sightseeing? Check out our Budapest Airport Layover Sightseeing guide.

Airlines

Budapest Airport is served by the following airlines: Aer Lingus • Aegean Airlines • Air Baltic • Air China • Air France • American Airlines • Austrian Air • British Airways • Brussels Airlines • EasyJet • Egypt Air • El Al Israel Airlines • Emirates • Eurowings • Finnair • Fly Dubai • Iberia • Jet2 • KLM • Korean Air • LOT • Lufthansa • Norwegian • Pegasus Airlines • Qatar Airways • Ryanair • Shanghai Airlines • SunExpress • Swiss • TAROM • Turkish Airlines • Wizz Air.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

Bus 200E links the airport (Terminal 2) to Kőbánya-Kispest metro station (M3 line). From there, you can take metro trains into the city centre.

A reader tells us, “The combined 200E (bus) and M3 (metro) ticket – still – costs 530 HUF, amazing value for money. The express 200E bus ticket costs 1500 HUF (up from 900 HUF, a steep hike). Both tickets must be [purchased] at easy-to-use machines before boarding the bus (there are four machines right at the bus stop). Tickets [purchased] ON the bus cost more.” (November 2022)

Bus #100E connects the airport to the city centre. This bus route operates 24/7, departing every 7-12 minutes during the day, every 15-20 minutes in the evening, and every 30-40 minutes between midnight and 3:30 AM. As of this update, the fare for the #100E is 2,200 HUF. You can pay with the Pay&Go service simply by scanning your bank card on the bus or purchasing a ticket on the BudapestGO app. Alternatively, you can buy your ticket at the BKK customer service centres located in both Terminal 2A and 2B or at the vending machines at the entrance to both terminals.

Car Rentals

Car rental services are available in Terminals 2A, 2B and the Skycourt area. On-site car rental agencies include Avis • Buchbinder/Mega Drive/Global • Budget • Enterprise/National/Alamo • Europcar • Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty • Sixt • Schiller Rent a Car.

Compare car rental prices on Expedia

Hotel Shuttles

See Airport Hotels above.

Minibus

miniBUD offers a shuttle-like service to and from Budapest Airport. Prices start as low as 6,00€ for a one-way trip. For more information, visit the miniBUD website.

Taxis

Taxis can be reserved at Főtaxi booths at the exit doors in both terminals. At the time of this update, the estimated fare for a one-way trip between BUD airport and the city centre is 10800 HUF.

Security & Safety

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Last updated: 2026-01-21

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.