Flights to Budapest (BUD)

When to Book Flights to Budapest?

If you are looking for flights to Budapest in Hungary, then the best time to visit is from March to November when the weather is at its warmest, although bear in mind that from June to August, the city is very crowded. The climate in Hungary’s capital is mainly mild, with temperatures ranging from 30F in January to 70F in July and August. Depending on your departure point and when you are flying, you can find cheap flights to Copenhagen from around $541 for a round trip.

It might be worth pairing your visit with one of Budapest’s various festivals and sporting events. In June, these include the Red Bull Air Race and the Czech Beer Festival Budapest, and in July, the city is abuzz with both the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix Budapest and the Vajdahunyad Castle Summer Music Festival. The Budapest Summer Festival runs from June to August.

How to Find the Best Flight Deals to Budapest?

To find cheap Budapest flights on Orbitz, first input your departure point and destination in the search bar. Next, select whether your dates are fixed or flexible (you are more likely to find the best deals if you select ‘flexible’). You can also select preferences such as seating class, refundable flights, and direct/indirect journeys etc. Bear in mind that some U.S. departure points will not have direct flight options.

Remember that when booking your flight, you can join Orbitz Rewards to collect points that can be redeemed on hotels. Overall, the more flexible you are about your trip preferences, the more likely you are to find cheap flights to Budapest.

US Departures to Budapest

Both direct and indirect flights to Budapest, Hungary depart from across the USA. Here are the shortest flight times from the following major cities:

• New York to Budapest – 8 hours, 35 mins
• Los Angeles to Budapest – 13 hours, 25 mins (no direct flights)
• Chicago to Budapest – 10 hours, 50 mins (no direct flights)
• Houston to Budapest – 15 hour (no direct flights)
• Philadelphia to Budapest – 9 hours

Main Airports in Budapest

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)

Budapest Ferihegy, as the airport is commonly called, is the main airport for Budapest. It is located just under 10 miles from the center of Budapest and you can reach the city center by bus or taxi. American Airlines, Delta and United are some of the major airlines that fly there.

Which Airlines Fly to Budapest

As well American Airlines, Delta and United, other airlines that fly to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport from the U.S. include:

• British Airways
• Air Canada
• Iberia
• Finnair
• Turkish Airlines

How to Get to and Around Budapest

Budapest is a city where stunning architecture mingles with historical eccentricities, and where hot springs compete for your attention with hidden caves. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, the city is a treasure box of fascinating sights.

The city is easy enough to explore by foot. However, bear in mind that it can be hilly in parts, particularly the landmark Gellért Hill. Plus, as some areas have cobblestones, it might also be advisable to wear flat shoes.

The quickest way to travel around the city is via the metro system. For a more scenic mode of transportation, you can take the BKK boat service along the river. It is worth noting that in Budapest, taxis aren’t fully regulated by the government and can often try to overcharge tourists, so aim to use public transport as much as possible instead.

U.S. citizens who want to drive in Hungary must have an international driver’s permit and also their state license with them. The country is right-hand drive.

To travel from the airport to the center of Budapest, you can take a bus 100E, which runs every half hour and takes 35 minutes. Airport taxis also take around 35 minutes, depending on traffic.

What Are the Must-Sees in Budapest?

You can walk around many of the main sights in Budapest within an hour or two. Unmissable highlights include the exquisite 18th century Buda Castle and art collection, the Fisherman's Bastion turreted fortress with its amazing city views, the gothic-revival style Hungarian Parliament Building and the 235-metre high Gellért Hill, which overlooks the Danube. It is also worth visiting the Széchenyi thermal bath, the largest medicinal bath in Europe, which has both indoor and outdoor pools.

Curious about seeing Dracula’s old hangout? The Labyrinth of Buda Castle is a collection of caves where Vlad Tepes, also known as Count Dracula, was once imprisoned. Other lesser-known attractions include the atmospheric Budapest Cave Church hidden away in Gellért Hill and the former home of a hermit monk, and the haunting Istvántelek Train Yard that serves as a ‘graveyard’ for rusting trains.

Tips and Tricks for Traveling in Budapest

Hungary is in the CEST time zone, six hours ahead of Washington D.C. Citizens from the U.S. can enter the country for up to 90 days without a visa. However, note that your U.S passport should be valid for three months beyond the period of stay. You need have a return airline ticket and sufficient funds for your stay. It is safe to drink the tap water in Budapest and English is widely spoken.

*Savings based on all holiday package bookings with Flight + Hotel on Orbitz.com from January through December 2017, as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages. For Free Flight or 100% Off Flight deals, package savings is greater than or equal to the current cost of one component, when both are priced separately.