Airport Guide

History of Budapest Ferihegy International Airport

Built back in the 1940s as a base for both military and civilian air transportation, Budapest's principal airport was a marvel of its time, being designed by Karoly David Jr, a renowned master and one of the originators of the Hungarian modern artistic architecture movement.

Once construction came to an end in 1943, however, the exigencies of war meant that the civilian aviation plans were put on hold until 1950 when, under the control of the Soviets, the airport welcomed its first paying passengers.

After a decade of limited use, with services mainly flying to neighbouring Eastern Bloc capitals, the 60s and 70s saw a number of major development projects carried out at the airport, with runways extended and new terminals constructed.

This has continued to this day, notably with the 1997 opening of Terminal 2B, while plans are also in place for future improvements, including new terminal buildings and a massive new car park.

Travelling to Budapest Ferihegy International Airport

Located just ten miles south-east of Budapest's historic centre, Ferihegy International is easily reached by both public and private transport.

The easiest way of travelling between the two points is to simply take a trip on the Hungarian State Railway, which links the downtown Nyugati Station with Terminal 1.

Also serving the route are numerous public and private shuttle buses, though as yet the city's relatively ancient Metro system does not extend to the airport.

Driving a rental car in and around Budapest is straightforward, though it is often worth taking the train into the centre and then booking a vehicle from there so as to save money on car hire.

Airlines flying from Budapest Ferihegy International Airport

The second-busiest airport in the new EU member states, Budapest International welcomes nearly nine million passengers a year, with a growing number choosing to take advantage of the rise in cheap flights to Hungary.

Among the low-cost carriers flying in and out of Ferihegy is Eastern Europe's Wizz Air, which offers cheap flights to, among other destinations, Brussels, London Luton, Rome, Stockholm and Venice.

These are complemented by budget services operated by the likes of easyJet, Jet2.com and Germanwings.

Dominating Terminal 2, national carrier Hungarian Airlines operates a number of domestic and international routes, including flights to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London Gatwick, Milan, Prague and Warsaw, while the airline is also joined on the tarmac by the likes of Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa and Swiss International.

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Another article in this series is on London Heathrow Airport or you could use our search for more help