It was just announced that starting in September, there will be train service from Ferihegy 1 to Nyugati train station in the heart of the city. Buses will shuttle passengers from Ferihegy 2 to Ferihegy 1 until the tracks are in place for train service from both airports.

The guesstimated one way cost at the moment is 1,300 Huf to 1,800 Huf. Currently, the shuttle is 2,300 Huf and 3,900 Huf for a round-trip.

Due to the many complaints about taxi service, the airport has also put out a tender for one taxi service to provide services from the airport. This will cut down on rogue taxis that charge exhorbitant fees.

Ryan in Budapest
www.budabab.com
www.budgetnomad.blogspot.com

Rick Steves book says to call Taxi 2000 for a guaranteed no-meter taxi from the Budapest airport to the center.

Is this still a good way to make the transfer?

I think the taxi is the last resort the airport minibus is a better deal.

I've done more research and the mini-bus now costs 3,000HUF per person. Taxi 2000 tele: 2 000 000 charges 4100HUF per taxi to the Pest side and 4600HUF to the Buda side. Other options are Fo Taxi:3 222 222 which may be 4000HUF to Buda. You can find many taxi companies on the internet which are safe to use and less than the minibus, for two people. The key is to call a taxi, not to use those sitting outside the airport.

Here's the answer to my e-mail request from Taxi 2000 for transfer from the Budapest airport to a hotel on the Buda side.

The fix airport price is 4600 HUF. (One car for 1-3 people)
You just dial 06-1-2-000-000 or 06-30-2-000-000 from the airport, and in five or eight minutes the TAXI 2000's car will be in front of the exit.
Have a nice journey.

Curious as to where you got the info on the airport minibus costs. I've just found a price of 2,100HUF one way or 3,600 HUF return on Talking Cities. But it also says they stop running at 10pm, which is well before we arrive. Does anyone have experience of whether the 10pm finish is correct?

Also, do you have the email address for Taxi 2000 - it's always nice to have a piece of paper from a company confirming the price in case of later discussion!

Here is the e-mail for Taxi 2000.

Taxi 2000 Kft. Hoppál Ferenc [[email protected]]

I don't remember where I saw the mini-bus price. It may be wrong. I have a post here from a person in Italy who used it in March 2006 and it was 3.900ft round trip.It was 2300 one way in October 2005. You may buy your minibus ticket in the baggage claim area or in the arrival hall. I just e-mailed the airport to see if I can get the correct rates and times it runs. I'll post them if I hear back.

The Budapest airport has responded very quickly. Here's their reply:


the Airport Minibus cost 2.300 Forint= 10 EUR and they are working from 5 o'clock in the morning till 1 o'clock in the morning.

Thanks for the info. Amazing that the price for a taxi is about the same for 2 people as the minbus.

I have also discovered that City Taxi has a website that has an English option. The address is www.citytaxi.hu Their transfer is 100HUF more than that offered by Taxi 2000 for our hotel, so nothing much in the price, and it gives a couple of options when we arrive.

You also have to watch where you are going for that price by taxi...the rate varies depending on what district you are going to...4200 for Pest and 4700 for Buda...just an fyi.

Yes, absolutely. The nice thing about the City Taxi website is that it has it all broken down by area and colour coded on a map, so you can tell exactly what you would pay.

On an associated topic, their website says 'regardless of network you use you can call us without an access number' and their number is shorter than Taxi 2000. Can anyone educate me on access codes, please.

I think that if you use a calling card or a prepaid card..then you may have to use an access code...their number is probably set up like the 800 numbers in the states...but then i may be wrong...hopefully another fodorite will know the answer..