In contrast to capitals such as London, Berlin or Moscow, which can be reached through various airports, Budapest has only one airport terminal - the international one, named after F. Liszt. Most travelers know him as Ferihegy, as he was called until 2011, when he was renamed in honor of the 200th birthday of the great Hungarian musician and composer. Budapest Ferihegy International Airport is the largest of the five international Hungarian air terminals and serves more than 10 million passengers a year from around Asia, North America and Europe.
A bit of history
The first quarter of the 20th century was marked by the rapid development of aviation, as well as the large-scale construction of various facilities necessary for flights and aircraft maintenance. At the end of the 20s of the last century, airfields and airports were designed and built in many European capitals . Budapest - as the capital of Hungary - is no exception. In 1938, a decision was made on the construction of an airport terminal, which could be simultaneously used for the needs of civil, military and sports aviation.
At the end of 1939, according to the results of the architectural competition, the airport project of the Hungarian architect Karol David Jr. was recognized as the best. According to his idea, the building of the passenger terminal should resemble the nose of a large aircraft in its shape. To implement this project, a site was allocated for construction located on the sections of the three administrative units of Budapest: Veshes - Pestentlerink - Rakoshed.
The construction of the airport began in 1942, but the war and hostilities dictated their conditions: military bases, the construction of which was started simultaneously with civil buildings, were completed by 1943. At the same time, the active operation of the airfield for military purposes began.
As a result of hostilities, like many other European airports, Budapest was almost destroyed.
The restoration of the aerodrome for civil aviation and the construction of the airport began only in 1947. The grand opening of the revived airport took place on May 7, 1950. Since that time, there has been an annual increase in both the number of flights received and departed, and the number of passengers carried.
An important stage in the development of the main Hungarian air harbor was 1985, when a modern second terminal was commissioned, serving airlines such as Swiss Air, Malev, Lufthansa and Air France.
In 1997, construction began on terminal 2B, which was commissioned in December 1998.
Despite many redevelopments, reconstructions and new buildings, Ferihegy Airport is a modern architectural monument.
Where is he located?
Only 24 kilometers from the center of the Hungarian capital is the airport of Budapest. The address of the air gate through which passengers from different countries arrive in the main city of Hungary is as follows: Budapest Ferihegy Airport, H 1675, Budapest Pf 53, Hungary.
Device
The Hungarian airport Ferihegy, recognized as the second largest in Eastern and Central Europe, after Vienna's Schwechat, has 4 terminals. The main ones are 1, 2A and 2B, and the more modest fourth serves the work of general aviation. Flights to Schengen countries are carried out from terminal 2A; 2B serves flights to states not included in this association. Flights of various low-cost companies are carried out through the first terminal. A special glass partition separates the departure zone to Schengen countries from the rest. The distance between the second terminals is small, and this makes it easy to overcome it on foot, but the first one is quite far, so special buses run here.
Like all modern airports, Budapest can receive a variety of types of aircraft on its runways. Most of the accepted aircraft are twin-engine Airbus and Boeing, slightly less - An-225 and An-124. It should be noted that this air terminal is an alternate aerodrome for flights heading to Vienna or Bratislava.
Services
All conditions are created for passengers waiting for their flights to Budapest Ferihegy Airport: the harbor has a luggage storage room, various restaurants, bars and cafes, a Duty Free area with many shops, and a functioning post office. In case of flight delay, you can spend the night in an airport hotel. Those travelers who are waiting for a change can relax in the room.
How to get to the city?
The question of how to get from Budapest airport to the Hungarian capital itself is puzzled by many tourists. However, there are no particular difficulties, you just need to choose the most suitable option for finances and time.
Taxi
The fastest and most expensive way to get to the capital of Hungary. The trip will be short, about 20 minutes, but will cost about 30 euros.
Bus
The most convenient and affordable option for getting from Budapest airport to the city. The main advantage is the ability to leave the terminal building at any time of the day. From 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. you can get to the nearest metro station Köbánya-Kispest (Kyubanya-Kishpest) by bus No. 200E, and route No. 900 runs at night. The cost of such a trip is a little more than 1 euro.
A train
As in the case with other international airports, you can get to the capital from the facility under consideration by train, but it will take a little longer. The price of such a trip is slightly less than one euro.
To the Balaton!
A distance of 212 kilometers is shared by the popular Hungarian balneological resort Heviz on Lake Balaton and Budapest. Heviz Airport has not yet become international, so you can get to it from the Hungarian capital by booking a transfer in advance. You will spend 2.5-3 hours on the road, for which you will need to pay from 35 to 80 euros per person. An individual transfer will cost a little more - from 130 euros.
In addition, Heviz can be reached by bus without making a change in Keszthely. From the airport you will have to get to the Budapest Népliget bus station (Nepliget) and buy a ticket for 12 euros. Buses run regularly from 6.30 in the morning until seven in the evening. In about 2.5 hours you will be delivered to the very center of the resort.