What Passengers Should Know
Publication date: 5 August 2026
Last checked: 5 August 2026
New access rules for taxis took effect at Budapest Airport on Monday, 3 August. Long vehicle queues formed outside Terminal 2 during the early-morning peak, raising concerns about airport transfers.
The rule has not been suspended. Licensed taxi drivers can now enter the airport’s passenger areas free of charge for five minutes once per day. Further entries, or a stay longer than five minutes, are subject to the airport’s parking or access fee.
Budapest Airport says Monday morning is normally one of its busiest periods. Other strong traffic peaks occur between 4:00 and 7:00, around 10:00–11:00 and in the evening, when several flights arrive close together. The airport also says it opens the barriers when payment causes queues to build up. Read the airport’s statement reported by InfoRádió.
The Fővárosi Taxi Egyesület, which represents taxi drivers, had asked for the measure to be postponed. It warned that repeated access charges could make airport work less practical for drivers and could reduce service quality. The airport says the change removes a special exemption and creates equal access conditions for service providers. The two positions are summarised here.
What does this mean for passengers?
Taxis can still take departing passengers to the terminal. If you are flying home, allow some additional time for the road journey, especially during the morning and evening peaks.
After arrival, the official Főtaxi ranks outside Terminals 2A and 2B continue to operate. Uber Taxi pickup is available through the app at designated points. Other licensed taxis can collect passengers when the journey has been booked in advance; follow the meeting instructions sent by the company or driver. Current taxi information is available on the Budapest Airport website.
The airport access charge paid by a driver should not be confused with the new HUF 800 airport surcharge included in Budapest’s regulated passenger taxi tariff from 1 August.
For central Pest, the direct 100E Airport Express remains a useful alternative. It runs around the clock between the airport and Deák Ferenc tér. The journey takes about 40 minutes and requires a special HUF 2,500 ticket. Check the current 100E information before travelling.
The practical advice is simple: taxis are operating, but road queues may still occur during busy periods. Confirm the pickup point in advance and leave extra time when travelling to a departing flight.
Written by Zoltan Szabo photographer and licensed tour guide
PhotoSherpa, Budapest Photo Walks