Introduction

For those traveling from the UK to Budapest, you might ask which airports have direct flights to the beautiful city. Here, we’ll cover the UK airports that can get you to Budapest and supply you with the details for your travel plans.

What Makes Budapest Attractive and How It Affects Travel

Among all of Europe, Budapest is a popular spot, thanks to its amazing ruin bars, hot thermal baths and many historic sites recognized by UNESCO. Flying direct to eastern Europe from the UK is wallet-friendly, with prices as low as £30 each way on Ryanair and Wizz Air, according to Skyscanner. Visitors arriving by plane go to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), a 16 km distance from the city center. Take the shuttle bus for 2,200 HUF (£4.58) or a taxi for 10,000 HUF (£20.83) to reach the city. Reddit’s r/travel discusses how Budapest is easy to travel to, since there are at least 10 UK airports that fly there directly.

1. London Heathrow, known as LHR

For people traveling to Budapest by air, it’s easiest to go direct from London Heathrow Airport which is the busiest in the UK. From Heathrow, British Airways, one of the biggest UK airlines, offers several flights to Budapest each day. A flight will take you about 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

From all airports, British Airways has up to four daily flights and the cheapest economy fare is £80. Passengers in Terminal 5 at Heathrow can use lounges (starting at £35) and enjoy meals at Wagamama for just over £15. Go to ba.com to find out when your flight leaves. The Elizabeth Line (just 20 minutes from central London) makes sure getting there is hassle-free.

2. London Gatwick Airport is known by its code LGW.

Direct flights from Budapest are available at London Gatwick Airport which is also a big UK airport. You can fly between Gatwick and Budapest every day, thanks to Wizz Air. Flying between the cities takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

There’s Wizz Air with deals starting at £40, operating 1–2 flights per day. The South Terminal at Gatwick offers guests a shopping experience at Harrods and some tasty Nando’s meals for around £10. Buy your tickets on wizzair.com or you can get a Gatwick Express ticket from London Victoria to reach the city in 30 minutes for £20.

3. Manchester’s airport is called MAN.

If you are flying from outside London, Manchester Airport offers you direct flights to Budapest. Some of the airlines that fly normally between Manchester and Budapest are Jet2.com, Ryanair and easyJet. Most flights take about 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Fares on Ryanair start at £35, Jet2 at £60 and easyJet at £50, with one to three flights a day. You can find Pret A Manger (sandwiches cost £5) at Manchester’s Terminal 1. Go to ryanair.com, jet2.com or easyjet.com for flights. The airport can also be reached by train from Manchester Piccadilly (15 minutes, £5).

4. Edinburgh Airport is abbreviated as EDI.

If you live in Scotland, Edinburgh Airport is your top choice for going to Budapest. With Jet2.com, passengers can fly directly from Edinburgh to Budapest in 3 hours and 5 minutes.

You can find Jet2 cheap flights from £70 with about two to three flights every week. If you’re looking for a drink at Edinburgh Airport, Costa Coffee is available (price £4). Reserve online using jet2.com; trams from Edinburgh city center (in 30 minutes) take you there at a cost of £7.

5. Bristol Airport [identified by “BRS”]

Bristol Airport also offers flights to Budapest and easyJet provides regular direct connections that take about 2 hours and 40 minutes.

You can book a trip with easyJet for as little as £45 and flights depart 3–4 times weekly. Bristol Airport features Brunel Bar, giving you pints for £6. Another option is to use easyjet.com. Buses from Bristol Temple Meads (in about 20 minutes and cost £8) run to the airport.

6. You can find Birmingham Airport at BHX.

Birmingham Airport makes travel for people in the Midlands of England easy. It takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes to fly from Birmingham to Budapest on Jet2.com and Ryanair.

You can get a Ryanair flight for £40, a Jet2 flight for £65 and there are up to 2 daily flights on both. You’ll find Giraffe, serving mains for £12, at Birmingham Airport. You can book online at ryanair.com or jet2.com or catch the railway from Birmingham New Street (just 10 minutes and £4).

7. East Midlands airport is called (EMA).

Since it is only a short drive from Nottingham, East Midlands Airport provides direct flights to Budapest. You can fly from East Midlands to Budapest on Ryanair and the flight takes just under 3 hours.

Starting prices for Ryanair are £35 and they offer 3–4 flights every week. You’ll find Frankie & Benny’s (mains £15) at the airport. The ryanair.com website shows buses leaving from Nottingham (around 30 minutes, costing £6) for EMA.

8. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is known by the code LPL.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport gives travelers a choice when flying in the northwest of England. From Liverpool, Wizz Air travels straight to Budapest in about two hours and twenty minutes.

You can get a basic fare from Wizz Air for £40, plus 2–3 flights every week. The airport sells The Kissing Gate (worth £5 per pint). Visit wizzair.com to book and busses from downtown Liverpool (40 minutes, £3) will take you to LPL.

9. Leeds Bradford Airport which stands for LBA,

Another local airport, Leeds Bradford, also runs flights to Budapest. Leeds Bradford can be reached by a direct Jet2.com service to Budapest and flights normally take around 2 hours and 40 minutes.

You can fly on Jet2 from £70 and there are 2–3 flights per week on offer. The restaurant at the airport is called Saltaire Bar, where mains cost £10. Look on jet2.com. Buses take 40 minutes and cost £5 from Leeds to LBA.

10. Glasgow Airport operates under the initials GLA.

Scotland’s Glasgow Airport delivers access to Budapest for travelers. Travelers can take direct Jet2.com flights from Glasgow to Budapest which take about 3 hours and 5 minutes in total.

Jet2 prices start from £75 and fly two to three times per week on every route. Pints in the Caledonia Bar at Glasgow Airport are £6. Book with jet2.com and there’s a bus to GLA from Glasgow city centre (15 minutes, £8).

Additional Tips

You can try using Skyscanner, Kayak or Expedia when booking flights online. You can use these sites to check all the flights between UK airports and Budapest and pick the flight that fits your needs.

Flight schedules may be affected by the season and the airline you use. Checking the latest plane tickets from your town or city to Budapest is always the best policy.

Because airlines sometimes change their routing or times, always check the airline website before confirming your ticket booking.

If your local airport doesn’t provide direct service to Budapest, you might choose to fly there with a stopover in Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Vienna.

Practical Tips for May 2025

• Book Early: May’s peak season raises fares; book 2–3 months ahead via Skyscanner for deals.
• Check Baggage Fees: Ryanair and Wizz Air charge £10–£30 for bags; pack light.
• Arrive Early: UK airports require 2-hour check-ins for EU flights.
• Use Airport Shuttles: Budapest’s 100E bus (2,200 HUF, £4.58) connects BUD to Deák Ferenc tér.
• Monitor Currency: Use XE.com for HUF-GBP rates (1 GBP = 480 HUF).
• Stay Updated: Follow airline X accounts (e.g., @Ryanair) for schedule changes.

Why Fly to Budapest?

Budapest’s nightlife, with ruin bars like Szimpla (pints £1.67 vs. London’s £6), and sights like the Parliament (tours 10,000 HUF, £20.83) offer value unmatched by pricier capitals. Direct flights from 10 UK airports, per Kayak data, make it a quick escape, with shorter durations than Paris or Rome.

Conclusion

Now that you know which UK airports fly to Budapest, you can start planning your trip more efficiently. Remember to consider factors such as flight availability, duration, and cost to choose the option that best suits your needs. With so many airports offering direct flights to Budapest, you’re sure to find a convenient and affordable option for your journey!