How to Survive the Airport: Tips for Flying – Budapest’s New Airport

With the opening of Budapest’s new international terminal just weeks away, travellers are scrambling to get their bearings on the airport scene. Many have grown accustomed to flying through Deák Ferenc Airport, which has served as a secondary hub for nearly 60 years. Now, Budapest airport will soon be retired and all domestic and international flights will take off from Budapest’s new airport (officially known as “Ferenc Liszt International Airport”). Whether you’re seasoned or brand new to flying, everyone can benefit from a little pre-boarding prep. Here are some tips on how to survive the airport during your next trip:

Make the most of your layover

Ask yourself: “Will I arrive at the airport three hours before my flight?” The answer for most travellers is “no.” So, you might as well make the most of your layover and check something off your bucket list while you’re at it. While Budapest’s new airport boasts modern amenities and will certainly be a comfortable place to wait out a layover, its surrounding area doesn’t offer much in the way of attractions. Fortunately, the city’s other two airports—Ferihegy and Duna—sit just outside Budapest’s city centre, giving you easy access to the Central European cultural and culinary scenes. Ferihegy is the city’s international airport and the more convenient option if you’re flying into or out of Budapest. From there, it’s easy to reach the city centre by public transit. Duna sits just outside central Budapest and serves as the city’s domestic airport. While it’s a bit farther from the city centre, it offers free shuttles to and from the city centre, making it an attractive option for those on a budget and/or flying domestic. Ferihegy and Duna also offer free WiFi, making them ideal places to work, relax, and/or just have a cup of coffee while you wait out your layover.

Don’t travel with valuables

Nothing is more important than your health and safety when travelling, but if you’re not careful, you could lose a lot of money at the airport. This is especially true if you’re arriving at Ferihegy, which is more notorious for theft than any other airport in the world. To avoid losing your valuables, keep them out of sight and out of reach. For example, you might want to keep your jewellery in a money belt or just leave it at home. If you’re bringing a laptop, keep it in your carry-on bag to avoid losses. Your best bet is to leave your valuables at home and focus on the trip itself.

Stay in the know

If you’ll be doing anything commercial at the airport, you’ll likely need to be in contact with your airline. If you’re flying Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss Airlines, or any other airline that uses Budapest’s new airport as a hub, you can call their hotline and get updates about your flight. If you’re flying a different airline, take advantage of the airport’s free WiFi and keep in touch with your airline via email or social media. Downloading the airline app is also a good idea—the airport’s WiFi may not always be working. When it comes to the airport itself, you can keep up with new flight information by downloading the airport’s mobile app.

Commute from the city centre

If you’re staying in Budapest’s city centre, you’re in luck. Budapest’s new international airport is just a couple kilometres outside the city centre, meaning you can walk, cycle, or take public transit to get to the airport. Public transit is relatively inexpensive: The No. 200E bus runs every 15 minutes from Deák Square to Ferihegy and costs 350 HUF (approximately $1.50 CAD). Taxis are also plentiful, though you may not want to walk out to the taxi stand with your luggage. Instead, you can hail taxis from within the terminal building. If you’re staying in Buda, you’ll have to take a ferry to the airport. This ferry runs every 15-30 minutes and takes around 15-20 minutes.

Pack smart

The best way to survive the airport is to make sure you’re prepared for every situation. This means packing smart and leaving nothing to chance. First, make sure you have your boarding pass and travel documents handy. You’ll want to keep these on you at all times in case you get lost or need to make an immediate change to your travel plans. Next, pack light. You don’t want to find yourself struggling to drag your bag through the airport with dozens of other travellers. Finally, stay hydrated: airports are dry environments, so you’ll want to be drinking lots of water to stay healthy and hydrated. If you follow these tips, you’ll be well prepared to tackle the airport and enjoy your next trip. For more information about Budapest’s new airport, visit www.flybudapest.com> and www.flybudapest.com/terminal-exhibition> to check out the terminal exhibition.