Page 234 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Budapest

232  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

GETTING TO BUDAPEST

Hungarians like to boast that Budapest improvements, making up for decades
is the heart of central Europe – a claim of neglect. Budapest can now be reached
with some justification, as the city acts as by motorway, with the fastest route, via
a major crossroads linking north to south France, Brussels, Germany and Austria,
and west to east. It has excellent rail links taking 17 hours if driving non-stop but
with the whole of Europe and its two for convenience, it is better to make
largest railway stations, Keleti and Nyugati use of the air links Budapest has with
(see pp234–5), are conveniently situated in major cities throughout Europe. A flight
the centre of town. Another main railway from London to Budapest, for example,
station is Déli pályaudvar, which serves the takes just 2 ½ hours. Transfers from the
western part of the city. The country’s airport by taxi or on public transport are
motorway network has undergone quick and efficient.
Arriving by Air other British cities. Seasonally bankrupt, the low-cost airlines
Airlines from around 90 towns there are direct flights from moved to the better equipped
and cities, in 40 different New York, and several airlines terminal 2A which had been
countries, now fly to Budapest. fly from the US and Canada via used solely by Malév. Terminals
The city’s airport receives other European cities. Direct 2A and 2B currently serve all
flights from major international flights from New York take departures and arrivals –
airlines that include Air France, around 8 ½ hours. A direct flights to and from Schengen
British Airways and the service operates between and non-Schengen zone
larger low cost airlines such Beijing and Budapest. countries alike.
as Jet2.com and Wizz Air. All terminals offer good
Between them, British Airways amenities and services. Catering
and the low-cost airlines Budapest Airport facil ities include bars, cafés and
operate over a dozen flights Budapest’s inter national airport restau rants. There are numerous
daily between Budapest and has three terminals, 1, 2A and boutiques and shops, as well
London’s international airports. 2B are 16–20 km (10–12 miles) as tourist offices, currency
In the UK, it is also possible from the city centre. Terminal exchange facilities and desks
to fly to Budapest from 1, the oldest terminal, is of major car rental firms.
Edinburgh and Manchester, currently closed although it may In 2011, Terminal 2 bene-
and there are indirect connec- reopen in the future. When fitted from the opening of
tions from a large number of Malév Hungarian Airlines went Bud:SkyCourt, a centrally
located building, which
links Terminals 2A and 2B.
Bud:SkyCourt has significantly
increased the commercial area
of the terminals and provides a
wide range of retail outlets,
international brands and
dining options for travellers.
Passengers can move through
the terminal building much
faster and the installation of six
security lanes on each side of
the building has made security
screening speedier and
more comfortable.

Package Deals and
Bargains
Low-cost airlines, such as
Easyjet, make getting to
Budapest much more affordable
than in the past. Good deals are
available year round, and the
further in advance you book, the
Passengers inside the Bud:SkyCourt terminal better the chance of a bargain.

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