Compare Budapest Airport car hire

Everyone knows Budapest is a great city break, but how many have headed up the Danube to gorgeous Duna-Ipoly National Park? Too few, if you ask us. Hire a car to explore the city – particularly the Buda side, where there is less public transport – and discover the lesser-known countryside around it in 2024.

Language: Hungarian | Currency: Forint | Avg. Flight time: 2 hrs 25 mins

Arranging to pick up a cheap rental car at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is straightforward, with big names such as Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Budget and Europcar based there. Once you’ve got the keys to your rental car, it’s an easy 40-minute drive along Route 4 to get into the city.

The car hire desks at Budapest Airport can be found on the Skycourt Arrival level in Terminal 2. You will usually pick up your car at Terminal 2 Parking, a short walk away.

Car hire companies that have desks at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport include:

• Budget (Tel: +36 70 931 8001)
• Sixt (Tel: +36 1 296 0158)
• Hertz (Tel: +36 1 296 0996)
• Europcar (Tel: +36 1 421 8370)

If you’d prefer to collect your vehicle once you get to Budapest, you’ll find most major international brands also have offices in the city centre. Unusually, the main station isn't a hub for car hire companies – you are better off in Lipótváros and Inner City, where you'll find Hertz, Europcar, Avis and others.

Driving is relatively easy on both sides of Budapest, but you will often find traffic is heavier on the Pest side, whose riverside districts are the city's downtown and commercial heart. That said, navigating here can be a little easier, particularly in the grid-like Lipótváros and Újlipótváros areas. Over on the Buda side, streets around Buda Castle and the Royal Palace wind and intersect, and can become confusing if you don't have a satnav.

Stay alert at all times, especially in the historic centre, as local drivers can be quite aggressive and fast. It's also worth noting that many of the streets in the downtown district of Pest are one-way, and that trams and buses will be sharing the road – and will almost always have right of way.

When it comes to parking, the good news is that on-street spaces are free in the evenings and at weekends. The bad news is there are too few of them. Multi-storeys are your best bet in Pest's downtown district, and many are open 24 hours a day. For Vaci Street shopping, try Szervita Parkoló or Aranykéz Parkolóház

Most major international brands also have offices in the city centre and some even have desks in the bigger hotels, if you’d prefer to collect your vehicle once in the centre of the city. To find out how to reach the city centre from the airport, visit our getting around Budapest page.

Lake Balaton

Driving time: One hour 20 minutes

A favourite of local city-dwellers in the summer months, Lake Balaton is just under an hour and a half away from Budapest and ideal for outdoor pursuits. The large expanse of water is fringed by glorious countryside, attractive beaches and quaint towns, including Siófok, known for its lively nightlife, and historical Tihany, which sits on its own peninsula with stunning lakeside views.

Eger

Driving time: One hour 45 minutes

This picturesque little town north of Budapest is known for its well-preserved Baroque architecture, hilltop medieval castle and magnificent domed cathedral. Just to the west of town is the Valley of the Beautiful Women, Eger’s pretty wine neighbourhood. It's an odd place in some ways, but fantastic for foodies – ordinary suburban streets suddenly turn into a string of wine cellars and restaurants, offering a mini-tour of local viticulture and produce.

Hortobágy National Park

Driving time: Two hours

An essential trip for anyone interested in wildlife and authentic rural culture. Hortobágy's plains and wetlands have populations of cattle, water buffalo and horses, and the nearby Lake Tisza offers boat trips and birdwatching from wooden hides and boardwalks. Start at Hortobágy town, where you can learn about traditional farming practices and lifestyles at the Herdsmen Museum and Craftsmen's Yard. There's a youth hostel here too if you want to overnight here.

1. Avoid hunting for on-street parking by joining savvy local drivers who leave their cars at the park-and-ride car parks around town.
   
   
2. There’s no confusion over how many units you can drink when you drive in Hungary: it’s a straightforward zero. If you’re the designated driver, make sure you stick to soft drinks as even one small glass of alcohol is illegal.
   
   
3. If you need roadside assistant in Budapest or elsewhere in Hungary, you can call 188 to contact the Hungarian Automobile Club, which operates 24/7.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.