Budapest to Lisbon is a longer short-haul run — roughly four hours across the width of Europe — and the good news is that it is genuinely non-stop. Two low-cost airlines link the Hungarian capital with Portugal’s Atlantic gateway directly, so there is no need to connect. This guide covers who flies it, a fair return fare in forint, and how to book well.
Route: Budapest (BUD) → Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS)
Distance: approximately 2,480 km (1,540 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 4h 05m westbound
Direct flights: Yes — Wizz Air and Ryanair both fly non-stop between Budapest and Lisbon. TAP Air Portugal and other full-service carriers serve the route only with a connection.
Fares from Budapest to Lisbon (HUF)
Lisbon is a year-round city break, but fares track the seasons. Late spring and summer (May–September) and the Christmas/New Year weeks are the priciest; November and January are the quietest and cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in forint, including a cabin bag — a checked bag is extra on both airlines.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low |
| February | — | low-medium |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium (Easter) |
| May | — | high |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | high |
| August | — | high |
| September | — | medium-high |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | low |
| December | — | medium (holidays) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, this route is far cheaper than it is usually made out to be: the non-stops run 27 895–33 354 Ft return with a median of 29 897 Ft. So around 30 000 Ft is the going rate rather than a find, and under about 28 500 Ft is as good as it gets. The 70,000-forint figures often quoted for this route are the connecting fares — Lufthansa, KLM and Iberia run 73 516–76 846 Ft, more than double the direct. Add a checked bag and budget a little more on either low-cost airline.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 4 hours):
- Wizz Air — the busier of the two on this route, flying non-stop from its Budapest base several times a week; cabin bag included, extras optional.
- Ryanair — non-stop a few times a week, frequently the lowest headline fare; check the bag and seat charges before you compare.
One-stop (slower, occasionally cheaper on odd dates):
- Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich — full-service with a checked bag included, a fallback when the non-stops are full.
- TAP Air Portugal and others via a Western European hub — TAP does not fly Budapest–Lisbon non-stop, so its itineraries connect; only worth it on unusual dates.
For most travellers the two direct flights are both cheaper and far quicker. A connection makes sense only if you want a full-service ticket or the non-stops are sold out for your dates.
When to book & how to save
- Book 6–10 weeks ahead. On a four-hour low-cost route the best seats go early, and fares climb in the final couple of weeks.
- Choose the shoulder season (October–November or February–March) for the cheapest fares and mild Lisbon weather.
- Travel light. Lead fares cover only a cabin bag — add any checked bag online in advance rather than at the airport.
- Fly midweek. Tuesday to Thursday is usually cheaper than a Friday–Sunday city break.
- Compare all-in. Wizz and Ryanair price bags and seats separately, so the cheapest headline fare is not always the cheapest final total.
Arriving in Lisbon
Flights land at Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), only about 7 km north of the centre — one of Europe’s closest-in city airports. The cheapest way in is the Metro (red line) from the terminal, around 700 Ft equivalent for a single, or the Aerobus to the main squares. A taxi or ride-hail to the centre is quick and runs roughly 4–6 000 Ft equivalent. All flights use the single main terminal (Terminal 1), so there is no inter-terminal transfer to worry about.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Budapest to Lisbon?
The non-stop flight takes about 4 hours 5 minutes westbound to Lisbon, and a little less on the way back with the prevailing tailwinds. A one-stop itinerary through a hub such as Frankfurt or Munich typically takes 6 to 9 hours in total, so the direct flights save you several hours each way.
Are there direct flights from Budapest to Lisbon?
Yes. Wizz Air and Ryanair both fly non-stop between Budapest and Lisbon. TAP Air Portugal and full-service carriers such as Lufthansa serve the route only with a connection, so for a direct flight choose one of the two low-cost airlines.
How much does it cost to fly from Budapest to Lisbon?
A typical non-stop economy return runs about 28 000–33 500 Ft, median 29 897 Ft, on Wizz Air and Ryanair. Connecting full-service tickets run 73 516–76 846 Ft. Summer and the Christmas weeks push the low-cost fares toward the top of their band. A checked bag adds to the total on both airlines.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Budapest to Lisbon?
November and January are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, non-stop returns started at 27 895 Ft. May to August is the priciest stretch, along with Easter and the festive period, so travelling in the shoulder months is the easiest way to save.
Which airlines fly from Budapest to Lisbon?
Non-stop: Wizz Air (28 377–33 354 Ft, behind most of the cheap fares) and Ryanair (from 27 895 Ft, the single lowest we found), both directly from Budapest. For a one-stop full-service ticket, Lufthansa connects via Frankfurt or Munich (73 516–76 846 Ft), with KLM and Iberia at about 75 885 Ft and TAP Air Portugal routing through a hub. The two non-stops almost always offer the best combination of price and journey time — here they cost less than half.
Which airport do I fly into in Lisbon?
You land at Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), Lisbon’s main and only commercial airport, about 7 km from the centre. It has a single main terminal for these flights, with the Metro red line, the Aerobus and taxis all connecting quickly to the city.
How far in advance should I book Budapest to Lisbon flights?
Aim for 6 to 10 weeks ahead. On this longer low-cost route the cheapest seats sell first and fares rise as the flight fills, particularly for summer and holiday dates. Booking early and travelling with hand luggage only keeps the price at the low end of the range.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Generally, yes. Midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to undercut the Friday–Sunday city-break window, and combining two weekday flights can trim a useful amount off a return. Flexibility of a day or two on either end is one of the simplest ways to lower the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Prices are indicative economy returns and change with demand — always check the live fare before booking.
