Find the cheapest flights from Budapest to New York in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Budapest (BUD) → New York (JFK)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 10h 15m – 13h 30m (1 stop)
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €320 | low |
| February | €300 | low |
| March | €350 | medium |
| April | €390 | medium |
| May | €460 | high |
| June | €540 | high |
| July | €590 | high |
| August | €570 | high |
| September | €490 | medium-high |
| October | €410 | medium |
| November | €340 | low |
| December | €530 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- Austrian Airlines (connecting): from €380 — Vienna connection typically fastest (10h15m total). Book direct on Austrian website for best fares – they price-match OTAs.
- Lufthansa (connecting): from €410 — Frankfurt hub offers most frequencies. Munich connection adds ~1 hour. Check both hubs for price differences.
- Turkish Airlines (connecting): from €340 — Istanbul connection is longest (~13h total) but often cheapest. Great in-flight entertainment. Book 2+ months ahead for lowest fares.
- Swiss (connecting): from €420 — Zurich connection reliable but pricey. Best for Star Alliance milage accumulation. Swiss Air website often has better rates than aggregators.
- Delta (connecting): from €450 — Delta operates via Amsterdam/Paris partnership with Air France. Check Delta.com for透明 pricing. Skymiles members earn on these routes.
- Wizz Air (connecting): from €310 — Wizz Air often has promotional fares to US via Abu Dhabi or European hubs. Book early – they charge for seat selection. Baggage fees add up quickly.
Booking Strategy
For Budapest to New York, the optimal booking window is 8-12 weeks before departure for the lowest fares. January and February offer the cheapest prices (€300-340) as it’s low season, while July sees peak pricing (€550-600). Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to fly, with savings of €40-80 compared to weekend departures. Austrian Airlines via Vienna and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul consistently offer the best value, with Turkish often beating Austrian by €30-50. Use Google Flights to compare all carriers simultaneously, but book directly with the airline to avoid third-party booking fees and ensure better customer service for changes. Set price alerts for JFK specifically (not just ‘New York’) to capture the best deals. If your schedule is flexible, shifting departure by 2-3 days can save €50-100. Avoid connecting through London Heathrow on this route – fees make these flights disproportionately expensive.
Route Tips
- Book Austrian Airlines through Vienna – they offer the shortest total travel time (10h15m) and most reliable connections with excellent on-time performance.
- JFK’s Terminal 1 (Air France, Delta) and Terminal 4 (various international carriers) are typically more modern and efficient than older terminals – check your terminal before booking.
- Hungarian citizens need ESTA authorization ($21) before boarding – apply at least 72 hours before departure. Non-EU citizens should verify visa requirements separately.
- Turkish Airlines often has the lowest fares but Istanbul Airport has limited EU-style duty-free shopping compared to European hubs – not an issue but factor layover time accordingly.
- Consider arriving at EWR instead of JFK if your final destination is Manhattan west side or New Jersey – EWR is closer to some neighborhoods but less convenient for public transit into the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Budapest to New York?
There are no direct flights from Budapest to New York. All flights require at least one stop, with total travel times ranging from 10 hours 15 minutes to 13 hours 30 minutes depending on your connection. The fastest options are through Vienna with Austrian Airlines (10h15m) or Frankfurt with Lufthansa (10h30m). Turkish Airlines via Istanbul takes longer (12h-13h30m) but often costs less. Budget an additional 1-2 hours for layover time at the connecting airport. Most travelers find the Vienna and Frankfurt routes most convenient due to shorter total travel time and efficient EU airport connections.
How much does it cost to fly from Budapest to New York?
Economy class flights from Budapest to New York typically range from €300 to €600 depending on season and airline. The cheapest fares (€300-350) are available in January, February, and November during low season. Summer months (June-August) and December are most expensive, with fares often exceeding €500. Turkish Airlines and Wizz Air offer the lowest base fares (€310-360), while Lufthansa, Swiss, and Delta typically charge €400-500 for comparable economy. Business class ranges from €1,800 to €3,500. Budget €350-400 for a comfortable economy ticket if booking 2-3 months ahead.
Are there direct flights from Budapest to New York?
No, there are currently no direct flights from Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD) to New York. This route requires at least one stop. The most popular connecting hubs are Vienna (Austrian Airlines), Frankfurt and Munich (Lufthansa), Zurich (Swiss), and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines). Some seasonal charter flights have operated in the past, but no carriers currently offer nonstop service on this route. Travelers should plan for a minimum 10-hour journey. Wizz Air has discussed launching New York service but as of now, all options involve a connection through another European hub or Istanbul.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Budapest to New York?
February is typically the cheapest month to fly from Budapest to New York, with average fares around €300-320. January and November are also budget-friendly at €320-350. These winter months offer the lowest demand as they’re outside both the European and American holiday/travel peaks. March sees a modest increase to €350-380. The absolute cheapest deals appear in late November (after Thanksgiving) through mid-December before Christmas pricing kicks in. Avoid July at all costs – it’s the priciest month with fares averaging €550-600. Shoulder season in April-May and September-October offers a balance of decent weather and moderate pricing (€400-480).
Which airlines fly from Budapest to New York?
Six major airlines operate flights from Budapest to New York with connections: Austrian Airlines (via Vienna, most frequent), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt/Munich), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Swiss (via Zurich), Delta (via Amsterdam/Paris via Air France/KLM partnership), and Wizz Air (via Abu Dhabi or European hubs). Austrian and Lufthansa are Star Alliance members and offer the most daily frequencies. Turkish Airlines often has the lowest base fares. Wizz Air is the budget option but charges heavily for baggage. All other carriers include at least one checked bag in the ticket price. No low-cost transatlantic carriers like Norse Atlantic currently serve this route from Budapest.
What airport do I fly into in New York?
Most flights from Budapest arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), located in Queens, approximately 25-35 kilometers (15-22 miles) from Manhattan. JFK has 6 terminals and is the primary international gateway to New York. Some flights via Newark (EWR) may arrive there instead – check your ticket. From JFK to Manhattan, options include: AirTrain ($8.25) + subway ($2.90), taxi (flat rate $70 to Manhattan, plus tolls), rideshare (Uber $55-80), or private car service ($80-120). The journey takes 35-60 minutes depending on traffic. LaGuardia (LGA) is closer to Manhattan but rarely used for international arrivals from Budapest. Consider arrival time when choosing transport – subway is cheapest but slowest during overnight hours.
How far in advance should I book Budapest to New York flights?
For Budapest to New York, book 8-12 weeks ahead for optimal pricing. This window typically offers the lowest fares before seats fill up and prices rise. January and February trips should be booked 10-14 weeks ahead as they’re popular for budget travelers. Summer flights (June-August) require booking 10-16 weeks ahead – these fill fast, especially with families. Last-minute deals are rare on this route and typically only appear 3-4 days before departure at €400-500, usually with undesirable overnight layovers. Booking more than 4 months ahead doesn’t guarantee better prices and limits flexibility. Use fare tracking starting 3 months before your target dates and book when you see prices near the historical average for that month.
Is it cheaper to fly from Budapest to New York on weekdays?
Yes, flying midweek from Budapest to New York is significantly cheaper than weekend departures. Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically save €40-100 compared to Friday or Sunday flights. This pattern holds year-round but is most pronounced during high season. Monday and Thursday flights fall in the middle pricing tier. The cheapest time to depart is typically Tuesday morning or Wednesday afternoon/evening. Returning flights are also cheaper midweek – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday returns from New York offer better deals than Saturday or Sunday arrivals. If your schedule allows, shifting departure by 1-2 days can result in substantial savings. However, the real price determinant is booking timing and airline choice – a well-timed Tuesday flight on Turkish Airlines will beat a poorly-timed Wednesday on Lufthansa.
Data updated: 2026-03
