There is no non-stop flight between Budapest and New York, so every itinerary connects once — usually through a European hub. That is not bad news: with so many airlines feeding traffic across the Atlantic, one-stop fares from Budapest are genuinely competitive, and this is one of the best-value long-haul routes out of Hungary. This guide covers who flies it, what a fair economy return costs in forint, and when to book.
Route: Budapest (BUD) → New York (JFK / EWR)
Distance: approximately 7,000 km (4,350 miles)
Non-stop flight time: no non-stop service — one-stop journeys run about 11–15 hours in total
Direct flights: No. No airline flies Budapest to New York non-stop; the best options connect once through a European hub with Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, British Airways, LOT, Austrian or Turkish Airlines.
Fares from Budapest to New York (HUF)
New York is a year-round city, and thanks to strong transatlantic competition, Budapest fares stay reasonable outside the peaks. Summer (June–August) and the Christmas/New Year weeks are the busiest and priciest; the deep winter of January–February and the autumn shoulder are the cheapest. The figures below are typical one-stop economy return fares in forint.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low |
| February | — | low-medium |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | medium-high |
| June | — | high (summer) |
| July | — | high (summer) |
| August | — | high (summer) |
| September | — | medium |
| October | — | low-medium |
| November | — | medium |
| December | — | very high |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, the floor is 175 601 Ft and the median 191 217 Ft. So a return under about 185 000 Ft is a genuinely good one and worth booking quickly; there is nothing in the hundred-and-teens to wait for, sale or not. LOT has the lowest fares (from 175 601 Ft, median 178 065), with Wizz Air close behind from 177 929 Ft. Summer and the December peak sit well above these figures.
Airlines on this route
There are no non-stop flights, so every option below connects once through a European hub. Fares are competitive because so many carriers fight for the transatlantic market.
One-stop via a European hub (all about 11–15 hours total):
- Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich — the most frequent routing, with a short first hop and plenty of onward New York flights.
- KLM via Amsterdam and Air France via Paris — reliable single-stop options with strong schedules from Budapest.
- British Airways via London and Austrian Airlines via Vienna — convenient connections, with Vienna the shortest first leg.
- LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw — frequently among the cheapest, with a quick hop north before the Atlantic crossing.
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul — competitive fares and a huge network, though it is the longest routing of the group.
Because these carriers compete hard, a little flexibility on hub and dates saves real money. Vienna, Frankfurt and Warsaw give the quickest single connection; LOT and Turkish Airlines often carry the lowest headline fares.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; transatlantic fares from Budapest rarely fall in the final weeks.
- Avoid the peaks: June–August and the Christmas/New Year weeks are the busiest and most expensive.
- Travel in winter or the autumn shoulder (January–February, late September–October) for the lowest fares and a quieter city.
- Be flexible on the New York airport: fares into Newark (EWR) and JFK are often similar — compare both, as one can be noticeably cheaper on your dates.
- Check checked-bag rules: the cheapest transatlantic “light” fares may be cabin-bag only, so compare the all-in price once you add a checked bag.
Arriving in New York
Most one-stop flights land at John F. Kennedy (JFK) in southern Queens or Newark Liberty (EWR) in New Jersey. From JFK, the AirTrain connects to the subway and LIRR at Jamaica or Howard Beach (AirTrain plus subway to Manhattan is roughly 4,000 Ft); a yellow-cab flat fare to Manhattan runs around 25,000–30,000 Ft plus tolls and tip. From Newark, the AirTrain to NJ Transit reaches Penn Station in about 30 minutes for roughly 6,000–7,000 Ft; a taxi to Midtown is around 25,000–35,000 Ft. Check which airport your ticket uses, as they are on opposite sides of the city.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Budapest to New York?
There is no non-stop flight, so the journey takes about 11 to 15 hours in total including one connection, depending on the hub and layover length. A quick change in Vienna, Frankfurt or Warsaw is at the shorter end; a longer stop, or a routing through Istanbul, sits toward the top.
Are there direct flights from Budapest to New York?
No. No airline currently flies Budapest to New York non-stop. Every itinerary connects once, typically through a European hub such as Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Vienna or Warsaw, with LOT and Turkish Airlines often offering the lowest fares.
How much does it cost to fly from Budapest to New York?
A typical one-stop economy return runs about 178 000–215 000 Ft, median 191 217 Ft, with the whole sample spanning 175 601–326 664 Ft. The cheapest fares start at 175 601 Ft on LOT in winter, while the summer and the December peak sit at the top of that range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Budapest to New York?
January and February are usually the cheapest, and the late-September–October shoulder is nearly as good. In the dates we could price, one-stop returns started at 175 601 Ft. Avoid June–August and the Christmas peak, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from Budapest to New York?
All are one-stop. Cheapest first in our fare data: LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw (175 601–193 705 Ft, the lowest median on the route), Wizz Air (177 929–218 789 Ft), SWISS (185 013–194 107 Ft), Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich (185 013–229 899 Ft), Austrian Airlines via Vienna (from 188 260 Ft) and Air Serbia (from 208 422 Ft). KLM via Amsterdam, Air France via Paris, British Airways via London and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul also sell the route but did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked. LOT really does carry the lowest fares.
Which airport do I fly into in New York?
One-stop flights from Budapest usually land at John F. Kennedy (JFK) in Queens or Newark Liberty (EWR) in New Jersey; a few connect to LaGuardia (LGA). Fares into JFK and Newark are often similar, so compare both — and check which one your ticket uses, as they sit on opposite sides of the city.
How far in advance should I book Budapest to New York flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead. Transatlantic fares from Budapest tend to rise as departure approaches, especially into the summer and the Christmas peak, so booking early almost always secures a better price.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday-to-Sunday flights, and travelling out and back on weekdays can save several thousand forint on a return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to cut the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
