Find the cheapest flights from Budapest to Reykjavik in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Budapest (BUD) → Reykjavik (KEF)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 5h 30m – 8h 30m (1 stop)
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €295 | low |
| February | €285 | low |
| March | €310 | medium |
| April | €345 | medium |
| May | €365 | medium |
| June | €410 | high |
| July | €445 | high |
| August | €435 | high |
| September | €365 | medium |
| October | €325 | medium |
| November | €275 | low |
| December | €305 | medium |
Airlines on This Route
- SAS (connecting): from €310 — SAS often has the best prices via Copenhagen; book Scandinavian routes 6+ weeks ahead for €280-330 deals
- Lufthansa (connecting): from €340 — Lufthansa via Frankfurt offers reliable connections; prices drop midweek – search Tuesdays/Wednesdays
- KLM (connecting): from €355 — KLM via Amsterdam often has competitive pricing; SkyTeam connecting flights can be bundled with rental cars for savings
- Ryanair (connecting): from €290 — Ryanair flies Budapest to London Stansted, then onto Reykjavik; check £10-20 cheaper than main carriers but watch for extra fees
- Wizz Air (connecting): from €280 — Wizz Air occasionally offers Budapest to Reykjavik via their network; prices can dip to €250 but baggage adds up quickly
Booking Strategy
The Budapest-Reykjavik route has no direct flights, making connecting through major European hubs the standard. For the best deals, target November through February when prices drop to €270-310. Summer months (June-August) see prices surge to €400+ due to Iceland’s peak tourism season. Book flights 6-10 weeks in advance for optimal pricing – last-minute deals are rare on this route. Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically save €30-60 compared to weekend flights. SAS via Copenhagen generally offers the best balance of price and convenience, while budget carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air can be cheaper but factor in €30-50 for baggage. Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to compare all carriers at once, and set price alerts for your specific dates – prices often fluctuate daily on this route.
Route Tips
- Keflavik Airport (KEF) has no train station – all ground transport is by bus, taxi, or rental car; factor €25-100 for airport transfers into your total travel cost
- Icelandic weather is unpredictable – pack layers and waterproof gear regardless of season, and allow buffer days if your trip includes specific activities like glacier hiking or northern lights hunting
- If holding a Schengen visa, you can transit through EU hubs without additional visa requirements; Hungarian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to Iceland for up to 90 days
- For checked baggage, SAS and Lufthansa include 23kg bags in standard fares while budget carriers charge €15-30 extra – factor this into total ticket cost comparisons
- Consider booking a self-drive Ring Road trip starting from KEF – rental cars are competitive in Iceland and give flexibility that tour buses cannot match, especially for photographers chasing sunrise at Skógafoss
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Budapest to Reykjavik?
There are no direct flights from Budapest to Reykjavik. The fastest connecting routes take approximately 5 hours 30 minutes, typically via Copenhagen with SAS (BUD-CPH-KEF) or Frankfurt with Lufthansa (BUD-FRA-KEF). Most connecting options involve 5h 30m to 8h 30m of total travel time with one stop. The longest routes, often via London or Amsterdam, can extend to 9+ hours. The shortest viable connection is typically through Copenhagen or Oslo, offering the most efficient layover times of 1-2 hours.
How much does it cost to fly from Budapest to Reykjavik?
Prices range from €270-310 in the low season (November-February) to €400-480 during peak summer (June-August). The cheapest one-way fares start around €250 with budget carriers like Wizz Air or Ryanair when booking well in advance. Return tickets typically cost €300-450 in low season and €500-700 in summer. SAS and Lufthansa usually charge €320-400 for more comfortable connections with included baggage. Mid-range options via KLM or other European carriers run €350-420. Last-minute bookings can exceed €600 one-way regardless of season.
Are there direct flights from Budapest to Reykjavik?
No, there are currently no direct flights from Budapest to Reykjavik. All flights require at least one stop. The most common connection hubs are Copenhagen (SAS), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Amsterdam (KLM), and London (various carriers). Icelandair does not operate flights from Budapest – they primarily serve North American and major European capitals. To reach Reykjavik from Budapest, you must transit through a major European hub. Some travelers opt to book separate one-way tickets on different carriers to find better combinations, though this requires more planning.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Budapest to Reykjavik?
November is typically the cheapest month with average prices around €275, followed closely by February at €285. The winter months from November through March offer the lowest fares, with January averaging €295. The most expensive period is July (€445) and August (€435), coinciding with Iceland’s peak tourism season of midnight sun and outdoor adventures. Shoulder months like April, May, September, and October offer moderate pricing around €325-365. If your schedule is flexible, late November through early December or February often provides the best combination of low prices and reasonable weather.
Which airlines fly from Budapest to Reykjavik?
No single airline offers direct service – all options require connections. SAS (via Copenhagen or Oslo) is a popular choice with reasonable prices and included baggage. Lufthansa via Frankfurt offers German reliability and good connections. KLM flies through Amsterdam Schiphol. Budget options include Ryanair (Budapest to London/Paris, then connecting) and Wizz Air (various hubs). Icelandair does not serve Budapest. Among these, SAS generally provides the best value for checked baggage inclusion, while Ryanair and Wizz Air can be cheaper but require paid extras for anything beyond a small personal item.
What airport do I fly into in Reykjavik?
You will fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF), located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of Reykjavik city center. This is Iceland’s main international gateway. From the airport, the cheapest option is the public bus (Strætó) at 1,840 ISK (approximately €12) taking 45-50 minutes to the BSÍ bus station in central Reykjavik. Taxis cost around €80-100 and take 40 minutes. The most convenient option is the Flybus shuttle (around €25) which drops off at major hotels. Renting a car at KEF is popular for exploring Iceland’s Ring Road. Note that Reykjavik City Airport (RKV) handles only domestic and some Greenland flights – international arrivals use KEF.
How far in advance should I book Budapest to Reykjavik flights?
For Budapest to Reykjavik, book 6-10 weeks ahead for optimal prices. This route tends to follow standard European pricing patterns – too early and prices haven’t dropped from release fares, too close and scarcity drives prices up. November through March bookings should target 6-8 weeks ahead. Summer travel (June-August) requires booking earlier, ideally 8-12 weeks, as these dates fill quickly given Iceland’s popularity. Last-minute bookings (within 2 weeks) rarely yield deals on this route and typically cost €150-300 more than advance bookings. Set price alerts on Skyscanner or Google Flights to monitor fare trends for your specific dates.
Is it cheaper to fly from Budapest to Reykjavik on weekdays?
Yes, flying midweek is significantly cheaper on this route. Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically save €30-60 compared to Friday or Sunday flights. Weekend departures (Friday-Sunday) command premium pricing due to leisure travelers. The difference is most pronounced in shoulder and high seasons – in summer, a Tuesday flight might cost €380 while the same route on Friday could hit €460. Monday and Thursday falls in the middle range. If your schedule allows flexibility, shifting your departure by 2-3 days can result in substantial savings. Return flights show similar patterns, with Monday and Thursday returns often cheaper than Sunday returns.
Data updated: 2026-03
