Find the cheapest flights from London to Budapest in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → Budapest (BUD)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 4h 30m – 8h 30m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €280 | low |
| February | €290 | low |
| March | €310 | medium |
| April | €330 | medium |
| May | €350 | medium |
| June | €380 | high |
| July | €420 | high |
| August | €410 | high |
| September | €340 | medium |
| October | €300 | medium |
| November | €270 | low |
| December | €350 | medium |
Airlines on This Route
- Wizz Air (direct): from €120 — Wizz Air often releases cheap seats 6-8 weeks before departure. Sign up for fare alerts on their Budapest routes from London Stansted.
- Ryanair (direct): from €130 — Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Budapest. Book on Wednesdays (their release day) for cheapest fares. Avoid peak departure times.
- British Airways (direct): from €220 — BA offers the most reliable schedule from Heathrow. Use Avios points for redemptions – often excellent value at 13,000 Avios + taxes one-way.
- easyJet (direct): from €150 — EasyJet from Gatwick often has competitive prices. Download app for exclusive flash sales and manage bookings easily.
- Lufthansa (connecting): from €240 — Lufthansa via Munich offers excellent connections. Book through their website for guaranteed through-baggage. Stopover in Munich can be extended for free.
Booking Strategy
For London to Budapest flights, the optimal booking window is 6-8 weeks before departure for budget carriers, while full-service airlines can be booked 3-4 weeks ahead for best rates. January and November offer the lowest prices at around €270-290 return, while July sees peaks of €420+. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently cheapest, with Friday-Sunday commanding €30-50 premiums. Use Skyscanner’s ‘whole month’ view to identify cheapest dates – flying midweek in off-peak months often yields €100+ savings. For budget carriers, book directly on their websites to avoid third-party fees. British Airways from Heathrow provides the most reliable schedule, while Wizz Air from Stansted typically undercuts competitors by €30-50 on direct routes. Set price alerts on Google Flights for your specific dates and monitor for 48-hour sales cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Budapest?
Direct flights from London to Budapest take approximately 2 hours 25 minutes. British Airways operates the fastest scheduled service from Heathrow at 2h 25m. Budget carriers like Wizz Air, Ryanair, and easyJet also offer direct flights from Stansted, Gatwick, and Luton with similar flight times (2h 20m – 2h 40m). If flying with connections, expect total travel times between 4h 30m and 8h 30m depending on the airline and connection city. Lufthansa via Munich and KLM via Amsterdam are the most common connecting routes, typically taking 5-6 hours total.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Budapest?
Return flights from London to Budapest start from as low as €60-80 when booking budget carriers like Wizz Air or Ryanair during off-peak periods. The average price across all airlines is approximately €270-300 for a return ticket. Peak season (June-August) sees prices rise to €350-420 for return flights. Full-service carriers like British Airways typically cost €180-280 one-way (€350-500 return) but include checked bags and in-flight meals. For the best value, book January or November flights when prices drop to €250-280 return.
Are there direct flights from London to Budapest?
Yes, multiple airlines operate direct flights from London to Budapest. Wizz Air flies daily from London Stansted, typically 2-3 times daily. Ryanair operates 1-2 daily services from Stansted. easyJet has daily flights from Gatwick, while British Airways operates 2-3 daily departures from Heathrow. Budget carriers use London Stansted and Gatwick, while BA departs from Heathrow. Flight frequency increases during summer months. There are no direct flights from London City Airport or Luton to Budapest.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Budapest?
January is the cheapest month to fly from London to Budapest, with average return prices of €250-280. November offers similarly low prices at €260-290. The cheapest individual fares can drop below €60 return when booking Wizz Air or Ryanair flash sales in these months. Avoid July, the most expensive month with average prices of €380-420, and August (€350-400). The shoulder seasons of March-April and September-October offer reasonable prices at €300-340 while enjoying good weather. Christmas and Easter periods see elevated prices similar to summer peaks.
Which airlines fly from London to Budapest?
Four airlines operate direct flights: British Airways (Heathrow, full-service, 2h 25m), Wizz Air (Stansted, budget, 2h 30m), Ryanair (Stansted, budget, 2h 25m), and easyJet (Gatwick, budget, 2h 30m). For connecting flights, Lufthansa (via Munich), KLM (via Amsterdam), Air France (via Paris), Austrian Airlines (via Vienna), and Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) all serve the route. Budget carriers are cheapest at €60-150 return; British Airways costs €200-350 return but includes checked bags and meals.
What airport do I fly into in Budapest?
All flights from London arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), located 16km (10 miles) southeast of the city center. The Airport Shuttle (2000E bus) runs every 10-20 minutes to Deák Ferenc Square in central Budapest, taking 30-40 minutes and costing €3.50. The faster Metro 3B + bus option takes 45 minutes for €4. Taxis from the airport official stand cost €25-30 to the city center (30-45 minutes). The cheapest option is the public bus 100E direct to Deák Square at €3.50.
How far in advance should I book London to Budapest flights?
For London to Budapest, book budget carrier flights 6-8 weeks ahead for optimal prices. Wizz Air and Ryanair typically release their cheapest seats 6-8 weeks before departure, with prices increasing closer to the travel date. Full-service airlines like British Airways offer better deals 3-4 weeks ahead. If traveling in peak season (June-August), book 8-12 weeks in advance as prices rise significantly. January and November off-peak deals can be found 2-4 weeks ahead. Avoid booking less than 48 hours before departure unless willing to pay €150+ for budget seats.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Budapest on weekdays?
Yes, flying midweek is significantly cheaper for London to Budapest routes. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently €30-60 cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights. A return ticket departing Tuesday and returning Thursday typically costs €60-80 less than the same route departing Friday. The cheapest day to fly is Wednesday, while Sunday evening returns command the highest premiums. For budget carriers, Monday departures are also relatively cheap. Weekend trips (Friday-Sunday) should be booked 8+ weeks ahead to secure reasonable rates, as limited capacity drives prices up.
Data updated: 2026-03
