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Long-awaited railway link to Budapest Airport and new terminal finally set to become reality
On Monday afternoon, the Hungarian government announced one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country’s recent history. Two ministers – Márton Nagy, Minister of National Economy, and János Lázár, Minister of Construction and Transport – unveiled details of a EUR 2.5 billion development plan for the area surrounding Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (Budapest Airport). The project represents Hungary’s most significant transport investment in decades.
Fast rail link: just 20 minutes from the city centre to the airport
The government’s goal is to establish a modern railway connection between Budapest and the airport, cutting travel time from Nyugati Railway Station to Ferihegy to just 20 minutes. Plans include the construction of a new 27-kilometre railway section between Kőbánya and Monor, fully integrated into the national rail network. This will allow direct, transfer-free train services to the airport from major Hungarian cities such as Debrecen and Győr.
The project will be implemented through an international tender and a concession model, meaning private investors will also participate in its financing and construction.
Train tickets are expected to cost around HUF 3,000–4,000 (EUR 7.7–10.3), offering a much more affordable alternative to taxis.
The new trains will be capable of running at speeds of up to 160 km/h, with the entire railway project expected to be completed by 2034–2035, coinciding with the handover of the new Terminal 3.
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EUR 2.5 billion investment package for Budapest Airport
The overall programme, worth around HUF 1,000 billion (EUR 2.5 billion), consists of three main components:
- EUR 1 billion for the express railway connection
- EUR 1 billion for the construction of Terminal 3
- EUR 500 million for the development of road infrastructure
According to Minister Lázár, the scale and complexity of the investment underline the government’s long-term commitment to air transport as a strategic sector. He added that the project disproves claims that the government neglects Budapest in favour of rural areas: “Today is a good day for Budapest,” he stated, according to Telex.
The railway construction will affect 353 properties, 265 of which will need to be purchased by the state. A new 12-kilometre road network with six lanes (three in each direction) is also planned and expected to be completed by the end of 2028, with the full development finished around 2035.
Terminal 3: passenger capacity set to double
Construction of Terminal 3 is scheduled to begin in March 2026 and is expected to take eight years. Once completed, the airport’s annual passenger capacity could double from the current 20 million to 40 million. The terminal expansion will be carried out in cooperation with international investors, including Vinci Airports, which owns a 20% stake in Budapest Airport.
In addition, the Hungarian state will establish a new holding company called Aviatica, which will include Budapest Airport, HungaroControl, and the airports of Debrecen and Sármellék. The aim is to unify and strengthen Hungary’s aviation management and logistics capabilities across several regions.
Cargo expansion and new logistics hub
The government’s plans also target the improvement of air freight infrastructure. According to Márton Nagy, the airport’s current cargo capacity is nearing its limit, making the construction of a new dedicated cargo airport unavoidable. The new cargo facility would be a greenfield project implemented under a concession model, designed to ease congestion in the Budapest region.
The developments aim to transform Hungary into a leading e-commerce logistics hub in Central Europe. Currently, around 80% of air cargo traffic originates from Asia and the United States, driven largely by the growth of Chinese online retailers such as Temu.
Vitézy Dávid: “Finally, progress in the right direction”
Reacting to the announcement, Dávid Vitézy, Budapest Assembly member and leader of the Podmaniczky Movement, called the government’s decision an “important victory”. He welcomed the shift away from the previously discussed elevated railway concept co-designed with China, which had faced widespread professional criticism.
According to Vitézy, the new, integrated rail solution is more reasonable and sustainable, providing frequent (every 10–15 minutes) and direct connections between the airport, the capital, and the countryside. However, he urged caution: “We’ve been here before, 6–7 years ago. Now we must see whether construction actually begins this time,” he said.
A connected, green and competitive future
The Budapest Airport development programme is not only expected to enhance passenger comfort but also strengthen Hungary’s economic competitiveness. With its new railway link and expanded terminal, the Liszt Ferenc International Airport could soon join the ranks of Europe’s leading aviation hubs, offering state-of-the-art infrastructure and improved connectivity for travellers and businesses alike.
Hurrah, the powers that be have seen sense and decided on the correct format. Not a dead-end spur line to the airport and not a fully segregated railway, but a diversion of the main route allowing all through trains to stop at the airport. This is exactly the right choice.