Which airlines fly from Washington D.C. to Budapest (BUD)?

Popular airlines flying to Budapest include Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Budapest?

The cheapest months to fly to Budapest are typically February, March, late October, and early December—outside of peak summer and holiday seasons.

Which DC-area airport is cheapest for Budapest flights?

IAD (Dulles) usually offers the best availability and pricing to Budapest, but FlyToDash AI searches all three— IAD, DCA, and BWI —to ensure you find the lowest fare.

How long is the flight from Washington DC to Budapest?

Flights from Washington DC to Budapest usually range from 11 to 17 hours depending on layovers, connections, and airline routes.

Cheap Flights to Budapest (BUD) from IAD, DCA & BWI

✈️ How to Read Your Flight Results (30-second guide)

🕒 Times & dates: Departure and arrival are shown in each city’s local time. On longer trips you may arrive the next day, so always double-check the arrival date on the booking page.
🧭Total trip vs layovers: The big duration is the total travel time. The small timeline under it shows each flight and the layover gaps between them.
🏷️ Airlines & symbols: Logos show which airline is operating the flight. Extra icons can mean baggage rules or special conditions—click through to the booking site if a symbol isn’t clear.
🛄 Visa / baggage notes: Messages like “visa required” or bag icons are hints only. Always confirm visa rules and baggage details on the final booking page before you pay.
🔍 Sorting & filters (when available): If you tap More above the results, you may see extra tools like sorting by price, total trip time, or departure time and other filters. Use these to reorder or narrow the list based on what matters most to you. If there is no “More” button, those options aren’t available for that search.

Washington DC to Budapest — Your Guide to Finding Cheap Flights

Budapest (BUD), the "Pearl of the Danube," is one of Europe’s most beautiful and affordable capitals. From its famous thermal baths and historic castles to riverfront cafés and vibrant nightlife, the city offers a memorable experience for travelers. FlyToDash AI compares fares from IAD, DCA, and BWI in seconds to help you find the cheapest and fastest flights to Budapest.

✈️ Best Airlines Flying to Budapest (BUD)

There are no nonstop flights from Washington DC to Budapest, but many strong one-stop connections make travel easy. These airlines offer the most reliable routes, best pricing, and shortest layovers:

Lufthansa — excellent connections via Frankfurt (FRA) & Munich (MUC)
Austrian Airlines — smooth transfers via Vienna (VIE), one of Europe’s fastest airports
LOT Polish Airlines — competitive pricing via Warsaw (WAW)
Air France — via Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines — via Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
British Airways — via London Heathrow (LHR)
Turkish Airlines — typically low fares via Istanbul (IST)
Qatar Airways — premium service with exceptional onboard experience
Emirates — ultra-comfortable long-haul flights
Delta, United & American — U.S. carriers offering partner connections through Europe

Among these, Lufthansa, Austrian, and LOT often have the shortest overall travel times, while Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways frequently offer the lowest premium-economy and business-class fares.

⏱ Flight Duration from DC to Budapest

Typical flight times vary depending on the chosen route and layover city:

IAD → BUD: 11–14 hours (fastest)
DCA → BUD: 12–17 hours
BWI → BUD: 12–16 hours

Flights via Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam usually provide the shortest total duration from Washington DC to Budapest.

💰 Typical Prices from DC to Budapest (BUD)

Round-trip economy prices generally fall into these ranges:

IAD → BUD: $560 – $900 round trip
BWI → BUD: $600 – $950 round trip
DCA → BUD: $640 – $990 round trip

Prices fluctuate based on season, airline, and availability. When Europe demand peaks (June–August), fares rise significantly unless booked early.

📅 Cheapest Months to Fly to Budapest

Budapest is one of the easier European destinations to find deals for. The best months for low fares are:

February
March
Late October
Early December (pre-holiday)

The most expensive months are June, July, and August due to summer tourism, plus the Christmas/New Year travel period.

🏙 Why Visit Budapest?

Budapest is a destination that blends history, beauty, and affordability. Whether you're a first-time traveler or a returning visitor, the city offers countless attractions:

Széchenyi Thermal Bath: Europe’s largest and most famous outdoor spa
Fisherman’s Bastion: postcard-perfect views overlooking the Danube
Buda Castle: UNESCO World Heritage site rich with history
Parliament Building: iconic architecture and guided tours
Chain Bridge: connecting historic Buda and Pest
Heroes’ Square: one of Budapest’s most important landmarks
Danube River Cruise: magical nighttime views of illuminated monuments

You also get world-class food, lively markets, ruin pubs, and affordable prices—much cheaper than Paris, London, or Vienna.

🚕 Transportation From Budapest Airport (BUD)

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is well organized and easy to navigate. Here’s how most visitors reach the city center:

Airport Shuttle (miniBUD): shared transfers at reasonable prices
Taxi: 25–35 minutes to downtown
Bus 100E: direct airport-to-city express line
Bus + Metro combination: cost-effective and reliable
Uber/Bolt: Bolt operates widely in Budapest

🏨 Best Areas to Stay in Budapest

District V (Belváros): best for first-time visitors
District VII (Jewish Quarter): nightlife and restaurants
Buda Castle District: quiet, historic, beautiful views
District XIII (Újlipótváros): residential, modern, Metro access
Gellért Hill area: scenic and close to famous baths

💡 Tips to Save Money on Flights to Budapest

Use FlyToDash AI to instantly compare fares across IAD, DCA, and BWI.
Be flexible with your travel dates—mid-week flights are usually cheaper.
Check fares via Vienna (VIE), Munich (MUC), and Warsaw (WAW) for fast 1-stop routes.
Consider Turkish Airlines for budget-friendly long-haul options.
Book 6–10 weeks before your trip for the best deals.
Avoid peak summer travel unless you book months in advance.
Look for Europe-wide fare sales from Lufthansa Group or Air France/KLM.

Whether you're planning a relaxing spa getaway, a cultural tour, or a romantic river-side vacation, FlyToDash AI helps you find the cheapest and fastest flight deals to Budapest—with no endless searching.