Cheap Flights from Istanbul to Budapest Starting at $42

The route Istanbul — Budapest is served by many carriers — 11 in total, including Wizz Air, Valuair, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Wizz Air, Air Serbia, Sky Express, Scandinavian Airlines, Aegean Airlines, FlyOne, and LOT Polish Airlines. This gives passengers wide opportunities: from finding the lowest fare (from $42) to selecting flights by schedule or service class. Our service aggregates data from multiple booking systems so you can compare offers in one place. This saves time and money: no need to check dozens of sites — just pick the right option and book online.

Istanbul Airport (IST) is Turkey’s main international gateway and a modern long-haul hub that typically handles most full-service carriers and many global connections; it can be positioned as the city’s premium airport. Located about 35–45 km northwest of the historic centre, journey times by taxi are usually 35–60 minutes depending on traffic and cost can be moderate to high compared with local averages. Public transport options include the metro line extension and Havaist shuttles that commonly take 40–60 minutes for central routes with fares that are generally mid-range. Pros: modern facilities, extensive route network and frequent services; cons: longer transfer distances and occasional heavy road congestion. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) typically serves as Istanbul’s secondary international and budget-oriented airport, favored by many low-cost carriers and some regional services. It lies on the city’s Asian side, roughly 35–50 km from central Sultanahmet or Taksim, so travel times by road can commonly range from 40 to 90 minutes depending on traffic, with fares that may be lower than premium airport transfers. Public options include Havabus shuttles and buses with journey times usually around an hour or more; a metro connection is under ongoing expansion. Pros: often cheaper fares and shorter check-in queues for budget carriers; cons: farther from some central districts and less extensive long-haul connectivity.

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is Hungary’s main international gateway, serving a mix of full-service carriers and numerous low-cost airlines that make it a common choice for both business and leisure travelers. Located about 16 km southeast of the city center, transfer times are typically 30–45 minutes by car depending on traffic. Public options include the 100E airport shuttle to central Deák Ferenc tér (roughly 35–45 minutes, paid service) and regular buses plus suburban rail with slightly longer journeys; fares are usually moderate for public transit and higher for taxis or rideshares. The airport is generally convenient with modern facilities, but peak periods can be busy and budget terminals may feel more basic.

In different months, ticket prices from Istanbul to Budapest vary: minimum — $42 (December 2025), maximum — $87 (August 2026). Typically, the flight costs $53–$97.