Budapest, 2 November 2026 – A more comfortable journey, more space for luggage: from November, new buses specifically tailored to the needs of passengers travelling to the airport will enter service on the 100E Airport Express route; the new vehicles will assist passengers with luggage racks located in the passenger compartment. This summer, more people than ever before chose the express service for their journey between the airport and the city centre.
Brand-new MAN Lion’s City 18C articulated buses are being introduced on the 100E Airport Express line. The first buses in the 24-strong fleet, which operates exclusively on the Airport Express, began service on 2 November 2026, with six new buses appearing on the route on Monday morning.
Luggage racks and new buses
The most significant new feature of these brand-new, low-floor buses is the luggage rack in the passenger compartment, which has been designed specifically for airport journeys. Based on feedback and experience from recent years, the area for storing luggage has been created in the section in front of the second door on the new vehicles. Depending on luggage size, between 15 and 25 suitcases or large rucksacks can be comfortably accommodated on a single bus. This solution is particularly convenient for tourists arriving at or departing from the airport, as larger items of luggage can be stowed more safely and neatly in the passenger compartment. However, the new buses excel in more than just luggage transport. The vehicles are 100% low-floor, feature a state-of-the-art passenger information system and on-board cameras, and also comply with the latest road safety regulations. Among other things, blind-spot monitoring systems assist the drivers.
Many chose the 100E this summer
According to BKK’s passenger figures, summer passenger numbers on the 100E have risen significantly. Whilst in August 2025 an average of around 10,800 passengers used the line on a typical day, this August more than 13,400 chose the line providing a direct link to the airport. This represents an increase of more than 20 per cent, meaning that, on average, the buses carried nearly 2,700 more passengers per day than a year earlier. The increase was not only noticeable in August; passenger numbers in July also exceeded the previous year’s figures.
Improvements for better service
To cater for the growing passenger volume and ensure a comfortable journey for customers, BKK is also continuously improving line-related services. One such improvement was the launch of Budapest Pay&GO, which enables quick and easy contactless payment by bankcard and was first introduced on the 100E Airport Express in Budapest. In addition, developments are constantly taking place that customers only encounter indirectly: for example, from spring 2026, an aircraft traffic monitoring system has been operating in the background, which uses the actual arrival times of flights to forecast expected passenger numbers, enabling staff to increase service frequency more quickly, if necessary, even before customers arrive at the stop, thereby ensuring the reliability and quality of the service.
Pass holders can travel for less
Since last autumn, passengers holding a Budapest-pass, a Pest County Pass or a Hungary Pass have been able to use the 100E Airport Express at a significant discount. From 1 October 2025, pass holders have been able to purchase the add-on airport shuttlebus single ticket, available via the BudapestGO app, for just 1,000 HUF. This measure makes travelling to and from the airport significantly more affordable for those who choose public transport.
Budapest bus fleet to be renewed
The introduction of brand-new buses on the 100E Airport Express route is part of the ongoing renewal of Budapest’s bus fleet. As a result of the renewal process commissioned by BKK, which began in 2025, more than 380 new diesel and electric buses will be put into service by the end of 2027; of these, 289 vehicles have already arrived and commenced service. These more modern, lower-emission buses will help improve air quality in Budapest, whilst providing a more comfortable and reliable service for passengers. With the arrival of the new buses, the vehicles currently operating on line 100E will not be taken out of service; they will be transferred to other routes. In future, passengers will be able to find them on other lines, including the 97E and 142E, as well as the number 32 bus line. Thanks to this redeployment, journeys on these routes will also be more comfortable.
