HUNGARY
BUDAPEST (LHBP/BUD)
No problems spotting, as there are two viewing terraces, each at the front of Terminals 2A and 2B, just follow the signs for Observation Deck. The terrace on 2A is probably the better of the two and offers the better chance for photography, although parked aircraft can obscure a clear picture. 2A is the larger of the two with shelter, a café, seating and toilets, whilst 2B is simply a terrace. Cargo and GA at Terminal 1 are off to the left and can be difficult to read with the haze and low sun. Terminal 1 - good views can be had from gates at either end of the terminal and you can watch the arrivals from the landside restaurant. If you arrive at T1, once landside go upstairs to the windows for views of cargo and GA. To get to T1 from T2A or B, you catch the 200 bus from the arrivals level, paying 300HUF to the driver. The destination on the bus is actually the Metro station, but the route plan at the bus stop confirms that Terminal 1 is the 5th stop. It's easier the other way in that Terminal 2 is the final destination, and is thus indicated on the bus and at the bus stop – T1 to T2 bus will be marked Ferihegy 2. Low cost operators use Terminal 1, the rest use Terminal 2. 2A overlooks the Malev ramp with runway 31R/13L alongside you on your right and 31L/13R over on your left. All non-Malev flights park on the left hand side of the apron and around the corner to the left at Terminal 2B, but everything from there can be seen as it taxis in and out. All cargo and military flights use 31L as it is closest to Terminal 1. Opening times vary throughout the year but are generally 7am-sunset in the summer, 9am-5:30pm in the winter. Entry costs 300HUF each, separate entry and ticket. You can't take large luggage bags on to the terrace (though there is a left luggage area at 2B), and there are security checks on your hand luggage. Terrace 2A is larger and goes around a corner, so that it provides views in 2 directions but has been known to only open at midday and for just a couple of hours. The deck on 2B looks over most of the gates, and has a slightly better view of maintenance, cargo and biz-jets area. It also seems to stay open longer in the evenings. The stored aircraft can all be seen from these terraces (HA-LCE Tu154, HA-LRA Yak40 and HA-TCB IL76, with P4-RMB B732 at the fire station) with the exception of one Tu154 (HA-LCA), which is viewed whilst leaving. HA-LCA is behind the fire station (as viewed from 2A), on the far northwest perimeter of the airport. Buses from terminals 2 to 1 are every 10 minutes but to get back to terminal 2 you have to get the bus by the main road. Terminal 1 restaurant offers views of movements but some parked up and cargo may be out of sight. The museum can also be viewed from the front of the Terminals, though it's only a five to ten minute walk. Turn right out of the terminal, from outside 2B there is a small gate under the road ramp to go through, and after a couple of minutes the stored aircraft come in to view. Follow the fence for the entrance, costs 800HUF and is open 9am until approximately 5-6pm. The airport is quite slow in general - busy late morning with the commuters, quiet in the afternoon particularly 2-4pm and picks up around 5pm. Well worth a visit, and if you go, make sure you visit the museum as well. For details of terrace access and all stored residents on the field and in the museum, visit http://hungary.planes.cz/en/ and the official Budapest airport website has an arrivals/departures page that gives you the facility to print the next days traffic.
Updated 13 October 2007
GODOLLA
Friendly, ask for access. Website http://www.godolloairport.hu/index_en.htm.
Added 13 March 2008