Budapest Ferihegy International Airport
| Continent: Europe | Country: Hungary |
| Budapest Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér | |
| Location | Budapest, Hungary |
| IATA code | BUD |
| ICAO code | LHBP |
| Airport type | Mixed-Use |
| Website | http://www.bud.hu |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 118.1 MHz |
| Ground | 121.9 MHz |
| Clearance | 134.550 MHz |
| Approach | 129.7 MHz |
| ATIS | 132.375 MHz |
| Plane Spotting Hotels guide | |
Official Spotting Locations
"Kisterasz" at T2 Departure level
Description: This spot is located at the departure level drop-off parking next to Terminal 2A. It is a public area with nice view to some parts of T2 Apron. You can take night-shots as well of parking airplanes. As 'government terminal' is located here VIP aircrafts usually use 78-79 (84) stands for parking.
Traffic: From this spot you can take photos of aircrafts taxying on the Apron and parking planes on stands 72-79 (82, 84) and push-back from gate 46.
Lens: 70-300mm
Sun: various - depends on which stand you take photo, night-shots possible.
Other: Beware of ground vehicles, pylons and heat haze. Parking is very expensive here. Place might be closed upon VIP movements.
Observation decks on Terminal 2A and 2B
Description: Observation decks on Terminal 2A and 2B are closed currently due to the construction works of SkyCourt terminal building. Deck on 2B probably won't be reopened, deck on 2A will be reopened but timing is unknown. Probably glass wall will be applied.
Traffic: From these spots you can take photos of aircrafts taxying on the Apron and parking planes on stands.
Lens: Wide angle to telephoto
Sun: various - depends on which stand you take photo
Other: Currently closed! Entrance fee, security check. Closed in winters and bad weather. Closed upon VIP movements.
Observation deck on Terminal 1
Description: This spot is located on the first level of Terminal 1. The observation deck gives nice view to the APRON of Terminal 1 (107-109, 11-18 stands) and Runway 13R/31L. There is a glass wall on the deck but small steps (3 steps is optimal) are allowed for spotters. Do not climb up to the glass it may result penalty from the Police. Night shots are also possible if you have high tripod.
Traffic: When the direction is 31 departure traffic from Terminal 1 and 2 uses this runway (31L) for departure, in case direction is 13 traffic for Terminal 1 and 2 uses the this runway (13R) for landing (the runway is a bit far then optimal for landings).
You can take photos of parking, taxying, pused-back aircrafts on Apron of T1 107-109, 11-18 stands.
Lens: 70-300mm
Sun: Afternoon, evening. Night shots are possible.
Other: Open usually from 06:00-22:00lt. May be closed in winter, bad weather and upon VIP movements. Take small steps/ladder to be able to take shots over the glass wall.
Other Spotting Locations
Cargohill
Description: This spot is located at the threshold of Runway 13R on the right (afternoon) side of the runway. The spot is on the top of a noise protection hill at the corner of Csap and Forgó streets. Unfortunately the Airport Authority built a high fence here, but there are several holes on it. This spot is the best in the afternoon-evening.
Traffic: When the direction is 13 most of the arrival traffic (no matter which terminal) use this runway (13R) for landing (short final and touch-down photos) and the departing traffic from Terminal 1 use 13R for departure (taxi shots on TWY D).
In case of direction 31 climbing shots can be taken of late rotating (heavy) aircrafts departing from RWY 31L. Normally the departing airplanes (e.g. 737, A320, etc.) are too high at this position.
Lens: 70-300mm
Sun: afternoon, evening
Other: high fence (310cm) with holes
You can walk along the fence, on the top of the hill few hudred meters further to reach the other spot where you can take shots of landing aircrafts for RWY 13R on short final, above the trees
Horgásztó
Description: This spot is located at the threshold of Runway 13R on the left (morning) side of the runway. The spot is on a soil road along the airport fence. This spot is good in the early morning at summer.
Traffic: When the direction is 13 most of the arrival traffic (no matter which terminal) use this runway (13R) for landing (short final photos) and the departing traffic from Terminal 1 use 13R for departure (lineup shots).
In case of direction 31 climbing shots can be taken of late rotating (heavy) aircrafts departing from RWY 31L. Normally the departing airplanes (e.g. 737, 320, etc.) are too high at this position.
Lens: 70-300mm
Sun: early morning, morning (summer)
Other: high fence (310cm), high ladder necessary here.
Radar and 13L/31R "morning side"
Description: This spot is located on the morning side of Runway 13L/31R. The spot "Radar" is at the threshold of Runway 13L on the left (morning) side of the runway. The spot is on a soil road along the airport fence. This spot is good in the early morning summertime. The soil road drives you along the fence till the threshold of Runway 31R. The surface of the soil-road is very bad, so be careful and avoid it after rain or snow.
Traffic: When the direction is 13 most of the arrival traffic (no matter which terminal) uses the other runway (13R) for landing, but in the rare case the 13R is closed very nice landing shots can be taken from here. The departing traffic from Terminal 2 (and some from T1 as well - from Hangars and some heavies) use 13L for departure (lineup shots).
In case of direction 31 arrival traffic for Terminal 2 uses 31R for landing. In this case you can drive down on the soil-road along the fence for touch-down shots.
Lens: 70-300mm
Sun: early morning, morning (summer)
Other: high fence (310cm), high ladder necessary here.
Patakpart (morning and afternoon side)
Description: This spot is located at the short final of Runway 31R. The spot "Patakpart" is a field with some soil-roads. You can stand anywhere in this field depends which part of the day you are visiting.
Traffic: When the direction is 31 arrival traffic for Terminal 2 uses the this runway for landing.
Lens: 70-300mm
Sun: All the day (move to the right side)
Other: Soil-road can be bad sometimes.
Spotter hill
Description: This spot is located at the threshold of Runway 31R, afternoon side at A9 taxiway. The spot is a hill built for spotters.
Traffic: When the direction is 31 arrival traffic for Terminal 2 uses this runway for landing. Departing traffic from Runway 31R is rare, but sometimes heavy aircrafts (need longer runway) taxying here on A9 for departure from RWY 31R.
Lens: 70-300mm
Sun: afternoon, evening
Other: You must walk cca 500m from your car as there is a barrier so you cannot drive on soil roads.
Catering
Description: This spot is located on a field next to Runway 31R, on the afternoon side between TWY P4 - TWY X along the airport fence. You can stand next to the fence (31R touch-down and Taxiway shots) or you can stand a bit more far from the fence on the field (13L take-off shots).
Traffic: When the direction is 31 arrival traffic for Terminal 2 uses the this runway for landing, in winter you can stand at intersection X-Ray for touch-down shots (beware heat haze).
Departing traffic from Runway 31R is rare, but sometimes heavy aircrafts (need longer runway) or when other runway is closed taxying here on A9 for departure from RWY 31R. In that case you can take very nice rolling shots, the taxiway Alfa is very close to the fence. High ladder is necessary.
In case of direction 13 departing traffic from Terminal 2 and some from T1 (heavies) uses the this runway for departure. You can take nice climbing out shots from the field or from the fence.
You can walk along the fence towards to the Terminal 2, you will reach Catering spotting point in the corner of airport fence. This place is good for taxi shots on TWY Y, P4, A. High ladder is a must there.
Lens: 70-300mm
Sun: afternoon, evening
Other: High fence (310 cm). You must walk 1,5-2 kms from your car as there is a barrier so you cannot drive on soil roads.
Gate 31 at T2B
Description: This spot is located on the departure level of Terminal 2B, at Gate 31, the last gate on the corner of Terminal 2B. Unfortunately nowadays many ground vehicles and other equipment are parked here which can disturb a clean photo. Night shot is also possible from here.
Traffic: You can take shots of parking aircrafts, push-back, taxi at Gate 31.
Lens: Wide angle to telephoto
Sun: morning. Night shots also possible.
Other: Parking is very expensive here.
Final RWY 31L
Description: This spot is located under the short final of Runway 31L. The spot is a field next to the highway "4". You can stand anywhere in this field or you can stand on the old road. In the afternoon you can stay on the field close to the Shell fuel station, in this case you can leave your car at the fuel station.
In the morning you can stand somewhere at the Ferihegy Aircraft Museum, or even around Gate 31. In this case you can leave your car in the parking of the museum (free).
Traffic: When the direction is 31 arrival traffic for Terminal 1 (low-cost, GAT, Cargo) uses this runway (31L) for landing, traffic for Terminal 2 uses the other runway (31R) for landing. (Some heavy cargo planes sometimes use the longer runway 31R, however they park at T1.)
Lens: 70-300mm
Sun: all the day (move to the right side)
Regular Traffic
http://www.bud.hu/english/passengers/flight_information/departures
Facilities and Transportation
Ferihegy Aircraft Open Air Museum
Photography is allowed in the museum.
Aircraft on display:
- An-2M
- Ilyushin IL-14
- Ilyushin Il-18
- Lisunov Li-
- Mil-2
- Tupolev TU-134
- Tupolev TU-154B2
- Yakovlev Yak-40
You can enter inside the TU-154 and TU-134.
Opening time:
- 1st March - 30th Sept.: 9am - 6pm
- 1st Oct - 30th Nov: 9am - 4pm
Approach: From Terminal 2 few hundred meters walk along the airport fence.
Further info: http://www.bud.hu
External links
airportal.hu - Hungarian Aviation Portal