How to plan your airport transfer the right way

A 3 a.m. departure, two hours until check-in, and just one question on your mind: will I make it? A well-planned airport transfer is the difference between boarding calmly and sprinting to the last gate. In this guide we’ll show you when to set off, what to prepare the day before, and why a booked transfer to Budapest Airport is worth more than a last-minute taxi.

How many hours before departure should you leave?

The rule of thumb when travelling to Budapest Airport (BUD) from eastern Slovakia:

Schengen flight (Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam): be at the airport 2 hours before departure.
Non-Schengen flight (London, Istanbul, Dubai): at the airport 2 hours 30 minutes before departure.
Low-cost flight (Wizz Air, Ryanair): add 30 minutes — baggage checks tend to be strict.

The trip from Košice to Budapest Airport takes about 2 hours 40 minutes in normal traffic. From Prešov, allow 3 hours 10 minutes. In the early morning (before 6:00) the drive is smooth; between 7:00 and 9:00 queues build up on the Miskolc → Budapest stretch.

In practice: for an 8:00 departure we recommend leaving Košice around 04:00–04:30. You’ll have a buffer for refuelling, check-in and a coffee — and no stress.

Weather, traffic and checks — what the professionals factor in

When planning your airport transfer, a dispatcher doesn’t just look at Google Maps. Experience from thousands of trips tells us:

Winter (November–March): we add 30–45 minutes of buffer. We check the border route the day before — on a rainy night the average speed drops by 20 km/h.
Roadworks and detours: we follow updates from the Hungarian traffic portal continuously. Works on the M30 are therefore factored into the plan a day ahead.
Milhosť border crossing: on weekends and holidays it can mean a 20–40 minute delay.
Airport checks: passport control at BUD Terminal 2 for non-Schengen flights on a Friday morning takes 30–50 minutes.

That’s why every one of our routes already includes a buffer — you won’t arrive “at the last second” but with peace of mind.

What to prepare the day before

A short checklist for a stress-free departure:

Documents: a valid passport or ID card + a printed or PDF boarding pass. Some low-cost airlines require a printed version at check-in.
Luggage: both checked and carry-on weighed at home. Wizz Air and Ryanair measure dimensions strictly — 2 kg over costs €70+.
Driver contact: our driver calls 15 minutes before pick-up. In a text message, send the exact address including floor and entrance number — at night this is crucial.
Payment card and euros in cash: a little cash comes in handy at the airport for a coffee or a charging point if phone payment fails.
Charged phone + power bank: check-in often runs via a QR code. A power bank is cheap insurance in case of a flight delay.

Pro tip: if you’re flying with family, save all boarding passes in a single PDF on your phone — one source of truth at passport control.

A professional transfer vs. a last-minute taxi

Ordering a taxi to the airport through an app at three in the morning sounds simple. The problem arises when:

	Last-minute taxi	Silverline transfer
Availability 01:00–05:00	Unreliable, drivers often don’t respond	Firmly booked, dispatching 24/7
Price Košice → BUD airport	€180–250 (one car)	from €49 per person
Capacity	1–3 people + limited luggage	7 passengers in a minibus
Border fees	Risk of extra charges	Included
Cancellation	Usually non-refundable	Cancellation up to 48 h: €5 per person (incl. VAT)
Flight tracking	No	Yes — we wait if your flight is delayed

With two passengers you’re €20–60 cheaper with Silverline than with a taxi. With four, the difference doubles. See the full transfer price list for all routes.

Night and weekend flights — a reliable ride at three in the morning

Departures between 01:00 and 06:00 are the most common source of stress, because public transport doesn’t run and taxis charge a higher rate. That’s why Silverline runs regularly even overnight.

Regular night departures to Budapest Airport:

Košice → BUD airport: 01:30 and 05:30
Prešov → BUD airport: 01:00 and 05:00

Daytime departures follow at 09:30, 10:00, 12:30, 13:00, 16:00 and 16:30 — 5 departures a day from each direction in total. Bookings are confirmed at least 24 hours before departure. The driver will call you when they’re at your door.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to book an airport transfer?

We recommend 7–30 days before departure. When you book more than 90 days ahead, you get an early-bird discount of up to 33%. Bookings are confirmed up to 24 hours before departure.

Can I cancel my booking free of charge?

For cancellations more than 48 hours before departure we charge €5 per person as a cancellation fee (incl. VAT); for later cancellations, 100%. Refunds are processed within 3 business days to your payment card.

Will you pick me up directly from home?

Pick-up from an agreed address in Košice, Prešov and the surrounding area is included in the transfer price. VIP pick-up with a private driver from another city or outside the standard route costs +€10 per direction.

How much does a Košice ↔ Budapest transfer cost?

From €49 per person on the Košice ↔ Budapest Airport route. To the centre of Budapest, €59 per person. From Prešov, €59 (airport) or €69 (centre). The full price list also covers children and groups.

What if my flight is delayed?

We track every flight via public flight data. If your flight is delayed, the driver automatically shifts the pick-up. You don’t need to call us — the dispatcher will contact you only if the delay is more than 90 minutes.

How to book your airport transfer

Booking takes 90 seconds:

Open the online booking
Choose your route (Košice ↔ Budapest, Prešov ↔ Budapest or another)
Fill in the date, number of passengers and departure time
You’ll receive confirmation by e-mail and SMS with the driver’s contact

For custom routes, group bookings over 7 people or personal questions, call +421 911 01 01 61 or write to info@silverline.sk — dispatching is available 24/7.