Left side wins both ends of the flight. Over the cruise portion heading northwest, the left side also tracks closer to the Rhine valley and German lowlands, while the right side faces open sky over the North European Plain. Left is the clear choice for the whole journey.
Flight Path
The route crosses western Slovakia and the Czech Republic (Moravia), then over southern Germany including the Bavarian plateau, crossing the Rhine somewhere near Cologne or Düsseldorf, then into the flat Netherlands. The Alps are well to the south and not visible. The Rhine-Ruhr industrial conurbation may be visible as a dense urban sprawl on the left side during cruise descent.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BUD
LEFTBudapest's runways 13/31 mean a westbound departure typically involves a left turn climbing out over the city. The left side gives you the Danube cutting through central Budapest, the Chain Bridge, and the Buda Hills rising to the west. Right side gets the flat Pest plain and industrial eastern suburbs.
Landing at AMS
LEFTSchiphol's primary arrival runways (18R/36L and 18C/36C) for traffic from the southeast typically bring aircraft in from the east or southeast on final. The left side on approach gives you Amsterdam's canal ring, the IJ waterway, and the North Sea coast. Right side faces south toward the flat polder farmland.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ferihegy (BUD) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Budapest to Amsterdam. Left side wins both ends of the flight. Over the cruise portion heading northwest, the left side also tracks closer to the Rhine valley and German lowlands, while the right side faces open sky over the North European Plain. Left is the clear choice for the whole journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Ferihegy in Budapest?
During takeoff from Ferihegy (BUD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Budapest's runways 13/31 mean a westbound departure typically involves a left turn climbing out over the city. The left side gives you the Danube cutting through central Budapest, the Chain Bridge, and the Buda Hills rising to the west. Right side gets the flat Pest plain and industrial eastern suburbs. Notable sights include: Danube River bends through central Budapest, Chain Bridge and Parliament building cluster, Buda Hills (Budai-hegység) rising to 500m, Lake Velence glinting to the southwest.
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Schiphol's primary arrival runways (18R/36L and 18C/36C) for traffic from the southeast typically bring aircraft in from the east or southeast on final. The left side on approach gives you Amsterdam's canal ring, the IJ waterway, and the North Sea coast. Right side faces south toward the flat polder farmland. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring and historic center, IJ waterway and Amsterdam harbour, North Sea coastline with beach strips, Haarlem city cluster to the northwest.
How long is the flight from Budapest to Amsterdam?
The flight from Ferihegy (BUD) to Schiphol (AMS) takes Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes.
What does the Budapest to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
The route crosses western Slovakia and the Czech Republic (Moravia), then over southern Germany including the Bavarian plateau, crossing the Rhine somewhere near Cologne or Düsseldorf, then into the flat Netherlands. The Alps are well to the south and not visible. The Rhine-Ruhr industrial conurbation may be visible as a dense urban sprawl on the left side during cruise descent.