Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the cruise portion heading west-northwest, the left side also faces south, giving views toward the Alps on the horizon as you cross Austria and southern Germany, while the right side looks north toward less dramatic terrain.
Flight Path
The route crosses the Little Hungarian Plain and Vienna basin over Austria, then tracks across Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The Black Forest ridge is visible to the south on the left side around the midpoint. Crossing into France over Alsace, the Rhine Valley is briefly visible, and the Vosges hills pass to the south. The route then crosses the Champagne plains before descending into the Paris basin.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BUD
LEFTBudapest's main departure runway 31L/31R sends aircraft northwest, putting the left (south/southwest) side facing back over central Budapest. You get a clear view of the Danube bend, Buda Castle Hill, and the Chain Bridge as the city falls away beneath you.
Landing at CDG
LEFTCDG's most common westerly approaches on runway 27L/27R bring aircraft in from the east, putting the left side facing south toward Paris. On final approach you track directly over the northeastern suburbs with the city center, Eiffel Tower, and Seine visible to the south on the left side.
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 Charles De Gaulle (CDG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Budapest to Paris. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the cruise portion heading west-northwest, the left side also faces south, giving views toward the Alps on the horizon as you cross Austria and southern Germany, while the right side looks north toward less dramatic terrain.
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 main departure runway 31L/31R sends aircraft northwest, putting the left (south/southwest) side facing back over central Budapest. You get a clear view of the Danube bend, Buda Castle Hill, and the Chain Bridge as the city falls away beneath you. Notable sights include: Danube River and its bridges through central Budapest, Buda Castle and Castle Hill, Gellért Hill with the Citadella fortress, Lake Velence to the southwest.
What can I see when landing at Charles De Gaulle in Paris?
When landing at Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Left side for the best views. CDG's most common westerly approaches on runway 27L/27R bring aircraft in from the east, putting the left side facing south toward Paris. On final approach you track directly over the northeastern suburbs with the city center, Eiffel Tower, and Seine visible to the south on the left side. Notable sights include: Paris city center and the Seine River bends, Eiffel Tower visible as a slender structure to the south, Stade de France in Saint-Denis directly below or nearby, the dense Haussmann boulevard grid of central Paris.
How long is the flight from Budapest to Paris?
The flight from Ferihegy (BUD) to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) takes Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes.
What does the Budapest to Paris flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Little Hungarian Plain and Vienna basin over Austria, then tracks across Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The Black Forest ridge is visible to the south on the left side around the midpoint. Crossing into France over Alsace, the Rhine Valley is briefly visible, and the Vosges hills pass to the south. The route then crosses the Champagne plains before descending into the Paris basin.