While the right side wins the brief takeoff and landing moments with city views, the left side dominates the long cruise phase, offering a sustained view of the Alpine foothills and distant peaks along the southern horizon as the flight crosses Austria and southern Germany — a much longer and more dramatic stretch of scenery than the short urban glimpses on the right.
Flown BUD to LGW? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Budapest to London is 910 miles (1,465 km), a flight of about 2 hours 40 minutes.
Austrian Alps visible as a distant mountain wall to the south, the Bavarian plateau near Munich, and the rolling Swabian Jura/Black Forest region of southern Germany before the route continues toward eastern France and the Channel crossing.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BUD
RIGHTDeparting BUD on runway 31 the aircraft climbs northwest almost directly over the city before curving onto its westward track, putting the Danube bend, Castle Hill and the Parliament building on the right side of the cabin. It's a brief but genuinely photogenic urban view before the terrain flattens out.
Landing at LGW
RIGHTOn the approach into Gatwick's runway 26 from the east, the flight path crosses Kent and Surrey south of central London, and on clear days the city's skyline is visible in the distance to the right (north) before the aircraft turns over the rolling North Downs toward the airport.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ferihegy (BUD) to Gatwick (LGW)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Budapest to London. While the right side wins the brief takeoff and landing moments with city views, the left side dominates the long cruise phase, offering a sustained view of the Alpine foothills and distant peaks along the southern horizon as the flight crosses Austria and southern Germany — a much longer and more dramatic stretch of scenery than the short urban glimpses on the right.
What can I see during takeoff from Ferihegy in Budapest?
During takeoff from Ferihegy (BUD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing BUD on runway 31 the aircraft climbs northwest almost directly over the city before curving onto its westward track, putting the Danube bend, Castle Hill and the Parliament building on the right side of the cabin. It's a brief but genuinely photogenic urban view before the terrain flattens out. Notable sights include: Danube River bend, Buda Castle Hill, Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest downtown skyline.
What can I see when landing at Gatwick in London?
When landing at Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the approach into Gatwick's runway 26 from the east, the flight path crosses Kent and Surrey south of central London, and on clear days the city's skyline is visible in the distance to the right (north) before the aircraft turns over the rolling North Downs toward the airport. Notable sights include: Distant London skyline (Shard, Canary Wharf towers), North Downs ridgeline, Surrey/Sussex patchwork farmland, Gatwick's approach lights near Crawley.
How long is the flight from Budapest to London?
The flight from Ferihegy (BUD) to Gatwick (LGW) takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 910 miles (1,465 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Budapest to London flight path pass over?
Austrian Alps visible as a distant mountain wall to the south, the Bavarian plateau near Munich, and the rolling Swabian Jura/Black Forest region of southern Germany before the route continues toward eastern France and the Channel crossing.