Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over Central Asia and China, the left side also faces generally south, offering better views of the Tian Shan and Altai ranges as distant horizon features compared to the flatter Siberian terrain on the right.
Flown BUD to NRT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Budapest to Tokyo is 5,635 miles (9,069 km), a flight of about 11 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks northeast over Ukraine and southern Russia, then across Kazakhstan and the vast Kazakh steppe, over the Tian Shan mountain range visible as a major snow-capped chain, across western China and the Gobi Desert, over Inner Mongolia and northeastern China, then descending across the Korean Peninsula or Yellow Sea before crossing the Japanese archipelago to Narita.
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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 of bridges across the river as the city falls away beneath you.
Landing at NRT
LEFTNRT's primary arrival runway 34L/34R brings aircraft in from the south-southeast on a northwesterly heading, placing the left side facing west over the Boso Peninsula and Tokyo Bay. This gives you the best view of Tokyo Bay, the bay crossing, and the distant Tokyo metropolitan skyline as you descend.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ferihegy (BUD) to New Tokyo International (NRT)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Budapest to Tokyo. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over Central Asia and China, the left side also faces generally south, offering better views of the Tian Shan and Altai ranges as distant horizon features compared to the flatter Siberian terrain on the right.
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 of bridges across the river as the city falls away beneath you. Notable sights include: Danube River and its bridges (Chain Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge), Buda Castle and Castle Hill, Gellért Hill with the Citadella fortress, Lake Velence to the southwest.
What can I see when landing at New Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. NRT's primary arrival runway 34L/34R brings aircraft in from the south-southeast on a northwesterly heading, placing the left side facing west over the Boso Peninsula and Tokyo Bay. This gives you the best view of Tokyo Bay, the bay crossing, and the distant Tokyo metropolitan skyline as you descend. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay and its reclaimed land areas, the Boso Peninsula coastline, Chiba city and industrial waterfront, distant Tokyo metropolitan skyline across the bay.
How long is the flight from Budapest to Tokyo?
The flight from Ferihegy (BUD) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes about 11 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,635 miles (9,069 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Budapest to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The route tracks northeast over Ukraine and southern Russia, then across Kazakhstan and the vast Kazakh steppe, over the Tian Shan mountain range visible as a major snow-capped chain, across western China and the Gobi Desert, over Inner Mongolia and northeastern China, then descending across the Korean Peninsula or Yellow Sea before crossing the Japanese archipelago to Narita.