While the Copenhagen departure gives a nice harbor view, the Budapest arrival delivers a genuinely dramatic river-and-castle cityscape that's rare among short European hops, giving the right side the edge over the course of the full flight.
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Flight Path
Copenhagen to Budapest is 632 miles (1,018 km), a flight of about 1 hour 55 minutes.
The route crosses the western Baltic near the Danish islands, then the flat farmland of Mecklenburg and Saxony in eastern Germany, the Bohemian basin of the Czech Republic, and the Little Hungarian Plain near Bratislava before descending into the Danube basin at Budapest. On very clear days the low Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) along the German-Czech border may be visible as gentle ridgelines below the flight path.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CPH
LEFTDeparting CPH southbound, the aircraft typically banks to correct onto the southeasterly track toward Hungary, swinging Copenhagen's city center, harbor, and the Øresund strait into view on the left side. The right side mostly shows the flatter Amager farmland and outer suburbs.
Landing at BUD
RIGHTOn the turn to final for runway 31 at BUD, arriving traffic from the north commonly loops east of the city before lining up, putting the Danube, Castle Hill, and the Pest skyline squarely on the right side of the cabin during descent. This is the single most dramatic urban view on the whole route.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Kastrup (CPH) to Ferihegy (BUD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Copenhagen to Budapest. While the Copenhagen departure gives a nice harbor view, the Budapest arrival delivers a genuinely dramatic river-and-castle cityscape that's rare among short European hops, giving the right side the edge over the course of the full flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Kastrup in Copenhagen?
During takeoff from Kastrup (CPH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing CPH southbound, the aircraft typically banks to correct onto the southeasterly track toward Hungary, swinging Copenhagen's city center, harbor, and the Øresund strait into view on the left side. The right side mostly shows the flatter Amager farmland and outer suburbs. Notable sights include: Copenhagen city center and harbor, Øresund Strait, Amager Island, distant Malmö coastline (Sweden).
What can I see when landing at Ferihegy in Budapest?
When landing at Ferihegy (BUD), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the turn to final for runway 31 at BUD, arriving traffic from the north commonly loops east of the city before lining up, putting the Danube, Castle Hill, and the Pest skyline squarely on the right side of the cabin during descent. This is the single most dramatic urban view on the whole route. Notable sights include: Danube River, Buda Castle Hill, Hungarian Parliament Building, Margaret Island.
How long is the flight from Copenhagen to Budapest?
The flight from Kastrup (CPH) to Ferihegy (BUD) takes about 1 hour 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 632 miles (1,018 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Copenhagen to Budapest flight path pass over?
The route crosses the western Baltic near the Danish islands, then the flat farmland of Mecklenburg and Saxony in eastern Germany, the Bohemian basin of the Czech Republic, and the Little Hungarian Plain near Bratislava before descending into the Danube basin at Budapest. On very clear days the low Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) along the German-Czech border may be visible as gentle ridgelines below the flight path.