WizzAir: Oslo to Budapest

The carrier: WizzAir

Upside
Cheap fares and long destination tally lifts Wizz Air into the first tier.

Downside
Route map is more or less restricted to east-west routes. Delays and cancellations are announced at the last minute and left unexplained.

About
In June of 2003, six airline pros joined forces with Jozsef Varadi (the current CEO of WizzAir) to start WizzAir; within three months, WizzAir was ready for takeoff.

Polish-Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air has joined the big leagues. With an impressive destination tally and a whopping 10 UK airports served, Wizz is one of Europe's first tier of budget airlines. On a fare by fare basis, Wizz offers among the very cheapest airfares in Europe.

Wizz Air's route map ranges across western and central Europe, and its routes are mostly set up on an east-west axis, not a north-south one.

Baggage
* Carry-on: One item up to 10 kg and one personal item.
* Checked: Up to 20 kg of luggage and each piece of luggage is charged at the rate of €7.5. Over this limit, you will be charged €10 per kg. If you check luggage after booking you will be charged €15 for each piece.

Seating
Wizz operates on the first-come first-serve basis at check-in. Seats with extra legroom are €5 in advance or at the airport for €10.

Tip
Opt for "pre-boarding", when you book on-line or via the call center, by paying a nominal fee (ranging from €2.5 to €5). In this case, you’ll be called to board before other passengers. Wizz-bang!
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Departure: Oslo, Norway - Oslo International (OSL)

Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is the main international airport serving Norway and is a hub of Norwegian Air Shuttle. Oslo Airport offers numerous direct flights to a large range of airports within Europe.

Location: Oslo Airport is located 32 km (20 miles) north of the Oslo city center.

Transport:

- Rail: The high speed rail link, which opened in conjunction with the airport, is inside the main airport terminal. Airport Express Train operates to and from the airport and the Oslo Central Station, with services that continue to Asker.

- Bus: The Oslo Airport Express Coach provides service to and from the airport and Oslo, Fredrikstad, Ski and Gjovik. Also, most express buses from all over the country stop at the Oslo Airport. The local transport authority, Ruter, operates a number of services to Gardermoen from nearby towns. Travelers can take the SAS Airport Bus which runs between Oslo Airport and Oslo Central Station. Night bus services are available.

- Taxi: There is a taxi information desk located in the Arrivals Hall and the taxi rank is located just outside.

Service: An information desk is inside the Arrivals Hall. The airport also has a bank, currency exchange, and ATMs. Wireless Internet is available in all public areas. There are also various restaurants, cafes, and shops available in International Departures and the Arrivals Halls.
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Arrival: Budapest, Hungary - Ferihegy (BUD)

In Brief: Budapest has followed a recent trend across several big airports in Europe by reserving an entire terminal for low-cost airlines. Wizz Air and Ryanair are the two biggest low-cost airlines at Budapest, though the airport is also served by a huge number of conventional airlines, and is the base for the Hungarian flag carrier Malev.

Transportation: The most budget-friendly way to get to or from the airport is by bus. Bus 93 runs from Terminal 1 to the Kőbánya-Kispest metro terminal; bus 200 runs from Terminals 1 and 2 to Kőbánya-Kispest. From the metro station, the journey to Deák Ferenc Square takes just twenty minutes and costs HUF230 (€.90; $1.35). The train link is only slightly more expensive. Twice an hour trains depart from the airport for Budapest's Nyugati train station. The journey takes around 20 minutes and costs HUF300 (€1.20; $1.75).
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