How to Get to Budapest from Vienna

One of the best ways to make the most of a multi-day stay in Vienna is to explore nearby destinations both inside and outside Austria. Its prime location connects it to other major destinations in Europe, which is why visiting Prague from Vienna or visiting Budapest is easier than you might imagine and one of the best things to do in Vienna as long as your itinerary allows for it.

Will you be in Vienna for 4 days or more? Take the opportunity to get to know Budapest with all the information I share with you below.

An excursion to Budapest from Vienna is the best way to get to know both destinations and have a hassle-free holiday; fortunately in the Austrian capital you will find numerous providers offering this experience and at really affordable prices. The aim is to ensure that the transfer, the regulated departure times and the timetable for visiting the attractions are of the utmost importance.

What these excursions include

Day trips to Budapest from Vienna usually start early in the morning. After all, Budapest is 243 km away, which means a minimum driving time of 2 hours and 30 minutes. Leaving early in the morning ensures that you get the most out of your day trip.

Accompanied by an expert guide and in private transport you will drive through the fields and plains southwest of Vienna on the Austria-Hungary route to reach the capital and get to know the most important sights and attractions of Budapest.

Although the itinerary may be modified depending on the company you finally decide to hire for the tour, some of the destinations you can expect to see include: the Buda Castle complex, the Fisherman's Bastion, the magnificent Parliament building, which can be visited on guided tours, and more.

Useful information

• Price: It could vary greatly depending on the type of tour you choose, group tours are available from €130, individual tours from €300.
• Duration of the trip: These are day trips to Budapest, departing from Vienna early in the morning. You should allow 12-14 hours for this experience.
• Recommended if: You are looking for a comfortable, practical and easy way to enjoy Budapest on your next holiday in Vienna. The Budapest experience is one of the best day trips from Vienna, according to travellers' ratings.

The favourite option for locals and tourists wishing to visit Budapest from Vienna is the train service. Keep in mind that a train journey requires a lot more organisation on your part and be very attentive to timetables so that you don't miss your departure.

It is advisable to book tickets and ensure availability on the day of your excursion, especially if you are travelling during peak tourist seasons such as summer in Vienna.

Route

The route departs from Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) at various times and arrives in the centre of Budapest, specifically Budapest-Kelenfoeld train station.

Companies offering this service

The companies offering connections between the two cities depart at different times and with different timetables. Here are the most important ones.

• RegioJet: a train on the Vienna-Budapest route leaves every 4 hours on average.
• ÖBB EuroCity you will find a new train every 4 hours on the Vienna-Budapest route.
• Railjet: this company operates three trains a day.
• Hungarian Railways (MÁV): this company operates a train Vienna-Budapest once a day.

Useful information

• Price: Depending on the company and availability, you can estimate an average range of €30 to €50 each way. Generally the Budapest-Vienna journey is more expensive than the Vienna-Budapest journey.
• Journey time: This is a fast travel option and the train journey will take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Recommended yes: A great alternative for those looking for autonomy on their trip to Budapest and don't want to pay for an excursion, although you will be responsible for organising many of the details of the trip. This is a convenient and quick option for getting between the two destinations.

As well as being economical, it is an interesting option due to the departure times of some bus companies that operate from early in the morning. If you plan to spend a whole day sightseeing in Budapest, this alternative allows you to arrive in the Hungarian capital early in the morning to make the most of the hours of fun.

Route

Buses depart from the International Bus Terminal located at Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station). In Budapest you will arrive at one of the two main Budapest stations: Népliget which connects to Budapest Metro line 3 and Kelenföld which connects to Budapest Metro line 4 and Budapest Tram line 19.

Companies offering this service

Similar to train travel, bus service in Vienna is a popular option for travel to nearby destinations within Austria, such as Salzburg, or outside Austria, such as Budapest or Prague.

This translates into multiple companies offering the service and multiple schedules to choose from. These are the most popular and convenient companies offering direct, non-stop connections between the two destinations.

• RegioJet: A new bus leaves on the Vienna - Budapest route every 3 hours on average.
• FlixBus: Buses from this company depart 3 times a day.

Useful information

• Price: May vary slightly depending on the company you choose and the timetable. You can estimate an average cost between €7 and €17 each way.
• Journey time: This is possibly one of the slowest options, you will need to allow 3 hours for the journey and add the waiting time at the station before boarding your bus.
• Recommended if: you are making a low cost, relaxed trip and can afford to lose a few hours in order to save money. Keep in mind that this travel option will require punctuality above all to avoid missing your transport.

Although a car trip from Vienna gives you a lot of flexibility and the opportunity to customise your route according to the destinations you want to visit, it is not an option I recommend if it is your first time visiting this part of Europe, mainly because it requires a lot of planning and because, as I explained in the previous points, there are many other cheaper and more comfortable alternatives.

Route

If you choose this alternative, you will need to invest time and attention in planning your route carefully to ensure a pleasant and trouble-free trip.

Depending on your travel plan , you can follow several different routes. The most direct route to Budapest is via A4 and M1. If you take the A4 and A6 you will have a longer journey but you will cross very close to Bratislava. Consider a new destination to arrive in Budapest in the evening and explore it thoroughly on the following days.

Companies offering this service

Car rental companies are diverse so I recommend you do your own research; some of the most reliable and popular ones are listed below.

• Sixt Car Hire: Their offices are located in Hilton, Am Stadtpark 1.
• Europcar Autovermietung: Their offices are located at Schubertring 9.
• Avis Autovermietung: Offices are located at Universitätsstraße Votivpark-Garage, Berlin city centre.

Useful information

• Price: Renting a cheap car in Vienna costs around €26 per day. Fuel costs should be added to the budget.
• Travel time: A car journey from Vienna will take about 3 hours on average, not including stops.
• Recommended yes: Considering the public transport facilities between Vienna and Budapest or the many advantages of a private tour, I would only recommend this option if you are making a multi-destination route.

Although it is possible to fly from Vienna to Budapest, it is not an option I would recommend to any of my travelling friends. It's a very expensive option, with infrequent flights, and it doesn't save time either.

Route

Your flight will depart from Vienna International Airport (Fri) and land at Budapest Airport. Whether you are travelling with luggage, with small children or simply for convenience, it is good to know that in both destinations you have transfer options between the airports (located on the outskirts of the city) and your final destination or point of departure.

• Transfers to Vienna Airport
• Transfers from Budapest Airport

Companies offering this service

At the moment the only airline offering direct flights between the two destinations is Austrian Airlines, which offers several flights a week and seasonally several flights on the same day.

Useful information

• Price: Although it is possible to get cheap deals of around €30 at certain times of the year, airline tickets can cost up to €150 per passenger.
• Travel time: The flight between the two cities takes just 45 minutes. However, transfers between airports can take an additional 20-40 minutes each. To this you will have to add waiting and check in time.
• Recommended yes: I do not recommend this option under any scenario, due to the high price and the fact that it takes as long, sometimes longer, than a train journey.