How to get from Budapest to Vienna: tips for tourists

Europe attracts tourists all over the world with its stunning cultural and historical heritage, a high standard of living, a rich and cognitive holiday. Hungary is a famous European power. Its capital, Budapest, is visited annually by hundreds of thousands of travelers from various corners of the globe.

Many tourists who have visited Budapest are beginning to be interested in the opportunity to continue their trip already in Vienna. This desire is quite understandable and justified, because Budapest and Vienna are the cities of the once united empire. Now they represent different European powers, but they are still close to each other. So why not take advantage of this unique opportunity?

Possible options

So, today you can get from Budapest to Vienna in several ways:

• by train;
• by bus;
• by car;
• on a boat;
• Within the framework of a sightseeing tour.

Why not a plane?

"What about the plane?" - you ask. Indeed, the aircraft is the most operational and safe option for travelers, but the cost of a flight is difficult to call a budget. In this case, it's not even in price. The distance from Budapest to Vienna is only 240 km. Agree, you will spend much more time during registration than on the road. Of course, you can go to the airport of Vienna. Budapest can also offer you several options. Our task is to acquaint tourists with the most efficient and budgetary ways. In order to form an objective assessment of each of the above options, we dwell on them in more detail.

Traveling by train

Several dozens of regular trains leave Vienna every day from Budapest. We must admit that the railway communication between the cities is well established. That is why many tourists and stop on this option. If you are planning a tour of Vienna-Budapest, feedback about which inspired and inspired you, it would be nice to get acquainted with the train schedule in advance. You will notice that the trains start to leave early in the morning (5-6 am) and go on the route until the evening (18-19 hours).

The subtleties of planning a trip by train

Virtually all trains from Budapest to Vienna depart from the railway station Kelenföld vasútállomás. The cars are characterized by an increased level of comfort, so the journey time (2.5 hours) will pass unnoticed. These trains come into comparison, perhaps, only with the Russian "Swallow" and "Sapsan". The cost of round-trip ticket starts from 26 euros and depends not only on the selected train, but also on the time of departure. We advise, buying a ticket, not to tie it to a specific place. In this case, you can use it all day, as well as the next day.

It makes no sense to bring the exact train schedule, because it changes from time to time. In any case, read it in advance - it is advised to make numerous tourist reviews. Budapest-Vienna-Prague is a rather popular route, according to Experienced travelers. They also advise to use the well-known Russian site "Tutu.ru" to get acquainted with the timetable for the movement of trains and the purchase of tickets. All tourists will enjoy the Russian-language menu, which greatly simplifies the journey.

Trains from Budapest arrive at Hauptbahnhof station, but we recommend getting to the Wien-Meidling station. Why? From there, it is easier to get to the center of the Austrian capital by taking advantage of the metro.

The road Vienna-Budapest (reviews about this trip are the most positive) will certainly please and surprise tourists with wonderful views. Many choose the train, considering it the most budget and fast option. Indeed, if you take into account the minimum ticket price (13 euros to each side), it turns out quite inexpensive.

Traveling by bus

If you had the opportunity to learn about the Budapest-Vienna-Prague-Dresden tour, then for sure you are not afraid of long and sometimes not the most comfortable travel. Your goal is to get acquainted with the best European powers within one trip. As a rule, mobile tourists, planning their route, prefer buses.

If you decide to go from Budapest to Vienna by bus, then you should get to the main bus station of the Hungarian capital - Nepliget buszpalyaudvar. At the moment the direction of Budapest-Vienna is served by several carriers: Orange Ways, Volanbusz and Eurolines. Each option has its own characteristics, so it deserves close attention.

Bus ride from Orange Ways

To begin with, we recommend that you visit the official website of the carrier, available in many world languages. Unfortunately, in Russian it is not represented, but there is an option in English. If it is not available to you, use the virtual translator. All you need to do to purchase tickets is to choose a route, determine the date of your trip and indicate the number of passengers. For students and pensioners from the EU provides a system of benefits and discounts. If you are not an EU citizen, do not expect such privileges and demand them from the company.

The cost of a ticket to each side starts from 10 euros, which is already lower than the price of a railway pass. According to the rules of the carrier, one purchased ticket entitles not only to travel, but also to carry luggage. And it is allowed to carry two seats with a total weight of up to 32 kg and dimensions of not more than 100 x 50 x 40 cm, otherwise you will have to pay extra. In Europe, the travel of children under 2 years by bus is free of charge only if the parents take the child in their hands, that is, in their place, otherwise you will have to purchase a separate ticket at full cost. And yet, if you go on a journey with a pet, the services of this company you definitely do not fit.

Bus ride from Volanbusz and Eurolines

The official website of the carrier is available only in Hungarian and English. Again, with a virtual translator, you should not have problems. The company offers to buy a ticket worth about 10 euros without reference to a specific date and a specific flight, which is very convenient. Nevertheless, we recommend that you still get acquainted with the schedule, in advance to form the route of your small trip. It is noteworthy that the ticket from Vienna to Budapest is significantly cheaper: approximately 3-4 euros. Pay attention to this feature and purchase tickets separately.

Now with regard to transportation conditions. Each passenger has the right to carry two pieces of luggage with a total weight not exceeding 40 kg. The overall dimensions of the luggage correspond to the standard luggage bag or suitcase (80 x 80 x 25 cm). The company allows you to carry pets with you. However, in this case it is necessary to use special carrying bags, muzzles. The weight of a bag with a pet should not exceed 10 kg. In rare cases it is permitted to transport larger animals, but only on special request. The company provides discounts for children and adolescents: the cost of a ticket for children up to 3 years is 20% of the cost of an adult ticket, for children and adolescents up to 14 years - 50%. This carrier is more in demand, as it attracts passengers with loyal conditions and the democratic cost of tickets.

If you choose a bus for traveling, then the journey time will be on average 3-3.5 hours.

We travel by car

If you value your time, are not used to adjusting to someone, we suggest you go to Vienna from Budapest by car. So, as already noted, the distance between cities is 240 km. By car, developing an average speed, you can reach the destination in just 2-2.5 hours. It is important to understand that in this case it is a question of moving along the expressway with a fairly dense and intensive traffic from both the Austrian and the Hungarian sides.

Toll roads

Most tourists take cars for rent. We must admit that the Russians who come to Hungary by private car have recently become less and less. So, if you rented a car and decided to go around not only Hungary, but also visit Austria, Vienna in particular, then be sure to discuss this opportunity with the tenant. The fact is that in Hungary and Austria a lot of toll roads. Therefore, a car rental company can include a vignette cost, which will be a permit for you to travel on toll roads. If you are an avid traveler and decided to go on a trip by private car, you will have to buy a vignette worth 10 euros in advance.

The route Budapest-Vienna by car can be laid independently, using modern navigation programs and applications. On the territory of Hungary, all electronic vignettes, there is no need to mount them on the windshield of the car. But, as soon as you cross the border and find yourself on the territory of Austria, do not be too lazy and fix the vignette. You can buy it in Austria at any gas station, the cost is slightly lower than in Hungary, and is 8 euros.

Some tourists try to deceive the law and travel on toll roads without a vignette. We want to remind you that the traffic rules in Europe must be strictly observed. Moreover, the fine for driving without a vignette today amounts to 100 euros in Austria and about 50 euros in Hungary. Agree, the cost of the vignette is much less.

The cost of one liter of AI-95 gasoline is in the range of about 1 euro. Tourists often rent small cars with an average fuel consumption of 7-8 liters per 100 km. By simple calculations it turns out that the journey to Vienna from Budapest by car will pour into a tidy sum (about 60 euros). Is there really no way to save money?

Traveling with BlaBlaCar

We offer not to give up comfort and go to Vienna by car, but not on your own. It's about the modern search service fellow travelers. Car drivers leave the order with the route and wait for the response. Most often, fellow travelers become tourists who want to save money.

Be sure to download the application to your phone or tablet. In order to take advantage of its capabilities, set a route and get acquainted with the suggestions that appear on your screen. If you show patience and diligence, you can find an option in the region of 10-15 euros. If you have a private car or you rented it, you can also save money. How? You place the application already as a driver, offering to take along fellow travelers. Thus, you will not lose comfort, but will save a substantial part of the cost of the trip.

Travel to Vienna on the Danube

In the summer time, the most interesting way to get from Budapest to Vienna is a fascinating cruise on the Danube. Just imagine: you will make a tour of Vienna-Budapest. Rest definitely will be unforgettable. In the season along this route, speedy catamarans run under the name "Meteor". Travel will not only be bright, but also informative, because you will have the opportunity to admire the beauties of the Hungarian capital from the water.

I want to say a few words about the schedule: here everything is not so rosy. "Meteors" in the direction of Budapest-Vienna depart only three times a week: on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Departure time is 9 am. The average duration of the journey is 5-6 hours. The road is not close, the ship arrives in Vienna at 16-30, which is why if you want to get to know the city closer, be sure to book a hotel in advance.

Now as to the cost of such a trip. Prepare to give 100 euros to each side. It is better to buy a round-trip ticket, which will cost 125 euros. For children under 12 years, a 50% discount applies. Agree, it turns out really not a budget trip, albeit quite bright. From Vienna back to Budapest "Meteor" goes on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays with departure at 9 am.

Travel within the framework of a sightseeing tour

Excursions from Vienna to Budapest are very popular. If you do not have the slightest desire to download yourself by buying tickets online, you do not want to think through your travel itinerary yourself and organize leisure in Vienna, then it's best to ask for help from professionals.

Budapest-Dresden-Vienna - a tour that allows you to get acquainted with the largest European capitals. In fact, there are innumerable variations. It will not be difficult for you to choose the best option, based on your taste preferences and financial possibilities.

If you are not ready for a long journey, you can only travel to the Austrian capital. Such an excursion usually lasts 11-13 hours, tourists are transported by car or minibus. Be prepared for the fact that most of the time will go to the road, and not the most comfortable. Excursions from Vienna to Budapest Not less saturated and long lasting.

The cost of the excursion program starts from 70 euros per person. Of course, the larger the group, the lower the cost.

Summing up

We tried to describe in detail the most popular ways to get from Budapest to Vienna. Each method has both advantages and disadvantages. We consider the best option to travel by train, combining comfort, efficiency and democratic value.