How to Get from Budapest to Vienna (By Bus, Train & More!)
Want to know how to get from Budapest to Vienna?
You’ve come to the right place! I am originally from Hungary and travelling between Budapest and Vienna is very easy. There are many options to get from Budapest to Vienna and some of the most popular options include the buses, trains or flights.
Vienna is 245 km from Budapest and the two cities are connected by regular, daily buses, trains, flights and even boats. The bus takes around 3 hours from Budapest to Vienna and costs USD 28-50, while the train takes 2:40 hours and costs USD 30-100.
If you are short on time or want a comfortable trip, it is also possible to book a taxi or private transfer to travel between Budapest and Vienna. The private transfer costs between USD 150-250 and takes 3 hours to get to Vienna.
So, here is everything you need to know on how to plan your trip from Budapest to Vienna!
Budapest to Vienna Distance
Vienna is 245 km from Budapest and it takes around 45 minutes by plane, 2:40 minutes by train, 3 hours by bus and around 3 hours by private transfer to get there.
How to Get from Budapest to Vienna
The best ways to travel between Budapest and Vienna is either by bus, train, flight, taxi or even boat.
The bus and trains are generally the most popular and affordable way to get to Vienna. The buses and trains operate frequently, at a low cost and get to Vienna relatively quickly.
1. Budapest to Vienna Bus
Getting from Budapest to Vienna by bus is one of the most affordable options. The bus is pretty fast, it takes almost the same time as the train so it is really one of the best options.
Budapest to Vienna Bus Time
There are regular, daily buses that go from Budapest to Vienna. The buses go frequently from 5 am in the morning to around 11 pm. It takes around 3 hours to get from Budapest to Vienna by bus.
One of the most popular bus companies operating between European cities is Flixbus. Flixbus also has many buses per day that go between Budapest and Vienna. There are buses that leave from the Népliget Station (Pest Side) and Kelenföld (Buda side).
Budapest to Vienna Bus Ticket Price
The bus ticket price from Budapest to Vienna is between USD 28-50. It is best to book the ticket early as that’s when the cheapest tickets are available. If you book the bus ticket last minute, you might not find such good deals – however, the prices will be pretty still affordable.
2. Budapest to Vienna Train
Budapest and Vienna are also connected by direct train services. The trains leave from the Keleti or Déli Train Stations in Budapest. The Keleti Train Station is on the Pest side, and the Déli Train Station is on the Buda side of Budapest – so you can leave from the one which is closest to your accommodation.
Budapest to Vienna Train Time
There are frequent, direct trains that go to Vienna, there is at least one train per hour. The train takes around 2:40 minutes between Budapest and Vienna and they go directly, without having to change.
Budapest to Vienna Train Cost
The train ticket costs between USD 30-100. The cheapest tickets are for the standard seats. The seats for first class usually cost around USD 100. If you book early, you may be able to get a deal for USD 20 for standard seats.
Budapest to Vienna Train Ticket Booking
For booking train tickets between Budapest and Vienna, two of the best websites are Trainline and RailEurope. It’s good to browse around on both websites as you may be able to get a low deal.
🚂 Book train tickets from Budapest to Vienna here:
3. Budapest to Vienna Flight
There are direct flights between Budapest and Vienna with the Austrian Airlines that takes 45 minutes and costs around USD 400.
There are no direct flights operated by budget airlines (like WizzAir or RyanAir). Budget airlines only have flights with a layover in another European city and with that the total flight time would be between 6-9 hours.
Thus, taking a budget airline between Budapest and Vienna is not worth it. If you are looking for an affordable way, it is better to take the bus or the train.
Budapest to Vienna Flight Time
The flight between Budapest and Vienna takes 45 minutes with Austrian Airlines. Austrian Airlines operate direct flights between the two cities and it is the fastest way to get to Vienna.
WizzAir or RyanAir only have flights between Budapest and Vienna with a layover, so the whole trip could take up to 6-9 hours.
Budapest to Vienna Flight Price
The direct flight from Budapest to Vienna by the Austrian Airlines costs around USD 400.
While, budget airlines (WizzAir or RyanAir) that don’t have direct flights between Budapest and Vienna cost around USD 100. The flights with WizzAir or RyanAir could take up to 6-9 hours.
4. Budapest to Vienna Private Transfer
It is also possible to arrange a private transfer between Budapest and Vienna. It is the best option if you are short on time or want a comfortable trip. It is possible to arrange the trip with taxi and transfer companies, or even through Viator.
Budapest to Vienna Taxi/Private Transfer Time
Travelling between Budapest and Vienna by taxi or private transfer takes around 3 hours.
Budapest to Vienna Taxi/Private Transfer Price
The price of private transfer from Budapest to Vienna starts from USD 150. Some of the private transfer even stop in Bratislava for a 2 hour tour and then continue on to Vienna. It is great if you want to stop and explore a new place during the trip.
If you book a taxi, the taxi costs around USD 250 from Budapest to Vienna.
Hotels in Vienna
Not sure where to stay in Vienna? Check out my top recommendations for every budget:
📍 Budget Hotel: Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner
📍 Mid-Range Hotel: BASSENA Wien Messe Prater
📍 High-Eng Hotel: Rosewood Vienna
FAQs: How to Get from Budapest to Vienna
What is the best way to get from Budapest to Vienna?
The best way to get from Budapest to Vienna is by bus or train. Both the buses and trains run regularly between the two cities and offer a quick and affordable journey.
How much does the train cost from Budapest to Vienna?
The train ticket costs between USD 30-100 from Budapest to Vienna. If you buy your ticket early, you may be able to get some discounts before the cheaper tickets sell out.
The cheapest tickets are usually for the standard seats. The seats for first class usually cost around USD 100.
How long is the train trip from Budapest to Vienna?
The distance from Budapest to Vienna is 245 km and the train takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes to get to Vienna.
How long is the bus trip from Budapest to Vienna?
The bus takes around 3 hours to get from Budapest to Vienna. Flixbus is one of the most popular buses that operates between Budapest and Vienna and they offer affordable tickets.
What is the cheapest way to travel from Budapest to Vienna?
The cheapest way to travel between Budapest and Vienna is by bus or train. If you book your ticket in advance you may be able to find bus or train tickets for as low as USD 20.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many options to travel between Budapest and Vienna and some of the most popular ways include the buses, trains or flights.
Vienna is 245 km from Budapest and the two cities are connected by regular, daily buses, trains, flights and even boats. The bus takes around 3 hours from Budapest to Vienna and costs USD 28-50, while the train takes 2:40 hours and costs USD 30-100.
If you are short on time or want a comfortable trip, it is also possible to book a taxi or private transfer to Vienna. The private transfer costs between USD 150-250 and takes 3 hours travel between Budapest and Vienna.
Austria Trip Planning
Book your flight to Austria: Check out Skyscanner or Kiwi.com to find the best flights deals!
Book Your Accommodation for Austria: Are you looking for accommodation? Booking.com has everything from budget to luxury accommodation. For the cheapest places, check out Hostelworld.com.
Book Tours and Activities for Austria: GetYourGuide and Viator have a vast number of tours and day trip activities all around the world. Check out their website and book your activity!
Get Travel Insurance for Austria: It is always good to be on the safe side when travelling. SafetyWing is one of the most affordable international travel insurance and you can book it even after you have already started your trip.
Get Your Travel Cards: Whenever I am abroad, I always use travel cards Wise and Revolut. They have multiple currencies available, you can use it in shops and restaurants. The great thing is that they have the best exchange rates!
Looking for other tips to make travel easier? Check out my complete list of travel resources that have been my go-to companies when abroad or planning a trip.
