Route guide

Budapest → Vienna

214 km · Hungary to Austria · Fastest: 2h by train · Cheapest: €14+ by bus

How to travel from Budapest to Vienna

There are 3 ways to travel between Budapest and Vienna — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€28–79

Duration: 1h 47m

via Railjet

~3.0 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€14–35

Duration: 3h 3m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, RegioJet

~6.0 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

Not practical for this route.

🚗Car

€26–47

Duration: 2h 23m

~36 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Budapest and Vienna highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 214 km this is short-haul — feasible as a day trip if you start early.
Direct or connecting trains cover this route. Advance fares (1–2 months out) drop prices significantly.
This route crosses from Hungary into Austria. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Budapest to Vienna — every option in detail

Budapest to Vienna by train

Trains link Budapest (Hungary) and Vienna (Austria) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 1h 47m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Railjet.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €28 to €79. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

On routes under 600 km like this one, train often beats flight door-to-door once you factor in airport check-in and transfers.

Climate footprint: about 3.0 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 33 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~30 kg on this distance.

Budapest to Vienna by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Budapest and Vienna with a typical journey of 3h 3m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, RegioJet.

Fares start from around €14 when booked in advance, rising to €35 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Budapest to Vienna by flight

Flight is not a typical choice for this 214 km route.

Budapest to Vienna by car

The driving distance from Budapest to Vienna is approximately 246 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 2h 23m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €26–47 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Hungary–Austria border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 36 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Budapest and Vienna is approximately 214 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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