You can travel from Budapest to Vienna by boat via scenic, multi-day Danube River cruises or faster hydrofoil services, offering a unique perspective of the waterway and cities like Bratislava, with options ranging from luxury week-long journeys to quicker day trips, though the traditional slow cruise is a multi-day experience. Companies like Viking, Riviera Travel, VIVA Cruises, and MAHART PassNave provide these services, showcasing historic sites along the Blue Danube.
The cheapest way to get to Vienna riverway is to use the once state owned ship company: only the Hungarian Mahartpassnave runs hydrofoils between Budapest and Vienna. Hydrofoils are not ships, you cannot get on the open deck. Instead, they are closed waterway vehicles, noisier than ships.
What is the best way to go from Budapest to Vienna?
Most people traveling from Budapest to Vienna choose trains. With frequent connections, comfortable trains, and the Budapest to Vienna travel time of around 2 hours and 40 minutes, this is the easiest way of getting between the two capitals.
There's no single "nicest" city, but Vienna is often cited for grand culture, palaces, and happiness, while Salzburg is beloved for its stunning Baroque architecture, Mozart heritage, and "Sound of Music" charm; other top contenders include Graz for its medieval old town, and picturesque lakeside spots like Klagenfurt or Zell am See, depending on if you prefer imperial grandeur, musical history, or alpine lake beauty.
From Budapest to Vienna on a European River Cruise with Avalon Waterways
Is there a fast train from Budapest to Vienna?
Among the smartest time-saving options is taking the high-speed train from Budapest to Vienna, Railjet or EuroCity. Both are well-fitted and offer several travel classes to select from (2nd, 1st, and Business classes are at your service).
A huge number of amazing buildings from various epochs and styles blending together very well. But Vienna has the most beautiful streets. Budapest has one stunning building and a beautiful scenery along the Danube .
Private Daytrip to Vienna from Budapest and Back with Local Guide. Enjoy a daytrip, where everything is taken care for you. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Vienna, where a local tour guide will take you to on an immersive tour of this lovely city.
Board the Crystal Mahler for a fascinating 8-day Danube river cruise from Vienna to Budapest. Explore Vienna, the center of European culture. See the beauty of Durnstein one of the most visited tourist spots in the Wachau Valley. Cruise through scenic Wachau Valley on your way to Melk.
Budapest demands at least two full days — and that assumes you'll be selective and move fast. To slow down and really dig into the city, give it a third or fourth day. Adding more time allows for day trips.
It's a long day and totally worth it. Lots of history and free time to roam around Budapest. Tour guides and driver were fabulous. Really enjoyed the trip and would recommend everyone to experience it.
The Danube River flows directly through many significant European cities, including four national capitals – Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia), Budapest (Hungary) and Belgrade (Serbia); other key cities are located nearby.
What is the cheapest way to get from Budapest to Vienna?
Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Budapest to Vienna. Buses traveling from Budapest to Vienna depart from Budapest's Könyves Kálmán körút bus station and take approximately 3 hours to arrive at Vienna's Erdberg bus station.
Absolutely. I had four days to explore the city, so this guide for one day in Vienna is the quintessence of my adventures. I came to Austria's capital to admire The Kiss, try the original Sacher torte, and see the inside of the Vienna Opera House (on a tour at least, if not for a show).
1. Danube Bend Day Trip Nature Escape to Zebegeny. Enjoy a scenic train ride along the Danube Bend, then hike to a panoramic viewpoint above Zebegény. A relaxing day of nature, fresh air, green hills, and stunning river views awaits you.
While "most beautiful" is subjective, Hallstatt is widely considered Austria's most picturesque village, famous for its fairytale setting on a lake with colorful houses and alpine backdrop, but Alpbach is officially voted Austria's most beautiful for its traditional wooden architecture and floral displays, while Dürnstein (Wachau Valley) and Heiligenblut ( Großglockner) are also top contenders for charm and stunning scenery.
For example, Graz is Austria's second-largest city, but it is one of the most affordable places to live in the country. Linz is generally cheaper than popular Vienna and Salzburg. Linz has the River Danube, which is a popular leisure area for residents in the summer.
The Danube bend is the most beautiful phase of the River Danube. It can be found between Esztergom and the Hungarian capital city, Budapest. If you spend your holiday in Budapest, we recommend visiting this region. It's easily and also quite fast available.
You should generally avoid August through October for Caribbean cruises due to peak hurricane season, and November through February for rougher transatlantic/Pacific crossings, though winter can offer deals; also steer clear of major holidays (Christmas, Spring Break, etc.) for fewer crowds and lower prices, as well as July for peak summer crowds/cost, depending on your priorities.
