Vienna to Budapest One-Way Transfer Tour

Turn the wasted travel day into the highlight of your trip with stops at the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, the majestic Esztergom Basilica, and the charming town of Szentendre on your journey from Vienna to Budapest.

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This tour is also available from Budapest to Vienna.

Most helpful review

Private tour Vienna to Budapest

Our tour from Vienna to Budapest with Akos was lovely! We had a group of six and were able to book a private tour, which was great for traveling with kids. Prior to the tour, Akos kept me informed about what to expect with pickup and arrived exactly when and where he said he would. He offered a couple of alternative stops that would make our route more direct and offered more relaxed and kid-friendly options, which was much appreciated. He was friendly, knowledeable about the areas he took us to, and the restaurants he suggested were great. Pricing was reasonable and booking was simple and straightforward. I will absolutely book another transfer tour with this company the next time we are in Europe and will recommend to others!

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Trip Itinerary

• Leave from Vienna at 09:00

  This tour offers hotel pick-up for private bookings. You will be picked up from your hotel, apartment, or any other pick-up point accessible by car. Please check the "Meeting Point" section for open group tour departures.

• Stop 1: Bratislava

  We'll walk around the beautiful medieval Old Town of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

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  Bratislava

  
  

  What we'll do
  

  We’ll visit Bratislava Old Town that is famous for its medieval buildings, narrow streets, and little courtyards. You’ll learn about the history of the region as we wander around the city centre. We will also admire the beautiful castle of Bratislava that towers over the whole Old Town. The castle was rebuilt in the 20th century and reminds us of the importance of this city throughout history.

  In Bratislava you will also have time for a lunch break (not included).

  
  

  About Bratislava
  

  Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia with a population of about 475 000 people. The location of Bratislava has been inhabited continuously for almost 7000 years. The city is situated on the Danube River that has brought people, wealth, and trade to the area.

  For a long time Bratislava was part of the Kingdom of Hungary. It is under the 18th-century reign of Queen Maria Theresa that the city truly flourished. After the First World War Bratislava became part of Czechoslovakia and the population of Czechs and Slovaks in the city grew. The city became the capital of Slovakia after the Velvet Divorce in 1993 when Slovak Republic separated from the Czech Republic.

  
  

• Stop 2: Esztergom Basilica

  We'll admire the grand Esztergom Basilica, a masterpiece of 19th-century sacral architecture, while taking in stunning views of the Danube River.

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  Esztergom Basilica

  
  

  What we'll do

  We stop by the majestic Danube River to admire one of the most impressive churches—not just in Hungary, but in all of Europe. The Esztergom Basilica, a 19th-century masterpiece of sacral architecture, stands as a symbol of grandeur and history.

  From both banks of the Danube, we take in breathtaking views of this magnificent Classical-style cathedral, its towering dome dominating the skyline.

  After soaking in the stunning sights, we stop for lunch in Esztergom (not included), where you can explore local flavors in this historic city.

  
  

  About Esztergom Basilica

  Perched on the banks of the Danube River, the Esztergom Basilica stands in the historic city of Esztergom, once the most important city in medieval Hungary. Before Buda rose to prominence, Esztergom served as the royal seat and the heart of the Hungarian state, playing a crucial role in the nation’s early history.

  Throughout the centuries, the city has endured devastating invasions—first by the Mongols in the 13th century, and later by the Ottoman Turks in the 16th and 17th centuries, which left much of old Esztergom in ruins. Yet, time and again, the city has been rebuilt, standing today as a testament to the resilience and determination of its people.

  Esztergom remains a symbol of Hungary’s enduring spirit, blending history, faith, and architectural beauty in a truly remarkable setting.

• Stop 3: Szentendre

  We’ll walk around the picturesque Old Town of Szentendre, exploring its narrow streets, charming squares, and colorful Baroque architecture.

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  Szentendre

  
  

  What we'll do

  We will explore the charming Old Town of Szentendre, known for its cute little houses, narrow winding streets, and stunning Baroque architecture. As we stroll through the fairytale-like city center, we’ll take in its vibrant atmosphere, colorful facades, and postcard-worthy views.

  Szentendre is a beloved destination in Hungary, drawing visitors with its artistic charm, lively cafés, and unique blend of Hungarian and Serbian influences. We’ll soak in the beauty of this enchanting riverside town before continuing our journey.

  About Szentendre

  Szentendre, a charming town in Hungary with a population of around 25,000, is known for its rich history, artistic atmosphere, and Mediterranean-like charm. The town’s name originates from Saint Andrew, and since the 17th century, it has been shaped by a strong Serbian influence, still evident today in the architecture of the Old Town, with its Orthodox churches and cobblestone streets.

  For much of its history, Szentendre remained a small settlement, but in the 20th and 21st centuries, it experienced rapid population growth, evolving into a popular cultural hub. Today, it is a favorite day-trip destination from Budapest, offering picturesque streets, vibrant galleries, and a lively artistic community that continues to celebrate its diverse heritage.

  
  

• Arrive at Budapest by ~19:00

  This tour offers hotel drop-off for private bookings. Please provide your preferred drop-off location when making the booking.
  
  If you book the open group tour then the drop-off is at Erzsebet Square, next to the Al Habtoor Palace hotel (address Miatyánk u. 1).

Want to personalize this trip?  When booking a private transfer, tell us your itinerary and start time preferences and we'll do everything we can to accomodate your request. Note: open group tours cannot be customized.

• Local tour leaders

  Our tour leaders are what make Sidetrip special. You’ll feel like you’re traveling with a knowledgeable local friend. Our tour leaders are energetic, educated locals from the region who speak excellent English, so communication is easy and nothing gets lost in translation.

• Transport & sightseeing combined

  We offer the chance to see popular tourist sights, as well as lesser-known places of cultural and historic significance, while you travel between two cities.

• Small groups

  Most of our tours are limited to a maximum of 8 people which means you get the personal care and attention of your tour leader during your trip, as well as the chance to get to know your fellow passengers.

• Top-rated on TripAdvisor

  Thousands of travellers have reviewed our tours with a 5-star rating in the Baltics and Central Europe.

• Great value for your money

  Our tours run regularly so anyone can afford to join the open group tour making it a great travel option for solo and independent travellers.

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What's included?

• One-way transfer from Vienna to Budapest with 3 sightseeing stops
• Knowledgeable local tour leader
• Transport in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan or car
• Room for a reasonable amount of luggage
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (available only for private tours)
• Lunch (a break is scheduled for this)
• Gratuities (optional)

Good to know

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Meeting point

This tour offers hotel pick-up only for private bookings. For private bookings, you will be picked up from your hotel, apartment, or any other pick-up point accessible by car. Please provide your preferred pick-up location when making the booking.

For open group tours, hotel pick-up is not available. The group tour meeting point is in front of Café Mozart at Albertinaplatz 2. Your guide will meet you at this location.

See the drop-off point in Budapest  

Questions & Answers

• Is this a one-way tour?

  Yes, this is a one-way tour ending in Budapest. Please note that the tour does not take you back to Vienna.

• How long is this tour?

  The planned duration of this tour is 9-10 hours. For the safety of our passengers and drivers, we are unable to accommodate requests to extend this duration.

• Do you offer hotel pick-up/drop-off?

  Hotel pick-up and drop-off are only available when booking this tour as a private tour for a single group. Open group tours have a fixed meeting point and drop-off location.

• Can I take my luggage with me?

  Yes! We have space for luggage, similar to common airline baggage allowances. There is no extra charge for luggage that meets these criteria:

  • One item of airline carry-on size: maximum size of 55 x 40 x 23cm (22 x 14 x 9in)
  • One item of airline checked size: maximum size of 80 x 50 x 30cm (32 x 20 x 12in), weighing less than 23 kg (50lbs)
  • One personal item: maximum size of 15 x 15 x 10 cm (6 x 6 x 4in)

  If you your luggage requires special consideration, please contact us.

• Is lunch included in the tour price?

  Lunch is not included in the tour price but a lunch break is scheduled on the way between Bratislava and Esztergom Basilica. Kindly let our tour leader know if you have any special dietary needs that we should take in account.

• Is this tour suitable for senior citizens?

  Yes! With a maximum of 8 people in each group, our guide can make sure that the pace of the tour is suitable for everyone. Just note that the tour does include some walking at the stops.

• What is your cancellation policy?

  If you cancel more than 48 hours before the tour, your booking is fully refunded*. If you cancel less than 48 hours before the tour or in the case of a no-show, no refund is issued.

  *Please note, that the credit card processing fee (1.5-3%, up to 5.9% if you paid by Paypal) charged by the third-party payment provider will not be refunded.