Budapest to Bratislava - 13 Best Ways to Travel in 2025

The most obvious choice for traveling from Budapest to Bratislava is by train. It’s a straightforward, affordable, and comfortable way to get between the two cities. With plenty of direct connections throughout the day, it’s easy to include a Budapest to Bratislava train ride in your itinerary.

As a bonus, you can enjoy some beautiful views along the way—especially on the Hungarian side, where the railway runs alongside the Danube River. From your window, you’ll catch glimpses of notable Hungarian landmarks, such as the ruins of Visegrád Castle and the magnificent Basilica in Esztergom. For the best views, try to sit on the left side of the carriage (facing the direction of travel).

The first direct train from Budapest to Bratislava departs at 5:30, and the last at 19:30, with trains running every two hours throughout the day. The journey takes just 2 hours and 25 minutes, offering a fast and comfortable ride.

The carriages on this route are modern, offering both first- and second-class seating, a dining car, and a designated area for bicycles (advance booking required). Seat reservations aren’t mandatory but are available for an additional fee. Booking a seat is recommended, especially during peak travel times, to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.

Budapest to Bratislava Train Ticket

The price of a train ticket from Budapest to Bratislava depends on the connection and how early you book. The cheapest tickets start at €12 per person, while last-minute purchases can go up to €39. That said, if your schedule is flexible, you might even find same-day tickets for around €15.

The best way to buy your ticket is online—either through the Hungarian Railways or Slovak Railways websites. Hungarian Railways typically offers lower prices, but it’s always a good idea to compare both. You can also purchase your ticket at the train station, but be aware that lines can be long, so we recommend booking online for convenience.

If you’re traveling with popular rail passes like Interrail or Eurail, they are valid on this route. However, a seat reservation—which costs €3—is required if you want to secure a specific seat.

Train Stations in Budapest and Bratislava

In Budapest, all trains to Bratislava depart from Nyugati train station, conveniently located in the city center. You can easily reach it via Metro Line 3 (blue line) or by trams 4 or 6, which stop directly in front of the station.

In Bratislava, trains arrive at the main station – Hlavná Stanica, which is about a 20-minute walk from the Old Town. From there, you can continue your journey by public transport (bus or tram) or take a taxi to your final destination.

Another popular way to travel from Budapest to Bratislava is by bus. There are around ten daily direct connections between the cities, operated by FlixBus.

The fastest buses take 2 hours and 15 minutes, while others are slightly longer—but in general, you can expect the journey to take under 3 hours. Some buses stop in Győr along the way, giving you the chance to break up your trip and explore this beautiful Hungarian city.

Budapest to Bratislava Bus Ticket

Ticket prices for the Budapest to Bratislava bus start at €12 (including service fees) when booked in advance, and can go up to €18.50 if purchased on the day of departure. To buy your ticket, visit the FlixBus website and search for the connection that suits your schedule.

While buses may not be quite as fast or spacious as trains, FlixBus coaches offer plenty of legroom, as well as free Wi-Fi and power outlets at every seat—making for a reasonably comfortable ride.

Bus Stations in Budapest and Bratislava

Most buses from Budapest to Bratislava depart from Népliget Station, which is served by Metro Line 3 (blue line). Some buses also stop at Kelenföld Station (on Metro Line 4, green line) before continuing on to Bratislava. A few buses depart only from Kelenföld, so be sure to double-check your departure station to avoid confusion. In general, buses leaving from Kelenföld are faster, so we recommend choosing that departure point when possible.

In Bratislava, all buses arrive at the Nivy Bus Station, located within the Nivy Centrum shopping center. It’s just a 20-minute walk from the Old Town and is well connected by multiple city bus lines.

With a distance of only around 200 kilometers and several better travel options available, flying from Budapest to Bratislava is simply not a practical choice.

There are no direct flights between the two cities, so you would need to connect through another European airport. This not only makes the journey significantly longer—at least 10 hours including transfers—but also requires booking two separate tickets, as Bratislava Airport is only served by low-cost airlines, and flight connections are not guaranteed.

Flying is also much more expensive than taking a direct train or bus. So unless you’re particularly fond of air travel, this option isn’t recommended for this route.

If you're traveling by car—either your own or a rental—you can easily drive from Budapest to Bratislava. The two capitals are about 200 kilometers apart, and the journey typically takes around two hours.

The fastest route is via highways, which require a vignette (toll sticker). Make sure to purchase one before your trip—you can easily get it online [here].

If you're not in a rush, consider taking scenic back roads to experience the charm of Central Europe and stop at some fascinating places along the way. Recommended stops include the Danube Bend with highlights like Szentendre, Visegrád, and Esztergom, as well as Tata Castle, Győr, and Pannonhalma Archabbey. Just before arriving in Bratislava, you could also make a small detour to visit the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, a standout destination for modern art lovers. These are just a few of the many attractions along the route.

If you're renting a car, keep in mind that dropping it off in a different country comes with a significant extra charge. A one-way rental from Budapest to Bratislava usually starts at €500, not including fuel or vignette costs.

A private transfer from Budapest to Bratislava is a great option for those who want the comfort of car travel without the need to drive themselves.

For around €200 per vehicle (based on two passengers), you can hire an English-speaking driver who will pick you up directly from your accommodation in Budapest and take you straight to your chosen destination in Bratislava. The journey typically takes just over two hours.

You can also customize your route by adding sightseeing stops along the way for an additional fee. Some popular options include Esztergom, Pannonhalma Archabbey, Komárno, Győr, or Devín Castle. This is a fantastic way to explore some hidden gems in this lesser-known part of Europe.

One of the popular alternatives for traveling in Europe is car sharing. It’s especially useful for last-minute trips, when most ride offers become available. If you're looking for an affordable option shortly before departure, this is definitely worth considering.

Several websites connect drivers with passengers, with the most popular being BlaBlaCar. Once you find a ride that suits you, simply contact the driver to arrange the meeting time and location—then you’re good to go. The final price depends on the driver, but you can typically find Budapest to Bratislava carpooling rides for €12–€15.

One thing to keep in mind is the departure and arrival points, as they’re not always in the city center. Getting to or from the meeting place might require a bit of extra time. Still, car sharing is a solid travel alternative—and a great way to meet new people along the journey.

Those on a small budget who enjoy the thrill and adventure of unpredictable travel can consider hitchhiking from Budapest to Bratislava. It can be a fun experience, and with the short distance between the two cities, you might even make it in one go—if you’re lucky.

The best place to start your hitchhiking journey is at the OMV petrol station in Kelenföld, located at the beginning of the M1 highway. To get there, take Metro Line 4 (green line) to its final stop, Kelenföld vasútállomás, then walk about 1 km to the motorway. If the spot is too crowded (as it's also popular with hitchhikers heading to Vienna or southern Hungary), you can try another petrol station around 200 meters further down the road. It’s a quieter spot, but you may need to wait a bit longer for a ride.

If you’re having trouble finding a direct lift to Bratislava, consider hitching to intermediate stops like Győr or Mosonmagyaróvár along the M1 highway. From there, you’ll be closer to Bratislava and might have better luck finding a connecting ride.

If you're traveling on your own two wheels, you can easily cycle from Budapest to Bratislava. Both cities are part of the Sultans Trail—a long-distance foot and bike route that connects Vienna and Istanbul. This section of the trail runs mostly along the Danube River and covers approximately 225 kilometers.

Along the way, you can stop at some interesting towns such as Komárno and Esztergom. These are ideal spots for overnight stays, as they offer good accommodation options and a chance to enjoy the local cuisine. You can also make small detours, for example to Győr, to explore even more of this fascinating region of Central Europe.

Since the Sultans Trail is an official route, you'll find well-developed infrastructure along the way. The terrain isn’t too demanding either, making this trip suitable even for beginner cyclists.

A more demanding and challenging, yet still perfectly doable, way to travel from Budapest to Bratislava is on foot. The best route to take is the Sultans Trail, which we mentioned earlier. It covers the 200+ km distance between the capitals and allows you to explore some of the most interesting places along the way while following a well-marked and established path.

While it’s certainly not the easiest way to get from Budapest to Bratislava, it does come with unique rewards. There’s no better way to truly experience and understand the region than by exploring it on foot—a deep and immersive journey through the heart of Central Europe.

As we've already mentioned, flying from Budapest to Bratislava is not recommended, mainly due to the short distance between the two cities. However, if you’re set on flying and have extra money to spend, you do have the option to charter a private jet for your trip. It’s a way to travel comfortably, in style, and with minimal hassle.

That said, it’s a very expensive option, with prices starting at around €5,000 to charter a private jet. And when you factor in the time it takes to get to and from the airport, you won’t save much time compared to other modes of transport.

Traveling with a motorhome can turn your trip from Budapest to Bratislava into a memorable adventure. There are plenty of campsites along the route where you can park your campervan for the night, relax after a day of sightseeing, and enjoy some peaceful downtime before hitting the road again.

Just keep in mind that wild camping is not allowed in either Hungary or Slovakia, so always opt for official campsites for overnight stays. While the distance between the two capitals is relatively short, the route is dotted with interesting and lesser-known attractions, making it well worth taking your time and exploring the region at a slower pace.

Getting from Budapest to Bratislava by motorcycle can be a great experience and an excellent way to enjoy the freedom of the open road. You can take the motorways to save time and quickly cover the distance between the two cities.

With a speed limit of 130 km/h on highways, you’ll have the chance to fully enjoy the power and performance of your motorcycle. But if you’re not in a rush, we recommend taking the back roads for a more relaxed ride. This allows you to explore the region more deeply and visit some beautiful spots along the way—we’ve already mentioned a few great ones in this article, but you never know what hidden gems you might come across.

Since both Budapest and Bratislava are located along the majestic Danube River, there are several cruise options that connect the two cities. However, most of these cruises continue further on toward Austria and Germany, so finding a boat that goes only from Budapest to Bratislava can be a bit of a challenge—though not impossible.

Another option is to rent a private boat for the journey along the Danube all the way to the Slovak capital. If you choose to go this route, you’re in for a real treat—the scenery is stunning, especially in the stretch just north of Budapest, offering a peaceful and scenic way to travel between the two cities.