Vienna is one of the most popular onward trips from Budapest, and the two capitals sit just 250–270 km apart — close enough to visit in a day, or to combine on a two-city holiday. If you have just landed at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) and Vienna is your next stop, you have three practical options: a direct bus straight from the airport, a high-speed train from the city centre, or a private transfer. This guide compares the times, prices and departure points for each so you can pick the right one before you leave the terminal.
One thing worth knowing first: Hungary and Austria are both in the Schengen Area, so there are no passport checks or border stops on the way. The only practical difference across the border is money — Hungary uses the forint (HUF), while Austria uses the euro (EUR).
Option 1: Direct bus from the airport (FlixBus)
The most convenient option that leaves from the airport itself is the coach. FlixBus departs directly from the bus terminal in front of Terminal 2A and 2B, next to the car park — so you do not need to travel into central Budapest first. Buses run to the Vienna International Busterminal (VIB) on Erdbergstraße in the 3rd district, right on the U3 metro line, and some services continue all the way to Vienna Airport (VIE).
The journey takes around 3 hours, with departures spread from very early morning until late afternoon. Fares start from roughly €9–€15 when booked ahead, and tickets include one checked bag and one carry-on, free Wi-Fi and power sockets. Because it starts at the terminal, the direct bus is the simplest choice if you are arriving on a late or early flight and do not want to change transport in the city.
Option 2: High-speed train (Railjet, EuroCity & RegioJet)
The fastest city-centre to city-centre connection is the train. Comfortable ÖBB Railjet and EuroCity services link Budapest Keleti station with Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna main station) roughly every hour, covering the 270 km via Győr in about 2 hours 37 minutes. The private operator RegioJet runs several extra departures a day at budget fares. Trains reach up to 230 km/h and offer free Wi-Fi, a restaurant car and quiet zones. Second-class fares start from about €12–€34 (RegioJet from as little as €9 booked early); first or business class costs more.
The catch for air travellers is that these trains do not leave from the airport — you first have to reach Keleti station in the city. The cheapest way is the 100E Airport Express bus to Deák Ferenc tér (or Astoria), then two stops east on the M2 (red) metro to Keleti pályaudvar — about 45 minutes in total. See our full guide on getting from the airport to Keleti station and on airport train options for details and tickets. Note that the 100E requires a special ticket (around HUF 2,500) — ordinary Budapest travelcards are not valid on it — plus a separate single ticket for the metro.
Option 3: Private transfer or car
For door-to-door comfort, a private airport transfer takes you straight from arrivals to your Vienna address in about 2.5 hours along the M1 motorway. This is the most flexible choice if you are travelling with a family, lots of luggage or on a tight schedule, and the price is usually fixed per vehicle rather than per person — which can make it competitive for groups. Self-drive is also possible: the motorway route is straightforward, but remember you will need a Hungarian e-vignette and an Austrian motorway sticker (Vignette), and cross-border car-rental drop-off fees can be high.
Flying between Budapest and Vienna
There are no meaningful scheduled flights between BUD and Vienna — the airports are so close that check-in and security would take longer than the surface journey. If your travel plans involve arriving at one airport and leaving from the other (for example, flying into Budapest and out of Vienna), the direct FlixBus service to Vienna Airport (VIE) is the easiest airport-to-airport link.
Budapest Airport to Vienna: quick comparison
| Option | Departs from | Duration | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct bus (FlixBus) | BUD Terminal 2 bus stop | ~3 h | €9–15 | No city transfer, budget, airport-to-airport |
| Train (Railjet / RegioJet) | Budapest Keleti | ~2 h 37 m + ~45 m to Keleti | €9–34 | Fastest city-to-city, comfort |
| Private transfer | BUD arrivals hall | ~2.5 h | Higher, fixed per car | Groups, families, door-to-door |
Tickets, luggage and practical tips
A few things make the trip smoother whichever mode you take. Book ahead: both trains and buses use dynamic pricing, so a ticket bought a week early can cost a third of the walk-up fare — the cheapest RegioJet and FlixBus seats sell out first. Luggage: FlixBus includes one hold bag plus a carry-on in the fare and lets you add more online; on Railjet and EuroCity trains there are no strict luggage limits, but you carry your own bags to overhead and end-of-carriage racks, so a single large suitcase is easier on the bus. Payment: you can pay for tickets by card or app in euros online before you leave, which saves changing money into forints just for the journey. Timing: after a long-haul arrival, allow time to clear passport control and baggage reclaim before your bus or connection — the direct FlixBus is the most forgiving here because it waits at the terminal.
Day trips and the return journey
Because the trip is only around three hours each way, Vienna is a realistic day trip from Budapest, or a natural second stop on a longer Central European route that might also include Bratislava (less than an hour from Vienna). Coming back, buses returning to Budapest Airport drop you at the same Terminal 2 stop, while trains arrive at Keleti — from there, reverse the metro-plus-100E route or take a taxi or transfer back to the airport. If you are catching an onward flight from BUD, give yourself a comfortable buffer: aim to be back at the airport at least two to three hours before departure, and more in peak summer season.
Which should you choose?
If you want the simplest trip straight from the terminal, take the direct FlixBus — it is also the cheapest and the only option that connects BUD to Vienna without changing in the city. If you value speed and comfort and do not mind a short hop into town first, the Railjet from Keleti is excellent. If you are a group or arriving late at night, a private transfer is the least stressful. Whichever you pick, book bus and train tickets a few days ahead for the lowest fares, and check onward arrivals information before you set off. For more routes and tips, browse our Budapest Airport travel guide.