Itinerary1 week By trainAustriaSlovakiaHungary
3 countries, 1 week, no flights: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
“Bratislava is the one people skip, and the one I'd add a night to.”
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The route
7 days, about 3 h 15 of trains- 013 nights
Vienna
Austria
train · 56 min - 021 night
Bratislava
Slovakia
train · 2 h 20 - 033 nights
Budapest
Hungary
Vienna for three nights, Bratislava for one, Budapest for three. No flights, no car.
Before you book
- 01The Bratislava-Ticket is €19 return and includes a day of city transport
- 02Bratislava to Budapest: about 2 h 20.
- 03Schönbrunn Palace €42 with the audio guide, St Stephen's south tower (343 steps), lunch at the Naschmarkt.
- 04Castle grounds free (museum €14), the Blue Church, and the UFO Bridge deck for about €10 to €12
- 05Parliament tour about €18 for EU citizens (€58 for others), book a month ahead.
- 06Széchenyi Baths about €33 on weekdays.
- 07Late October is cool, around 11 to 15°C by day.
Checked when the guide was written (20 Oct 2026). Confirm times and prices with the operator before booking.
The full guide, as text+
3 countries, 1 week, no flights 🚆
Bratislava is the one people skip, and the one I'd add a night to.
🚆 Vienna to Bratislava: 56 min. The Bratislava-Ticket is €19 return and includes a day of city transport
🚆 Bratislava to Budapest: about 2 h 20. Book on the ZSSK or MÁV site for the lowest fares
Vienna, days 1 to 3
Schönbrunn Palace €42 with the audio guide, St Stephen's south tower (343 steps), lunch at the Naschmarkt. Klimt's The Kiss is at the Belvedere, and the Ringstrasse tram circles the old town on a normal ticket
Bratislava, day 4
Castle grounds free (museum €14), the Blue Church, and the UFO Bridge deck for about €10 to €12
Budapest, days 5 to 7
Parliament tour about €18 for EU citizens (€58 for others), book a month ahead. Széchenyi Baths about €33 on weekdays. Fisherman's Bastion's lower terraces are free
Late October is cool, around 11 to 15°C by day. Pack layers and a rain jacket.
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