The shortest driving distance from Budapest to Krakow is around 244 miles, which can take as little as 6 hours. However, weather conditions and arriving during Krakow's notorious rush hour traffic between 3 and 6 PM can add an extra hour to your voyage.
How much is the train from Budapest to Krakow?
The cheapest adult train ticket from Budapest to Krakow starts at โฌ29.99. However, several companies operate on this route. So prices can vary. In addition, the departure date and time, and how far in advance you book can influence the ticket cost.
How do I get from Budapest to Krakow?
As of 2024, there are three ways you can get from Budapest to Krakow, and each has its benefits. Daytrip's private door-to-door service is the fastest, easiest, and most comfortable way to transfer between the two cities, while the bus is the cheapest way to travel, and the train offers scenic views.
Is there a night train from Budapest to Krakow?
Yes, there's one daily night train from Budapest to Krakow. The carriage leaves Budapest-Nyugati at 7:30 PM and arrives the following morning in Krakรณw Gลowny at 6:28 AM. A one-way ticket will cost around โฌ76 for a second-class seat or โฌ156 for a one-person bed.
Is Krakow considered safe?
Krakow and Poland, in general, are considered very safe for locals and tourists, including female and solo travelers. As of 2024, the city has a low crime rate and scores 68 out of 100 on the safety index. However, you still need to be vigilant for pickpockets at tourist attractions and avoid unlit streets when walking at night.
Is there a direct flight from Budapest to Krakow?
As of 2024, no direct flight connects Budapest to Krakow. Lufthansa offers connecting flights between the cities with layovers at Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt, or Zurich. The trip will take between 6 and 8 hours after factoring in the time getting to and from the airport and waiting for check-in and security. Tickets cost โฌ100 to โฌ150, without factoring in airport transfers.
Western Europe has always dominated the continent's tourism charts. Only two cities, Athens and Prague, feature in Europe's top 10 most visited cities annually. All that means is that you have fewer tourists to contend with on your car trip from Budapest to Krakow!
After cruising along the banks of the Danube and waving goodbye to the Buda Castle District, the sprawling plains of north Hungary's landscape open before you. The quaint villages and unspoiled nature feel like a 19th-century expedition with postcard views to amuse you for the 6-hour adventure.
The further north you travel, the higher the jagged terrain soars into the heavens. Whether it's summer or winter, the Tatra Mountains' white peaks plant themselves between colorful medieval towns, castles, and cathedrals, making for a surreal yet contrasting experience. Once you arrive at your hotel's front door in Krakow, you have a fascinating city blessed with historical and cultural treasures to uncover.
On a stunning voyage that could take over six hours, you need a comfortable and reliable service to ensure an unforgettable experience. That's why we created this extensive guide on getting from Budapest to Krakow in 2024!
About Krakow
Poland's medieval capital is the final destination of your breathtaking drive from Budapest to Krakow. Although it's the nation's second-largest city, it's second to none for nightlife and culture. You'll find yourself perpetually entertained by its mix of historical landmarks and pub crawls, such as the Oskar Schindler Museum and the many vodka bars.
Unfortunately, Krakow's location along the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship meant it was a hotbed for war and violence throughout its history. But it's also vital in shaping the locals' unique ways of life and the food scene you can see in the 21st century.
### Historic Krakow
Krakow's first permanent settlement dates back to the 4th century. Legend has it that the then-ruler Krakus established a town on Wawel Hill, home to a fire-breathing dragon called Smok Wawelski.
After finally defeating the beast, the city was free to flourish along a significant trade route from Western Europe to the Arabic world. It grew so rapidly that it became the capital of the Kingdom of Poland by the 1000s.
The Renaissance brought even more financial and cultural wealth by constructing the Wawel Castle and St. Mary's Basilica. But it wasn't long before the nation suffered many years of bloodshed and violent events. Prussia, Russia, Austria, and Nazi Germany all conquered the region until it was free from communism after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
### Modern Krakow
Despite its location in the eye of centuries of turbulence, Krakow is one of the best-preserved cities from World War II. It was one of the Nazi headquarters, so they didn't destroy buildings like in other Polish cities, such as Gdansk and Warsaw. As a result, you can see many original buildings still standing, unlike the previously rebuilt and redecorated old towns of other cities.
Today, the city blends its historic buildings and cobbled lanes with a youthful and lively energy. There's a thriving food and drink scene, covering anything from lavish cocktail bars and Michelin-star restaurants in the Old Town to rustic pub ruins and on-the-go street food stalls in the Jewish District!
Language: Polish
Currency: Zloty
Climate: temperate-ocean
Time zone: GMT+1
Plug types: C and E
Peak tourist season: mid-June to early September
From Budapest to Krakow: travel tips
No matter how beautiful the trip from Budapest to Krakow is, a 6-7-hour journey can feel tedious. But with our expert travel tips, you'll wish the journey would never end!
Prioritize comfort
Whether you're getting a transfer or public transportation, being uncomfortable for 6 hours can sour the travel experience. If you opt for public transportation, spend a few euros more for a first-class seat or extra legroom when traveling by bus.
Alternatively, you can book Daytrip's private door-to-door car service. Riding in a modern car, you can stretch your legs, recline your seat, and adjust the thermostat to combat the summer heat. Plus, with Daytrip you're not cooped up for the whole ride. You can stop for sightseeing, or just stretch your legs!
### Do your homework
Due to Poland's stormy past, residents are extremely proud of their traditions and ways of life. Learning some basic phrases, the tipping cultures, and even how to behave in public will go a long way toward receiving a warmer welcome.
If you reserve a seat with Daytrip, you can chat with your English-speaking driver to uncover the secrets. Although they're not official tour guides, they're passionate and have in-depth local knowledge you won't find in a travel blog. You can also bring a travel guide to help you unwind in silence.
### Plan in advance
It's easy to be like the thousands of visitors who book transportation at the last minute. But they often sit in regret for the entire road trip from Budapest to Krakow.
First, plan your stops. There are endless sightseeing opportunities en route, including the entirely preserved medieval town of Banska Stiavnica and Oravsky Hrad, the original home of Nosferatu.
Next, book your tickets more than 30 days in advance. Krakow and Budapest are sought-after tourist destinations for locals and foreigners, so companies over-inflate the price of a ticket at the last minute.
How to get from Budapest to Krakow
Although a distance of 200 miles lies on the road from Budapest to Krakow, there are plenty of transportation methods to choose from. Luckily, each has its advantages, so consider your needs and preferences when deciding how to get from Budapest to Krakow!
Bus from Budapest to Krakow
The bus is the cheapest way to travel from Budapest to Krakow. It's also the most popular mode of transportation for locals and international visitors touring Europe on a budget.
RegioJet and Flixbus both operate the route from Budapest to Krakow and have multiple bus departures daily. Go online to check the day and night timetables and purchase a ticket from Nepliget Bus Station to MDA Bus Station. You'll need to take a bus or taxi to Nepliget Bus Station, as it's 3.5 miles from downtown Budapest. Once you arrive in Krakow, you'll be conveniently dropped off in the heart of the new town.
Shortest journey: 6 hours, 15 minutes
Average journey: 6 hours, 45 minutes
Lowest price: โฌ19.98
Average price: โฌ34
Earliest departure: 6:00 AM
Last departure: 11:59 PM
### Train from Budapest to Krakow
Due to the mountainous terrain wedged between Budapest and Krakow, the train is the slowest mode of transportation. The service is primarily used by those traveling with an Interrail Pass. So, seats in the second-class carriage are often crowded in the summer.
OBB, PKP Intercity, and Polregio are all train providers that operate on this route. So, the duration, number of stops, and cost can drastically vary. But booking your train ride from Budapest Nyugati Station to Krakow Main Station as early as possible will help you get the best fares.
Shortest journey: 7 hours, 53 minutes
Average journey: 9 hours, 13 minutes
Lowest ticket price: โฌ29.99
Average ticket price: โฌ77
Earliest direct departure: 5:30 AM
Latest direct departure: 7:30 PM
### Daytrip private car service from Budapest to Krakow
Daytrip's private door-to-door service is the fastest, most convenient, and most comfortable way to travel from Budapest to Krakow. In six hours, your professional driver will sweep you through the rolling hills of Slovakia and escort you to your new accommodation in Poland. Don't worry about trekking across town to reach departure points or dragging suitcases over bricked lanes because your driver will meet you at your front door and help with any luggage.
But the best has yet to come. Daytrip's party piece is the ability to stop and visit some extraordinary landmarks along the 200-mile road trip. You can seek a blast from the past at the ancient village of Vlkolinec or enjoy the historic buildings in Kosice, the largest city in eastern Slovakia!
Seats from: โฌ86
Sanitized vehicle
English-speaking driver
Prepared for pets, children, or those with limited mobility
24/7 customer support
Free cancellation 24 hours before departure!
Things to do when you get to Krakow
Poland's second city is one of the most attractive in Eastern Europe. Over 14 million people flock here for the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the endless things to see and do. After driving from Budapest, be sure to put these unmissable attractions on your itinerary for when you get to Krakow!
### Walk the Royal Route
The Krakow Royal Route may be the most fascinating of all of Europe's grand walking trails. The 1.2-mile strip through the heart of Krakow's UNESCO-listed historic center is a tour of the city's highlights, from its starting point in Matejko Square to its final destination in Wawel Castle. You'll also discover other historical gems, including St. Florianโs Gate, Market Square, and Kanonicza Street.
You can stroll the entire length while stopping to appreciate the stunning landmarks and architecture in around an hour. Or, if you want to remain in the vacation spirit, take a horse-drawn carriage for a romantic voyage.
### Explore Wawel Castle
Conveniently located at the end of the Royal Route is Wawel Castle. This mesmerizing structure combines stylish baroque buildings with robust red brick walls. From the top, you can admire views overlooking the Vistula River, and if lucky enough to be here in December, marvel at the winter wonderland concealed under a blanket of thick white snow.
Although some attractions, like its art collections and cathedral, require a fee, you can enter the castle grounds for nothing. And if you want to discover a hidden gem, have a little adventure and uncover the Dragon's Den!
### Soak up the atmosphere in the Jewish District
The Jewish District, or Kazimierz, is the pulse of the city's vibrant nightlife scene. However, it was once a separate town outside Krakow's city limits until it conjoined with its neighbor in the 1800s.
The eerie walkways have transformed into a melting pot of cultural activity. During the day, you can visit world-renowned synagogues or notable Jewish showrooms, including Oskar Schindler's Factory and the Galicia Jewish Museum. When the sun goes down, head to a restaurant to sample the mouthwatering local cuisine of pork knuckle, soups, and dumplings before heading to a hip bar for a traditional-flavored shot of vodka or an ice-cold local beer!
### Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines
Though technically in another city on the outskirts of Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine will be one of the first things to appear when you search for Krakow online.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fascinating underground labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, and chapels carved entirely of salt. You can get a guided tour to explore this unique attraction, marveling at the intricate salt sculptures and learning about the history of salt mining in the region.
You can hire a 30-minute taxi from the bus station or take the local train for as little as โฌ1.20 each way!
When is the best time to visit Krakow?
There's never an unpleasant time to travel from Budapest to Krakow. In the summer, you can relax on the riverside with a refreshing beverage, and in the winter, you can enjoy the festive atmosphere mixed with the smell of roasted chestnuts and bright lights from the Christmas markets.
However, spring is the best time to appreciate all of the city's offerings. The average daily high temperatures reach 70ยฐ Fahrenheit by May, allowing you to enjoy a coffee on the terrace and walking tours without sweltering under the beating summer sunshine.
The city parks also come alive as plants bloom, giving the greenery a pop of color. You can appreciate the tranquil settings as fewer tourists are in town compared to the peak period from mid-June to the beginning of September.
๊ฐ๋ ๊ธธ์ ์ด ๋ช ์๋ค์ ๋ฐฉ๋ฌธํ์ธ์
Esztergom
Esztergom sits on the bank of the River Danube on the border with Slovakia and is the seat of the Catholic Church in Hungaryย The cradle of Hungaryย
Banska Stiavnica
The completely preserved medieval town of Banka Stiavnica is famous for its silver mining and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.ย A medieval silver townย
Kosice
Kosice is the largest city in eastern Slovakia. With its lively past and distinguished street art scene, it's no wonder why the city was named the European Capital of Culture in 2013.ย Historic treasure troveย
Vlkolinec
Vlkoklinec is a small village in Central Slovakia where historical traditions, houses, lifestyles, and crafts are still preserved today and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.ย Where time stands stillย
Oravsky hrad
Orava Castle was used as the location of Count Orlokโs Transylvanian castle in the original 1922 Nosferatu movie and is one of Slovakiaโs foremost national monuments.ย The Original Home of Nosferatuย
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska
With over a million pilgrims per year, this UNESCO-listed park is one of Poland's most popular devotional centres and one of Europe's most interesting landscape and architectural projects.ย Architectural, cultural and pilgrimage parkย
โWe used the service for the first time after a lot of research. While I had some concerns about the long trips by car and I could not be any happier. We had multiple transfers. the first one from Budapest to Krakow, Second from Krakow to Zacopane (including a tour of the Salt mines) and the third one from Zacopane back to Budapest. We had two drivers, Thomas and Stanislaw. Both of them were timely and extremely professional at all times. The trip by road included the country sides and Mountains of Hungary, Slovakia and Poland. I would do this again on any trips shorter than 6 hours. It was safer that flying during covid and much more comfortableโ
โWe used DayTrip to get from Budapest to krakow. The transfer took 6 hours and was perfect. Our driver, Stas, was exactly on time. He was friendly, helpful and nice. He told us a lot about the road and about Poland. He found a great place to stop for lunch on the way. I would definitely take another trip with him. The car (bmw 3GT) was a quite nice one and in great condition. No complaints, no problems, even no suggestions. Thank you, Stas and daytrip!โ
โWe LOVED our trip with Tomasz S from Krakow to Budapest. He was an absolute professional from start to finish, and a true gentleman. Tomaszโs priority at all times was that we were always comfortable. He was so easy and friendly to spend time with tooโฆ. full of smiles and laughter - always wanting us to be at ease and happy. At the same time he was completely in tune with what we needed and when. If he could sense we wanted to just rest and read he would create a quiet atmosphere, with low relaxing music playing - very peaceful. But then when we had questions, Tomasz was always obliging and willing to answer anything and everything.
One thingโฆ we felt terrible we had no cash currency on us when we left Tomasz (not prepared, sorry), so we couldnโt give him a tip. But please, please pass on we thought he was the absolute โbestโ driver and delightful company we have every had.
Thanks Tomasz. You are a champion!โ
โMy husband and I still remember the wonderful service Stanislav provided us with
transporting us from Krakow to Budapest .
Stanislav arrived early ,the Vito Mercedes van was very comfortable, well equipped and clean. Stanislav was delightful and very informative showing us interesting landmarks along the way.At the end of our long journey we were sad feeling like we were parting with an old family friend. We cannot recommend Daytrip and in particular Stanislav enough ! In the future , when we are in Europe, hopefully our paths will cross again! Safe travels Stanislav!โ
โWe drove from Cesky Krumlov to Krokow and then later on to Budapest using DayTrip. This is a very time efficient way to travel and also very pleasant. Our drivers were very careful drivers and pleasant people to be with. We got to see the local scenery and understand they local social and political environment in a way that we would never have done otherwise. I would certainly use this service again. It is very well administered.โ
โWe booked a driver through Daytrip to go from Budapest to Krakow with a 2 hour excursion to Banska Stiavnica. We could not have been more pleased. Grzegorz Z. was prompt, professional and a very pleasant individual with which to spend the day. We were originally going to take the train, but decided to do this instead which turned out to be a great decision. I'd definitely consider using Daytrip again.โ
โOur group of 3 had a recent trip from Budapest to Krakow. As the whole the trip was excellent. We saw far more and had far greater convenience than other modes of transport available to us. While it is a little more expensive the convenience and the side trips made up for that easily.
The driver was waiting outside our door before the appointed time. He assisted with our luggage both before and after the trip was completed. He interpreted the language in both side stops we made and gave excellent advice on where to obtain meals and comfort stops.
I highly recommend people take advantage of the side trips offered, especially if it an area not visited before.โ
โ.Daytripwas an excellent way to get from Krakow to Budapest. Much better than dealing with a train station or airport. Our driver was very professional and courteous. We enjoyed two recommended sightseeing stops along the way and arrived at out hotel relaxed and happy.I will definetly use this service again.โ
โWe used Daytrip for the first time ever and it wonโt be the last. Our fabulous driver Stanislaw collected us on time from our accommodation in Budapest and drove us to Krakow Poland right to the front door of our hotel, around 8 hours including a stop for lunch. He spoke English and was able to keep us informed along the way. A really lovely and comfortable way to travel, thoroughly recommended!โ
โBooked 2 trips - first from Budapest to Krakow then 2 days later, from Krakow to Prague and we had Stanislaw (or โStasโ for short) as our driver for both trips.
Stas was a safe and steady driver and was also very professional! And dressed smartly in a suit! Prior to the journey, he had already read up on relevant the road situations (there was a marathon in Krakow the day we arrived with some road diversions).
Car was cleaned and well-maintained. He also had water prepared for us for the drive. And spoke very good English.
He gave us useful tips about Krakow and Prague. And because Stas wasnโt allowed to drive his car right into the old town square (in Krakow), he walked us from the car (1 street away) to the hotel.
From Krakow to Prague, we stopped by Kutna Hora where he showed us the relevant sites and waited by the car til we were done. It didnโt matter that we took longer than the initial estimate of 90min as listed on DayTripโs website.
Will definitely recommend!โ
