As the crow flies, 186 miles separate the two cities. The road distance from Budapest to Zagreb is 214 miles. At a safe speed, you should arrive within four hours.
Where is Zagreb?
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia. It's situated in the north of Croatia, in the northwest of the Balkan Peninsula.
Is Zagreb safe for tourists?
Zagreb is one of the safest cities in Europe. It scores 80 on the safety index, making it a secure spot for solo and female travelers.
Is there much to see and do in Zagreb?
Zagreb is packed with things to see and do for people of all ages. You can admire the Cathedral of Zagreb, relax in Park Maksimir, get lost in the Upper Town, or enjoy Zoo Zagreb.
What is the best way to get from Budapest to Zagreb?
Overall, a private car with Daytrip is the best way to travel from Budapest to Zagreb. Our English-speaking drivers offer fast, comfortable, and convenient rides between the cities with the opportunity for sightseeing.
What is the schedule for night buses?
Flixbus offers a daily night schedule. Buses leave Budapest at 11:59 PM and arrive in Zagreb at 5:45 AM the following morning. The average cost is between โฌ25 and โฌ40.
Where is the best place to stay in Zagreb?
Boutique Bed & Breakfast Casablanca is the best place to stay in Zagreb. The three-star hotel offers five-star service and affordable rooms, and it's conveniently located in downtown Zagreb.
Are there direct flights from Budapest to Zagreb?
As of 2024, there are no direct flights from Budapest Airport to Zagreb Airport. However, several airlines, including Austrian Airlines, KLM, and Lufthansa, offer connecting flights between the cities. The journey will take between 3 and 6 hours in total, making it one of the longest and most expensive modes of transportation.
Every inch of the 214-mile car trip from Budapest to Zagreb is a postcard view, ready to ignite your sense of adventure. Scenic woodlands cling to rolling hills, and terracotta-style roofs sit upon magical medieval villages. Wanderlust fuels this once-in-a-lifetime journey, and it delivers a rewarding end. A vacation to the historic Croatian capital!
Since Zagreb isn't as popular as other coastal towns such as Spilt or Dubrovnik, many people overlook this journey bursting with potential. We created the ultimate Budapest to Zagreb guide to ensure you don't make the same mistake. Buckle up because we're telling you how far, the best mode of transportation, and everything else you need to embark on this driving voyage!
About Zagreb
When you travel from Budapest to Zagreb, you'll visit Croatia's capital and largest and most populous city, with over 807,000 residents calling the city home. Hugging the Sava River in the country's north, it was wedged between the Roman and Austro-Hungarian Empires, which has created its long and prosperous history.
### The beginning of Zagreb
The city of Zagreb dates back to the 1st century AD. It was founded by King Ladislau when he built a diocese after returning from his battle with the Kingdom of Croatia. As time moved on, a permanent settlement emerged. It didn't grow until the Romans conquered the area and established the town of Andautonia near present-day ล ฤitarjevo.
### The growth of Zagreb
During the medieval period, Zagreb saw much financial wealth. The settlements of Gradec and Kaptol developed on opposite hills. Gradec was a secular town, while Kaptol was the ecclesiastical center with its cathedral and bishop's residence.
For centuries, Zagreb remained under the control of the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires. However, in the 1800s, the city experienced significant urban growth as it became the capital of the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia.
### Independent and modern Zagreb
After witnessing the occupation by Nazi Germany and its addition to Yugoslavia following the war, Zagreb was badly damaged and underdeveloped. In 1990, Yugoslavia collapsed, and Zagreb was declared the Croatian headquarters.
Fortunately, Zagreb is a 21st-century city with reminders of its past dotted along its streets. In 2013, the nation officially joined the EU, and the cash injection has revived this exciting city that matches the vibrant lanes throughout.
From Budapest to Zagreb: travel tips
You may think traveling by bus, train, or car from Budapest to Zagreb is a long and dull trip. But our travel tips will ensure you wish this journey would never end!
Understand the country differences
In January 2023, Croatia joined Schengen and the Eurozone, so border controls are no longer required. Both Hungary and Croatia score highly on the English professional rate, but each has national languages. Both regions are in the same time zone (GMT+1).
The ride from Budapest to Zagreb allows you to read up on these differences.
### Opt for the scenic route
The quickest route from Budapest to Zagreb is along the M7 and E65. However, there are countless hidden gems along its scenic routes. With Daytrip's private door-to-door service, you can enrich your travel day by stopping at the city of Varazdin, Helikon Castle, or Tapolca Lake Cave.
### Learn about the food scene
Croatian cuisine doesn't get as much recognition as Mexican or Italian. However, its hearty dishes are jam-packed with delicious flavors. Ask your Daytrip driver for the best local eats in Zagreb, or to stop along the way and refuel with a mouthwatering authentic meal!
How to get from Budapest to Zagreb
Last year, Croatia received almost 730,000 visitors from Hungary. The majority traveled from Budapest to Zagreb. Due to its rising popularity and relatively short distance, if youโre trying to figure out how to travel between the two cities, youโll be happy to hear you have several options.
### Budapest to Zagreb by train
The interrail service from Budapest to Zagreb makes the train the most popular way to travel from one city to the next. There are two companies that operate the route: Mav-Start and HZPP. Both offer different costs, comforts, and amenities.
First train: 5:59 a.m.
Last train: 7:10 p.m.
Number of direct daily trains: 7
Lowest ticket cost: โฌ19
* Average ticket cost: โฌ45
Taking the train has a few drawbacks though, like having to carry your luggage around busy stations. And you won't be able to stop for sightseeing.
### Budapest to Zagreb by bus or coach
A bus or coach is a cheap but slower option for traveling from Budapest to Zagreb. A one-way ticket starts at only โฌ19.99 but it takes between 5 and 6 hours, depending on traffic.
FlixBus, Nomago, Nomago d.o.o., Nemylostyvyi O.V., BUSSONE, and BlaBlaCar all offer a service on this route. You can purchase tickets at Budapest Nepliget Bus Station, but for the lowest price, you should book online.
Most budget buses arrive at Autobusni Kolodvor Zagreb, which is around a 10-15 minute drive from the old town. So be sure you have a plan in place on how to leave the bus station.
### Daytrip private car service from Budapest to Zagreb
A private car ride with Daytrip is the fastest, most convenient, and most comfortable way to get from Budapest to Zagreb. Your English-speaking driver will pick you up in Budapest, bring you safely through the heart of Eastern Europe's stunning landscape, and get you to your accommodation in Zagreb in a speedy 3.5 hours.
You don't have to worry about handling luggage, checking a timetable, or reaching the departure point. Your professional driver will manage any bags and greet you with a smile.
But Daytrip isn't just a way to get from A to B. It's an adventure. You have several sightseeing stops you can make, like exploring Szรฉkesfehรฉrvรกr, Hungary's medieval capital, or unwinding in the steamy waters at the Thermal Lake of Heviz.
Things to do when you get to Zagreb
Every year, Zagreb's population almost triples, with 1.5 million people visiting the city. Be sure to put these unmissable things to do when you get to Zagreb on your itinerary!
### Eat and drink your way through Tkalฤiฤa Street
For centuries, Tkalฤiฤa Street divided the two towns of Gradec and Kaptol. What's more interesting is that it wasn't a street, but a river! The contaminated waters that made their way to nearby shops caused the city to divert its waterway underground.
Today, the street is the beating heart of Zagreb. You can find everything here, from Irish pubs to cozy cafes and restaurants to souvenir stores!
### Venture through the Upper Town
This picturesque neighborhood is known for its medieval architecture, narrow alleyways, and charming squares. Begin at St. Mark's Square, home to the iconic St. Mark's Church, with its colorful tiled roof portraying the coat of arms of Zagreb and Croatia.
From there, wander through the cobblestone lanes and discover hidden gems like the Lotrลกฤak Tower, which offers panoramic city views. Don't forget the Stone Gate, a shrine adorned with religious artifacts.
### Relax in Maksimir Park
Maksimir Park is the city's oldest and most picturesque green space. The area is only 1.5 miles from downtown Zagreb. But it feels like a different planet. Leafy walkways, glimmering lakes, and local wildlife spread across 780 acres of land.
On a warm summer day, you can pick up some fresh products from Market Dolac and enjoy a picnic under the sun's rays. In the winter, head to one of the cafes for a hot chocolate or take a leaf from the locals' books and sled down the snowy slopes!
Best time to visit Zagreb
Driving from Budapest to Zagreb is an unforgettable journey filled with lifelong memories. But some periods will suit your preferences over others.
Budapest to Zagreb is one of the most popular interrail routes. Summer is the high season when most people visit, and temperatures can soar over 90ยฐ Fahrenheit. Public transport is often crowded, and some cheap options don't offer air conditioning.
Spring is the best time to travel to Zagreb and Croatia as a whole. This period from March to May sees a pleasant average temperature of 74ยฐ Fahrenheit, but the later you come, the higher it will be.
One final bonus is that hotels always offer an attractive price to attract customers. The more money you save, the more you can put towards the lively food and drinking scene!
๊ฐ๋ ๊ธธ์ ์ด ๋ช ์๋ค์ ๋ฐฉ๋ฌธํ์ธ์
Szekesfehervar
Founded by the crown prince, Hungaryโs medieval capital has retained its noble heritage.ย Seat of the White Castleย
Tihany Abbey
With the only medieval royal tomb left in the country, this elegant abbey on the shores of Lake Balaton is an invaluable piece of Hungarian history.ย Rest Like a Kingย
Tapolca Lake Cave
Tapolca Lake Cave is a strictly protected cave beneath the streets of Hungary. It offers a unique underground boat trip on the illuminated, blue waters of the underground lake.ย Cave hiding beneath the streetsย
Helikon Castle
The Festetics Palace, located in Keszthely, is Hungaryโs third largest and most visited palace. The two-story, U-shaped Baroque palace now houses the Helikon Palace Museum and an events center.ย Castle and museumย
Thermal Lake of Heviz
The Thermal Lake of Hรฉvรญz is the largest biologically active thermal lake in the world. Bathe in the water lily spotted waters and experience a relaxation you can only dream of.ย The fountain of lifeย
Varazdin
The city of Varazdin is one of Croatiaโs best-kept secrets. Once the capital of Croatia, Varazin is a charming and picturesque city worth visiting.ย Little Viennaย
โWe were very happy with our trip and so glad to have found DayTrip when we did. We had originally booked (from home in the States) a train trip from Budapest to Zagreb. Once we were in Europe, we double-checked the booking and found that it would not actually reach Zagreb at all! My husband found DayTrip in a Google search and after reading some reviews, we booked a trip. Our driver, Darko, was very professional and made our trip effortless. We have the DayTrip app on our phones now and will definitely be using them for future adventures!โ
โWe used Daytrip for our transportation needs when traveling from Zagreb to Budapest, Budapest to Vienna and Vienna and Prague. Our driver's were great, they were on time, professional and provided us with local information as we traveled. We used Daytrip so we wouldn't have to deal with getting to a bus/train station with our luggage. Easy to book online. I would highly recommend Daytrip.โ
โMy husband and I booked Daytrip for our transfer from Budapest to Zagreb. We chose the 2 recommended sightseeing stops and were so happy with the trip from start to finish. Our driver was punctual, friendly, knowledgeable, professional and a safe driver. We thoroughly enjoyed the 2 stops that Daytrip recommended because not only did it break up the drive but more importantly, it enabled us to see new villages that we had not previously experienced.
We would highly recommend Daytrip to others as you can sit back and relax, whilst enjoying the amazing scenery.โ
โWe recently used Daytrip for a ride from Zagreb to Budapest. The drive went extremely well. The driver picked us up on time an delivered us to our destination on schedule. The vehicle was immaculate and comfortable. The driver Dario was very professional, courteous and friendly. We would certainly recommend them to any one needing door to door service or just a quick trip to the airport.โ
โMy brother and I recently did a trip from Budapest to Zagreb. Our driver, Attila, was very prompt, a very good driver and a good guide. We had scheduled a couple of stops along the way and he was able to share the history of the areas and find good stops for lunch and a coffee. What we enjoyed the most was finding out about life in Hungary. Itโs always interesting to hear from a local.
We would certainly book this again!โ
โHighly recommend this company. I especially enjoyed the recommended tourist stops on our drive from Budapest to Zagreb. Our driver was helpful, very safe, and the car was comfortable.โ
โThis was the first private car that I have ever booked. To be honest, I was a little anxious about the entire experience. I am so glad I took the plunge. I am beyond impressed with the excellent service Daytrip provided. My driver, Adnan, showed up on time with a vehicle in excellent condition. My husband and I really enjoyed Adnan's company on the drive. He was so nice! We had an amazing transportation and experience and, to our surprise, we feel like we made a friend in Adnan.โ
โHello, fellow world travelers! I just got back from an incredible trip in east Europe. As a solo traveler meeting up with 7 other photography buffs all converging in Zagreb, Croatia as the beginning and endpoint of our time together. I used Daytrip from Budapest, Hungary to Zagreb (and back). It was faster, more comfortable than taking the train! The trip between these two capital cities takes about 4 hours with a short stop for espresso and the mandatory but perfunctory border patrol stop between Hungary and Croatia to check passports. My drivers were very different in personality but both were proficient in English, safe and experienced. How did I find out about Daytrip.com? The leader of my photography tour actually hired them for passage from Zagreb to Split (with an overnight stop in Plitvice National Park) and then after our week-long Adriatic cruise, from Split, Croatia to Slovenia (overnight stops in Lake Bled and Ljubljana) and ending back to Zagreb, Croatia. Our entire group was pleased with the comfortable vans and/or cars used though I must say, the very first one spoiled us all and set an incredibly high standard! Apparently Brad Pitt had hired this especially fancy Mercedes model during a visit! The driver produced photos and articles to prove it!โ
โWe recently travelled as a family from
Budapest to Zagreb. The driver was lovely, car seat was appropriate for my son and car was spacious and clean. Our driver spoke excellent English and allowed for stops along the way. I was really impressed by this service.โ
