Your driver will meet you at your address in Venice.
You’ll travel in comfort for 6 h 50 min.
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Budapest.
One city floats on picturesque canals, and the other on therapeutic hot water baths. Of course, they're the two bustling metropolises connecting the road from Venice to Budapest!
Hungary's political capital and the cultural headquarters of Italy are two of Europe's most unique cities. The starting point of your 440-mile road trip is a clear example of this, as you glide over the only bridge connecting the floating city of Venice to the nation's mainland. The fresh salt air from the Adriatic Sea will propel your vehicle into lush vineyards and postcard-perfect Italian countryside.
The direct M7 motorway turns into a series of twists, bends, inclines, and drops once you cross the border into Slovenia. This is the most scenic part of the journey, as you experience a front-row seat to the breathtaking 4K natural wonders show. The unspoiled views constantly reveal a new surreal setting around each turn until the landscape transforms into a cityscape, with Buda Castle dominating the scenes from your window.
Organizing a 7-hour road trip through three countries can feel overwhelming if it's your first time traveling on this route. So, we want to eliminate the stress of vacation planning by presenting you with a comprehensive guide to traveling from Venice to Budapest in 2024!
"The City of Spas" is the final stop on your epic adventure from Venice to Budapest. It's the capital, the largest and most populous city nationwide. Over 2 million friendly locals live here along the Danube River. This river and its strategic position in the nation's north, only 32 miles from the Slovakian border, shaped the region's past and present.
A Celtic tribe named Eravisci built the first settlement near modern-day Budapest. But the Romans quickly staked their claim on the land. In the 1st century AD, the empire developed and renamed the city Aquincum, a historical sight you can visit 5 miles north of Budapest.
Budapest saw changing rulers after the fall of the Roman Empire. During the Middle Ages, Magyars settled here and experienced one of the most devastating attacks in the city's history. The Mongols, headed by Batu Khan, set fire to the urban space and seized control of the flat plains of Hungary.
The 19th and 20th centuries were instrumental in turning Budapest into a European powerhouse. William Tierney Clark built the city's first permanent bridge, connecting Buda in the west to Pest in the east. Only one year later, the towns of Buda, Pest, and Obuda merged.
The Soviet Union and Nazi Germany almost destroyed the city during World War II. Fortunately, locals and builders worked in harmony, slowly but surely, creating the stunning urban center we see today. As a result, the cities have various architectural styles ranging from Baroque, Neoclassical, and Eclectic to Art Nouveau.
Today, the city is a hotbed of cultural activities, combining modern buildings and green initiatives with historical landmarks like the Parliament Building and St. Stephen's Basilica. The thousands of years of human habitation and the many monuments it left behind earned Budapest's riverfront recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
However, most travelers recognized the city for its lively atmosphere. The Jewish district is the nightlife hub jam-packed with clubs, restaurants, and pub ruins you can't find anywhere else in Europe. During the summer, you'll discover a party aura in the urban parks as locals come together to share food, drinks, and laughter on the freshly cut grass!
Our professional drivers, with extensive local knowledge, have various tips to help you travel from Venice to Budapest. From essential to helpful, discover our hacks below for a relaxing voyage!
It may be the 21st century, but many small towns and museums en route from Venice to Budapest only accept cash to keep their prices down. However, you should note that Italy and Slovenia use euros, and Hungary has its own national currency. Plan your sightseeing stops before departing to gauge how much cash you need.
An abundance of historical, natural, and cultural sights sit between Venice and Budapest. Many, such as the incredible Idrija Mercury Mine, or the charming city of Kamnik, are off the tourist radar, so you'll create a unique adventure and help support sustainable travel. Also, it will help break up the expensive road trip and stop you from getting deep vein thrombosis from sitting in the same seat for hours!
A private door-to-door service that collects you from your hotel in Venice and drops you off directly at your new one in Budapest is the ultimate relaxing experience on a 6-hour excursion. But you can still travel in comfort when opting for public transport. Consider spending more on 1st class train tickets or extra legroom on a bus, and bring a neck pillow and earplugs in case of noisy fellow travelers!
The City of Spas and the City of Bridges are some of the most sought-after destinations for local and international travelers. Therefore, there's no shortage of transportation options from Venice to Budapest during the night or day.
A flight has the shortest travel duration between Venice and Budapest. In only 1 hour and 25 minutes, you can fly from Venice-Treviso Airport to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. However, this doesn't include airport transfers, security checks, or the 40-minute drive from Venice-Treviso Airport.
Overall, the journey will take at least 4.25 hours. Ryanair is the only direct provider on this route and operates in the busy season from April until October. As with every airline, book in advance for the best fares.
The train is a popular mode of transportation from Venice to Budapest. The route sits on one of the most demanding interrail trails. So, it's often crowded from late spring to early fall.
No direct services are available. But by booking with the German train operator OBB, you'll only need to change once in Vienna or Salzburg. Trenitalia is a longer yet more cost-effective option where you depart at Verona and transfer twice more en route before arriving at Budapest-Kelenfold.
The bus is best if you're traveling to Europe on a budget. It's a cheap way to transfer between the cities. And since it's one of the only direct modes of transportation, it's surprisingly one of the most convenient.
Flixbus offers several daily connections that also run at night. Many backpackers catch a late-night or early-morning coach to save money on a hotel room. The downside is that the lack of space onboard can make for an uncomfortable 13-hour trip.
Daytrip's door-to-door service is unquestionably the easiest and most comfortable way to travel from Venice to Budapest. After booking your desired departure time, we'll pick you up directly at your hotel and help with your luggage, so you don't have to organize taxis to a nearby collection point. Since the driving journey will take 6 hours and 50 minutes, you'll be glad to know you'll travel in a quiet, sanitized vehicle with modern conveniences such as reclinable seats and air conditioning.
But it's also the most adventurous way to travel. Instead of wasting a day of your well-earned vacation on the road, we want you to explore en route. If you love exploring underrated European cities, stop and visit the wonders at Ljubljana, or if you're a nature enthusiast, venture underground to witness the Postojna Caves by train. Don't worry about your bags, as you’ll store them safely in the truck of your vehicle!
Despite the countless world-class cities nearby, Hungary's capital is continental Europe's 19th most visited city. If you're one of the 4 million annual visitors, put these highlights on your travel itinerary before driving from Venice to Budapest!
Perched atop Castle Hill on the Buda side of the city, Buda Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a historical treasure. The Duke of Slavonia constructed the building in the 13th century. However, the castle complex has undergone various renovations and reconstructions over the centuries.
Today, you can explore the Royal Palace, which houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Don't forget to stroll through the charming Castle District, with its cobbled streets, medieval architecture, and Fisherman's Bastion!
You can't say you visited the City of Spas without relaxing in its therapeutic waters. Even 2000 years ago, the Romans acknowledged the area as one of the best spa towns in their empire.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the most popular with the locals. In the summer, you can indulge in unique pool parties during the day and at night! But if you want a more relaxing experience, consider visiting alternative locations such as Rudas, Lukacks, or even Dandar thermal baths.
From palinka parties to cozy restaurants, there's something for everyone to experience in the Jewish district. However, one thing you cannot afford to miss is the pub ruins, a nightlife symbol of Budapest. These quirky settings were once abandoned buildings where locals would come to party. But they blossomed into one of the city's highlights!
If you want to admire the rustic atmosphere and interesting sights here, it's best to come during the day. The Hungarian Jewish Museum and Dohány Street Synagogue give a fascinating insight into the area's traffic history.
Romai Part is one of the few areas of Budapest not overrun by tourists. Around 6 miles north of downtown, this slice of heaven is nestled along the banks of the Danube, home to leafy walkways, quaint shores, and an abundance of eateries.
You could spend the entire day here riding a bike or recharging on the beach. The only downside to this area is deciding where to eat in the plethora of restaurants, all luring you with mouth-watering aromas!
Hungary's capital has won the best Christmas market for three consecutive years. It also attracts almost half a million visitors from across the globe to indulge in the much-anticipated Sziget Music Fest in the summer. As a result, there's never an underwhelming time to travel from Venice to Budapest. But one period offers something a cut above the rest.
Many regard spring as the best time to visit Budapest. The lively streets ignite a carnival atmosphere as locals can finally spend time outdoors due to the region's harsh winter. The daily high temperature is 74° Fahrenheit, continuing to stay warm in the evening. So you can indulge in some delicious Hungarian cuisine under the moonlight.
This timeframe sounds like the summer, but there are far fewer visitors in town. Therefore, you can wander the streets or relax in a thermal bath without bumping shoulders with herds of tourists. Finally, accommodation is cheaper from mid-March to June. So you can put that saved cash towards cultural tours or nightlife!
The city of Idrija, a UNESCO World Heritage List site, has over 500 years of mining tradition and a large influence in world trade. Slovenia's oldest mining city
Predjama Castle was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest cave castle in the world. Renaissance castle within a cave
Take a ride on a cave train through the 2 million year old Postojna Cave. This famous Slovenian cave offers an underground network perfect for exploring. A jewel of natural wonder
The capital and largest city in Slovenia, Ljubljana is high on the list of the world’s most sustainable tourist destinations. Green Capital of Europe
A flourishing trading town in the Middle Ages, Kamnik was first mentioned in the 11th century. Today, the preserved suburb of Ljubljana is home to a little over 10,000 habitants. Medieval town surrounded by mountains
Maribor is the perfect destination for those searching for the perfect mix of city life and a relaxed countryside ambience. A charming little Slovenian city
“My husband and I traveled from Budapest to Venice with Daytrip.com. Our driver Atilla was an excellent driver and we stopped in at Lake Bled. The vehicle was very comfortable. We recommend this service highly. Very professional and reliable!”
DeeDee N
Nov 25, 2018“I stumbled upon this company when I did a search online for transport ideas from Budapest to Venice. Trains and planes were not working for us but this totally fit the bill. The website is extremely easy to use and shows you all of the points of interest along the way. We fell in love with the idea of being able to stay on Lake Bled in Slovenia, a beautiful country, and we will return here next time in Europe.. We were so impressed we decided to travel over 2 days. Day 1: We were picked up at the door of our hotel in Budapest and were dropped at the door of our hotel on Lake Bled. The car was very comfortable. We stopped along the way at Maribor and had lunch. Our driver, Andrea, took us to a typical little restaurant and advised us on what we should order. Poor Andrea had to negotiate a terrible thunder and hail storm just outside of Bled, I was pleased not to be the driver. Day 2: Darko, our driver picked us at the door once more for our transfer to Venice. We stopped at Ljubljana for around 60 minutes, a very pretty town with lots of bridges. It is our plan to return here again. We also stopped at Predjama Castle, we had lunch here, we didn't venture inside as we didn't have time, not wanting to arrive too late in Venice. Darko dropped as at the bus station and from there it was just a short walk across the carpark to the Vaporetto. I would use this company again without hesitation and recommend them in a heartbeat. They are prompt, the cars are very nice and comfy, the drivers are full of information about where you are travelling through and the website is brilliant. See you next time The Daytrip team..”
gomozzie
Aug 13, 2018“We had a great trip, our driver, Balint, spoke English and was very helpful. The car was comfortable. We enjoyed seeing the villages and landscapes as we traveled. Our two stops were fun walking around and eating lunch in old villages. We arrived in Venice on time. We certainly will use DayTrip again and we highly recommend their services to others.”
Gary V
Aug 11, 2018“Reliable and Prompt Services. We wanted to make stops in Slovenia and so decided to book through DayTrip. The whole trip from Booking to the drive and reaching our destination was very smooth. Our driver Tomas was very calm and knowledgeable about the area, making our stops fun. Overall an excellent experience and highly recommended”
PZW2012
Aug 11, 2018All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.
We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.
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