Serial Tourism: Affordable Trip Connections from Budapest

Budapest’s central location makes it the perfect starting point for budget travelers looking to explore multiple countries in one trip. With affordable and popular transport options like FlixBus, you can hop from city to city without breaking the bank. So if you don’t mind an overnight bus adventure, here are some routes to maximize your travel experience while keeping costs low.

1. Budapest → Vienna → Prague → Berlin

The ultimate Central European backpacker route. Big cities, rich history, and lively nightlife — all connected by short and affordable bus rides.

Route	Travel Time	Notes	Ticket Avg.
Budapest → Vienna	~3h	Easy, fast, and super frequent. Perfect first hop.	~16 EUR
Vienna → Prague	~4.5h	Classic Central Europe — castles, beer, and charm.	~24 EUR
Prague → Berlin	~5.5h	Ideal for an overnight ride or a lazy daytime trip.	~26 EUR

Bonus: Consider Dresden or Brno on the way.

2. Budapest → Bratislava → Brno → Prague

A chill, short-hop route through smaller Central European gems. Perfect for slow travelers who love local vibes, walkable cities, and skipping the tourist crowds.

Route	Travel Time	Notes	Ticket Avg.
Budapest → Bratislava	~2.5h	Chill riverside stop, the perfect warm-up city.	~15 EUR
Bratislava → Brno	~2h	Cozy student vibes and Czech beer prices.	~12 EUR
Brno → Prague	~2.5h	The easygoing final stretch into Prague.	~11 EUR

3. Budapest → Zagreb → Ljubljana → Venice

A scenic trip from Hungary to the Adriatic. Think of Balkan charm and mountain views, ending your journey by floating through Venice’s canals.

Route	Travel Time	Notes	Ticket Avg.
Budapest → Zagreb	~4h	A smooth ride into laid-back, leafy Croatia.	~32 EUR
Zagreb → Ljubljana	~2.5h	Mountain views and small-town charm.	~13 EUR
Ljubljana → Venice	~4h	From the Alps to canals — a dreamy finish.	~30 EUR

Bonus: If it’s not enough, consider Venice → Milan or Verona as well.

4. Budapest → Belgrade → Sofia → Bucharest

Low-key, one of the most slept-on adventures through the Balkans. It’s a bit of a long ride, but one rich in character and undeniably worth experiencing at least once. Perfect for curious, hard-core travelers craving something off the beaten path.

Route	Travel Time	Notes	Ticket Avg.
Budapest → Belgrade	~6h	Straight shot to Serbia’s gritty, cool capital.	~38 EUR
Belgrade → Sofia	~9h	A long but iconic Balkan crossing.	~35 EUR
Sofia → Bucharest	~6h	Mountains, border checks, and two very different capitals.	~24 EUR

5. Budapest → Vienna → Munich → Zurich

If you’ve been on a Duolingo streak in German, now’s your moment to shine. Get ready for the ultimate Central European tour through German-speaking countries — where language skills meet rich culture, stunning cities, and yes, plenty of bratwurst.

Route	Travel Time	Notes	Ticket Avg.
Budapest → Vienna	~6h	Easy first hop, perfect for a morning ride.	~16 EUR
Vienna → Munich	~9h	Bavarian beer gardens & historic charm.	~28 EUR
Munich → Zurich	~6h	Straight into clean Swiss streets & mountain views.	~26 EUR

Always book your tickets early to snag the best deals, and don’t forget to check visa requirements for any non-EU countries along the way!

Whether you prefer the convenience of FlixBus or the comfort of budget trains, there are plenty of affordable ways to explore Europe from Budapest. With careful planning, you can visit multiple countries for less than the cost of a single flight ticket. So grab your backpack and start your next adventure!