12 Best Day Trips from Budapest

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Visiting Budapest and considering a day trip out of the city? I’ve got you covered!

To make your life easier, I asked fellow travel bloggers to recommend their favorite day trips from Budapest and what they like the most about each place.

I’ve said it before: the Hungarian capital is one of my top favorite European cities. I’ve spent 4 days in Budapest and couldn’t get enough of it.

From the history and culture to the food and bars, I absolutely loved it and could easily have stayed for a week or more.

Budapest is also a great getaway to explore more of Hungary and even the neighboring countries.

There are so many great places you can visit on a day tour from Budapest, all of them with their unique charm, beauty, and attractions.

So without further ado, here are the 12 best day trips from Budapest according to travel bloggers:

 

Best day trips from Budapest

Szentendre, Hungary

Recommended by Karolina and Patryk from Lazy Travel Blog

Around a 30-minute drive north of Budapest lies the colorful town of Szentendre.

With its Baroque architecture, narrow cobbled streets, quaint houses, and majestic churches, Szentendre is an inviting location for a day trip from Budapest.

In the narrow alleys of the main square is a treasure trove of venues that would lure art lovers and foodies for a quick stop.

With art museums and galleries brimming with collections that highlight a long line of artists in Budapest’s history, like the Czobel Museum and the Memorial House of the Painter Tibor Boromissza, a tour through each museum will be a waltz through time and feast for the senses.

As you make your way through town, there will be several food stops in the form of restaurants and food stalls selling some mouth-watering Hungarian cuisine and a lot of gelatos.

Levendula, which is right on the main square, serves artisanal ice cream with unique flavors that are to die for, like their lavender-lemon gelato.

Get some Lángos, a popular Hungarian street food made up of deep-fried flatbread with a huge selection of toppings.

To burn off the calories, take a hike up the hill to the 14th-century Baroque church of St. John the Baptist where you will have sweeping views of the town.

To get here, you can catch one of the trains on the H5 HEV suburban railway line departing from Batthyány tér, which leaves every 30 minutes and will take about 40 minutes to get to Szentendre.

 

Eckartsau Castle, Austria

Recommended by Pashmina from The Gone Goat

If you’re looking to experience an enchanting park filled with green trails and a Viennese baroque castle, then Eckartsau might just be the place for a day tour from Budapest.

Schloss Eckartsau is a castle that gives you a peek into the miniature masterpieces of Viennese Baroque.

The main Palais is a less-frequented stop that serves mouth-watering cupcakes and Viennese food.

It is a popular place for weddings, tea parties, and other summery occasions, but a day trip to this place away from the hustle and bustle provides the right balance of nature and history.

The landscape is reminiscent of life in 1918 when the emperor Karl I of Austria had his last residence here.

There’s also an interactive national park exhibition called Wild Wechsel about the trodden paths animals used in the wild – a wildly interesting and fascinating museum to have in these serene landscapes.

You can visit Eckartsau from Vienna and take the bus from U1 Kagran to Grossenzersdorf, Orth / Donau to Eckartsau.

 

Eger, Hungary

Recommended by Alexander from Destinavo

Eger is one of the historical cities in Hungary, and you can get there easily on a day trip by train, bus or joining a guided group tour.

The train ride takes about 2 hours and it goes directly from Keleti Railway station in Budapest.

If you’re feeling comfortable driving, you can also rent a car and drive there within less than 2 hours.

Eger is especially famous for two things.

First, it was the place where just a few outnumbered Hungarians were able to stop the Ottoman Empire from invading Hungary and Europe. This is something that they still proud themselves for.

The second thing that makes Eger famous is its wine. The Egri Bikaver is perhaps the most famous wine from here, but there are several varieties grown here.

Of course, wine tasting is one of the best things to do in Eger.

I also recommend visiting the old fortress, and just going around the city and admiring the architecture.

The city is very intact and well-preserved with beautiful old architecture.

There are also lots of restaurants serving traditional Hungarian food.

I suggest that you go early in the morning. Eger is quite popular, especially on weekends and during summer.

If you’re visiting during high season, go with one of the earlier trains, so that you’re sure to make the most out of your visit.

Alternatively, you can book a full-day tour to Eger here.

 

Brno, Czech Republic

Recommended by Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan

As the second largest city in the Czech Republic, Brno offers plenty of things to do.

At the same time, it’s a compact city and can easily be explored on foot.

Even on a quick Budapest day trip, you’ll be able to experience the city and see many of its main sights.

The most popular of these include the Cabbage Market (or “Zelný Trh” in Czech). You’ll find a lot more than just cabbage at this fruit and vegetable market that has been operating in the town’s main square since the 13th century.

Another highlight is Špilberk Castle, which overlooks the city from a great vantage point up on a hill.

Brno’s attractions also include several unusual ones, which could even be called macabre.

For example, there is the ossuary underneath St. James’ Church. It’s the second largest ossuary in Europe, and when you climb down inside you’ll be surrounded by the bones of more than 50,000 people.

The skulls and bones are arranged in decorative patterns, which makes the place oddly beautiful.

Another unusual site in Brno is the 10-Z Fallout Shelter. This nuclear bunker was built during the Communist era and could hold up to 600 people.

It was intended to protect the city’s politicians and bureaucrats if the city ever fell under a nuclear attack.

Brno is not widely known among foreign tourists, which is a good thing. It sees far fewer visitors than Prague and offers a more authentic Czech experience.

By public transport, the journey from Budapest takes a bit too long for a day trip, but if you have your own car or rent one you could get to Brno in just over three hours.

To make the most of your time and learn more about the capital of Moravia, join a historic downtown walking tour with a certified guide here.

 

Vienna, Austria

Recommended by Christopher from Rudderless TRVL

One of the many things I love about Europe is how easy it is to get around.

After the amazing time I had exploring Budapest, the first place that came to my mind when it was time to leave was Vienna.

In a short 2,5/3 hour train ride I would able to cross another major city off my bucket list.

Vienna is an imperial city, with grand buildings and palaces dating back to the Habsburg Dynasty and earlier.

The Hofburg Palace, Rathaus, and the Vienna Parliament Building are examples of the city’s majestic grandeur, while the Belvedere property and garden are beautiful and serene.

Vienna is considered the European capital of classical music with Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, and Johann Strauss II all associated with the city.

As such you’ll find a variety of concert halls and theatres like the Wiener Musikverein, Vienna Volksoper, Burgtheater, Theater an der Wien, Volkstheater, and the Vienna State Opera.

The Vienna State Opera is one of the top opera addresses in the world. If you have some time be sure to catch a show.

If you’re more of a history type, walk through the Museums Quartier with several buildings curating all types of fascinating exhibits.

Lastly, do not miss the absolutely stunning Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral) with its beautiful and awe-inspiring tile roof.

 

Lake Balaton, Hungary

Recommended by Dave from Jones Around the World

Who doesn’t love a nice relaxing day by a scenic lake?

While there are literally hundreds of amazing things to do in Budapest, I think you’d be making a huge mistake if you don’t schedule in at least a day trip out to the beautiful Lake Balaton while you’re traveling around Hungary!

It’s only a 90-minute drive from the city center, and I guarantee you will love it as much as I do.

There are so many charming lakeside cities to explore, boat activities, and amazing restaurants and bars to discover.

I actually only came to Lake Balaton to attend a music festival called Balaton Sound, and it was one of the highlights of my summer!

I ended up extending my time by the lake after the festival ended because it’s just such a gorgeous location.

The sunsets are purely magical, and it’s such an amazing feeling drinking local Hungarian beer (super affordable, of course), taking a quick swim, and watching the sky change a wide array of colors.

Car rentals from Budapest are also budget-friendly, and it’ll be a day you’ll never forget!

Do yourself a favor when planning your trip to Budapest, and schedule in a day trip out to Lake Balaton.

If you don’t want to rent a car, you could easily hop on a local train for a 2-hour journey and be swimming by midday!

Another option is to join a Lake Balaton tour from Budapest. This one includes hotel pick-up, guide, a scenic 1-hour cruise, and lunch. You can also find other options here.

 

Bratislava, Slovakia

Recommended by Kamila from Kami and the rest of the world

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is located only a 2,5 hours train ride away from Budapest and makes a perfect day trip from Budapest.

There are direct trains every 2 hours and a one-way ticket costs €9 if bought a day in advance at the latest.

With so many things to do in Bratislava, you will be busy for the whole day.

Wander around the charming old town and find some quirky sculptures, such as Cumil.

Go up to the castle to see the vast panorama of the city or take the elevator to the terrace platform at UFO-shaped bridge to see an even better view of the Old Town and beyond.

Fall in love with the fairy-tale-like art-nouveau Blue Church.

For lunch head to beautiful Bratislava Flagship Restaurant to try some of the delicious Slovak dishes.

Bratislava is also big in the cafe scene, so save some time for a coffee and cake break.

Getting from the train station to the old town is relatively easy. You can either walk for some 10-15 minutes or take the tram no 1 (6 stops, 9 minutes ride).

Once there, save time by hopping on the sightseeing bus for a tour of the Old Town and castle.

Bratislava deserves more than just one day, but even if you have only a couple of hours, you should be able to enjoy the city.

 

Debrecen, Hungary

Recommended by Gábor from Surfing the Planet

Debrecen is located in the Eastern part of Hungary, just a 2-hour ride from the capital.

Situated in the region of the Great Plain, it’s the second-largest city in Hungary, although it has the vibe of a small town.

It has always been a very important cultural and educational center of the country with a Protestant College and one of the largest university campuses.

The rich architectural heritage of Debrecen provides you with quite a few attractions for a Budapest day tour.

The Great Church, one of the largest Calvinist churches in Europe, dominates the fully pedestrian historical center.

It’s worth climbing one of its towers to enjoy the lovely views.

In the area, you also find many beautifully renovated buildings from the 19th century, the gardens of the Protestant College, and the Déri Museum with nice exhibitions about local folklore.

The best way to move around is by getting on one of the two tram lines.

Line 1 takes you to the area of the university campus with its large main building in classical style.

It’s situated in a picturesque environment in the forest, where you can find a lovely lake and green areas for a picnic or visit the well-known botanical garden.

 

Esztergom, Hungary

Recommended by Anwar from Beyond My Front Door

Located about 60 km from Budapest, the town of Esztergom makes a great day trip from the city.

The city is famous especially for its history as an ancient capital of Hungary and as the seat of the Catholic church in Hungary.

It has the largest church in the country, the Esztergom Basilica (built in the mid-19th century).

The current basilica sits on the site that housed several other churches before it, dating back to the 11th century.

Beyond the church, visitors to the town can explore the castle, several museums, and the beautiful market around Széchényi Square, as well as walk across the bridge to Štúrovo in Slovakia.

For those with more time, exploration of the nearby Duna-Ipoly National Park is recommended.

The park has diverse flora and fauna as well as caves and stunning views of the Danube.

Esztergom is easily accessed from Budapest by car or train. Driving to the city takes about an hour and the train generally about 90 minutes.

Many tours of the Danube Bend also include a stop at Esztergom and a visit to the Basilica.

 

Novi Sad, Serbia

Recommended by Allison from Sofia Adventures

If you’re planning a day trip from Budapest, why not look outside of Hungary and over the border into neighboring Serbia?

A lot of Serbia was actually part of Austria-Hungary in the past, especially the province of Vojvodina which includes historic cities like Subotica and Novi Sad.

While Subotica is a little closer to Budapest, I’d actually pick Novi Sad as my favorite option for a day trip to Serbia.

Novi Sad is under the radar now, but it’s set for a big tourism boom. Lonely Planet named it number 3 on their places to visit in 2019, and it will be one of the European Capitals of Culture in 2021.

But beyond those accolades, it is also just a lovely city to spend some time in.

It is home to some of the most spectacular architecture in Serbia, the best of which can be seen around the beautiful Name of Mary Church which somewhat resembles St. Matthias Church in Budapest.

The Trg Slobode, the main square where you’ll find the church as well as the beautiful City Hall of Novi Sad, is also well worth stopping by on a day trip.

Don’t miss the Petrovaradin Fortress, a 20-minute walk from central Novi Sad with epic views over the Danube from its impressive fortifications.

While you can take a bus to Novi Sad, I’d actually recommend driving from Budapest so that you can visit some of the other beautiful places nearby Novi Sad.

The small city of Sremski Karlovci, the wineries of Fruska Gora which produce delicious dry wines and herbal digestif wines called Bermet, and the impressive monasteries like Krusedol are all within an easy drive of Novi Sad.

 

Predikaloszek and the Danube Bend, Hungary

Recommended by Eni from Travel Hacker Girl

If you like spending time in nature and want to get away from the busy city life I suggest taking a day trip to the countryside.

There are several hiking trails near Budapest. One of my favorites is Predikaloszek, which offers superb views of the Danube Bend.

There is a parking area in Domos next to the Town Hall for 1000 HUF. Make sure you have change with you for the parking machine!

It is a 1-hour drive from Budapest. However, you can also use public transport to get here, but the journey will take about 2 hours that way.

The trail is well-marked along the way, just follow the red triangle.

You will pass Vadallo-kovok, which are these huge rocks with unique shapes.

The hike is quite exhausting as it goes up a steep rocky path.

However, all your effort will be worth it once at the top, as you will be rewarded with the best view you can get of the Danube Bend.

There is a lookout tower at the top and several picnic benches.

The 9-km round trip hike should take about 4 hours, but there are several other hiking trails in the area you can explore if you feel up for it!

If you’d rather join an organized tour from Budapest to the Danube Bend, you can find a great one here.

 

Lake Velence, Hungary

Recommended by Katie from Just Chasing Sunsets

There was a sweltering heat wave during my trip to Budapest and I needed to find a way to escape the heat of the city.

I’d read about Lake Balaton and thought that would make a good day trip until a local in a coffee shop told me about Lake Velence.

Lake Velence is smaller than Lake Balaton, yet closer to Budapest.

I was Couchsurfing on the outskirts of the city, so I took a 30-minute train from Kelenfold to Velence.

There are three train stations in Velence that are close to beaches: Velence, Velencefurdo, and Gardony. I followed the many other beach-bound patrons and got off at Gardony.

From the train station, it’s about a 5-minute walk to the beach. Along the way, you’ll pass food stands serving up langos, beer, and other delicious treats.

Then you’ll arrive at the beach, a small sandy area that was already packed with people the day I arrived.

So I continued down the path to a grassy spot next to a pier where kids were jumping off.

There is very little shade here so be prepared with sunscreen!

If water sports are your thing, you can rent a SUP or kayak or take windsurfing lessons from a waterfront shop called Go Surf.

Or you can simply relax with a good book, taking in the very local and relaxed vibe of a summer day at Lake Velence.

 

There you have it. The best day tours from Budapest according to savvy travelers whose recommendations you can trust and follow.

From Hungary’s picturesque towns and lush countryside to neighboring Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Serbia, this comprehensive list covers it all.

 

Have you taken a day trip from Budapest? What would you add to this list of Budapest day trips? Share in the comments section below!

 

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Read more:

• Budapest 4 Day Itinerary for First-Timers

 

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