Flixbus From Budapest to Vienna

I took one Munich to Strasbourg and found that it is clean the bus doesn't have as much wear and tear as to give you an idea as Eurolines or Greyhound. You of course just have to watch your bag if that route you are taking has any stops with people getting off. I recommend it. They usually have great prices bang for the buck considering the service.

Thank you, Jazz, for your reply. I very much appreciate it. According to Flixbus' website, it is a direct route lasting about 3 hours. I am concerned about potential pickpockets and theft on the bus, so I will be vigilant.

Most take a train between those cities. We stopped in Bratislava.

Why not take the train like everybody else does?

The train would be faster and more comfortable and for about $20 with an advance purchase ticket, it's a great value. As for pick pockets, other than in crowded public transport in the tourist areas of Vienna I don't think there is any comparison between Vienna and places like Paris or Prague or Barcelona. I work with a lot of tourists in Budapest and have never met one that was picked. But i wouldn't get too comfortable in really crowded situations no matter where you are.

Thank you for your replies. The durations for a train and a bus rides are about the same, but the bus fare is more economical, so unless the train is clearly more beneficial, I am leaning toward Flixbus.

Thank you James. When I checked the train's website, the fare is more like 40 Euro, while Flixbus is less than 20 Euro. Then there is the advantage of cancellation (1 hour prior to departure for Flixbus).

◾Advance-purchase sparschiene fares start at €19 in 2nd class, €29 in 1st class or €44 in luxurious Business class. Sparschiene fares mean taking the specified train only, limited or no changes or refunds.
https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Vienna.htm#Vienna-Budapest

Your 3 hour bus trip will take you to the Népliget bus station from which you can be in the center of town in about 25 minutes on the M3 metro line. The 2.5 hour train ride will take you about 10 minutes from the center of town using the M2 metro line,. Not sure of the difference in time at the Vienna end.

If you are paying $20 for a bus ticket, then an advance purchase train ticket will cost about $2 more.

From YCL's fare quote, it's probably safe to infer that the trip is coming up somewhat soon and the lowest train fares have sold out.

All I can say is that I was in a similar situation and The Flixbus got me to Salzburg from Munich in the same time at a fraction of the cost of DB

The bus is fine. I don't really have a dog in the hunt. Just wanted to list the possibilities and the effects. For my interests I would take the train, mainly so I could stop in Gyor on the way; Bratislava as mentioned above is also a good option. I figure if I am going to spend a thousand to get to Europe for what is always too short a trip, then I want every second possible devoted to doing what I have traveled there to enjoy; so in my instance 1 hour is worth $20. But that's me, and not some sort of universal truth.

I did check the OBB website and the rates on 20th begin at 24€ on the 21st, 18€ and on the 22nd 16€. Just out of curiosity, I looked at Flexibus for the same dates. The rates ranged from 18.90€ to 29.90€ depending on the time and date.

Thank you all again for your replies. I will research the train option some more. I will see how far my Budapest hotel will be from the Nepliget station vs. the train station. As for arriving at Erdberg bus station in Vienna, it is quite close to my hotel in Vienna so it will be convenient.

I will add that if your hotel is near the bus station, you need to find another hotel. But or train; really doesn't matter. Its what you do when you get there that is important. I had a relative a few months back that took the bus and he said the trip was fine.

My Vienna hotel is near the museum quarters, so it is not right by the bus station. :-)
When I wrote "near", I mean taxi fare less than 20 euro.

I was thinking your Budapest hotel. if you are near the bus station, you are at the end of the earth as tourism goes.

Oh, I see.

Since I will be with a tour group in Budapest, I am not sure of the hotel yet. When the tour ends, I will head to Vienna by myself.
You are very kind to share your knowledge and I I am very grateful for your good advices and suggestions. Thank you so much!

My impression of the tour groups is that the expensive ones stay in District V near the river. The cheap ones stay in District VIII near the Train Station and the ones like RS stay half way between the two. No one in their right mind stays near the bus station...

If you are staying near the MuseumsQuartier in Vienna, then be aware that this is completely on the opposite side of town from Erdberg bus terminal. Trains from Budapest to Vienna end at Hauptbahnhof, which is much closer to MuseumsQuartier.

I honestly don't understand why you seem to be budget conscious but then have no problem paying 20 Euro (the same cost as your entire bus ticket from Budapest!) for a taxi ride from Erdberg to your hotel? Not only would the taxi fare from Hauptbahnhof be less making up for any bus fare savings, but the subway fare from either Erdberg or Hauptbahnhof would be a couple of Euro.

I am not set on taking the bus -- that's why I am posting on this forum to find out more. You have given me very good information so I will seriously consider train if it is more convenient and the train stations are closer to my hotels in both Budapest and Vienna.

I understand it will be false economy if the cost saving from the bus fare is exceeded by the taxi fares to and from my hotels to the bus stations in the 2 cities. So I will look up the distances on Google map.

Thank you again.

YCL, there is no right or wrong. What ever you choose will add to the adventure of the trip. What I am most shocked about is the cost of the taxi in Vienna. You would have to try pretty hard to run up a $20 taxi bill in Budapest. Even the airport is only about $25 away. The best way to control your budget might be to leave Vienna sooner than later and spend more time where prices are more reasonable.

It's because no one takes taxis in Vienna because the public transportation is so excellent and reliable.

James and Emily, thanks for generously sharing your knowledge -- you guys are the best. Also a big thank-you to all who had taken the time to reply to my post.

I checked the taxi fare from the bus station and train stations to my hotel in Vienna and they are about 18 Euro and 14 Euro respectively. As I always travel light with a carry-on and a backpack, I just might take public transportation instead of a taxi. Vienna is too beautiful a city to cut short my visit. I only spent 3 days there the last time and it was not enough. So I am re-visiting it again (same with Prague and Budapest)

I know taxi fare is cheap in Budapest, so I am not too concerned. I just have to avoid getting bitten by taxi sharks there.

I am now leaning more toward the train because of your advices.

Regards from sunny California.

YCL, the only way you will get bitten by taxi sharks in Budapest is if you throw yourself into their mouths. Pick up your cell phone and call a reputable company like City Taxi +36 1 211 1111 and all will be fine .... ALWAYS! For that matter any taxi in a yellow car with a light on type and a name on the side. They are now very stringently regulated. There is an extra charge of a few hundred forints for picking then up at a stand or on the street, which is why you call. I have instances where they were substantially more ethical and honest than the law requires. BUT, in Budapest, except to the airport, if you are using taxis you need some guidance with public transpiration. It is among the cheapest, most efficient and cleanest you will encounter in Europe. The Trams are like cheap HOHO busses and metro is almost fun (especially the M1 line).

Excellent advice. Thanks.