Krakow to Budapest

I've used Daytrip a few times. Worked out well. The basic fare point A to point B is "okay" but when you throw in a stop or two then I think you get real value out of using them. I would stop and see Oravsky hrad and maybe Banská Štiavnica for lunch.

But for me, and we are all different, if I were not going to make at least two stops, I would fly or maybe take the train (the night train). For 1 or 2 people flying or the train is less expensive than daytrip.

LOT has a daily flight that changes in Warsaw, takes about 3.25 hours and starts at about $150 a ticket (vs nearly $470 for the daytrip car). I have never been to the Krakow airport but I suspect its easy, the Budapest airport is easy and the ride into town only about 35 minutes and will cost $6.50 (express bus) to $35.00 (taxi). Figure in 3 hours for to and from airports and early arrival time and its 6.25 to maybe 6.75 hours by plane. So not much different than driving.

Then there is the train. The direct train takes about 8.5 hours and costs about $30. Or the night train which will cost you about $140 for a place in a double compartment (and there are singles for about $180). Since we looked at Daytrip and the Plane being door to door, call the day train ride 9.75 hours door to door. Night train leaves at 10:43 and arrives at 08:29 which is great because its not too early. Drop your luggage at the hotel or a luggage locker and go to the Szechenyi Baths for a soak (and a shower).

I have never been to the Krakow airport but I suspect its easy

I have been there. It is indeed easy.

Also... as a prior user of Daytrip, I agree that the advantage of the company is the ability to make a stop or two along the way to see something cool.

In 2017, we used this company for this exact transfer: https://primetourskrakow.com

It was 440 Euros back then. They still have good reviews on TripAdvisor.

We made a day of it and stopped in a couple of villages I wanted to see.