International transfers from Budapest – door to door

Central Europe’s capitals and major cities sit closer together than a first glance at the map suggests. With our international transfers from Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Košice, Prague, Kraków, Salzburg and Zakopane are all within a single day’s journey – and when you are not the one driving, that day is spent resting, working or talking in peace, rather than changing lanes and hunting for a parking space.

• Our destinations and distances
• Why a private car rather than the train or a plane?
• Business trips abroad
• Leisure trips and outings
• Border crossings, documents and vignettes
• Choosing a vehicle for a longer journey
• How to get a quote

The idea behind our international transfers is simple: we collect you from your address in Budapest and set you down at the entrance of your destination abroad – whether that is a hotel in Vienna, an office building in Bratislava, a conference venue in Prague or an apartment in Kraków’s Old Town. Along the way there are no changes at the station, no dragging suitcases along the platform, no security queues at the airport, and no need to find a taxi when you arrive. Transfers and sightseeing trips to Bratislava, Vienna and Prague have long been a regular part of what we offer, so we can say with confidence that no journey to Vienna or Prague is too much trouble.

We have been working in premium passenger transport for more than 25 years, and in that time we have completed over 150,000 journeys in Hungary and across the region. We have driven international performing artists, politicians, church leaders and even monarchs – so cross-border travel is not an exceptional assignment for us but part of our everyday work. Our chauffeurs speak foreign languages and have many years of experience both behind the wheel and in looking after VIP guests.

• 7destinations in four Central European countries
• 25years of experience in premium passenger transport
• 150,000+journeys completed
• 24/7available by phone

Seven cities, seven very different journeys

Although every destination lies within a day’s travel, the character of the seven routes varies a great deal. Some feel like a longer commute, while others take up a full day of travel – so it is worth knowing what to expect.

Bratislava and Vienna – the two nearest capitals

Our Budapest to Bratislava transfer is our shortest international route: along the M1 and then the M15 motorway to Rajka, and from there on the Slovak D2 into the city – about 200 km in total. Bratislava and Vienna are also remarkably close to each other – around fifty kilometres apart as the crow flies, the shortest distance between any two capitals in Europe. That is why our clients often combine the two cities in a single day and a single journey.

The Budapest to Vienna transfer follows the M1 to Hegyeshalom, then crosses the border at Nickelsdorf and continues on the Austrian A4 motorway – about 245 km. On the way, just before the city and right beside the motorway, lies Vienna Airport (Schwechat), the home base of Austrian Airlines – many travellers head to Vienna precisely for its long-haul flights.

Košice – the heart of eastern Slovakia

Košice lies north-east of Budapest, about 260 km away. The city holds a special place in Hungarian history: Francis II Rákóczi rests in the crypt of St Elisabeth’s Cathedral – the largest church in Slovakia. It is a frequent destination for business and family trips as well as cultural outings; you will find the details on the Budapest to Košice transfer page.

Prague – a long but relaxed journey

Prague is about 525 km away, and the route runs through Slovakia and Brno. This is a full morning or afternoon of travel which, with a well-timed break, is comfortable and predictable. On the Budapest to Prague transfer page we describe the route section by section.

Kraków and Zakopane – across the Carpathians to Poland

Hungary does not share a border with Poland, so the road to Polish destinations always leads through Slovakia, partly on mountain roads rather than motorways. As a result, journey times here are longer than the distance alone would suggest. Kraków is Poland’s former royal capital – Wawel Royal Castle was the seat of the country’s government until 1596 – while Zakopane is a mountain resort at the foot of the Tatras and the centre of Polish winter sports. You can read more about both on the Budapest to Kraków transfer and Budapest to Zakopane transfer pages.

Salzburg – beyond Vienna, towards the Alps

Salzburg is about 535 km away: after Vienna, the route continues west on the Austrian A1 motorway. Mozart’s birthplace draws visitors in summer for the Salzburg Festival, held for more than a hundred years – since 1920 – and all year round for the nearby Alps. The Budapest to Salzburg transfer page will help you plan.

When is an international transfer the ideal choice?

A private car is not the best choice in every situation, but over Central European distances it is surprisingly often the right one. In our experience it is particularly worthwhile if at least one of the following applies to your trip:

• A fixed arrival time. Before a morning meeting, an afternoon wedding or an evening performance, you do not want to be worrying about a delayed train or a missed connection.
• Several passengers travelling together. For a family or a three-person business delegation, one shared vehicle is simpler than several train tickets and several taxis.
• Plenty of luggage or special equipment. Skis, musical instruments, presentation materials, a pushchair – in a car, all of it travels without fuss.
• A destination that is hard to reach. A country-house hotel, an industrial park or a mountain resort with no direct train service.
• There and back in a day. Leave for Vienna or Bratislava in the morning and be home by evening – no hotel needed, and still fresh.
• Several stops in one trip. You have business in both Bratislava and Vienna on the same day, or you would like to stop in Brno on the way to Prague.

Typical business scenarios

A one-day meeting in Vienna

The Austrian capital is home to many international organisations: the Vienna International Centre on the left bank of the Danube – widely known as UNO City – houses the United Nations Office at Vienna, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), among others, and both OPEC and the OSCE have their headquarters in Vienna. For diplomatic engagements, conferences and corporate meetings, a morning departure gets you there comfortably; for the return journey, it is wise to allow a little extra time.

A factory visit or partner meeting near Bratislava

Bratislava and the surrounding area form one of Central Europe’s major automotive hubs – Volkswagen’s Bratislava plant builds, among other models, large premium SUVs. For specialists travelling to a supplier audit, a factory visit or a partner meeting, the two-hour drive is the most practical solution, especially when the venue is on an industrial park far from the city centre.

Trade fairs, congresses and roadshows

Prague, Brno and Vienna regularly host international exhibitions and congresses. If you are arriving with samples, demonstration equipment or stand materials, the generous luggage space of the Sprinter VIP will spare you a great deal of trouble. If your programme includes several cities, our Round trip service lets you cover several stops in a short time – the stops can even be changed flexibly along the way, and we can arrange transport for groups of up to 50 people.

Delegations and executive travel

For protocol journeys we recommend the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or the all-electric EQS: the spacious rear, the quiet cabin and the refined interior provide a fitting setting even on a journey of several hours. For larger delegations, several vehicles can be arranged together – let us know what you need and we will put together the right combination of vehicles.

Practical information

Border crossings, documents and vignettes – what you should know

Internal Schengen borders

All seven destinations are in Schengen member states. Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland joined the Schengen Area on 21 December 2007, and Austria has been a member since 1997. Under normal circumstances there are no checks at internal borders, but member states may temporarily reintroduce them – in recent years, for example, Austria has repeatedly extended temporary checks on its borders with Hungary and Slovakia. This can mean a wait of a few minutes, occasionally longer, so if you have a fixed deadline – a departing flight or a meeting – it is wise to allow a little extra time.

Travel documents

Even at internal Schengen borders, every passenger should carry a valid identity card or passport, as this is what you will be asked for if there is a check. Children also need their own valid document. If anyone in your party is not an EU citizen, it is worth confirming the entry requirements with the relevant authorities in advance.

Motorway vignettes

In Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, a vignette is required to use motorways and expressways: in Hungary an e-vignette, in Slovakia and the Czech Republic an electronic vignette only, and in Austria either a windscreen sticker or a digital vignette linked to the number plate. Poland has no vignette system; instead, tolls are charged on certain sections of motorway. This is a general road-use rule that applies to the vehicle – anyone setting off in their own car has to arrange it separately for each country.

Currencies

Austria and Slovakia use the euro, the Czech Republic the Czech koruna and Poland the Polish złoty. Card payments are widely accepted in the cities, but a little local cash can come in handy at smaller restaurants and markets.

Breaks on longer journeys

The journey to Prague, Kraków, Zakopane or Salzburg takes at least five hours. For these trips it is best to plan a longer break, roughly halfway. If you would like to stop somewhere specific – at a castle, or in a town for lunch – simply add it as an intermediate stop when you request your quote.