A trip through Central Europe includes Austria (Vienna), the Czech Republic (Prague), Slovakia (Bratislava) and Hungary (Budapest), four of the most beautiful cities in Europe and some of the cheapest on the continent.
For this route, 10 days are recommended and if you have more time you can extend it until you reach Berlin by train or bus via Dresden in Germany, as seen on the following map.
Travel tip. Both Prague and Budapest have international airports, so they are easily accessible by air. While if you were interested in connecting it with more destinations you could go up to Poland or Germany from Prague or go down to Serbia from Budapest.
Stop 1. Budapest
Budapest is a unique and very peculiar city because it occupies both banks of the Danube, thereby unifying the cities of Buda and Pest. It is one of the cheapest and most beautiful capitals in Europe, being the most important transport, financial, commercial and industrial center in Hungary.
It is advisable to dedicate at least 3 days to Budapest and since the budget is 36 euros per day for backpackers, that is, those who stay in a hostel, we would talk about 108 euros.*
👉 Budapest guide available here.
Hungary Information
🤑 It is not part of the euro zone, but this currency is widely accepted and you can also pay by card in many places. Its currency is the florin.
☎️ Internet in Europe with a discount using the code “” here.
🌍 It is part of the Schengen area, but Mexicans do not require a visa.
🎫 Book tours and activities in Hungary here.
📌 Budapest guide here.
🗣 The language is Hungarian, in tourist areas you can find people who speak English.
😷 To visit Hungary you are required to carry travel insurance, click here for more information.
How to get from Budapest to Bratislava?
The best way to get from Budapest, Hungary, to Bratislava, Slovakia, is by bus. The journey lasts approximately three hours and costs from 8 euros. There are several companies that offer the service, such as Flixbus and RegioJet. You can compare your transportation with Omnio: train, bus and plane here.
🚌 If you want to know what it’s like to travel by bus, here’s a video.
Stop 2. Bratislava
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is one of the most unique cities in the world, having a border with two countries: Austria and Hungary. Many dedicate only one day to it, as it is an ideal getaway between Vienna and Budapest. However, on this route you can use this city as a connection to travel. Bratislava details.
Slovakia Information
💶 The currency is the euro. If you want to know how to take money to Europe, click here.
🌍 It is part of the Schengen area, but you still need to meet certain requirements. More details here.
🗣 The language is Slovak, in tourist areas you can find someone who speaks to you in Spanish.
😷 To visit Slovakia and the rest of the countries in the Schengen area, travel insurance is required, click here for more information.
☎️ Internet in Europe with a discount using the code “” here.
🎫 Book tours and activities in Slovakia here.
How to get from Bratislava to Vienna?
To get from Bratislava to Vienna you can use train or bus. I recommend the bus considering that it costs from 5 euros and in less than 1 hour you will be at your destination. The other alternative would be the train, here the cost is 10 euros and the journey takes just over 1 hour. My advice is to consider the train and bus departure points to know what is best for you. You can compare and buy your transportation here.
Stop 3. Vienna
Vienna is the capital of Austria and constitutes one of the nine states of the country. It is located among one of the most populated and oldest cities in Europe, so it has an important historical and cultural legacy. The complete guide to Vienna can be found here.
Austria Information
💶 The currency is the euro. If you want to know how to take money to Europe, click here.
🌍 It is part of the Schengen area, but you still need to meet certain requirements. More details here.
🗣 The language is German, in tourist areas you can find someone who speaks to you in Spanish.
😷 To visit Austria and the rest of the countries in the Schengen area, travel insurance is required, click here for more information.
☎️ Internet in Europe with a discount using the code “” here.
🎫 Book tours and activities in Slovakia here.
How to get from Vienna to Prague?
The journey from Vienna to Prague can be done by bus for 15 euros and it is almost 5 hours of travel. You will find a similar cost and time by train, so here it will depend on your tastes. You can compare schedules, companies and buy your transportation here.
Stop 4. Prague
Known as the city of 100 towers, Prague is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Europe. It is a basic destination on the route through Central Europe. Here you find the complete guide to Prague
Czech Republic Information
💶 It is not the euro zone. Its currency is the Czech crown. If you want to know how to take money to Europe, click here.
🌍 It is part of the Schengen area, but you still need to meet certain requirements. More details here.
🗣 The language is Czech, in tourist areas you can find someone who speaks to you in Spanish.
😷 To visit the Czech Republic and the rest of the countries in the Schengen area, travel insurance is required, click here for more information.
☎️ Internet in Europe with a discount using the code “” here.
🎫 Book tours and activities in Prague here.
How to get from Prague to Dresden?
From Prague to Dresden you can go by bus or train. The two transports will cost you from 15 euros, the difference will be in time: the bus lasts less than 2 hours so it is faster.
If you want to know where to stay in Dresden click here.
How to get from Dresden to Berlin?
The fastest way to get around is by bus, the journey takes 2 hours and 45 minutes and there are tickets from 5 euros. For those who prefer the train, the cost starts at 19 euros and takes 3 hours and 20 minutes. Flixbus offers the service.
Therefore, the fastest and cheapest way to get around these cities is by bus.
How much does the route cost?
- 3 days in Budapest: 108 euros
- Budapest – Bratislava: 8 euros
- 1 day in Bratislava: 52 euros
- Bratislava – Vienna: 5 euros
- 3 days in Vienna: 240 euros
- Vienna to Prague: 19 euros
- 3 days in Prague: 177 euros
TOTAL: 609 euros.
*What does the budget include?
For each of the 10 days, one night in a hostel in a shared room, two trips on public transport, one attraction, three meals and drinks (one beer or local wine) are considered. Quotes are based on Priceoftravel.com
⚠️It is mandatory to travel with insurance
Insurance is an essential requirement to travel to many countries in the world such as those in the Schengen Area. You can get it from 20 USD and if you use my code you receive 20% discount. Get an insurance quote here.