From Budapest to Croatia Train: Ways to Travel

Hungary and Croatia share the border, so you can get from one to the other via land transport quite easily. In this article, I will tell you about the Budapest to Croatia train and other options of travel between Budapest and Croatia. We will look at travelling to Zagreb, but also to the major cities on the Croatian coast: Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik.

It’s a very good idea to combine the visits. Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, worth visiting during the summer and winter. Croatia has so much to offer too.

If you only have more time to spend during your trip, think about visiting both places. How to travel between Budapest and Croatian cities? Let’s have a look.

Quick Links to organise your trip from Budapest to Croatia:

On this website, you can review and book your flights.

Here, you can compare prices and rent a car.

Here, you can book guided tours and attractions.

Book your accommodations here.

Check out these hotels in Budapest:

3 Corners Art

Hotel Rum

Hotel Mercure

Is it easy to travel between Budapest and Croatia?

As a Croatian philologist and lover, I visit this country quite often. It happens that I combine it with a visit to Hungary, too. Actually, the first time I visited Budapest was years ago, during my longer stay in Croatia. Somehow, I have the impression it was quicker to get from Zagreb to Budapest back then?

The reply to the main question is: yes, it’s quite easy to travel between Budapest and Croatia. Although it’s not super quick, like, for example, between Budapest and other European cities around, like Vienna and Bratislava (for both journeys, it takes around 2.5 hours by train).

Most importantly, you have all the options to travel between Hungary and Croatia; you can take a plane, train, bus. or travel by car.

It depends on how much time you have and where you want to go in Croatia. It’s obviously quicker to get to Zagreb, which is in the north of the country, than to coast cities like Split and Dubrovnik.

How to get from Budapest to Zagreb

Flight from Budapest to Zagreb

There are no direct flights between Budapest and Zagreb. If you want to fly, you will have to fly with a change in Vienna, Belgrade, or Munich. The journey time will be the same, or even more, than when you go by other transport means. Honestly, I don’t think there is any point in flying between both cities.

Car from Budapest to Zagreb

It’s 340 km between Budapest and Zagreb, and it takes around 3,5-4 hours.

Here, you can review options and rent a car.

You can also book a private transfer between Budapest and Zagreb.

Bus from Budapest to Zagreb

There are a few buses daily from Budapest to Zagreb; the direct bus is run by Flixbus. The travel time is around four and half hours. It costs from 30 to 60 Euro, depending on which bus you want to take and how much in advance you book.

You can buy bus tickets here.

Budapest to Croatia Train: Train to Zagreb

The train from Budapest to Zagreb takes longer than a bus, around 6 hours. At the moment, there is one direct train from Budapest Deli station; the train also passes Budapest Keleti. It has a lot of stops, going through the southern shore of Lake Balaton.

There are also a few trains with changes. The best websites to check timetables are: Hungarian Railways, Austrian Railways, and Omio.

Zagreb railway station lies in the city center; from there, you can walk to many hotels and tourist attractions. The bus station is a bit further, around a 20-minute walk or 5-minute tram ride.

Check here for more information about Zagreb.

How to get from Budapest to Zadar

You can read a lot about Split and Dubrovnik, but Zadar is quite often ignored. It’s a mistake. It’s also beautiful city with a lot of interesting islands around. More about Zadar you can read here. How to get from Budapest to Zadar?

Flight from Budapest to Zadar

Zadar has an international airport. There are direct cheap flights planned for the summer months with Ryanair.

Car from Budapest to Zadar

It’s 630 km between Budapest and Zadar, and it takes around 6 hours to drive.

Here, you can review options and rent a car.

Budapest to Croatia Train: Train to Zadar

There is no direct train from Budapest to Zadar.

Budapest to Croatia Train: How to get from Budapest to Split

Flight from Budapest to Split

There are no direct flights from Budapest to Split at the moment. In summer 2023, there were no direct flights between both cities, and I also don’t see any flights for the next summer, but this can still change until tourist season.

You can, of course, fly with a change, via Vienna, or arrive in Zagreb and take a domestic plane.

You can also fly to Zadar with Ryanair (flights during the summer months) and take a bus to Split.

Car from Budapest to Split

It’s 750 km between Budapest and Split, and it takes around 7 hours to drive.

Here, you can review options and rent a car.

Bus from Budapest to Split

It takes around 10-11 hours to travel by bus from Budapest to Split. There is a chance you will need to change buses in Zagreb. Book bus tickets here; here you can also review other bus companies.

Budapest to Croatia Train: Train from Budapest to Split

During the season, there is usually one direct night train, which takes around 15 hours (3 times per week).

The good news is that in the city of Split, train station is very close to bus station, and both are close to Split port and old town. So it’s really easy and comfortable if you stay in Split or plan to travel further by bus or ferry to the islands.

Budapest to Croatia Train: How to get from Budapest to Dubrovnik

Flight from Budapest to Dubrovnik

There are no direct flights from Budapest to Split at the moment, and I also don’t see any flights for the next summer, but this can still change, especially now that Ryanair has announced they will operate from Dubrovnik airport more.

You can fly with a change, via Vienna, or arrive in Zagreb and take a domestic plane.

You can also fly to Podgorica in Montenegro and take a bus to Dubrovnik, but it will take you additional 4-5 hours and can be a little bit more complicated also because of the crossing of two borders and border controls.

Car from Budapest to Dubrovnik

It’s over 900 km between Budapest and Dubrovnik, and it takes over 9 hours to drive. During the summer season, it can be longer because of traffic.

Here, you can review options and rent a car.

Bus from Budapest to Dubrovnik

It takes around 13 hours to travel by bus from Budapest to Dubrovnik. Book bus tickets here; here you can also review other bus companies.

Budapest to Croatia Train: Train from Budapest to Dubrovnik

It’s not possible to arrive by train to Dubrovnik; there are no tracks or train station in Dubrovnik itself.

If you are interested in travelling from Split to Dubrovnik, check out the details here.

I hope this article has helped you organise your journey between Budapest and Croatia. To summarise, I think the best way is to look at a car or bus if you travel from Budapest to Zagreb and at flights if you travel to Split or Dubrovnik. There are also trains available to both Zagreb and Split, but they take longer. During the high season, try to book transport in advance.

The main airport in Croatia is Zagreb Airport, and there are a few more international airports on the Croatian coast.

I have a lot of blog posts, which can be useful to get to know Croatia better.

Information about Zagreb is here.

What to see in Zadar and where to stay in Zadar?

What to see on Krk island and useful tips about the island are here.

Nicest Croatian coastal cities.