Route guide

Budapest → Athens

1124 km · Hungary to Greece · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €37+ by bus

How to travel from Budapest to Athens

There are 4 ways to travel between Budapest and Athens — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€82–242

Duration: 9h 22m

via MÁV, Hellenic Train

~16 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€37–99

Duration: 16h 4m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, RegioJet

~31 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€80–255

Duration: 4h

via Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Aegean Airlines

~175 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€135–247

Duration: 12h 30m

~191 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Budapest and Athens highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 1124 km it's a longer journey — overnight stay strongly recommended.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from Hungary into Greece. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Budapest to Athens — every option in detail

Budapest to Athens by train

Trains link Budapest (Hungary) and Athens (Greece) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 9h 22m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include MÁV, Hellenic Train.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €82 to €242. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 16 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 175 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~159 kg on this distance.

Budapest to Athens by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Budapest and Athens with a typical journey of 16h 4m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, RegioJet.

Fares start from around €37 when booked in advance, rising to €99 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Budapest to Athens by flight

Flights between Budapest and Athens take around 2h in the air, but plan on roughly 4h door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Aegean Airlines.

Typical fare range is €80–255. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 175 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Budapest to Athens by car

The driving distance from Budapest to Athens is approximately 1293 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 12h 30m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €135–247 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Hungary–Greece border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 191 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Budapest and Athens is approximately 1124 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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