Route guide

Vienna → Bucharest

856 km · Austria to Romania · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €30+ by bus

How to travel from Vienna to Bucharest

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

🚄Train

€66–194

Duration: 7h 8m

via ÖBB (Railjet), CFR Călători

~12 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€30–80

Duration: 12h 14m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~24 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€69–223

Duration: 3h 39m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Austrian Airlines

~134 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€103–188

Duration: 9h 31m

~146 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 856 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 Austria into Romania. 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.

Vienna to Bucharest — every option in detail

Vienna to Bucharest by train

Trains link Vienna (Austria) and Bucharest (Romania) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 7h 8m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include ÖBB (Railjet), CFR Călători.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €66 to €194. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 12 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 134 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~122 kg on this distance.

Vienna to Bucharest by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Vienna and Bucharest with a typical journey of 12h 14m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €30 when booked in advance, rising to €80 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.

Vienna to Bucharest by flight

Flights between Vienna and Bucharest take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 39m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Austrian Airlines.

Typical fare range is €69–223. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 134 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Vienna to Bucharest by car

The driving distance from Vienna to Bucharest is approximately 985 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 9h 31m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €103–188 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Austria–Romania 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 146 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Vienna and Bucharest is approximately 856 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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