Prague to Budapest by Car: Route via Brno and Bratislava
Prague to Budapest by Car: Route via Brno and Bratislava
Budapest is about six hours from Prague by car, and the road passes two cities worth a stop: Brno and Bratislava. With a rental car you can make it a relaxed two-day trip, sleep in Bratislava and arrive in Budapest in the middle of the day. This guide gives you the route, the vignette rules for each country and a few tips for the drive.
~6 h
Prague to Budapest by car
3
countries: Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary
0
cross-border fee in the EU
Free
child seats with CarLove
The route
1
D1 from Prague to Brno
About two hours on the D1 (E50). Brno is a good coffee break, and you can visit the old town and Špilberk castle. See our Prague to Brno road trip.
2
Brno to Bratislava
Follow the signs for Bratislava. After the border the road becomes the D2. Bratislava has a pretty old town and a castle above the Danube.
3
Bratislava to Budapest
Cross into Hungary and continue on the M1 (E75) to Budapest. Expect speed cameras near Bratislava and along the Hungarian stretch.
Why Budapest is worth the drive
The Parliament
Built between 1885 and 1904 on the bank of the Danube, it is one of the largest parliament buildings in Europe. Its dome is 96 metres high, a number tied to the years 896 and 1896 in Hungarian history. The Holy Crown of Hungary is displayed inside. Visits are by timed ticket, so book ahead, and for the best photo go to the Buda side of the river at dusk.
The Chain Bridge
Opened in 1849, it was the first permanent bridge over the Danube in Budapest and linked Buda and Pest. A local joke says that the stone lions at each end have no tongues. Walk across at night, when the bridge and Buda Castle are lit.
Thermal baths
Budapest sits on a network of thermal springs, and spending an afternoon in a bath is the most local thing you can do. Széchenyi in City Park is the best known, with outdoor pools that stay open in winter, when steam rises into the cold air. Gellért is loved for its Art Nouveau interior. Book tickets online on busy weekends.
Shoes on the Danube Bank
A quiet memorial of 60 pairs of iron shoes on the Pest embankment, made in 2005 to remember people shot there in 1944 and 1945. It takes five minutes and deserves a respectful stop.
Ruin bars
In the old Jewish Quarter, bars started opening in abandoned buildings in the early 2000s, with mismatched furniture and big courtyards. Szimpla Kert is the best known. Go in the early evening if you prefer it calm.
Vignettes and rules by country
Country
Motorway charge
Good to know
Czechia
Electronic vignette, included with CarLove
Nothing to buy for the Czech part of the trip
Slovakia
Electronic vignette bought online
Linked to your number plate, buy it before you enter
Hungary
Electronic vignette bought online
Linked to your number plate, buy it before you enter
About 6 hours from central Prague in normal traffic. The route is mostly motorway through Brno and Bratislava, so an overnight stop in Brno or Bratislava makes the trip easier.
Which road do I take?
Take the D1 (E50) towards Brno and follow the signs for Bratislava. In Slovakia the road becomes the D2, and in Hungary you stay on the M1 (E75) all the way to Budapest.
Do I need vignettes for Slovakia and Hungary?
Yes. Slovakia and Hungary both use electronic vignettes that are linked to your number plate and bought online. The Czech motorway vignette is included in your CarLove rental. See our toll roads guide for details.
Can I rent in Prague and return the car in Budapest?
One-way rentals are possible. Read our page about one-way rentals and our answer on returning a car in Budapest, then contact the team before you book.
Is there a cross-border fee within the EU?
No. There is no cross-border fee within the EU. Just tell the team in advance that you plan to drive to Slovakia and Hungary.
Is it worth driving instead of taking the train?
If you want to stop in Brno or Bratislava, carry luggage or travel as a family, a car is more flexible. You can also use our free child seats.
Book a car for your Budapest trip
Fleet of 200+ cars under 2 years old, from 19 euros per day. No cross-border fee in the EU.
