Vienna to Budapest
 

So we were thinking of going from Vienna to Budapest by boat, but the hydrofoil is 6 hours and very expensive!

Has anyone done the hydrofoil, is it worth the time and money? Are there any discounts out there...they don't list any on their website? Are there other boats that are less expensive? How long does the train take...is it significantly less scenic or enjoyable?
Thanks!

The train takes around 3-4 hours - you can check times at www.bahn.de.

It's a long time since I did the journey (the Iron Curtain was still there), and I'm afraid I don't remember much about the scenery.

A couple of times I had tried to take the boat, and the journey was cancelled due to the river being too high or too low or too something. (The Danube was very high recently - I imagine that it has receded, but may still be on the high side.) When they cancelled the boat, they put us on a bus, which was not very exciting.

I've taken the train a few times, and think that option might be a bit less subject to the whims of the weather.

We took the train from Vienna to Budapest on April 14th last and would recommend it if you go by the Express the trip takes 2 hours and 50 mins.
We puchased a first class Eastern European rail pass which gave any five days in 30 days in Austria, Hungary and the Czech Rep.( cost per person $240.00) the train was quite comfortable and we had a compartment all to ourselves.

In any event that period was when the Danube was flooded so no hydrofoil, which I believe takes 6+ hours but you can stop in Bratislava on that route.
Saw a lot of water logged fields but some nice scenery but also lots of stone quarries approaching Budapest.

mike

I took the boat on a hot summer's day - it was nice! The view from the train was also nice, though. :)

I'm assuming you're a US citizen and don't need a visa in any case, but the train involves a quick passport inspection when you go through Slovakia.

The Vienna/Budapest Express we took did not cross into Slovakia.
There was passport checks leaving Austria ( but no stamps) and again entering Hungary (stamped) .

I would expect the hydrofoil to be more scenic, but despite suggestions there was no need to pre-reserve a seat for the train.
One other great advantage if you have a Ist class ticket you get entry into the nice First class lounge, free drinks and snacks in Vienna (also Salzburg).

mike

Btw, if you are planning for something cheap, and if you are lucky you can get certain trains for very cheap fare. I think this is know as the "Zonnereisen" fare or something like this.. one good thing about this is that it is for either one-way or return.. it is like around 1/2 the price from the normal cheapest fare. Not sure if it still exists, but the last time I bought that was Dec 05.

Train service is very good and convenient.

:)

went vie-bud and back with the train in march. if you book ahead of time you can get a special "sparschiene" fare, which is available on this route for 19€ one-way! i think this price is unbeatable. bookable on the internet www.oebb.at