You shouldn’t miss out on some incredible day trips from Vienna to other nearby cities. Look around for other places to visit after you’ve enjoyed the best of what Vienna has to give. It is easy to travel from Vienna to Bratislava, Slovakia, or Budapest, Hungary. The two capitals are close together. Prague in the Czech Republic is also doable for a day trip. Prague is only a little over 3 hours from Vienna. Vienna is a great base to explore four capitals, without changing hotels.

Bratislava, to return to our subject, is a small city. You can visit the city in a day from Vienna. Bratislava has a lot to offer, so it’s possible to stay for longer.

Transport Options for a Day Trip to Bratislava From Vienna

Let’s start by looking at the options you have to get to Bratislava. Let’s start with the DIY option.

Driving from Vienna to Bratislava

Bratislava and Vienna are about an hour apart. The distance between Vienna and Bratislava is about 80 km via the highways (A4, A6), or 67 kilometers on the A4 followed by the B9 road. The highway offers the best time savings. Parking is easy in the central part of Bratislava. Please click the link below to learn more about parking in Bratislava.

Tolls on the road are another factor to consider. Austria and Slovakia both require drivers to pay a vignette when driving on their highways. You will need to purchase two vignettes if you decide to drive on the highway. This amounts to 19,60 EUR (at the moment of writing).

Driving has many advantages, including the flexibility of hours and the ability to visit Devin Castle near Bratislava on the same journey.

If you are renting a vehicle in Vienna, you should specify that you will be traveling to Slovakia.

Trains from Vienna

Trains leave Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof), every hour, for Bratislava. It takes about 1 hour to get from Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) to Bratislava. Online tickets can be purchased and you can board the train immediately.The SNP Bridge, also known as the UFO Bridge, is located in Bratislava

Buses to Bratislava

A bus ride from Vienna to Bratislava is another option that’s very convenient. Flixbus offers frequent trips between the two capitals, on various routes and starting from different stations. You should also be careful on your return trip. Your station in Bratislava is Bratislava SNP. The other stations, which are located further away from the center of Bratislava and can be difficult to locate, are not as easy to find.

Other transport companies cover the same route. Find the best option for your location within Vienna by checking out these other transport companies.

Boats from Vienna to Bratislava

What could be more exciting than traveling on the Danube between two capitals? The most scenic option is to take a catamaran from Vienna to Bratislava. Unfortunately, the 75-minute high-speed ride is only available in warm months.

Vienna Airport

Vienna Airport is only 60 km away from Bratislava. You can therefore easily get to Bratislava by direct flight from the airport. Flixbus takes you to the Slovakian capital in about 40 minutes.

Joining a Group Day Tour

Sometimes I prefer to join an organized tour, but other times it is more convenient to do my own thing. All of the options are viable and you should choose the option that best suits your needs. You may not have the flexibility you need on an organized trip, but it’s still a great option.

This day trip from Vienna is really interesting. This package includes return bus tickets as well as a Bratislava walking tour, lunch and some free time.

Additional useful tips

Do not forget your passport, and make sure you check for any restrictions that may be in place at the time of visit. We had to go through border controls on our return even though both countries were part of the Schengen Area.

How many hours will I need to spend in Bratislava

In six to eight hour you can see all the major sites and eat a nice lunch. My day trip from Vienna was just under 9 hours, but we delayed our departure so that we could have dinner at Bratislava.

We were able to explore the Old Town, walk to Bratislava Castle and enjoy a tasty lunch. We also joined a tour of craft beers. Find out what to do in Bratislava and how long you will need to spend there.Bratislava Castle

Bratislava is a costly city?

Bratislava does not cost much compared to other European capitals. Bratislava offers cheaper food and drink than Vienna. You won’t have to break the bank for a day trip from Vienna.

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