A day from Budapest
Day trips from Budapest
The artists’ village of Szentendre, the castle and wines of Eger, Lake Balaton, the thermal lake of Hévíz and Bratislava across the border: day trips from Budapest to discover Hungary beyond the Danube.
Updated 20 October 2026 · How we make our guides
Close to Budapest
-
HungarySzentendre
An artists’ village on the banks of the Danube, with cobbled streets, Orthodox churches and museums, about forty minutes away by suburban train.
What to see in Szentendre -
HungaryGyőr
A Baroque town of balconies and squares, halfway between Budapest and Vienna.
What to see in Győr -
HungaryEger
The castle that held out against the Ottomans, a minaret and the wine cellars of the Valley of the Beautiful Women, about two hours away.
What to see in Eger
Lakes and long days
-
HungaryLake Balaton
The largest lake in Central Europe, with holiday villages, the Tihany peninsula and vineyards along its shores.
What to see in Lake Balaton -
HungaryHévíz
A natural thermal lake where you can bathe all year round, near the western end of Lake Balaton.
What to see in Hévíz -
SlovakiaBratislava
The Slovak capital, with its castle above the Danube and a lively old town, about two and a half hours away by train.
What to see in Bratislava
Frequently asked questions
What day trips can you take from Budapest?
Szentendre, less than an hour away; Győr and Eger, one or two hours away; and Lake Balaton, Hévíz or Bratislava for a long day.
How do you get to Szentendre from Budapest?
On the HÉV suburban train, in about forty minutes, or by boat along the Danube in season.
When is the best time to visit Lake Balaton?
In summer, for swimming; in spring and early autumn there are fewer people and the villages and vineyards are more enjoyable.
Bagintravel · We travel together
Shall we plan your trip wherever you choose?
Tell us where and in under a minute you’ll have your day-by-day route, with places to stay, transport, expenses and tips. And we go with you in your pocket, offline too.
The app is currently available in Spanish.
More travel ideas
Reviewed 20 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: Natalia Semenova (CC BY 3.0), Wikimedia Commons.