Getting from Budapest to Split can be somewhat of a headache for travelers. A lack of cross-border railway services and slow trains in Croatia running makes it a time-consuming journey.
To make matters more complicated, there are no direct flights from Budapest to Split.
However, getting from Budapest to Split is doable, especially if you’re willing to be flexible in your planning.
Flying From Budapest to Split
The quickest way to get from Budapest to Split is by flying. Though there are no direct flights, a one-way trip with one connection can take as little as four hours. The most standard route is to take a Lufthansa flight and connect in Munich.
Split still has an incredibly small airport, despite how popular the city has become. You’d think there would be a direct flight to Budapest. However, while the connection isn’t too convenient, flying is still by far the quickest and easiest way to get between these cities.
Budapest to Split by Train
A train journey from Budapest to Split would be intense, requiring multiple changes and taking more than 24 hours. The route requires a connection in Vienna before getting on a 7-hour train to Zagreb. Then, you’d take an 8-hour train to Split.
For as much as I love these cities and countries, train travel between Hungary and Croatia is not good. There are no direct trains from Budapest to Croatia. The railway network within Croatia is surprisingly poor, given how far the country has come in terms of its infrastructure over the past 20 years. Unless you want to start your trip in Budapest, hit Vienna and Zagreb, and end in Split, I wouldn’t recommend even bothering with the train.
Budapest to Split by Car
The drive from Budapest to Split takes around 8 hours. You’ll first head west to Zagreb, which is a straightforward 3.5-hour journey, before making your way south to the coast.
The issue with driving isn’t so much the distance, but the cost. If you rent a car in Hungary and leave it in Croatia, you’re going to be charged a hefty international drop-off fee.
Budapest to Split by Bus
Many travelers choose to use services like FlixBus to get from Budapest to Split. One transfer is required in Zagreb, with time generally ranging from 10 to 11 hours.
This is a decent option for all types of travelers, especially budget travelers. A one-way trip costs $50 or less, and these buses are clean, reliable, and air-conditioned. Buses run from Budapest to Zagreb and Zagreb to Split all throughout the day.
The Best Way to Get From Budapest to Split
The most sensible route is to take a bus from Budapest to Zagreb (less than 4 hours), spend some time in Zagreb, and then rent a car in Zagreb and drive to Split.
This is exactly how I got from Budapest to Split. I spent two nights in Zagreb, a city worth seeing, to take advantage of having to be there anyway. We then rented a car for the 4-hour drive to Split.
It’s nice to have a car when driving from Zagreb to Split because there are several wonderful places to stop along the way. The most common stops include Krka National Park, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar, and Šibenik. Smaller coastal towns like Trogir and Primošten are also quite charming.
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