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Journey Information
There are 20 intercity buses per day from Cologne to Budapest. Traveling by bus from Cologne to Budapest usually takes around 22 hours and 26 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in 17 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 594 mi (956 km) |
| Shortest duration | 17h 55m |
| Cheapest price | £36.60 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus |
| Bus lines | 2 |
What bus companies travel from Cologne to Budapest?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Cologne to Budapest that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus usually offers more choice, with 20 scheduled trips per day.
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 20 trips from Cologne to Budapest, and usually makes the trip in about 22 hours and 26 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Book RegioJet from Cologne to Budapest from £44. There are 1 RegioJet schedules from Cologne to Budapest and you can expect on average to pay for a RegioJet ticket to Budapest. In Cologne, RegioJet departs to Budapest from Bonn Airport Bus Terminal and no other station. In Budapest, RegioJet arrives at Üllői út 131 and no other station.
An average trip on RegioJet from Cologne to Budapest takes 20 hours and 55 minutes , while the fastest available RegioJet trip will get you to Budapest in 17 hours and 55 minutes .
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 22 hours and 26 minutes to cover the 956 kilometers from Cologne to Budapest. However, the fastest bus only takes 17 hours and 55 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
"Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Cologne to Budapest for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet."
The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Cologne to Budapest, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 20 scheduled buses that travel from Cologne to Budapest every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Cologne to Budapest; ticket prices start at £39.46.
City Information
Cologne
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
There's no shortage of sights, culture, history, and adventure in Cologne, an alluring city on the Rhine. One of the most famous landmarks of the city is the Cologne Cathedral. This Gothic building and UNESCO World Heritage site remains the most iconic structure in the city. In fact, the Cologne Cathedral is the most visited landmark in Germany. Next door, the Museum Ludwig contrasts the cathedral's sense of history with an impressive collection of modern art, including works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
Cologne's breadth of museums also caters to a younger crowd. Families with children should head to the Cologne Chocolate Museum along the river or the Cologne Zoological Garden for memorable, kid-friendly experiences.
Foodies, rejoice! Cologne is home to mouthwatering German delicacies and upscale restaurants. Start your day with breakfast at Café Sehnsucht. For lunch, visit Herings Im Martinswinkel, and for dinner, head over to Bei Oma Kleinmann to feel like you're visiting your long-lost German grandmother.
Trains like Deutsche Bahn, DB Intercity, and FlixTrain connect Cologne to other major European cities, including Munich, Paris, and Vienna. You can also catch a bus from Cologne on FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Sindbad, Union Ivkoni, or Columbuzz. Plus, the Cologne Bonn Airport is a large, well-outfitted airport with daily international flights for travelers coming from afar.
Budapest
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
As the commercial and cultural hub of Hungary, Budapest is a multi-faceted city that appeals to many different kinds of travelers. The city’s star attraction is the blue Danube, which runs through town, dividing it in two. To explore the river to its fullest, you should go on a boat cruise. This is also a good way to enjoy an unobstructed view of the surrounding architecture. After enjoying the sapphire-colored water of the Danube, take a stroll around the historic Castle Hill quarter, which features cobblestone streets and quaint old buildings. While here, don’t hesitate to visit the area’s iconic Buda Castle, which dates back to the 13th century. For those who do not want to pass up a good photo shoot, Fisherman’s Bastion offers amazing panoramic views.
If you are looking for some unique Hungarian dishes, Arany Kaviar Restaurant offers a great selection. For a more casual experience, Hoppacska is a great choice.
The three main rail stations in Budapest are Keleti, Nyugati, and Déii, which offer access to various other Hungarian and European cities. The main bus station is Népliget and it is located on the edge of Budapest’s popular People’s Park. The main airport in the city is the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Cologne?
Image credit: philipweaver
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Leverkusen
Leverkusen Mitte is a railway station with regional services, to cities across Germany. The station also receives buses, which service the local area. Leverkusen Mitte is in the center of Leverkusen, so you can easily find cafes, shops, restaurants, and supermarkets to stock up before your trip. There's also plenty of space for parking cars and a bike locker area. Leverkusen is on the outskirts of Cologne, so after catching a train to the city, you can get connections to cities across Germany and the Netherlands.
All bus stations in Cologne:
Leverkusen
Wickenpfädchen 11
Bonn Airport Bus Terminal
Where does the bus arrive in Budapest?
Main arrival station: Etele tér
Buses arrive in Budapest at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
Bus stations in Budapest:
Etele tér
Airport Terminal 2A
Üllői út 131
Mexikói út
Üllői út 131
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Budapest to Cologne?
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