Home › Routes › Bratislava to Vienna
How to get from Bratislava to Vienna
Bratislava and Vienna are about an hour apart. Regional trains run from Bratislava to Wien Hauptbahnhof in about 1 h for about €10–17, buses take a similar time from about €5, and in summer a Danube catamaran links the two city centres.
Best option: Train. Trains run at least hourly, avoid motorway traffic and arrive at Vienna's main station with metro connections.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Regional trains from Bratislava hlavná stanica (via Marchegg) or Bratislava-Petržalka (via Kittsee) to Wien Hauptbahnhof | about 1 h | roughly every 30–60 minutes | about €10–17 | Tickets from ÖBB or ZSSK; ask about the Bratislava–Vienna return or EURegio tickets. Check current timetables. |
| bus Long-distance buses (e.g. FlixBus, RegioJet, Slovak Lines) from Bratislava bus station or Petržalka to Vienna (Erdberg, Hauptbahnhof or the airport) | about 1 h – 1 h 15 | many a day | about €5–10 | Many buses also stop at Vienna airport, which is closer to Bratislava than to Vienna's centre. |
| ferry Twin City Liner catamaran on the Danube from Bratislava to Vienna Schwedenplatz | about 1 h 15 – 1 h 30 | a few a day, roughly April to October | about €30–40 | Seasonal and weather-dependent; book ahead in summer. |
| car D4/D2 in Slovakia, then A6 and A4 motorways in Austria | about 1 h | fuel plus an Austrian motorway vignette (and a Slovak one if you use Slovak motorways) | Parking in central Vienna is metered and limited; park-and-ride at the edge is easier. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
Open the route in Google Maps →
Book the trip
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- Vienna airport is only about 45 minutes from Bratislava by bus, often quicker than from Vienna itself.
- Check ÖBB for good-value return or day tickets between the two cities.
- Drivers need an Austrian vignette on the A6 and A4; fines for missing one are high.
- The catamaran is a scenic way to go one direction, with the train back.
Common questions
How long is the train from Bratislava to Vienna?
About one hour. Trains leave from Bratislava hlavná stanica via Marchegg or from Bratislava-Petržalka via Kittsee and arrive at Wien Hauptbahnhof, which connects to the metro. Departures are roughly every 30 to 60 minutes through the day. Check current timetables, as engineering works occasionally change the routes.
Can I do Vienna as a day trip from Bratislava?
Yes, easily. With an hour-long train and frequent departures, you can spend a full day in Vienna's centre and return in the evening. Many travellers also do the reverse, visiting Bratislava's compact old town and castle from Vienna in a day. A summer option is the Danube catamaran one way and the train back.
What is the cheapest way from Bratislava to Vienna?
Buses such as FlixBus, RegioJet or Slovak Lines often cost about €5–10 and take a little over an hour. Trains are a bit more expensive but more frequent and immune to traffic. The Danube catamaran is the most expensive option and is chosen for the experience rather than the price.
Do I need a vignette to drive from Bratislava to Vienna?
Yes, for the Austrian motorways A6 and A4 you need a valid Austrian vignette, available digitally or at border petrol stations. Slovak motorways also require an e-vignette. Rental cars from either country usually include their own country's vignette but not always the other, so ask when you collect the car.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.