Vienna, Bratislava & Budapest
Travel west to east along the Danube, visiting the three capital cities of Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest.
Spend three nights in Vienna exploring palaces and museums, stop for a night in Bratislava, and finish with two nights in Budapest, wrapping up with a thermal bath. The entire journey is by train with easy transfers, making it perfect for first-time visitors to Central Europe who want a city-focused trip. This itinerary focuses only on the Slovak capital, skipping the mountain regions.
The twin-city speedboat service usually ends its main season in early November; trains are the primary option in winter.
Day by day
Day 1 · Vienna Inner City and Ringstrasse
Vienna（St. Stephen's Cathedral、Hofburg Palace、Vienna State Opera）
Check in to your hotel in the Inner City. Sights are within walking distance. Explore along the Ringstrasse from afternoon to evening.
Stay: Innere Stadt
Day 2 · Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces
Vienna（Schönbrunn Palace、Belvedere Palace）
Take subway U4 to Schönbrunn (approx. 20 minutes). In the afternoon, take the subway and transfer to a tram to Belvedere.
Book timed-entry tickets for Schönbrunn online in advance.
Stay: Innere Stadt
Day 3 · Kunsthistorisches Museum and a night of music
Vienna（Kunsthistorisches Museum、Musikverein）
Walk from the Inner City to the museum (approx. 15 minutes). Walk to the Musikverein in the evening.
Book concert tickets in advance, and check the museum's closing days.
Stay: Innere Stadt
Day 4 · Along the Danube to Bratislava
Bratislava（Bratislava Castle、St. Martin's Cathedral、Michael's Gate、Main Square）
Take a direct train from Vienna to Bratislava (approx. 1 hour). During peak season, you can opt for the high-speed catamaran (approx. 75 minutes).
Temporary border checks may occur at the Austrian border; keep your passport with you.
Stay: Bratislava Old Town
Day 5 · Train to Budapest
Budapest（Hungarian Parliament Building、St. Stephen's Basilica、Danube River Cruise）
Take a direct train from Bratislava to Budapest Nyugati Station (approx. 2 hours 23 minutes, departing roughly every two hours).
You must book a tour slot for the Parliament Building in advance.
Stay: Belváros and Lipótváros
Day 6 · Stroll through Buda Castle District
Budapest（Széchenyi Chain Bridge、Buda Castle、Fisherman's Bastion / Matthias Church）
Walk across the Chain Bridge to the Buda side, and take the funicular or a bus up Castle Hill. This takes half a day to a full day.
Stay: Belváros and Lipótváros
Day 7 · Wrap up at Szechenyi Baths
Budapest（Széchenyi Thermal Bath）
Take subway M1 to Szechenyi Baths (approx. 15 minutes). Head to the airport or station in the afternoon for departure.