By Boat

From late July through early September, two swift hydrofoils leave Vienna daily at 8 AM and 1 PM (once-a-day trips are scheduled mid-April-late July and September-October). After a 5½-hour journey downriver with a stop in Bratislava, the Slovak capital, and views of Hungary's largest church, the cathedral in Esztergom, the boats head into Budapest via its main artery, the Danube. The upriver journey takes about an hour longer. Combined hydrofoil-train and hydrofoil-bus trips are also available for those who prefer that one leg of their trip be by land.

Schedules are available at the MAHART PassNave office and on its Web site, as well as at most hotels, travel agencies, and tourist information offices. Tickets (EUR 75 one-way, EUR 99 round-trip) are reserved through the MAHART PassNave Web site or by phone. They can be purchased by credit card via phone or the Web site, or they can be purchased in person at the check-in counter by cash or credit card (MC, V).

Information

MAHART PassNave (1/484-4013 main info line; 1/318-1223 boat landing at Vigadó tér. www.mahartpassnave.hu.)