Leaving the Schengen Area: Budapest to Zagreb Bus
If you’ve read my post on my visa run from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam to Phnom Penh, Cambodia via the Giant Ibis bus, there’s a good chance you’re thinking I’m not a bus person. The truth is I didn’t think I was either. That was until I took FlixBus from Budapest, Hungary to Zagreb, Croatia.
When trying to find the best (and most efficient) route from Budapest to Zagreb, I really came up empty online. Everyone warned against the train (which I am usually quite fond of) due to its lengthy time, occasional train changes (sometimes requiring walking or having to hop on a bus), and interior conditions. I just wanted to get to Zagreb as quickly and smoothly as possible. FlixBus did the job.
If you’re curious as to why this was one of the smoothest bus rides I’ve ever taken and why I will definitely be using FlixBus again (already have), then continue on!
FlixBus From Budapest Nepliget to Zagreb
I was far more prepared for this trip than I was for my visa run from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh just a year earlier, so that could be the driving factor for why things went so well.
For starters, I purchased a one-way ticket to Zagreb for about USD $35. I paid a little extra, as I chose my seat and brought an extra piece of luggage. Prices ranged anywhere from about EUR $20 to $36, depending on the station and time you leave out of. Note that you are allowed 1 piece of luggage and 1 carry-on. I’ll say this though, that seems to be a very loosely enforced rule, and I saw plenty of people with several bags (on top of a large suitcase) in the above head containers. So, I likely wouldn’t shell out for the extra bag next time.
I showed up at Budapest’s Nepliget bus station for an 11AM departure, which was actually far nicer than 90% of bus stations I’ve ever been (I’m looking at you Port Authority in New York), was greeted by a friendly driver, and soon we were on our way to Zagreb, Croatia. Keep in mind that FlixBus suggests showing up at least 15 minutes for departure. I definitely recommend doing this and not cutting it close, as I actually ended up missing my FlixBus by 1 minute out of Zagreb (to Split).
There weren’t a ton of people on the bus from Budapest’s Nepliget station when we left, but after a brief stop to pick up passengers at Budapest Kelenfold station, the bus was nearly full. Luckily, I didn’t have anyone next to me, so I was able to spread out a bit.
The FlixBus seats were clean, stylish and comfortable. They were however a bit smaller than standard American busses, and the WiFi didn’t seem to work for me. But that was alright, as I slept most of the way.
Visa at the Croatian Border
Since you are leaving the Schengen Area, a Croatian visa is required. This is handled during a roughly 30 minute stop at the border. There is no fee required, and it didn’t appear to be a huge hassle for anyone. Actually, the visa stop was probably a bit less than 30 minutes. We made good time. Waiting for the visa isn’t too bad, as there are bathrooms and it is just great to get some fresh air after being cooped up for a few hours.
A highlight of the trip was getting to watch a woman with an “A Flock of Seagulls’” haircut take videos of her boyfriend chugging a Coca Cola one liter. Another highlight was watching the girl in the aisle next to me hiss at an old woman who accidentally bumped her while she was spilled over into the aisle while sleeping. She didn’t look like Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman, but she still could have been a catwoman incarnate.
The total distance from Budapest to Zagreb’s bus station (Autobusni Kolodvor Zagreb) is about 350km, and the total estimated time of the trip was 4 hours 55 minutes, which was pretty accurate. I generally recommend leaving at a time that will put you in several hours before your arriving city’s rush hour is.
I should make a note that I did take a Croatian train from Zagreb to Split, and that took roughly an hour and a half more than its estimated time, so if this is any indication of Croatian trains, I would 100% opt for the bus.
If you have any questions about booking a ticket with FlixBus or travelling from Budapest to Zagreb, I would be happy to answer any more questions you might have. Let me know your experiences travelling in Europe in the comments, I’m always curious how others have fared getting from Point A to B.
Best,
Big Body
Big Body is a voracious lov…eater, a cowardly fighter, and a self-proclaimed curry goat BBQ-eating champion (don’t forget the donkey milk) who likes Stoicism, baseball, and writing in the third person. Having worked for himself for the last 7 years, he isn’t particularly successful but he does still drink ice-cold Sapporo draft beers with the best of them and knows his way around a Dai Pai Dong or two. He is based in Hong Kong but you can still find him in Saigon, Osaka, and Vienna for extended periods.