Budapest to Bucharest

10 Days | Explore Eastern Europe's historic Hungary and Romania

4.9 out of 5 based on 54 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
USD $2,166
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From the beautiful Baroque churches of Budapest to the haunted castles of Transylvania, this ten-day journey across Eastern Europe provides a fascinating insight into an intriguing region. Learn about the failed Turkish invasion of Eger and take a wine cellar tour in the Valley of the Beautiful Women. Become acquainted with traditional Romanian culture and customs in Maramures. Tour the medieval churches of Brasov, including Bran Castle and dine with a local family on an overnight homestay in Viscri. Visit Bucharest's 12-storey Palace of Parliament and enjoy free time to explore your favourite sites further. This jam-packed journey perfectly introduces two Eastern European treasures, soaked in fascinating history and featuring modern-day delights.

Trip overview

Map of Budapest To Bucharest including Hungary and Romania
Start
Budapest, Hungary
Finish
Bucharest, Romania
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Romania, Hungary
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
WMSB
This trip generates 33 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Sample the famous Hungarian 'Bulls’ Blood' in Eger – the wine that supposedly gave the Hungarian army supernatural strength during their battle against the Ottoman Empire.
  • Experience peasant life on a full-day tour through the countryside of Maramures – Romania's most traditional and colourful region. Don't be surprised if you see horse-drawn carts along the road!
  • Learn spooky stories in Transylvania – the birthplace of the world's most famous vampire, Dracula. Then visit Bran Castle in Brasov – the inspiration for Dracula’s home.
  • Enjoy a homestay with a local family in the Saxon town of Viscri, exposing you to Romanian hospitality and some delicious home-cooked food.
  • Delve into the communist past and the thriving, artistic present-day of Bucharest – a city often underrated by travellers but offering heaps of sights, sounds and smells to be explored.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Humana. Donations help provide job opportunities and education programs in sustainable fashion and textiles for people with disabilities.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Summer temperatures in Hungary and Romania can reach up to 40°C, which can be uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Please consider the time of year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season. If travelling in summer, drink lots of water and remember to protect yourself from the sun. Bring layers to combat the heat, as well as sun block, shades and a hat.
  • Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart.
  • If you have more time to explore the region you can extend your trip by starting your travels in Vienna, taking in the best of Central Europe before heading to Romania. Check out our trip 'Journey through Central Europe & Romania' (trip code AMSCC). Alternatively you could head further south into Bulgaria with our 'Eastern Europe Explorer (trip code WMSEC). Most departure dates are designed to create these perfect combination trips.
  • On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Budapest To Bucharest including Hungary and Romania

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 3 dinners

Transport

Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Pension (2 night), Homestay with shared facilities (1 night)

Activities
  • Eger - Wine Sampling
  • Maramures - Day Tour with Local Guide
  • Maramures - Sapanta Merry Cemetery
  • Maramures - Barsana Monastery
  • Viscri - Local Home Cooked Dinner
  • Viscri - Sock Project
  • Viscri - Fortified Church
  • Bran Castle - Tour
  • Bucharest - Walking Tour with Local Guide
Add on activities
  • Eger - Castle - HUF4000
  • Eger - Minaret - HUF800
  • Eger - Astronomy Museum, Camera Obscura, Panoramic terrace in the Lyceum building - HUF2600
  • Eger - Town Under The Town - HUF4500
  • Sighisoara - Church of the Dominican Monastery - RON10
  • Sighisoara - Covered Stairway - Free
  • Sighisoara - Church on the Hill - RON5
  • Sighisoara - The Clock Tower - RON16
  • Viscri - Prince Charles House - RON15
  • Viscri - Blacksmith demonstration - RON80
  • Brasov - Cable Car to Mt Tampa - RON50
  • Rasnov - Fortress - RON20
  • Brasov - Walking Tour with Local Guide - RON200
  • Brasov - The Black Church - RON20
  • Bucharest - Bike Tour - EUR25
  • Bucharest - Urban Adventures Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Tour - EUR75
  • Bucharest - Village Museum - RON30
  • Bucharest - Palace of Parliament Tour - RON60
  • Bucharest - Romanian Athenaeum - RON10
  • Bucharest - Former Ceausescu Residence - RON65

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is bookable, excluding Day 6 (homestay), subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential Trip Information

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Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 54 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Carol · Traveled August 2024
I was very impressed with intrepid the tour was so well organised the variety of places we saw was lovely. The tour guide Alexandu did a great job. the people on our tour were a great bunch of people which is a big bonus as we got on so well. I would recommend intrepid to anyone who is thinking of doing one of there tours. Carol
Review submitted 10 Sep 2024

Mary · Traveled August 2024
Totally enjoyed our 10 day Budapest to Bucarest trip with Intrepid. Sandu, our guide exceeded all expectations and we so enjoyed our little group of 12. The scenery, culture, people and food was diverse and we took opportunity to try the local fare. Thoroughly recommend this trip for anyone who chooses to see another part of the world not so impacted by tourism .
Review submitted 10 Sep 2024

David · Traveled August 2024
Nice introduction to Hungary and Romania- would arrive early to have some time in Budapest. Home stays were great time to see countryside in Transylvania. Lots of history about communist rule and beautiful cities to explore. Good guided tours included as well as some guided tours we did as a group arranged by tour leader. It is pretty hot in August- earlier in Spring or September would be more comfortable, especially as some accommodations do not have AC. Overall a great trip although portion of trip spent in Hungary is very small- would be nice if a few days more were spent there.
Review submitted 10 Sep 2024

Karen · Traveled August 2024
Budapest to Bucharest tour was a marvellous experience. We had 2 local homestays which were fantastic. We sampled local food and found people to be very helpful. The guided tours were excellent and the whole trip was very well organised and orchestrated by our leader Tania. We experienced the history of Eastern Europe and have come away with a new understanding. Will continue to travel with Intrepid!
Review submitted 07 Sep 2024

Dorota · Traveled August 2024
This was my third, and likely my last, trip with Intrepid. A few months prior, I contacted Intrepid to inquire about changing my travel dates because the dates I originally chose were sold out. I explained that my partner wanted to join the trip but there were no available spaces. I wasn’t asking to cancel my trip; I simply wanted to move it to alternative dates and was introducing a new paying customer to Intrepid. There would have been no issue filling my spot since there was plenty of time before the trip. Unfortunately, this wasn’t my first experience with Intrepid’s inflexibility. I was told that I could either cancel and rebook, losing my €400 deposit, or stick with the original dates.
Review submitted 09 Sep 2024
Budapest to Bucharest
From
USD $2,166