Cost to drive from Bucharest to Budapest
Driving from Bucharest to Budapest covers 826 km (513 miles) and takes about 10h 8min without stops. At the latest average price in each country along the way, the fuel for the trip costs about €108 in a typical petrol car — here's the full breakdown for petrol, diesel and electric.
Country by country: where the petrol money goes
The 58 L a typical petrol car burns on this drive, priced where it is burned.
Where to fill up
This route is already close to the lowest-cost option — refuel whenever it suits you.
- 1.Any station in Romaniaat 286 km37.8 L at €1.90/L
Assumes a 50-litre tank that starts half full. Your car will differ — plan it with your own numbers.
Tolls and vignettes: not included — we hold no verified toll tariffs for Romania, and we don't guess them.
Petrol, diesel or electric — priced for your car
Pick the kind of car you drive and whether you are coming back. Prices are the average across every country on the route.
Driving Bucharest → Budapest in a family car, electric costs €83.70 less than petrol — 78% of the bill.
Bucharest vs Budapest: which end is cheaper?
The two ends of this route are priced by different markets, so where you fill up changes what the drive costs.
What if fuel prices move?
Booking this drive for later in the year? Pump prices swing with crude, season and tax changes — here is the same 826 km in a typical petrol car at four price levels.
Your car's mpg, tank and fuel level — plus tolls, route options and the cheapest stops.
How this cost is calculated
We take the real driving route between Bucharest and Budapest (826 km) from OpenStreetMap routing, work out how far it runs in each country, and price the fuel a typical car burns in each one at that place's latest published average. The petrol figure assumes 7 L/100km · 34 MPG; diesel and EV use 6 L/100km · 39 MPG and 18 kWh/100km. Your real cost depends on your car, traffic, driving style and the stations you pick — use the trip planner for your exact numbers, or check prices on the Romania fuel prices page.
Related routes
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drive from Bucharest to Budapest?
The drive is 826 km (513 miles) and takes about 10h 8min without stops. Fuel costs roughly €107.70 in an average petrol car, €100.09 in a diesel, and €24.04 in an electric car, using the latest average price in each country along the way.
Which country has the cheapest petrol between Bucharest and Budapest?
Hungary, at €1.77/L on average, against €1.90/L in Romania. On this route the difference makes little change to the total.
How far is it from Bucharest to Budapest in miles and km?
About 513 miles or 826 kilometres by road — roughly 10h 8min of driving.
Is it cheaper to fill up in Bucharest or Budapest?
Petrol is cheaper in Hungary (€1.77/L) than in Romania (€1.90/L), so wait to fill up when you arrive.
How many times will I need to fill up between Bucharest and Budapest?
About 1 stop. The drive uses roughly 57.8 L of petrol, and a typical 55 L tank goes about 786 km — so plan to refuel roughly every 786 km, leaving a reserve.
Is it cheaper to drive or fly from Bucharest to Budapest?
On fuel alone the drive costs about €108 one way, and that cost splits across everyone in the car — with €27 each for four people, which is where driving usually wins. Against that, the drive takes 10h 8min without stops, and a fair comparison also counts tolls, parking, wear and any overnight stay.
What will this trip cost if fuel prices change?
At today's prices the petrol is about €108. A 10% rise takes it to €118, a 25% rise to €135, and a 10% fall to €97. Prices here refresh as each source publishes, so this page always reflects the latest figures.
How do I get the exact cost for my car?
Set the vehicle type on this page for an instant estimate, or open the FuelWide trip planner with your car's fuel economy, tank size and how full it is — it prices the drive state by state and suggests where refuelling is cheaper (state averages in the US, individual forecourt prices where a country publishes them).
Driving distance via OSRM / OpenStreetMap. Fuel prices are the latest published averages for each country on the route (sources named on each price page); efficiency and electricity rates are typical estimates, and tolls are not included unless listed above. Your figure will vary — use the planner for an exact result.