22 wineries, two curated routes, award-winning wines and breath taking Balaton views come together in one of this summer’s most exciting new experiences.
This summer, Hungary’s northern Balaton shore is being reimagined through an entirely new kind of wine tourism experience. Launching in the Balatonfüred–Csopak wine region, the 46° Balaton Wine Bus is Hungary’s first-ever hop-on hop-off wine bus service, giving visitors the freedom to explore some of the region’s most beautiful wineries at their own pace — without needing a car, taxi, or pre-booked private wine tour.
The name 46° Balaton refers to the geographical location of the Balatonfüred–Csopak wine region, which lies close to the 46th parallel north — the same prestigious European wine belt as iconic wine regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhône Valley.
Balatonfüred and Tihany have become two of Hungary’s most popular summer destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. Ferry traffic between Szántód and Tihany recently hit record numbers, while Balatonfüred alone records more than 1.4 million guest nights annually. As Hungary continues to grow as an increasingly sought-after European summer destination, the 46° Balaton Wine Bus adds yet another compelling reason to visit the country and experience the Balaton region in a completely new way.
The idea was born from personal experience. Founder Virág Szabó has spent her summers in Balatonfüred for years, yet repeatedly found herself visiting the same wineries — simply because many of the region’s hidden gems are difficult to access without a car, while even short taxi rides from the vineyards can become surprisingly expensive.
“I saw a similar concept on the other side of the world, and immediately thought: why don’t we have this in Hungary? The idea felt so simple, yet it solves such an obvious problem,” recalls Virág Szabó.
Two Routes, Two Different Worlds
The service operates four days a week — from Wednesday to Saturday — between mid-May and the end of September, with a special route also planned for Pentecost Sunday. Buses depart each morning from Vitorlás Square in central Balatonfüred and return there around sunset.
The “Old Friends” route runs on Wednesdays and Thursdays, taking guests to some of the region’s best-known wineries across Balatonfüred, Aszófő, Pécsely, Balatonszőlős, Csopak, and Paloznak, with buses circulating approximately every 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, the “Hidden Treasures” route operates on Fridays and Saturdays, offering a nearly 60-kilometre discovery journey through the rolling hills of the Balaton Highlands. This route focuses primarily on smaller, family-run wineries in villages such as Pécsely, Mencshely, Óbudavár, Szentantalfa, Tagyon, and Balatonakali, with buses initially running every 120 minutes.
“It was important for us not only to showcase the region’s famous wineries, but also the small, family-owned places hidden away from the crowds — the kind of places where wine still feels deeply personal, where there’s time to talk to the winemaker and truly slow down. That’s how the two routes were created together: to reflect the true diversity of the wine region,” says the founder.
22 Wineries and Spectacular Panoramas
Across the two routes, visitors can currently explore 22 award-winning wineries, with additional partners expected to join throughout the season. Many stops offer stunning panoramic views over Lake Balaton or the picturesque Pécsely Basin.
At the heart of the experience is the bus itself: a rare 1984 retro convertible DAF bus, featuring a covered front section and a fully open-air rear deck. Completely unique in its category — and believed to be the only one of its kind in the world — the bus is designed to turn the journey itself into part of the experience. The organizers aim to operate this iconic retro vehicle as the project’s flagship service as soon as all final permits and insurance approvals are fully in place.
For visitors staying in Tihany, a dedicated return shuttle service will also be available. The transfer route includes five stops — including the Tihany ferry terminal — transporting passengers from Tihany to Balatonfüred in the morning and back again in the evening, making the experience easily accessible both for southern shore visitors and guests staying in Tihany.
The 46° Balaton Wine Bus is designed as a full-day experience and is family-friendly, making it suitable for visitors with children as well. Tickets became available from 8 May 2026 via the official website at 46balaton.hu. Due to limited capacity, advance booking is recommended.