5 min read Hungary by train

By Train to Budapest: Your Travel Guide

By Train to Budapest: Your Travel Guide

By Train to Budapest in 2024

Budapest, the captivating capital of Hungary, is easily accessible by train from Prague, Ostrava, and Brno. While the journey time may seem longer than the distance suggests – 7 hours from Prague (610 km), 6 hours from Ostrava (480 km), and 4 hours from Brno (355 km) – the experience is both comfortable and scenic.

Two main carriers operate their connections to Budapest: Czech Railways and Regiojet. Regiojet offers two direct daytime connections between Prague and Budapest daily, while Czech Railways offers six direct daytime connections and one overnight connection. Czech Railways also offers one daytime and one overnight connection from Bohumín/Ostrava.

Both carriers provide comfortable long-distance carriages, offering first and second class cars, Wi-Fi connection, electrical outlets, and in the case of Czech Railways, a restaurant car.

Direct Daytime Connections to Budapest

Direct daytime connections to Budapest run through Slovakia (Czech Railways) and Austria (Regiojet). In both cases, the travel time is approximately the same (about 7 hours from Prague).

  • Czech Railways offers EuroCity connections – both from Prague and from Ostrava/Bohumín. These are air-conditioned first and second class carriages, and a dining car is also included. The price of a one-way ticket from Prague starts at CZK 606 (in 2023 at CZK 484) in second class and from CZK 1076 in first class. The reservation is free in the two-week (and longer) pre-sale, otherwise for 3 EUR (according to the exchange rate approx. CZK 76). Tickets can be purchased at international ticket offices and online at www.cd.cz and in the Můj Vlak application.
  • Regiojet dispatches a direct connection from Prague twice a day. The connections offer 4 categories of carriages, where the prices are from CZK 469 in low cost, CZK 549 standard, CZK 699 relax, CZK 769 business. Comfort and equipment depend on the chosen category of car. The price also includes a specific seat. These connections do not offer a classic restaurant car, but they offer refreshments in the form of delivery to the place. Tickets can be purchased at Regiojet ticket offices and at www.regiojet.cz.

Direct Night Connections to Budapest

Only Czech Railways offers a night train to Budapest from the Czech Republic, from Prague and Ostrava/Bohumín. The connection from Prague leaves a little after ten o'clock in the evening and arrives in Budapest at half past eight the next morning. The night train leaves Bohumín at a quarter to three in the morning and connects with the carriages from Prague in Břeclav. So it also arrives in Budapest at half past 8 in the morning.

The connection from Prague offers a sleeping car and a couchette car during the summer holidays, outside the holiday season there is only one sleeping car available. The price ranges from CZK 1900 for a ticket with a couchette and from CZK 2300 for a ticket with a bed.

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Early Bird Europe tickets are not currently available for the night connection to Hungary. This means that the price of the ticket is about CZK 700 more expensive than when these tickets were offered.

The connection from Bohumín offers a couchette and sleeping car all year round. The price of a ticket with a couchette is from CZK 1700 and with a bed from CZK 1950.

Train Stations in Budapest

Déli pályaudvar
Regiojet, which arrives in Budapest from Austria, stops at the Kelenföld and Déli stations. Budapest Déli, which is one of the main stations in Budapest, is strategically located in the south of the Hungarian metropolis. This is where its name, which means "south", comes from. This important railway station boasts fascinating architecture with elements from the end of the 19th century when it was built. It is located near Buda Castle, one of the city's most famous historical monuments, which gives the station not only practical but also tourist value. The area around the station is characterized by its wide boulevards, which are lined with old buildings and public parks.

Nyugati pályaudvar
Czech Railways connections end at the Nyugati pályaudvar (western railway station). It is a station near the center, through which the M3 metro passes. There is also a large department store next to the station. The station is now undergoing extensive reconstruction. Budapest Nyugati, on the other hand, is one of the oldest stations in Budapest and is located in the western part of the city, which is the exact meaning of the word "Nyugati". This railway station is known for its impressive neoclassical architecture, designed by Gustave Eiffel, the creator of the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. Nyugati station is surrounded by bustling city life, with many shops, restaurants and cafes nearby. It is located near Margaret Island and the Danube embankment, which are very popular places for walks and relaxation.

Keleti pályaudvar
Budapest Keleti, the largest and busiest station in Budapest, is located in the central part of the city. The name "Keleti" means "east" in Hungarian, reflecting its geographical location. This station, opened in 1884, is a masterpiece of architecture, with its majestic main vestibule and imposing facade decorated with statues of two of the most famous Hungarian inventors, János Bolyai and Gábor Áron. Keleti station is also known for its proximity to some of the most interesting places in Budapest, including Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and City Park, home to Vajdahunyad Castle and the Széchenyi Baths.