The cheapest and fastest trains from Basel to Budapest
Cheapest price
£138
Average price
£143
Fastest journey
11 h 46 m
Average duration
14 h 19 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
860 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Basel to Budapest is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Basel to Budapest will cost around £143 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £138.
To travel from Basel to Budapest you need to make at least 2 changes.
IC 591 · EC 193 · RJX 261
ICE 276 · ICE 569+
BRB 79039+
RJX 663
IC 591 · EC 193 · RJX 261
ICE 276 · ICE 569+
BRB 79039+
RJX 663Travel Information
Compare coach, train and flight for Basel to Budapest
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Basel to Budapest among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £50. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 29m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 0.8kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £50, and a train costs an average of £79.
Distance: 860 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£170 Average Price | £116 Average Price | £75 Average Price Cheapest |
12h 25m Average total duration 11h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 29m Average total duration Fastest 2h 29m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 18h 4m Average total duration 17h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.6 - 5.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.9 - 2.1kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Basel to Budapest train times
The table below shows live departures for Basel to Budapest trains for today, Monday 24 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IC 591 · EC 193 · RJX 261 | On time 11:33 Basel SBB | 11h46 | 23:19 Budapest Keleti | 2 changes | |
ICE 276 · ICE 569+ BRB 79039+ RJX 663 | On time 13:13 Basel SBB | 16h51 | 06:04 Budapest-Deli | 6 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Basel to Budapest by coach, train or flight
Compare coach, train and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
24 Nov
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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Basel to Budapest?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Basel to Budapest
Trains from Basel to Budapest run on average 5 times per day, taking around 11h 55m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £79 but you can travel from only £33 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 00:11, the last at 23:45. The fastest train covers the 860 km distance in 11h 29m.
Distance 860 km |
Average train duration 11h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price £79 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 11h 29m |
First train 00:11 |
Last train 23:45 |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB from Basel to Budapest trainsDeutsche Bahn, ÖBB trains will get you between Basel and Budapest from £33. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
ÖBB
FAQs: Basel to Budapest train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Basel to Budapest by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Budapest, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Basel and Budapest
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week. Access via Schwarzwaldallee.
- Restaurant Les Gareçons
- Restaurant Bahn Kantine
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 1
- Hotel Alexander
- Hotel Wettstein
- Hotel Balade
- Located in the main hall
- 330 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-4 for trains to Germany
- Hall 2: platforms 5-8 for regional trains within Switzerland
- Tram: Line 2, Line 6
- Bus: Several lines available
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, accessible via Centralbahnstrasse.
- Restaurant Da Roberto
- Brasserie Bahnhof Basel
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 2
- Hotel Victoria
- Hotel Schweizerhof Basel
- GAIA Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- 800 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-5 for Swiss domestic trains
- Hall 2: platform 6-10 for international trains
- Hall 3: shopping and services area
- Tram: Line 1, Line 2, Line 8, Line 10, Line 11
- Bus: Several lines available
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7, accessible from Kerepesi út.
- Rosenstein Restaurant
- Huszar Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- HUF 200
- Hotel Hungaria City Center
- Baross City Hotel
- Royal Park Boutique Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-6 for international and intercity trains
- Hall 2: platforms 7-13 for regional trains
- Hall 3: platforms 14-18 for suburban trains
- Metro: Line M2, Line M4
- Bus: Several lines available
- Tram: Line 24
- 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, with access from Etele tér.
- Restaurant Etele Plaza
- KFC Etele Plaza
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- HUF 200
- Hotel Griff
- Hotel Ventura
- Hotel Berlin
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-8 for international and domestic long-distance trains
- Hall 2: regional and suburban train platforms
- Hall 3: Metro and tram connections
- Metro: Line M4
- Tram: Line 1, Line 19, Line 49
- Bus: Several lines available
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Departures can be made outside of opening hours. Access via Nyugati tér.
- Két Szerecsen
- Menza Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- HUF 200
- Hotel Parlament
- Radisson Blu Béke Hotel
- Hilton Budapest City
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-4 for international trains
- Hall 2: domestic and regional train platforms
- Hall 3: metro and tram connections
- Metro: Line M3
- Tram: Line 4, Line 6
- Bus: Several lines available
- Mon - Sun: 06:00-10:00, 10:20-14:00, 14:25- 17:35
- Located in the passenger hall, approaching the entrance near the international checkout to the left.
- Déli Terasz Söröző
- Ibrahim török büfé
- Vagon Etterem
- Fornetti
- Trio pizza
- Turkish Döner KEBAB
- Déli Mosoly
- Balatonexpressz Étkezőkocsi
- Club D One
- Lokomotív Falatozó
- There are some accessible features including ramps and elevators.
- Mercure Budapest Castle Hill
- Christina Residence Budapest
- ibis Budapest Castle Hill
- Mon - Sun: 06:00-10:00, 10:20-14:00, 14:25- 17:35
- Located in the passenger hall of the train station, next to the international ticket offices.
- Metro lines: M2 (red)
- Tram lines: 17, 56, 56A, 59, 59A, 59B, 61
- Bus lines: 21, 21A, 39, 102, 139, 140, 140A, N960, N990
- Train lines: IC, IR, S (10, 12, 30, 34, 35, 40, 42), Z30
- 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Access is available via Mester utca.
- Nándori Cukrászda
- Petrus Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- HUF 200
- Ibis Styles Budapest City
- Hotel Thomas Budapest
- Leonardo Hotel Budapest
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-2 for regional trains
- Hall 2: freight services
- Tram: Line 2, Line 24
- Bus: Several lines available
Most popular train connections from Basel
More options for your journey from Basel to Budapest
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