- Must visit
Rynek Underground Museum
Museum beneath the Main Square revealing medieval remains, trade history and immersive displays under the heart of the Old Town.
Cheapest price on 23 Sept
£53
Average ticket price on 23 Sept
£79
Fastest journey on 23 Sept
8 h 49 m
Average journey duration on 23 Sept
10 h 2 m
Trains on 23 Sept
5
Distance
292 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Budapest to Kraków is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Budapest to Kraków will cost around £79 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £53.
To travel from Budapest to Kraków you need to make at least one change.
RJ 1032 (Budapest -> Prague)+
EC 204
D 346+
EC 204
EC 140 · EC 204
RJX19912+
EC 204
RJX 60+
EC 204
EC 140 · EC 204
RJ 1032 (Budapest -> Prague)+
EC 204
RJX 60+
EC 204
D 346+
EC 204
RJX19912+
EC 204Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Budapest to Kraków among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £26 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 54m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £26, while a flight costs an average of £278.
Distance: 292 km
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£26 Average Price Cheapest | £278 Average Price | £30 Average Price | £78 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 43m Average total duration 8h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 54m Average total duration Fastest 2h 54m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 17m Average total duration 7h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 11m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.9 - 1.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Budapest to Kraków:
A train is £4 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Budapest to Kraków costing on average £30.
A train is £251 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Budapest to Kraków costing on average £278.
Other travel options to Kraków take longer:
Coach takes on average 7h 47m.
Train takes on average 8h 13m.
Tickets start at around £26 compared to roughly £78 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £52. The journey takes 8h 13m versus 6h 11m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Budapest to Kraków trains for today, Tuesday 22 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RJX19912+ EC 204 | 6:50 Budapest-Kelenfoeld | 10h54 | 17:44 Kraków Główny | 1 change | |
RJX 60+ EC 204 | 7:55 Budapest-Kelenfoeld | 9h49 | 17:44 Kraków Główny | 1 change | |
RJ 1032 (Budapest -> Prague)+ EC 204 | 7:58 Budapest-Kelenfoeld | 9h46 | 17:44 Kraków Główny | 1 change | |
EC 140 · EC 204 | 8:55 Budapest-Kelenfoeld | 8h49 | 17:44 Kraków Główny | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach 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.
Trains from Budapest to Kraków run on average 3 times per day, taking around 8h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £8 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 01:25, the last at 23:30. The fastest train covers the 292 km distance in 7h 40m.
Distance 292 km |
Average train duration 8h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price £8 |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 7h 40m |
First train 1:25 |
Last train 23:30 |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 2 days |
Discover the best of Kraków — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Kraków trip today.
Museum beneath the Main Square revealing medieval remains, trade history and immersive displays under the heart of the Old Town.
Former enamel factory with a powerful exhibition on Kraków under Nazi occupation and daily life during the Second World War.
Major branch of the National Museum with Polish art from the nineteenth century onward, including celebrated paintings and decorative arts.
Kraków’s main square is a lively historic centre with the Cloth Hall, church façades and constant street life at all hours.
Historic Jewish quarter with synagogues, courtyards, murals and a lively street scene that blends heritage with contemporary city life.
Broad green promenade planted where medieval walls once stood; ideal for walking between key sights around the Old Town.
Obwarzanek krakowski is Kraków’s iconic ring-shaped bread, boiled then baked and topped with poppy or sesame seeds. It is a protected local street-food classic.
Maczanka krakowska is roast pork in a caraway-spiced gravy, served in a bread roll. It is often called Kraków’s traditional answer to pulled pork sandwiches.
Kiełbasa krakowska is a smoked Polish sausage linked to Kraków, made from seasoned pork. It is prized for its firm texture and distinctive garlic-spice flavour.
Traditional Polish restaurant near the Main Square, known for hearty classics, period interiors and folk-inspired atmosphere.
Casual venue specialising in maczanka krakowska and other local sandwiches. A good stop for classic Kraków street-food flavours.
Well-known Jewish-style restaurant in Kazimierz serving Polish and regional dishes in a lively, rustic setting with evening music.
Budget-friendly for city breaks; hotels, meals and public transport usually cost less than in major Western European tourist cities.
About 10% in restaurants for good service. Round up in cafés and taxis or add a small tip; check the bill for any service charge.
Official public transport app
Kraków Główny -> Rynek Główny, Kraków
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Budapest to Kraków 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 Kraków, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Budapest to Kraków trains use the Budapest-Kelenföld to Kraków Główny station pair. Use this guide to compare Budapest and Kraków train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Budapest-Kelenföld is 3 km from Budapest city centre. Public transport options include:
Budapest-Kelenföld has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Etele Plaza, KFC Etele Plaza
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Budapest-Kelenföld. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Budapest-Kelenföld. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Budapest-Kelenföld: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Budapest-Kelenföld: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Budapest-Kelenföld: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Griff, Hotel Ventura, Hotel Berlin.
Budapest Keleti is 3 km from Budapest city centre. Public transport options include:
Budapest Keleti has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Rosenstein Restaurant, Huszar Restaurant
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Budapest Keleti. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Budapest Keleti. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Budapest Keleti: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Budapest Keleti: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Budapest Keleti: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Hungaria City Center, Baross City Hotel, Royal Park Boutique Hotel.
Kraków Główny is 1 km from Kraków city centre. Public transport options include:
Kraków Główny has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restauracja Browar Lubicz, Bistro Bene by Tomasz Leśniak
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Kraków Główny. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Kraków Główny. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Kraków Główny: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Kraków Główny: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Kraków Główny: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto, PURO Kraków Stare Miasto, Vienna House Andel's Cracow.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need