Vienna to Budapest train with Regiojet

Train Vienna Budapest

Passengers can ride on one of 18 trains from Vienna to Budapest that travel along a 133-mile (214-km)route from Monday to Sunday. Fast trains from Vienna to Budapest can complete the trip in approx. 2h 30minwhile regional service involves with journey times lasting nearly 9h. Two providers operate service from one location in Vienna terminating at one of two locations in Budapest. The vast majority of these journeys run express while others require connections or transfers.

Vienna to Budapest Train Times: Daily Departures

You can enjoy 18 daily departures or an aggregate of 126 trains from Vienna to Budapest each week. The first train leaves Vienna around 6:40 a.m., while the last one departs around 12:00 a.m. The Vienna to Budapest train schedule includesat least one train per hour throughout the day and at least two during the 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. hours. To view the complete daily timetable of trains to Budapest from Vienna, go to our website and select your preferred travel date then press "See all Trains" highlighted in red at the bottom of the section.

Boarding your Train Vienna Budapest

All trains Vienna - Budapest depart from Vienna Hauptbahnhof, the city’s central railway station. This is an extremely busy terminal year-round, so plan your arrival at least an hour in advance. Trains running this route usually depart from Platforms 3-12 and track assignments are routinely posted on station information screens for your convenience. We recommend arriving an extra 30min earlier during the busy summer months when station activity is at its highest peak.

Vienna: Aerial view of the city at night. Source: Shutterstock

Where does the train depart in Vienna and arrive in Budapest?

Vienna Hauptbahnhofis the principal railway terminal and the departure point for all trains from Vienna to Budapest. The terminal is located about 25min by car, about 15min via public transport and around 40min on foot from Stephansplatz in the city centre. This modern station opened in 2015 providing an environmentally-friendly experience for in-transit passengers. The station offers a variety of facilities including ticketing office with accessible features, OBB First Class Lounge, left luggage facilities and toilets. Cash-point machines and currency exchange offices as well as shops and restaurants are also included. Trains Vienna to Budapest will arrive at either Budapest Keleti Station the central terminal or Budapest Kelenfold Station.

When is the best time to book your train ticket from Vienna to Budapest?

According to the daily schedules the best time to book your tickets on trains from Vienna to Budapest is during the 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. hours when journey times and cost-efficiency are at optimum levels. You can also find very affordable fares during the early morning hours (6 a.m.) and the evening period from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. However, if you wish to find the cheap trains from Vienna to Budapest we recommend you make reservations as far in advance as possible.

What to see between Vienna and Budapest?

Trains from Vienna to Budapest course south from Vienna Hbf and past the Central Cemetery at Kaiserebersdorf where Beethoven’s grave is located before crossing the border into Hungary. The route travels past Lazendorf and Gutenhof then turns east at Ebergassing, continuing via Bruckneudorf and Parndorf to Hegyeshalom. You should see Olimpiai Sportspark as the train passes through Gyor and runs parallel to the Danube from Komarno to Almasfuzito where it turns south. From Tata down to Tatabanya and Szarliget, RegioJet trains turns east and travel via Bicske, past Arizona Carp Lake towards Torokbalint and heads north outside Kelenvolgy on final approach to Budapest.

Information on Budapest Keleti Station and Budapest Kelenfold Station

Budapest Keleti Station is the city’s central railway terminal and the destination for nearly 90% of all trains from Vienna to Budapest. It is located approx. 20min by car, about 40min via public transport and over 2h on foot from the city centre. Arriving passengers should expect a host of essential facilities such as international/domestic ticketing offices, Information Point, cash-point machines and luggage storage lockers. Various transport links including bus and metro are available for your onward travel and there are several area eateries and shops for your convenience.

Budapest Kelenfold Station receives the remaining rail service on this route and has a located approx. 20min by car, about 30min via public transport and just over 1h on foot from Central Budapest. Among the key facilities you can locate there are: Information Point, international and domestic ticketing offices, toilets, cash-point machines, luggage storage lockers in addition to shops and restaurants. Metro, bus and tram links are provided for your onward travel and there is a taxi rank just outside.

Night Trains Vienna Budapest

OBB is the only operator ofnight trainsfrom Vienna to Budapest with three each day. The first one departs at approx. 9:40 p.m. and arrives in Budapest around 12:20 a.m. while the last one leaves Vienna around 11:00 p.m. and arrives in the Hungarian capital around 7:20 a.m. the next day. You should expect Vienna to Budapest travel times of approx. 2h 40min for the quickest night train while the slowest one takes almost 9h. All OBB night service arrives at Budapest Keleti Station.

OBB Vienna to Budapest

OBB or Austrian Federal Railways is the state-owned provider of trains to Budapest from Vienna including OBB Intercity, OBB EuroCity and OBB Regionalzug. The provider timetables 16 trips each day and 112 each week. The first train Vienna - Budapest departs around 6:40 a.m., with an average of one train per hour until the last departure approx. 12:00 a.m. OBB employs a variety of high-speed locomotives, with Vienna to Budapest train speeds approaching 125 mph (200 km/h). Except for night trains all OBB service involves direct trips with travel times averaging about 2h 35min.

RegioJet Vienna to Brussels

RegioJet is a privately-owned Czech operator of passenger train and bus services to 90 cities across the European continent. The provider has only two daily train departures from Vienna to Budapest: at approx. 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and these are direct journeys with no scheduled stops or connections. RegioJet trains Vienna to Budapest average travel times of about 2h 30min via locomotives capable of speeds around 125 mph (200 km/h) and it is the only provider with departures from Vienna Hbf terminating at Budapest Kelenfold Station.

Trains Vienna to Budapest: Sustainable Travel

OBB intends to maintain the advantages of rail and bus travel as the most sustainable means of mass transport. The company installed quiet tracks in heavily-populated areas to lower noise pollution and embraces a comprehensive strategy to reduce, recycle and eliminate unnecessary waste making train travel more efficient and safe for all. RegioJet focuses on updating its current fleet with energy-efficient locomotives and partnering with communities and stakeholders to increase overall efficiencies.

Train Vienna to Budapest: Services on Board

OBB offers Business, First and Economy Class fares on most of its long-distance trains in descending order of preference. Additional onboard facilities vary according to fare class. For example, restaurant cars are available in First and Economy Classes on EuroCity trains, but not on InterCity trains. Also, Wi-Fi is available in Business Class, but unavailable for other classes travelling on EuroCity and InterCity trains. Power outlets can be found at most seats on all trains and toilets with accessible features are standard. For other onboard policies, see below:

• Two cases and one hand luggage is standard per customer to be stored in luggage compartments, overhead bins or under the seat.
• Wheelchair bays permit travel with wheelchairs. Priority Seating is available for persons with limited mobility and companions in the First Class compartment. Assistance animals are welcomed aboard.
• Small pets are permitted to travel if transported in appropriate carriers A separate ticket must be purchased for dogs who must be muzzled and kept on the lead at all times.
• One bicycle per customer must be reserved at the time of booking. Electric bikes and folded scooters are not permitted for travel on trains from Vienna to Budapest.
• Requests for specific seating assignments should be made at the time of booking.

Business, Relax and Standard-ASTRA are the main seating classes on RegioJet trains, but you can also travel in Standard, Low Cost and Quiet Compartments on many trains. All seating classes feature comfortable seating with power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and refreshments for your travelling pleasure. Vanity bags, bottled water and newspapers are complimentary per passenger. Additional onboard policies include:

• Each passenger is allowed to carry one suitcase and one hand luggage for free which can be stored in the overhead bin, under the seat or in the luggage compartments.
• Priority seating is available for persons with reduced mobility and assistance animals are permitted onboard. Unfortunately, wheelchair are not allowed for travel.
• Small pets are permitted for travel if kept in an appropriate carrier and dogs must be kept on the lead and muzzled at all times.
• Unfortunately, bicycles are not permitted for travel on RegioJet trains.
• Seating requests should be made at the time of booking, otherwise general admission applies.

When to book your train tickets from Vienna to Budapest?

You should book your travel plans at least four weeks prior to departure date in order to find the cheapest trains from Vienna to Budapest. Otherwise you can browse train schedules beforehand to see when you can take advantage of the lowest Vienna to Budapest train costs. Most providers offer discounted fares for young children, persons with reduced mobility and seniors, as well as families and groups. Be flexible with your itinerary to consider off-peak trains, which are generally cheaper than those during rush hours. Also check whether any special plans are available for frequent customers such as business travellers for more ways to save on expenses.

To Budapest by Train: Travel Tips

Budapest is a dynamic capital in Central Europe and a regional centre for technology, research and finance. The city famously straddles the Danube with Buda occupying the west bank while Pest sits across the eastern embankment. The strategic importance of this major shipping lane has contributed to a long history of occupation by foreign powers, most notably the Roman and Ottoman empires and later the Germans during WWII. All of these have left indelible marks on the city’s landscape and architecture.

BKK manages an extensive public transport networks comprising rail, metro, bus, and boat systems, so it’s easy to get around from Budapest Keleti Station. St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Central Market Hall are two famous attractions heading west and there are at least five bridges you can cross over towards the city centre. Buda Castle and Sandor Palace are located just off Szechenyi Chain Bridge while the Gellert Hill cave complex is situated near the western end of Liberty Bridge.

Take a moment to review ourWindow Seat Magazine Budapest Editionfor choice recommendations on restaurants, nightlife and leisure activities before exploring some of the city’s other major attractions including:

• Dohany Street Synagogue.
• Buda Castle
• Matthias Church
• Hungarian Parliament Building
• Heroes Square
• Danube Islands
• City Park
• Szechenyi Medicinal Bath

Budapest: night view on Parliament. Source: Shutterstock

What are some other cities you can go to from Budapest?

Travel by train is a cheap and exciting way to see the continent, so give yourself a few extra days after wrapping your Budapest trip to explore other fascinating cities in Europe. Head south to Athens where ancient Acropolis, the magnificent Parthenon and revered Academy of Greece echo the achievements of one of the world’s greatest civilisations. The city of Prague has some outstanding landmarks such as Church of Our Lady before Tyn, Prague Astronomical Clock and Wallenstein Palace. Stuttgart delights with its architectural wonders which include Neues Schloss, the awe-inspiring Ludwigsburg Palace and Mercedes-Benz Museum while Warsaw counters with Wilanow Palace, Sigismund’s Column and Warsaw Grand Theatre.