How to Get From Vienna to Budapest by Train
Traveling before 15 May? Get a free upgrade to 1st class when you buy a Global Pass before 28 February
Vienna and Budapest, two of Europe's most beautiful capitals, are just a short train ride apart. Traveling between these cities is easy, affordable, and fast. Find out everything you need to know to make this journey for yourself.
Video train route Vienna - Budapest
Train options for Vienna to Budapest
Train |
High-speed train | Regional train |
Travel time |
2hrs 50 minutes | 4hrs 15 minutes |
Seat reservations |
Mandatory | Not required |
Stations |
Vienna (Wien) Meidling - Budapest Keleti |
Vienna (Wien) Hbf- Budapest Keleti |
Traveling by high-speed train
The fastest and most comfortable way to travel from Vienna to Budapest is by taking the Railjet high-speed train. This modern and luxurious train will get you to your destination in just under 3 hours. For actual travel times, check out our timetable.
If you're traveling with a Eurail Pass you don't need to buy a ticket and only pay a small reservation fee. We recommend you book your seats as far in advance as possible.
Traveling by regional train
Taking a regional train from Vienna to Budapest means more travel time than by high-speed train. It also means you can stop along the way and discover some less-visited Hungarian towns, like Győr.
If you're looking to get inspired, check out our blog entry on traveling between Vienna and Budapest.
If you have a Eurail Pass, you don't need to buy a ticket. You can travel on this train for free and get on and off whenever you like.
Eurail Passes
The Eurail Pass is a pass that lets you travel on nearly every train in Europe. It comes in all shapes and sizes, so you can pick the one that best fits your holiday plans.