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How to take the rail journey from The Tyrol in Austria to the capital of Hungary
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Innsbruck to Budapest by train
There is a daily direct daytime train from Innsbruck, which is typically scheduled to arrive in Budapest at around 21:15.
Though most of the Railjet trains which head east from Innsbruck and terminate in Wien/Vienna have easy connections into trains on to Budapest - so it's usually possible to arrive in the Hungarian capital before 13:30.
Despite the distance, taking the daytime trains is the best option, because the night train which travels from Switzerland, is typically scheduled to depart from Innsbruck at around 01:30am.
Routes you can take to go from Innsbruck to Budapest
When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.
Choose one of the following options:
Looking for connections?
Route Information
Option 1 - by direct train
Station Guides
Travel Time (approx)
7hr 2min
Frequency
Daily
Travel Info
1 x train per day
Purchase Tickets
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
Trainline Guide
Other Ticket Providers
OBB Guide
OBB is the national rail operator and its booking service offers journeys by express trains within Austria, as well as international journeys which don't involve making a connection outside of Austria.
It pays off to book online, as the discounted 'Sparscheine' tickets are only ever made available on the website, and when making international journeys to and from Austria, these Sparscheine tickets tend to be cheaper.
OBB can offer particularly good value for money when travelling with children on international rail journeys, but something to watch out for when travelling between Austria and Germany on daytime trains, is that reservations are an optional extra; but if you book 1st class tickets with the Germany railways website DB, the reservations are complimentary.
OBB often takes a unique approach to its booking path, but a key thing to keep in mind is that the first price you will see for any journey is that of a Second Class seat.
The costs of upgrading to first class, a reservation, or a sleeping cabin etc, is then added to this price.
Travel Information
The train is usually scheduled to depart from Innsbruck Hbf daily at 14:17.
The train also departs from Worgl and [Kufstein](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HWj5ZasB4PaYVEW47.
Connect in Worgl when travelling from Kitzbuhel, St Johann and the other ski resorts to the west of Zell am See.
Final Destination: Budapest-Keleti
The train also calls at: Gyor and Budapest-Kelenfold,
The train will call at Budapest-Kelenfold station around 10 mins before arriving at Budapest-Keleti.
If the end point of your journey in Budapest is on Metro Line 4, or has an easy connection from Line 4, then leave the train at Kelenfold station and transfer to the Metro there.
Not only will your journey be quicker overall, the Metro transfer at Kelenfold is much easier, than at particularly if you have luggage
This is a direct journey
You will be travelling on one of these trains...
Why are there are no images of this journey?
What used to be the most scenic part of the journey was the first 30mins (ish) from Innsbruck to Kufstein, but this train now travels mainly in tunnels on this part of the train ride.
Then the last two occassions when we travelled from Salzburg as far as Vienna it was pouring with rain.
Though what we did glean is that this journey becomes less memorable, the further the train travels, the next most scenic part of the journey is between Salzbug and Linz.
The views from the train window between Vienna and Budapest are exceptionally uninteresting, where the only thing of note to see are the wind turbines.
So having something to read or watch is highly recommended.
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
Discounted tickets
The discounted tickets are the 'Sparscheine' tickets and they can be booked online up until the day of departure, but they CAN'T be booked at stations, so booking last minute at the station is always more expensive.
Though you'll usually need to book the 'Sparscheine' tickets at least a couple of days ahead to obtain them at the cheapest possible price
It can pay off to take a look at the guide to Austrian train tickets - it should help you save time and money and confusion.
Refunds / Exchanges
- Sparscheine tickets = cannot be refunded or exchanged at all.
- Standard-Ticket = can be cancelled and obtain a full refund at any time pre-travel date.
Instead of an Exchange policy the idea is that once a Standard ticket has been refunded, an alternative ticket can then be purchased.
Seat reservations
Seat reservations are optional, they have to be proactively added as an upgrade when booking tickets.
Rail pass users can choose to reserve
Reservations are highly recommended for this long journey.
Child tickets
When booking 'Sparschiene' tickets each adult (aged 15 and over) can take up to four children aged 14 and under for free!
These children will still require tickets, but there will be no charge for them.
When not booking 'Sparschiene' tickets;
- Children aged 5 and under travel for free
- Children aged 6 – 14 travel at half-fare
Bike tickets
You will need purchase both a bike ticket AND a reservation for your bike prior to boarding; more info on how to do this is available on the [bikes on trains guide](/travel-info-and-tips/taking-a-bike-on-a-european-train/).
Dog tickets
If your dog is too large to be taken in a pet carrier you will need to add a dog ticket when making your booking;
Route Information
Via stations: Wien Hbf/Hauptbahnhof
Option 2 - connect in Wien Hbf
Station Guides
Travel Time (approx)
7hr 5min (approx)
Frequency
Daily
Travel Info
up to 9 x connections per day
Purchase Tickets
OBB Guide
OBB is the national rail operator and its booking service offers journeys by express trains within Austria, as well as international journeys which don't involve making a connection outside of Austria.
It pays off to book online, as the discounted 'Sparscheine' tickets are only ever made available on the website, and when making international journeys to and from Austria, these Sparscheine tickets tend to be cheaper.
OBB can offer particularly good value for money when travelling with children on international rail journeys, but something to watch out for when travelling between Austria and Germany on daytime trains, is that reservations are an optional extra; but if you book 1st class tickets with the Germany railways website DB, the reservations are complimentary.
OBB often takes a unique approach to its booking path, but a key thing to keep in mind is that the first price you will see for any journey is that of a Second Class seat.
The costs of upgrading to first class, a reservation, or a sleeping cabin etc, is then added to this price.
Travel Information
Connecting in Wien Hbf
The trains from Innsbruck are typically scheduled to arrive in Wien Hbf around 10mins prior to the departure of the trains on to Budapest.
A cross-platform interchange is typically available, so the usual intention is for the transfer to be as simple as possible.
Though if the train from Innsbruck is delayed and the booked connection will therefore be missed, tickets / reservations can be transferred to a subsequent train on to Budapest.
Arriving in Budapest
The train will call at Budapest-Kelenfold station around 10 mins before arriving at Budapest-Keleti.
If the end point of your journey in Budapest is on Metro Line 4, or has an easy connection from Line 4, then leave the train at Kelenfold station and transfer to the Metro there.
Not only will your journey be quicker overall, the Metro transfer at Kelenfold is much easier, than at particularly if you have luggage
This journey is made up of 1 change.
Train 1
Between Innsbruck Hbf and Wien Hbf/HauptbahnhofYou will be travelling on one of these trains...
Good to Know
These trains also depart from Worgl and [Kufstein](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HWj5ZasB4PaYVEW47.
Connect in Worgl when travelling from Kitzbuhel, St Johann and the other ski resorts to the west of Zell am See.
Final Destination: Wien Flughafen or Bratislava
The Railjets use a relatively new line for the first part of the journey between Innsbruck and Worgl (that's mainly in tunnel) and which saves around 20 mins on the old route
However, those tunnels take the train away from what had been the scenic highlight of the journey; the distant views of the Alps between Innsbruck and Worgl.
Though the train travels by the banks of The River Inn between Worgl and Kufstein.
Though the most scenic part of the journey is now between Salzburg and Wels, particularly if you're sat on the right, when facing the direction of travel.
A curious feature of this route is that for most of the journey, between Kufstein and the near to Salzburg, these trains will actually be travelling through Germany; but that don't make any station calls on that part of the trip.
Train 2
Between Wien Hbf/Hauptbahnhof and Budapest KeletiYou will be travelling on one of these trains...
Journey Features
Good to Know
These train also call at: Gyor and Budapest-Kelenfold,
The timetable is arranged so that there is an hourly departure, with the service alternating between Railjets (the Austrian trains) and EC / D trains (the Hungarian trains).
The Railjets typically depart in the odd hours, with the IC/EC / D trains leaving in the even hours.
Aside from the fact that the Railjets convey restaurant cars and the IC/EC /D trains don't, there is little difference in the on-board experience, the Hungarian national rail operator MAV tends to use its most modern trains on this route.
This is a particularly dull journey across a featureless landscape, so have something to read or watch with you.
The fact that the only thing which gives any interest to the train ride, is looking at the wind turbines which can be seen by the railway line, says it all.
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
The same terms apply to both of the trains which will need to be taken when making a connection.
Discounted tickets
The discounted tickets are the 'Sparscheine' tickets and they can be booked online up until the day of departure, but they CAN'T be booked at stations, so booking last minute at the station is always more expensive.
Though you'll usually need to book the 'Sparscheine' tickets at least a couple of days ahead to obtain them at the cheapest possible price
It can pay off to take a look at the guide to Austrian train tickets - it should help you save time and money and confusion.
Refunds / Exchanges
- Sparscheine tickets = cannot be refunded or exchanged at all.
- Standard-Ticket = can be cancelled and obtain a full refund at any time pre-travel date.
Instead of an Exchange policy the idea is that once a Standard ticket has been refunded, an alternative ticket can then be purchased.
Seat reservations
Seat reservations are optional, they have to be proactively added as an upgrade when booking tickets.
Rail pass users can choose to reserve
Reservations are highly recommended for this long journey.
Child tickets
When booking 'Sparschiene' tickets each adult (aged 15 and over) can take up to four children aged 14 and under for free!
These children will still require tickets, but there will be no charge for them.
When not booking 'Sparschiene' tickets;
- Children aged 5 and under travel for free
- Children aged 6 – 14 travel at half-fare
Bike tickets
You will need purchase both a bike ticket AND a reservation for your bike prior to boarding; more info on how to do this is available on the [bikes on trains guide](/travel-info-and-tips/taking-a-bike-on-a-european-train/).
Dog tickets
If your dog is too large to be taken in a pet carrier you will need to add a dog ticket when making your booking;
Route Information
Via stations: Wien Hbf/Hauptbahnhof
Option 3 - slower, but typically cheaper
Station Guides
Travel Time (approx)
7hr 45 min (approx)
Frequency
Daily
Travel Info
2 connections per day
Purchase Tickets
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
Trainline Guide
Travel Information
This journey option involves taking a Regiojet train between Wien / Vienna and Budapest and these trains tend to be the cheaper option when travelling between these two cities.
Connecting in Wien
When looking up this journey on Trainline, it can show the transfer station at Wien Meidling instead of at Wien Hbf.
That's because the trains from Innsbruck call at this station before they arrive at Wien Hbf - and the Regiojet trains to Budpaest call there after departing Wien Hbf.
But the transfer time between trains will be shorter at Wien Hbf - it will be around 50 mins and it won't impact on the tickets / seat reservations
Arriving in Budapest
These trains will arrive at Budapest-Deli station / Déli Pályaudvar.
This station is to the west of the city centre, to which it is connected by line M2 of the Budapest Metro.
It's primary city centre station is at Deák Ferenc tér - where it connects with lines 1 and 3.
This journey is made up of 1 change.
Train 1
Between Innsbruck Hbf and Wien Hbf/HauptbahnhofYou will be travelling on one of these trains...
Good to Know
These trains also depart from Worgl and [Kufstein](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HWj5ZasB4PaYVEW47.
Connect in Worgl when travelling from Kitzbuhel, St Johann and the other ski resorts to the west of Zell am See.
Final Destination: Wien Flughafen or Bratislava
The Railjets use a relatively new line for the first part of the journey between Innsbruck and Worgl (that's mainly in tunnel) and which saves around 20 mins on the old route
However, those tunnels take the train away from what had been the scenic highlight of the journey; the distant views of the Alps between Innsbruck and Worgl.
Though the train travels by the banks of The River Inn between Worgl and Kufstein.
Though the most scenic part of the journey is now between Salzburg and Wels, particularly if you're sat on the right, when facing the direction of travel.
A curious feature of this route is that for most of the journey, between Kufstein and the near to Salzburg, these trains will actually be travelling through Germany; but that don't make any station calls on that part of the trip.
Train 2
Between Wien Hbf/Hauptbahnhof and Budapest KeletiYou will be travelling on one of these trains...
Journey Features
Good to Know
These trains will arrive at Budapest-Deli station
This is a particularly dull journey across a featureless landscape, so have something to read or watch with you.
The fact that the only thing which gives any interest to the train ride, is looking at the wind turbines which can be seen by the railway line, says it all.
Tickets
Seat reservations are an optional added extra on both trains/
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