How to take a train journey from Wien/Vienna to Budapest

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Wien / Vienna to Budapest by train

There have never been more trains per day between the Austrian and Hungarian capitals, reflecting that it's typically a very straightforward journey.
Though an unusual feature of taking a train from Wien/Vienna to Budapest is that the evening departures are by overnight trains heading to distant destinations in eastern Europe.
Though you won't have to hop on a bed to travel by then as they also convey coaches with seats.

Routes you can take to go from Wien / Vienna 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?

Journey guides for travel to Wien / Vienna Journey guides for travel from Budapest

Route Information

Station Guides

Wien Hbf/Hauptbahnhof Rail Station Guide

The beautiful main entrance at Budapest-Keleti station

Budapest Keleti Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

2hr 37min - 2hr 40 min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

1 x train per hour

Is the journey from Wien / Vienna to Budapest direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.

Is this journey scenic?
It very much isn't, so have something to read or watch

What other tourist locations are along this route from Wien / Vienna to Budapest?
The trains also call in Gyor.

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Budapest-Keleti from Wien Hbf on this journey option?
Before 10:20 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to travel on from the station in Budapest?
Budapest-Keleti station is on line M2 of the Budapest Metro - which has its city centre stop at Deák Ferenc tér
Line M4 of the Budapest Metro also serves Budapest-Keleti, but the other end of its route is at Budapest-Kelenfold station.
So if your final destination in the city is served by line M4, it is quicker and easier to make the connection at Kelenfold.

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Wien Hbf to Budapest on this journey option
Before 21:45 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to get to the station in Vienna?
The heart of the city, the area around St Stephens cathedral is linked to Wien Hbf by line 1 of the U-bahn.
The eastern areas of the city centre are linked to Wien Hbf by Lines S1, S2 and S3 of the city’s commuter train (S-Bahn network).
See the Station Guide for more information, plus easy access to booking accommodation in its neighbourhood..

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Vienna to Budapest trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access guides to how rail tickets are managed in Austria plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Vienna to Budapest trains?
It can be up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December; and when looking up summer travel in March to May.

What are the child ticket terms for these Vienna to Budapest trains?
Adults (aged 15 and over) purchasing discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets for travel in either First or Second class, can take up to four children (aged 14 and under) at no additional cost.

Does the ticket for these Vienna to Budapest trains include assigned seats?
No, but they are available and can be added for a fee when booking
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Vienna to Budapest trains?
No, they are optional

Is catering available on the Vienna to Budapest trains?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car (And a restaurant car is also available on the OBB Railjet trains)
See the Train Guides in the Journey Information.

What else is good to know about Austrian rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Austria.

What else is good to know about Hungarian rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Hungary.

Travel Information

Final Destination: Budapest-Keleti = the Railjets; various destinations - the IC/EC trains

From 07:40 daily 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.

Departing from Wien/Vienna:

The Railjets call at Wien-Meidling station before going on to depart from Wien Hbf
So if your journey in Vienna is commencing in the south west corner of the city, or the area on the ring road around the Opera House - then it's likely that you'll have a faster and more convenient journey if you join the train at Wien-Meidling station.

Wien Meidling is connected to line U6 of the Vienna Metro, which serves the western side of the city centre.

If you will be travelling with a rail pass and don't want to reserve seat, then it can be a good idea to board these trains at Wien-Meidling.
Keep out of the way of the passengers who will be leaving the train at its next station call, Wien Hbf, so that when they have left the train, you'll have first pick of the available seats for the journey on to Budapest.

Arriving in Budapest:

These trains 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 Keleti station, particularly if you have luggage.

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

A side view of a Railjet train - the top tier OBB trains

ÖBB Railjet (RJ/RJX) (Austria/International) Train Guide

Hungarian (MAV) IC train at Budapest Kelenfold

IC (Hungarian) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - NoNot High Speed

Good to Know

The first train of the day is the 'Wiener Walzer' EuroNight train which will be heading to Budapest from Zurich/Munchen
It has 2nd class seats in compartments

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.

The general guide to Hungarian rail travel Discover what's good to know about riding the trains, using the major stations, booking tickets and travelling with Eurail and InterRail passes

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date (usually)

Like most European rail routes between two major cities, it is the demand per departure which impacts on ticket prices, rather than the type of train providing the service.
So on this route, the smarter Railjet trains can be cheaper than the EC and vice versa.

During the day the timetable is arranged so that in most hours there will be a Raijet train or EC in departing, so if you need to depart or arrive at specific times, it won't particularly which type of train you will be travelling by.

Though if it doesn't particularly matter which time of day you will be travelling at, it can pay off to search through the departures to find the cheaper tickets; particularly if you will be booking less than a month ahead.

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.

Book a Sparschiene ticket and it will be specific to the departure you selected when making a booking and it can't be refunded at all if you subsequently change your travel plans and it also can't be exchanged to an alternative, later departure.
Though when an adult book a Sparschiene ticket, up to four children age 14 and under can be included at no additional charge.

Trains departing at different times can also be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares

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.

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;

Rail pass users

Rail pass users don’t have to make reservations.
However, in SMTJ's experience, it's a good idea to reserve when:

departing from Wien between 08:00-10:00 and 16:00 -18:00 Monday to Thursday
on Fridays
Saturday mornings
Sunday afternoons/

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