How to take the rail journey from Zurich to Budapest

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Zürich / Zurich to Budapest by train

It's possible to take a direct train when travelling during the day from Zurich to the Hungarian capital.
There's no hiding the fact that it's a long ride, but the spectacular scenery on the first half of the journey will make the time fly by.

Though due to the distance you can also opt to travel through the night, though note that Nightjet trains do not operate this service.

Routes you can take to go from Zürich / Zurich 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 Zürich / Zurich Journey guides for travel from Budapest

Route Information

Option 1: travelling by day

Station Guides

The frontage of Zurich Hb station by the Bahnhofplatz tram stops

Zürich HB / Zurich main station Rail Station Guide

The beautiful main entrance at Budapest-Keleti station

Budapest Keleti Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

10hr 39min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

1 x train per day

Travel Information

The daytime train to Budapest is usually scheduled to depart from Zurich Hb station daily at 10:40.

Final Destination: Budapest

The train also calls at: Wien, Gyor and Budapest-Kelenfold

Departing from Zurich:

This train will depart from the street level platforms/tracks at Zurich HB - gleis 3 - 18.

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 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

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLake viewsLandscape (Hills / Mountains)

Journey description:

Step on board one of Europe's most epic rail journeys, with amazing views of two Swiss lakes AND a passage through the stunning Arlberg Pass.

Sit on the left (when facing the direction) of travel) on departure from Zurich for the best views.

Within 10 minutes of departing from Zurich there are a series of stunning views of not one, but two lakes, the Zurichsee...

...and then the Wallensee.

...can both be seen from the left of the train.

The best of the views as the train travels through the Arlberg pass will be over on the right, but the train will reverse direction on departure from Buchs.

Between Buchs and Feldkirch the train will travel through Liechtenstein, then after departure from Bludenz, the train threads through the stunning Arlberg Pass - though in summer the trees can get in the way.

In the pass, the best and most spectacular views of the entire journey are over on the right; even on a grey day.

But after St.Anton the best of the views are over on the left...

... with a particular highlight of the journey being the descent to Landeck station.

These trains used to take a more scenic route after departure from Innsbruck, but now between there and Worgl, they take a faster route which is mainly in tunnels.
Though by Kufstein they travel right by the River Inn.

The final half of the journey on from Salzburg is pleasant, but not particularly scenic, though east of Linz is the fastest part of the route.

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