Train to Budapest – 10 € Ticket incl. Coffee

If you’re wondering about the best way to travel from Germany or Austria to Hungary, you’re certainly not alone. It’s a question I’ve been asked countless times over the past few years. As a car-free commuter who regularly traveled between Upper Austria and Budapest, as well as between Germany and Hungary, I’ve tried almost every train and bus connection available.

➜ These are the booking platforms I personally use: Omio*, ÖBB, MÁV and DB*
➜ In this guide, I  mainly recommend direct train connections to Budapest.

Eventually, I realized that taking a train to Budapest isn’t just one of the cheapest ways to travel to Hungary, it’s also the most relaxing and authentic. Instead of dealing with long airport security lines or traffic jams, you can sit back, enjoy the changing landscapes, and arrive right in the heart of the Hungarian capital.

But which connection to Budapest is actually worth taking? How long is the journey? How much does a train ticket cost? And what practical tips should you know before boarding?

Why Is the Train to Budapest Such a Great Experience?

If you’re looking for an affordable, comfortable, and stress-free way to travel, it’s hard to beat the train. Hungary is exceptionally well connected to both Austria and Germany, making it one of the easiest countries in Central and Eastern Europe to reach by rail.

(The only exceptions are my last-minute money-saving tricks later in the article.)

A train journey to Budapest isn’t just about getting from A to B—it’s an experience in itself. I always enjoy watching the scenery slowly change as the train crosses into Hungary. Then there are the passengers you’ll meet along the way. Some of them are unforgettable, like the people who casually ask you to look after their fluffy dogs for a few minutes (more on that later).

Once you arrive in Budapest, you’ll step directly into the city center at either Keleti Railway Station or the famous Nyugati Railway Station, designed by Gustave Eiffel—yes, the same engineer behind the Eiffel Tower.

Practical comparison platforms such as Trainline and Omio make booking incredibly easy. If it’s your first time booking through Omio, you can even save up to €10.

Budapest Train perfect for Coffee Lovers

Since I spent several years commuting between Austria and Hungary, this is by far the route I’ve traveled most often.

Most of the time, I take an ÖBB Sparschiene ticket to Vienna and continue from there on the Czech RegioJet to Budapest. In my opinion, it’s the cheapest option—and it even comes with complimentary Illy coffee.

I’ve marked both stations below so you can quickly check whether the RegioJet service with the free coffee is available on your travel date.

Classic Route – Vienna to Budapest Train with RegioJet

• Travel time: approximately 2.5–3 hours
• Price: from €9.53 (direct RegioJet train – my absolute insider tip)
• Cancellation: free up to 15 minutes before departure

Is RegioJet Worth It?

Absolutely.

The Czech railway company RegioJet doesn’t just offer some of the cheapest train tickets to Budapest—it also includes complimentary Illy coffee and bottled water with its standard ticket.

The only downside is that RegioJet only operates this route twice a day.

The good news is that you don’t need to install another app. These tickets are also available through Trainline and Omio.

Every trip I’ve taken with RegioJet has left me with great memories. Sometimes the journey was completely relaxing, other times it turned into a little adventure. I almost always met interesting people along the way.

Most passengers are young, open-minded, and friendly. And as I mentioned earlier, some of them are so trusting that they’ll happily ask a complete stranger to watch their adorable puppy while they grab a coffee.

Running Late and no Ticket? Last Minute Trick

If you’re the spontaneous type—or if you’re anything like me and occasionally forget to book your ticket until the last minute—don’t worry. You can still travel to Budapest without spending a fortune.

Whenever direct Vienna to Budapest train tickets suddenly cost between €40 and €60, I use this simple trick:

➜ Buy a ticket only as far as Hegyeshalom (the Hungarian border station).

➜ From Hegyeshalom, buy a separate Hungarian ticket through the MÁV website or app (usually around €11.50).

Important: For this trick to work, you’ll need to change to another train in Hegyeshalom.

Apparently, Hungarian Railways have a rule that I still don’t fully understand. If you stay on exactly the same train while using two separate tickets, the conductor may issue a hefty fine.

One more piece of advice: don’t spend too much time asking the conductors why this rule exists. In my experience, it tends to make them rather grumpy.

Linz to Budapest Train – Direct Connection

If you’re traveling from Upper Austria, the Linz to Budapest train is another convenient option.

This route is particularly practical because it is a direct connection and doesn’t require changing trains.

Linz to Budapest Train

• Travel time: approximately 4 hours
• Price: from around €33
• Direct train – ÖBB service

I personally find this connection very comfortable. However, to get the best prices, you should try to book relatively early, ideally one to two months in advance.

Graz to Budapest Train – What You Should Know Before Booking

The Graz to Budapest train connection requires a little more attention when booking.

Many search engines automatically suggest a route via Vienna, including a transfer in Vienna. However, there is also a direct connection available via Szentgotthárd, a small border town in Hungary.

Graz to Budapest Train

• Travel time: approximately 5 hours
• Price: from around €18.50
• Direct train available via Szentgotthárd

Also make sure you carefully check that you are actually booking a direct connection to Budapest.

You really don’t want to accidentally end up somewhere in the middle of Hungary.

Train services in rural areas are much less frequent, and at smaller stations, you can quite literally find yourself “in the middle of nowhere”.

Another thing to consider: in rural Hungary, fewer people speak English. So if you don’t know any Hungarian, communication can become challenging.

Traveling from Germany to Budapest by Train

Germany is also extremely well connected to Budapest, whether you’re traveling from Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, or northern Germany.

If you’re coming from further away, taking an overnight train can actually be a very smart option.

Instead of losing an entire day traveling, you simply board in the evening, sleep during the journey, and wake up directly in Budapest.

Munich to Budapest Train – The Most Popular German Connection

The Munich to Budapest train is one of the most popular routes between Germany and Hungary.

Munich to Budapest Train

• Travel time: approximately 6–7.5 hours
• Price: often from €37.99 when booked early
• Direct Railjet connection (ÖBB)

The direct Railjet service is popular because it is reliable, comfortable, and relatively fast.

For many travelers from southern Germany, this is probably the easiest way to reach Budapest without flying.

Berlin, Frankfurt and Nuremberg to Budapest by Train

From larger German cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, or Nuremberg, there are several different options.

Depending on your route, you will often need to change trains in:

• Vienna
• Prague
• Bratislava

Approximate journey times:

• Berlin → Budapest: around 10 hours
• Frankfurt → Budapest: around 8–9 hours
• Nuremberg → Budapest: around 7 hours

For many travelers, overnight trains are actually the best option here.

A Hungarian friend of mine uses them regularly because, for him, it is the most comfortable and affordable way to travel.

You get on the train in the evening, sleep through the journey, and wake up directly in Budapest the next morning.

If you want to travel from Austria or Germany to Hungary, the train is almost always the most comfortable and authentic option. Budapest doesn’t only begin when you step off the train at Keleti or Nyugati station.

Sometimes the adventure starts much earlier—with a coffee in your hand, an unexpected conversation with another traveler, and the view of Hungary’s wild landscapes passing by outside the window.