Vienna to Budapest by Train
Direct high-speed / inter-city (Railjet / EuroCity / RegioJet) service · from €11
Route Overview
Travel from Vienna to Budapest by train in as little as 2 hours and 20 minutes. This popular cross-border route is served by three operators: ÖBB Railjet (fastest), MÁV EuroCity (traditional Hungarian carriages), and private operator RegioJet (budget-friendly). Combined, approximately 22 trains run daily.
ÖBB Railjet and MÁV EuroCity form a combined hourly service throughout the day from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Budapest Keleti. Railjet offers three classes including premium Business Class with 16 leather seats and at-seat dining. EuroCity trains feature traditional compartment-style seating.
Tickets start from €11 per person one way when booked in advance. Prices vary significantly between operators: RegioJet from €14, EuroCity from €28, and Railjet Economy from €34. All trains depart from Wien Hauptbahnhof and arrive at Budapest Keleti.
Train Operator
ÖBB Railjet
Austria's flagship high-speed train, 230 km/h. Three classes: Economy, First, Business. Restaurant car with draught beer. Fastest option (~2h 20m).
Direct high-speed · 230 km/h max
Departure & Arrival Stations
Wien Hauptbahnhof
- Central Vienna
- U-Bahn U1 (Südtiroler Platz-Hauptbahnhof), tram. Vienna Airport via Railjet (~15 min, €4.40)
Budapest Keleti
- Central Budapest (Pest side)
- Metro M2, M4, tram, bus. Historic station built 1881-1884.
Classes of Service
Economy / 2nd Class
- Free WiFi
- Power outlets at seats
- Railjet Economy: open salon seating
- EuroCity: open salon or compartment seating
- RegioJet: at-seat service included
1st Class / First
- Wider seats with more legroom
- Railjet First: at-seat food service from restaurant car menu
- EuroCity 1st: quieter environment, wider seats
- Free WiFi and power outlets
Business Class (Railjet only)
- 16 leather cradle seats in semi-compartments
- At-seat food and drink service from restaurant car menu
- Maximum space and privacy
- Free WiFi and power outlets
- Exclusive to Railjet on this route
Tickets & Booking Tips
Starting Price
from €11 per person, one way in Economy / 2nd Class class. Prices vary by operator: RegioJet from €14, EuroCity from €28, Railjet Economy from €34. Railjet Business up to ~€105..
Book Early
Tickets are available Up to 6 months in advance (varies by operator). Advance bookings typically offer the lowest fares.
Children & Youth
Children aged 6-14 travel free with paying adult on ÖBB (ÖBB Family Fare). MÁV: children under 6 free, 6-14 discounted.. Standard adult fares apply from age 15.. Children under 6 travel free without a ticket (ÖBB rules).
Luggage
No formal baggage limits on Railjet and EuroCity trains.
Good to Know
Three Operators, One Route
This route is served by ÖBB Railjet (fastest, 3 classes including Business), MÁV EuroCity (traditional Hungarian carriages with compartments), and private operator RegioJet (budget-friendly, at-seat service). All depart from Wien Hbf and arrive at Budapest Keleti.
Hourly Frequency
ÖBB Railjet and MÁV EuroCity trains operate a combined hourly service throughout the day. With RegioJet services added, approximately 22 trains run daily. The earliest departure is around 06:40, the latest around 21:40.
Railjet Business Class
Railjet offers a premium Business Class with 16 leather cradle seats in semi-compartments. Food from the restaurant car menu can be ordered and served at your seat. Business Class is exclusive to Railjet on this route.
Schengen Area — No Border Controls
Both Austria and Hungary are in the Schengen Area. There are no formal passport controls. Carry valid photo ID as occasional onboard checks may occur.
Restaurant Car with Draught Beer
Railjet trains have a restaurant car with draught beer on tap, hot meals, and snacks. In First and Business Class, food orders are taken and served at your seat. MÁV EuroCity trains have a traditional restaurant car on selected services.
Intermediate Stops
Trains stop at Hegyeshalom and Győr in Hungary, and Budapest Kelenföld before reaching Budapest Keleti. Győr is Hungary's sixth-largest city and a possible day-trip stop.
Seat Reservation Recommended but Optional
Seat reservation is optional on both Railjet and EuroCity services but recommended, especially during summer and holidays. Reservations can be made when booking your ticket.
Night Train Available
ÖBB Nightjet operates a nightly service from Vienna to Budapest with seat, couchette (bunk), and private sleeper car options. This connects the route to the Munich and Zurich Nightjet network.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest Railjet trains take approximately 2 hours 20 minutes. Average journey time across all services is about 2 hours 37 minutes. EuroCity trains take around 2 hours 40-45 minutes.
Approximately 22 trains per day serve this route. ÖBB Railjet and MÁV EuroCity form a combined hourly service, supplemented by RegioJet trains running several times daily.
Prices vary by operator. RegioJet starts from approximately €14, EuroCity from €28, and Railjet Economy from €34. Advance booking typically offers better fares.
Railjet is the modern Austrian high-speed train with Economy, First, and Business classes, a restaurant car, and free Wi-Fi. EuroCity uses Hungarian carriages with compartment-style seating in addition to open salons, offering a more traditional experience.
Trains depart from Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna's main station) and arrive at Budapest Keleti (Eastern Station). Both are well-connected to local public transport including metro, tram, and bus.
Austria and Hungary are in the Schengen Area. There are no formal border checks, but carry valid photo ID. Onboard ticket and identity checks may occur.
Yes. Take a Railjet from Vienna Airport directly to Wien Hauptbahnhof (approximately 15 minutes, €4.40), then transfer to a Budapest-bound Railjet or EuroCity. The total journey takes approximately 3 hours including the transfer.
Yes. ÖBB Nightjet offers one nightly service with seat, couchette, and sleeper options. This train is part of the Nightjet network connecting Munich and Zurich with Budapest via Vienna.