- Must visit
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
Vienna’s premier fine-arts museum, famed for the Habsburg collections, Old Masters, Egyptian antiquities, and its grand Ringstrasse setting.
Cheapest price
$20
Average price
$61
Fastest journey
2 h 28 m
Average duration
2 h 34 m
Trains per day
42
Distance
214 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Budapest to Vienna is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Budapest to Vienna will cost around $61 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $20.
Of the 42 trains that leave Budapest for Vienna on Sat, May 30, 20 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, May 30 the direct trains cover the 214 km distance in an average of 2 h 34 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 28 m .
On Sat, May 30 the slowest trains will take 2 h 37 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
RJ 1036 (Budapest -> Prague)
RJ 1068 (Budapest -> Vienna)
RJ 1034 (Budapest -> Prague)
RJ 1032 (Budapest -> Prague)
EC 342
EC 146
RJ 1068 (Budapest -> Vienna)
RJ 1036 (Budapest -> Prague)
RJ 1032 (Budapest -> Prague)
RJ 1034 (Budapest -> Prague)Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Budapest to Vienna among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $14. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 32m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $14, and a flight costs an average of $165.
Distance: 132 miles (214 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$34 Average price | $28 Average price Cheapest | $542 Average price | $83 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 7m Average total duration 2h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 28m Average total duration 2h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 32m Average total duration Fastest 2h 32m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.6 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Budapest to Vienna:
A bus is $6 (€5) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Budapest to Vienna costing on average $34 (€28).
A bus is $513 (€414) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Budapest to Vienna costing on average $542 (€437).
Other travel options to Vienna take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 37m.
Bus takes on average 2h 58m.
The journey is about 8m faster (2h 37m by train vs 2h 45m by car) and roughly $48 (€39) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($34 (€28) vs $83 (€67)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with RegioJet a.s., ÖBB | Euro City (EC), ÖBB, ÖBB | Railjet, EuroNight, Hungarian Railways (MÁV).
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Budapest to Vienna trains for today, Friday, May 29. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RJX 266 · RJX 569 | 7:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 10:57 PM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
RJX 266 | 7:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 10:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 462 | 8:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 11:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 462+ S 2 · S 7 | 8:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 3h41 | 12:11 AM Vienna Airport | 2 transfers | |
| Saturday, May 30 | |||||
R 4980+ ER 62+ REX 64 | 1:25 AM Budapest-Deli | 5h20 | 6:45 AM Vienna Hbf | 2 transfers | |
R 4980+ ER 62+ REX 64+ IC 1249 | 1:25 AM Budapest-Deli | 6h02 | 7:27 AM Vienna Airport | 3 transfers | |
R 4910+ REX 64+ ER 62 | 3:10 AM Budapest-Deli | 4h34 | 7:44 AM Vienna Hbf | 2 transfers | |
R 4910+ ER 62+ REX 64+ IC 541 | 3:10 AM Budapest-Deli | 5h17 | 8:27 AM Vienna Airport | 3 transfers | |
EC 342 | 5:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 8:20 AM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 342+ RJ 655 | 5:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 8:57 AM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
RJX 162 · RJX 669 | 6:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 9:57 AM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
RJX 162 | 6:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 2h48 | 9:18 AM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RJX 60 | 7:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 10:20 AM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RJX 60+ RJ 657 | 7:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 10:57 AM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
RJ 1032 (Budapest -> Prague) | 7:55 AM Budapest-Kelenfoeld | 2h37 | 10:32 AM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 140 | 8:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 11:20 AM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 140+ RJX 861 | 8:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 11:57 AM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
RJX 62 | 9:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 12:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RJX 62+ RJ 659 | 9:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 12:57 PM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
EC 142 | 10:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 1:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 142+ RJX 863 | 10:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 1:57 PM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
RJX 64+ RJ 551 | 11:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 2:57 PM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
RJX 64 | 11:30 AM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 2:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RJ 1034 (Budapest -> Prague) | 11:55 AM Budapest-Kelenfoeld | 2h37 | 2:32 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 144+ RJX 865 | 12:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 3:57 PM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
EC 144 | 12:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 3:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RJX 66 | 1:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 4:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RJX 66+ RJ 113 | 1:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 4:57 PM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
R 3416+ EC 146+ RJX 867 | 2:20 PM Budapest Keleti | 3h37 | 5:57 PM Vienna Airport | 2 transfers | |
R 3416+ EC 146 | 2:20 PM Budapest Keleti | 3h00 | 5:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 1 transfer | |
EC 146+ RJX 867 | 2:52 PM Budapest-Kelenfoeld | 3h05 | 5:57 PM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
EC 146 | 2:52 PM Budapest-Kelenfoeld | 2h28 | 5:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RJ 1036 (Budapest -> Prague) | 2:55 PM Budapest-Kelenfoeld | 2h37 | 5:32 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RJX 68 | 3:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 6:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RJX 68+ RJ 555 | 3:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 6:57 PM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
EC 148 | 4:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 7:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 148+ RJX 869 | 4:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 7:57 PM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
RJX 264 | 5:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 8:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
RJX 264 · RJX 567 | 5:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 8:57 PM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
RJ 1068 (Budapest -> Vienna) | 5:55 PM Budapest-Kelenfoeld | 2h32 | 8:27 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 340 | 6:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 2h50 | 9:20 PM Vienna Hbf | 0 transfersDirect | |
EC 340+ RJ 757 | 6:30 PM Budapest Keleti | 3h27 | 9:57 PM Vienna Airport | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
By Albie Pearce
Budapest and Vienna are two of Europe’s most amazing capital cities, both known for stunning architecture and fascinating culture. The two cities are also well connected by express trains, departing frequently on the route from Budapest to Vienna. In this article, I’ll be showing you the experience of traveling on these high-quality, great-value trains and sharing a few of my tips to get the most out of your trip!

A video thumbnail of the Railjet train on a train platform with the text Budapest to Vienna Aboard the Railjet.
Our journey from Budapest to Vienna travels west, closely following the mighty Danube River for much of its journey. We will pass through the major city of Győr before crossing the border into Austria. Our train trip covers 257 kilometers, with a travel time of just over 2.5 hours, making the train a very convenient option. Roughly half of the trains use modern ÖBB Railjet carriages from Austrian State Railways, which is the train I’ll be showing you today. Many other departures consist of slightly older EuroCity carriages from Hungarian State Railways (MÁV), while private operator RegioJet also offers a few trains throughout the day. You could also take the bus from Budapest to Vienna, but this is a slower way to travel with limited onboard facilities. In my opinion, buses are nowhere near as comfortable, so the train really is the best choice!
Taking the train from Budapest to Vienna really couldn't be any easier. There’s no formal check-in process: you simply turn up at the station and board the train. If you’ve reserved a seat, this will be clearly shown on your e-ticket—and if not, you can select any available seat in your class of travel onboard. These modern ÖBB Railjet trains ride smoothly and come equipped with free Wi-Fi. My favorite feature is the onboard restaurant—I almost always visit this when traveling on this route. The train offers a relaxing and civilized way to travel from Budapest to Vienna, and I highly recommend it to anyone!

A video thumbnail of the Railjet train on a train platform with the text Budapest to Vienna Aboard the Railjet.
Most trains depart from the Budapest Keleti Train Station, situated about one kilometer east of the city center. The station is connected to Lines 2 and 3 of the Budapest Metro, but it’s also easy enough to walk to the station. The station building is incredible and one of my favorites in Europe. It features a few shops and eateries, as well as a Premium Lounge for First Class and Business Class passengers.
The arrival station is Vienna Main Station (Vienna Hbf). This modern station opened in 2014 and is impressive in its own right. It's located around two kilometers from the center, with connections to commuter trains and U-Bahn (metro) services.
Trains from Budapest to Vienna are very frequent, with at least an hourly service from early morning to late evening. Railjet - 8x daily departures EuroCity - 8x daily departures RegioJet - 4x daily departures
I traveled on the Railjet for my journey—the RJX 64 in particular—departing at 11:40, with a journey time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. I selected Business Class for the journey, but First and Second Class are both great options for the trip, too. All classes have access to: Comfortable seating Free Wi-Fi Power sockets The dining car Travel Classes Second Class: Starting at €15, this offers comfortable and spacious seating, with tables for four or pairs of airline-style seating. A great budget option! First Class: For as little as €10 extra, you can enjoy reclining leather seats and the option to have a solo seat or a table for two. Extra legroom is provided, and you can enjoy at-seat service from the dining car. Business Class For an additional fixed fee of just €16, you can upgrade to Business Class, with massive leather armchairs and a generous recline. All seats are in compartments designed for solo travelers or groups of up to four. This is the most luxurious option—and my preferred choice! The Dining Car The dining car is one of my favorite aspects of the ÖBB Railjet. All passengers are able to take advantage of it, while First Class and Business Class passengers also have the option of in-seat dining. The dining car menu is expansive, featuring various main courses, snacks, hot and cold drinks, plus a selection of seasonal specials. On this trip, I tried the spinach spaetzle in a smoked cream sauce and an apple strudel for dessert. The total cost was €20, with the option to pay by credit card or cash (euro or Hungarian forint).
Budapest to Vienna train ticket prices are based on demand, with fully flexible options available for spontaneous travel. Booking far ahead on Omio will likely offer you significant savings. I booked my ticket two months ahead and paid:
| Item | Cost (eur) |
|---|---|
| Ticket price | €45 |
| Food & drinks | €20 |
| Travel to departure station | € |
| Travel from arrival station | € |
| Total | € 65 |
Traveling by Railjet train from Budapest to Vienna is a terrific experience, especially in Business Class, which is my personal recommendation. It’s certainly more convenient and comfortable than taking the bus between the two cities! Book train tickets on Omio now to travel at the best price in your chosen travel class.

Trains from Budapest to Vienna run on average 18 times per day, taking around 2h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $11 (€9) if you book in advance.
There are 11 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 132 miles (214 km) distance in 2h 27m.
Distance 132 miles (214 km) |
Average train duration 2h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price $11 (€9) |
Trains per day 18 |
Direct trains 11 |
Fastest train 2h 27m |
First train 12:02 AM |
Last train 11:56 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Vienna — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Vienna trip today.
Vienna’s premier fine-arts museum, famed for the Habsburg collections, Old Masters, Egyptian antiquities, and its grand Ringstrasse setting.
Major art museum known for its graphic arts collection, Monet to Picasso highlights, and strong temporary exhibitions in the city center.
Baroque palace museum complex best known for Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, with Austrian art from the Middle Ages to modernism.
The walkable old town core, packed with grand streets, churches, courtyards, and elegant architecture around Stephansplatz.
Vienna’s busiest central square and natural orientation point, surrounded by major shopping streets and historic buildings.
The grand boulevard encircling the inner city, ideal for walking past Vienna’s most monumental public buildings.
Vienna’s signature dish: a thin veal cutlet breaded and fried until crisp, traditionally served with potato salad or parsley potatoes.
Boiled beef in broth, famously associated with Viennese cuisine, usually served with apple-horseradish, chive sauce, and potatoes.
A classic Austrian-style fried chicken dish long popular in Vienna, known for its crunchy coating and tender meat.
One of Vienna’s most acclaimed fine-dining restaurants, known for modern Austrian cuisine, tasting menus, and polished service.
Beloved central tavern serving hearty Austrian specialties, seasonal dishes, and a warm old-Vienna ambiance.
Historic Viennese restaurant famous for oversized schnitzel and classic Austrian dishes in a lively traditional setting.
Prices are high by Central European standards, especially for hotels and dining, but public transport is good value.
Service is often included, but rounding up is customary. In restaurants, add about 5-10% for good service. Round up taxi fares. Small tips are appreciated in cafés and for hotel staff.
Official public transport app
Vienna Hbf -> Stephansplatz, Vienna
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Budapest to Vienna by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Vienna, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need