Budapest to Krakow

There is a direct overnight train, or daytime trains with connections, or you might find an affordable flight. See these recent threads:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/poland/krakow-to-budapest

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/poland/polrail-com-overnight-train-from-krakow-to-budapest

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/poland/bus-train-fly-from-krakow-to-budapest

I would recommend flying (and did on the other thread) but another poster added this link which looks intriguing:
http://transferbudapesthungary.com/vienna-bratislava-prague-budapest-airport-transfer-taxi.html
For two or more it would be a cost-effective and scenic alternative to either flying or the train. Worth checking out, and the gent who posted it (the same James E. who posted here) can no doubt provide personal information regarding the quality of the experience.

I had considered this trip and did some research but it seemed that I couldn't fly direct from Budapest to Krakow--I could to Warsaw, though. Didn't want to waste time transferring planes so gave up on that idea altogether.

I think the train is the best option from Budapest to Krakow--and by the way, both cities are absolutely enchanting, each in their different way--I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

That has always been the issue with Krakow. It is difficult to get to. http://transferbudapesthungary.com/vienna-bratislava-prague-budapest-airport-transfer-taxi.html If there are two of you its cheaper than flying. If there are three of you its a bargain. Have them pick you up at 5 pm on your last day in Krakow and you can be well settled in Budapest that evening.

I've been to Krakow, arrived there and departed from there and will return there for a future, repeat visit of the city. Getting to Krakow I don't find it hard to do, one can go from Warsaw, Berlin, the direct night train from Budapest, from Vienna. I got there from Warsaw by train, left Krakow for Berlin, a direct day train in July, took ca 10 hrs. But that was in 2001, I would assume the ride would take less time now.

Fred always makes me regret getting lazy in my posts.

Krakow is one of those places that generally takes 5 or more hours to reach from the major tourist cities in the region. This cuts into the tourist trade somewhat. It would benefit from a direct flight from Vienna and Budapest. Ryan Air did have a high season direct flight from Budapest some years back but I haven't seen it in a while.

Extremely lazy in your posts James E.

Krakow IS one, if not THE major tourist city in the region, and is no more difficult to get to than any other city in Europe

And certainly does not suffer a cut in tourist trade from it's location or accessibility.

clarky_phil i guess i touched a nerve. You are correct. Being somewhat isolated it does indeed constitute its own region and as such it is the major attraction in that region. While i have never been there (too far for my schedules to date) i have heard its a magnificent place visually and historically and well worth the time and distance to visit. Definitely high on my list.

The Seat61 guy recommends Polrail Service for booking trains to/from Krakow.

I see there the Vienna-Krakow and the Krakow-Prague trains, so there should be no problem to book.

A lot of excellent information. However, my wife and I are going in the opposite direction (Krakow to Budapest). Flying is out…too long. Overnight train looks good, However again, I can't seem to find any infer about reservations. We will be there in late Nov.

It looks like schedule isn't out yet past Nov 9 (as of today), but booking on this site is quite easy.

https://booking.polrail.com/

We would like to go up through middle of Slovakia from Budapest to Krakow. We are looking into private bus tours or transfers. The Transfer-Budapest one mentioned a few times indicates no availability on our date. I have found this bus service. https://cestovnelistky.studentagency.sk/. Any one with experience with this group or know of another. We are fine with an overnight somewhere in the middle of Slovakia as well.