Travel from Budapest to Krakow

Easiest & cheapest is by train, and you can get a nonstop train between these two cities. Flying or renting a car would each be more expensive. Of course you could drive if you wanted to. According to viamichelin.com, the driving distance is 392 kilometers. You can find info on trains out of Budapest here: www.mav-start.hu/english/index.php

Of course you can drive. They have good roads and good signs. However, you have to consider where you would be able to drop the car off. Unless you are somehow able to get back to your country of origin, you will pay hundreds of $ on drop fees. Also, consider that you have no use for a car in either city. In fact, it is costly to park and a hinderance to your piece of mind. The trains are fine. However, if you are considering the night train between the two cities (that we took last summer) keep in mind that, since the trip is not really far enough to merit a night train, the train makes frequent lengthy stops with station noise to disturb your sleep. It also arrives at 6:40 AM which can be an inconvenient way to start your sight seeing day (very tired for lack of sleep). But both cities are great and derserve your visit! Krakow, in partcular was a wonderful surprise for us. "Greg and Tom's" hostel is the best value in town. Decent rooms well located. Great breakfast, snacks during the day, and even a FREE dinner every night. You may want to check out the relevant sections of our trip blog here; www.lee-reid2010.blogspot.com Good luck.

RailEurope shows train #10476 departing Budapest at 19:58 arriving Krakow 06:24 requires "no connections", which I took to mean "no stops." My error. Thanks to Ilja for the correction.

Unfortunately there is no nonstop train between Budapest and Krakow as Tom says. Actually there are between 18 and 28 stops. On most trains you have to change once or twice, overnight is direct.