Overnight Train Recommendations from Budapest to Krakow?

There is only one night train on this route, operated by the national railways of the two countries. I would buy tickets in Europe a few days ahead. You can also buy it on the Hungarian site using notes at http://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Budapest.htm#Budapest-Krakow. US agents are likely to charge more for this route.

This question comes up frequently in the Travel Forum and a daytime Polskibus is a popular option.

Can't help you with the train, but one alternative is Polski Bus. It's incredibly inexpensive (between 18 and 30 zloty one-way for your date if you buy in advance) and I saw that one option is an overnight one if you would prefer traveling overnight.

http://www.polskibus.com/en/index.htm

Agnes is right - this is one of the few routes better done by bus. Polski bus is amazingly inexpensive.

Well, that narrows down my search quite a bit, doesn't it. Thank you for all your input, it is much appreciated. Although bus is cheaper, my old back prefers a bed to lay in for sleep. Thanks again.

If you want some sort of sleeping accommodation, I wouldn't wait till arrival in Europe to book it; I'd buy right away if my travel date was certain. I don't know about couchettes (padded ledges), but beds in sleeping compartments definitely do sell out on some trains. (I don't know anything at all about the train in question.)

I took this exact route in reverse (Krakow to Budapest) about 16 months ago.

Be aware of something. There was major construction on the rail line between Krakow and Katowice when I was there. In fact, the trains weren't running on that leg of the journey. I had to take the bus, but it was delayed because of traffic and weather. As a result, when I got to Katowice, I was late and missed my train connection. Try to find if the rail construction is over between Krakow and Katowice.