Trains from Prague to Budapest

Safer than Guadalupe St. at 5 in the morning. If you are going to be in Prague a few days prior to your train trip you should have no problem getting tickets and you should get good fares. The only exception might be the 11th to 18th of August during the Sziget. Festival. Its a long trip. You should really cut your stay in Prague a day short and spend a night in Vienna.

If you book your ticket well in advance (up to 90 days allowed) on the Czech Rail site, you can get a discount fare as low as 498 CZK ($26 US). If you were to buy a 2nd class ticket at the station tomorrow, it would cost 760 CZK ($40 US).

Thanks guys...and so true about Guadalupe or 6th Street. I'm meeting my husband in Budapest for a few days, then we will catch a train to Vienna and fly back to the US from there. I just keep reading about taxi cabs and pick pocketers in both Budapest and Prague. I could not believe how expensive air fare was for the 1.5 hour flight.

I would stop reading and worrying about pick pockets. We just got back from all three cities. No problems but be safe, be on guard, just like any other city or crowded area in any part of the world, including Austin. I carried the same pacsafe purse I've carried all over Europe with no problems. My husband does the pacsafe front pocket wallet.

I spend 4 - 6 weeks each year in central Europe; mostly Budapest but Prague, Vienna, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, etc as well and in general I feel as safe there as I do here in Texas. The only time I ever get the least little bit nervous is in the crowds of the Old Town in Prague. Even that is minimal and I just make sure the wallet is in the zipped front pocket. The crime rate in Budapest is among the lowest in Europe and you can wander the streets late with a little common sense.

I have been on a lot of trains in Europe with no problem but never a sleeper. Seems to me the trip from Prague to Budapest is too short for a good nights rest. Then I haven't figured out what I would do in the next town in the very early morning , sort of stinky from the overnight, luggage in hand and no check in for a shower until mid afternoon. Just not my style.

Hey guys, I am headed the other direction...meaning I need to go to Prague from Budapest. I hear contradicting stories of the train ride being long and boring OR nice and scenic. Those of you who've been what are your thoughts? Seems from what I've found so far that the train is a LOT cheaper then flying would be but for the sake of time I'd love to fly and just get there. Any helpful suggestions would be very appreciated as I'm headed there in a couple of weeks. Thanks in advance.

BGreen

If you have the time then stop for a night or two in Vienna and make the train ride work for you. That will make it about 3 hours in one leg and four hours in the second.

Vs. flying? 45 minutes to the airport, arrive 1.5 hours early, 1.5 hours in the air, another 30 minutes in the airport and then 45 minutes into town amounts to a 5 hour trip door to door. The train door to door with station time I think will run you about 8 hours.

Or hire a guide to take you to Vienna by car with a few very interesting stops on the way, spend a night then take the train. again, a day well spent.

BGreen,

TAP Portugal flies directly from Budapest to Prague in 1hr10min, but only on Tuesdays. Direct flights on any other airline will be pricey.

Even though I've never taken the train on that route, I'll still recommend it. The ride takes just under seven hours and you have your choice of several departure times. If the scenery isn't great, read a book, write in your travel journal, or take a nap. Arrive relaxed and refreshed.