How to Get to Budapest from Prague

If you have already enjoyed all there is to see and do in Prague, you can round off your trip by visiting another of the so-called pearls of the Danube. These are, in addition to the Czech capital, Vienna and Budapest. In this guide we will focus on the best ways to travel from Prague to the Hungarian capital.

Budapest lies just over 500 kilometres southeast of Prague. The Hungarian capital is well connected to Prague and Vienna with the Danube as the common point between the three capitals. This natural communication route between the three cities gave rise to a transport system that connects the three cities in a very efficient way. Below, I will show you the best means of transport to travel from Prague to Budapest.

The most comfortable way to travel from Prague to Budapest is undoubtedly by train. It is not the fastest way (the journey takes 6 hours and 45 minutes), but considering comfort and price it is probably the best option for most travellers. Trains run from Prague Central Station to Budapest every two hours from 5:49 a.m. to 3:52 p.m. The train leaves from Prague Central Station every two hours from 5:49 a.m. to 3:52 p.m. and runs from Ceské dráhy to Budapest.

Ceské dráhy is the main company offering these trips and the average price is around 29 euros if you buy online. If you book well in advance it is possible to find offers for as little as 20 euros. If you wait to buy your ticket at the station, the price can go up to almost 70 euros.

The night train from Prague to Budapest deserves a special mention. This option allows you to travel at night and sleep on the same train in compartments with beds and even a bathroom and shower. This train departs daily from Prague Central Station at 00:00 at night and arrives in Budapest around 8:30 in the morning. This is the best option for optimising time, as, although it is slower, we arrive in Budapest rested and with the whole day to enjoy.

Useful information

• Price: 20-30 euros normal train. 32-80 euros night train.
• Operating companies: Ceske drahy.
• Distance and travel time: Between 6 hours 45 minutes and 8 hours.
• Recommended if: You are looking for the best value for money, comfort and journey time.

The bus is a similar alternative to the train in terms of travel time, slightly cheaper, but less comfortable. The duration depends on the route. Direct buses take between 6.5 and 7 hours. Buses depart from Prague's ÚAN Florenc bus station and there is a wide range of timetables, including an overnight route which departs around midnight and arrives in Budapest around 6am.

There are three companies which operate direct routes between Prague and Budapest:

• Student Agency, which offers 6 daytime routes and one night-time route.
• FlixBus with 3 day routes and one night route.
• Eurolines, which offers only two day trips.

Prices are cheaper than by train and range between 15 and 20 euros. It always depends on the route chosen and, as with the train, if you buy online and in advance you will find better deals.

Useful information

• Price: 15-20 euros.
• Operating companies: Student Agency, FlixBus and Eurolines.
• Distance and travel time: 525 kilometres. 6 hours and 45 minutes.
• Recommended if: you don't mind giving up the comfort of the train in exchange for saving a few euros.

The plane is always the fastest way to travel from Prague to Budapest. The journey takes only an hour and a quarter, although adding the transfer to the airport, boarding time, security checks and other factors, it takes approximately 4 hours from the centre of Prague to the centre of Budapest.

The main disadvantage is the price compared to other means of transport such as train or bus. The average cost of a ticket is around 80 euros, if you buy it in advance, although with luck and a lot of anticipation there are offers for around 40 euros. There are three companies operating non-stop flights between these two cities: Ryanair, Czech Airlines and SmartWings.

Useful information

• Price: 80 euros on average.
• Carriers operating: Ryanair, Czech Airlines and SmartWings.
• Distance and duration of the journey: 1 hour and 15 min flight. About 4 hours in total.
• Recommended if: you find a good deal and are looking for the fastest way to travel.

If you travel to Prague by car or rent a car, you can travel to Budapest by road. It's a long but manageable and comfortable journey, as the two cities are well connected by good motorways and roads. The most direct routeis 525 kilometres, which can be covered in just over 5 hours.

If you decide to make this journey by road, you should bear in mind that you will cross two borders, as you will pass through Slovakia to enter Hungary. Another slightly longer route would take you through Austria. Apart from the borders there are no tolls, but in Hungary it is compulsory to drive with a temporary sticker valid for 10 days, which can be bought at any petrol station for 11 euros.

Useful information

• Price: depends on fuel costs. The Michelin Guide estimates about 40 euros.
• Distance and duration of the journey: 525 kilometres. 5 hours.
• Recommended if: you have a car and want to move around as freely as possible.

Since Vienna is situated between Prague and Budapest, many travellers take the opportunity to stop in Vienna for a day or two before visiting Budapest from Prague. It's a very common route, so the options for getting from one city to the other are extensive. Here's a guide to getting from Prague to Vienna.

The distance from Vienna to Budapest is less than 300 kilometres, so bus and train travel is easy and it takes less than three hours to get from one capital to the other by road. Air travel is not recommended, as the distance is short and the prices are very high.

Useful information

• Distance and travel time: 243 kilometres. 2.5 hours.
• Recommended if: you want to take advantage of the journey between Prague and Budapest to see another great European capital.

• It is advisable tobuy tickets in advance in order to get them cheaper. This applies to trains, buses and planes.
• The night train is the best option. As well as being comfortable, it is the most efficient way to visit Budapest from Prague without losing half a day's travel time.
• Find your accommodation in Budapest in a place well connected to the train and bus stations.
• If you are travelling by car, it is compulsory tobuy a sticker for driving in Hungary. You can do this at a service station.