Budapest Blog

Traveling by train from Budapest to Vienna is simple, cheap and comfortable. Here are some frequently asked questions with the answers:

How much does it cost to travel from Budapest to Vienna by train?
The train ticket is approx. 3600 HUF/ 13 euros / 20 USD (single ticket) or 8600 HUF/ 31 euros / 47 USD (return ticket). It’s the price of a full adult ticket. The best Budapest – Vienna train ticket is referred to as ‘SparSchiene’ ticket (say shpar-shee-ne). An interesting thing is that the Budapest-Vienna train ticket is slightly cheaper to buy in Budapest than in Vienna (e.g. single is 13 euros in Budapest vs. 19 euros in Vienna).

Kids between 6-14 years of age travel approx. half price.

Special deal about the return train ticket: if you buy the return ticket between Budapest – Vienna, your two-way ticket is valid for 4 days. Plus on the first two (only 2!) days of your trip to Vienna, you can freely use the trams (streetcars), metros, buses free (incl. VOR 100 zone local buses, S-Bahns, ÖBB regional trains and Wiener Lokalbahnen trains too.). Mind you, if the very favorable ‘SparSchiene’ tickets are sold out, a one-way train ticket from Budapest to Vienna is about 6700 HUF/ 24 euros / 36 USD (no public transport pass included). See further deals below!

Is it cheaper if I buy the train ticket online?
Basically, no. And the worst thing is that neither the Hungarian nor the Austrian railway websites are prepared for online rail purchases in English (just in the native tongues of Hungarian and German, respectively). Nevertheless, if you speak German, you can try to go through the buying procedure here (sorry, I do not assume you speak Hungarian…) :)

Are there any further deals or reductions?
Special discount is for kids between the age 6 and 14 (approx. -50%). Additional goodies: the ‘SparSchiene’ ticket includes a two-day free public transportation pass in Vienna: during the first 2 days in Vienna, you can freely travel by trams (streetcars), metros, buses, and the following vehicles in the VOR 100 zone: local buses, S-Bahns, ÖBB regional trains and Wiener Lokalbahnen trains too.

Where do trains from Budapest to Vienna leave?
Budapest-Vienna trains leave from Keleti Palyaudvar (abbreviated as Keleti pu.) railway station (say: keh-let-y pah-ya-ood-vahr). You can easily get there by taking the metro (red metro line) and getting off directly at Keleti pu. station (approx. 10-15 min from the city center, Deák tér station). You can also take the bus number 7, whose route goes from the Buda side to the Pest side and touches upon Gellert Spa Bath, Elisabeth Bridge, Vaci utca shopping street, Astoria square, Blaha square.

Hey, where on earth is Keleti Pu. Railway station?
OK, here’s the Budapest Tourist Map to help you (see the train sign in the middle? You can also click on any of the icons to get more info, or follow the blue link ‘View Larger Map’ under the map to get a larger picture of Budapest).

View Budapest Tourist Map in a larger map

How long does the train trip take from Hungary to Austria?
Traveling time is about 3-4 hours (similarly to the Budapest Vienna bus ride). Check the exact duration here.

Are there any passport checks, delays or other inconveniences when the train crosses the border of Austria and Hungary?
Not any more! Hungary joined the Schengen area December 21, 2007. No more borders to keep buses up for passport check. (likewise, rail passengers enjoy the same smooth crossing between the two countries).

How many trains leave for Vienna a day? What about the train schedule?
Trains leave almost every two hours! So trains are very frequent between these two beautiful cities. For instance, on a weekday you could leave Budapest for Viena at approx. 6am, 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm. Excellent connections, right? The Budapest-Vienna train schedule may change, so always check the fresh data, please:

Where can I buy train tickets in Budapest?
Train tickets can be bought at any railway stations in Budapest: e.g. Nyugati Pu (on the Pest side – accessible easily by blue metro line), Deli pu (on the Buda side – accessible easily by red metro line) or at Keleti pu (on the Pest side – accessible easily by red metro line). All 3 major railway stations are quite in the city center, and are the names of given metro stops, so you can’t miss them.
Online purchase: unfortunately, on the Hungarian railway ticket system, you need to speak Hungarian to go through the purches process, so let’s skip this option for a while. And you may be surprised, but the Austrian railway ticket system only has a German speaking version… Sad, isn’t it? But at least you can call the Austrian call center if you have any questions: 00-43-05-1717.

Are the trains comfortable?
Sure they are. If you need something more comfy, you need to buy a more expensive train ticket for the first class (the prices above refer to second class regualr seats)

Any quick programs at Keleti railway station?
If you are stuck at Keleti train station (which is a beautiful historical building), and you have a couple of hours to kill, for example you want to eat something in the neighborhood, you can see from the entrance of the station the Golden Park Hotel or diagonally the Best Western Hotel Hungaria, which are two hotels right on the square (5 min walk from the railway station) – you can have an elegant cup of coffee or lunch there. Likewise the really luxurious and lavish secessionist cafe of New York Cafe of the New York Palace five star Boscolo Hotel is only one metro stop away from Keleti, on Blaha square. For further dining options see the knife and fork sign on the map. (If you prefer fast food restaurants, there is a McDonald’s right next to the railway station.)
In general, the city center is only 15-20 min by metro (red metro line) so you can check out some of the attractions of Budapest (also on the map).

Buses or Trains from Budapest to Vienna?
The vast majority of users on forums (me added) will say: TRAINS are better to travel from Hungary to Austria. But if you wish to learn more about bus travel from Budapest to Vienna, follow the link.

updated: Nov 04, 2009

One of the most popular spa baths in Budapest is Gellert Baths, the renovation of which has been partially finished this April, according to index.hu, Hungarian news portal.

The reconstructions works (1.5 billion HUF) are challenging as the art deco style of the baths built in 1917 need to be preserved. During the renovation period, the separate male and female thermal bath units were functioning in a co-ed style, but in a couple of weeks, you will not need to wear swimming costumes, the old apron system will come back.

After the second world war, there was not enough money to reconstruct more expensive art deco elements, so several details were simply replaced by cheaper socialist style solutions. The 2007-2008 baths reconstructions have brought back the glory of the 1917 secessionist Gellert Baths. Enjoy!

Photo by Istvan Huszti from Index.hu (http://index.hu/gal/?dir=0804/kult/gellert/)

Museum Cafe and Restaurant (Múzeum Étterem) is right next to the National Museum in the city center. The reputable restaurant also recommended by the Michelin Guide for Budapest Restaurants was established in 1885. So that’s why its name is also Museum. The large wall painting, the mural has been made by one of the national celebrity painters of the 19th century, Karoly Lotz. The wine list is quite long featuring many of the 22 Hungarian wine regions. Saturday only lunch specials are recommended if you want to taste something Hungarian in an old-style Hungarian restaurant.

Address: Múzeum krt. 12. Budapest 8th district 1088
Phone: 00-36-1-338-4221
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12:00- 24:00 (Sundays closed)
Note: after 7pm booking a table is a good idea (even though the restaurant seats 120+40). World-renowned Hungarian Zsolnay porcelain is used for serving. Closed on Sundays.
Getting here:

• metro (red line) Astoria station, then a few minute walk or (blue line) Kálvin tér station then a few min walk on Múzeum krt.
• trams/ streetcars: number 47 or 49
• buses: number 9 or 15

See the location of Museum Cafe and Restaurant on the Budapest Tourist Map (check the knife and fork map icon in the middle, and click on the icons to learn more about the neighboring places of interest or click on the View Larger Map blue link under the map). Notice that Museum Cafe and Restaurant is only a few steps from the National Museum (entrance is free!), and is also very close to the old Jewish district with the Grand Synagogue (Moorish-Byzantine neolog synagogue), as well as the beautiful Pushkin Film Theater (Puskin Mozi). The Reformed Church on Kálvin tér or the Franciscan Church on Ferenciek tere are about 5-10 min walk to Muzeum Restaurant.

View Larger Map

Alabardos Restaurant (Alabardos Etterem), which is located in a nice old Gothic building from the 15th century, is only a few steps from the Gothic Matthias Church and the panoramic ramparts on top of the Castle hill called Fishermen’s Bastion. Alabardos Etterem is recommended by the Budapest Michelin guide. The restaurant has a terrace and a garden besides the internal rooms, which are all decorated in a style that combines medieval memorabilia, walls, colors with 19th century refurbishment. “The atmosphere inside is hushed and elegant, although slightly pretentious. They appreciate “appropriately” dressed guests at this conservative establishment” (Frommer’s travel guide, New York Times). Wine selection is assisted by a sommelier. World-famous Zsolnay and Herend porcelains are used for dining.

Address: Országház utca 2, Budapest 1014
Phone: 00-36-1-356-0851
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 19:00.-23:00, Sat: 12:00-16:00 and 19:00-23:00 (Closed on Sunday)
Note: Closed on Sunday. Music: live classical music and guitar solos (unobtrusive). Booking in advance is recommended. Attire: preferably formal.

Getting here:

• bus: Várbusz (minibus leaving from Moszkva tér metro station) or Bus number 16 from Deák tér metro station
• Funicular from Adam Clark square at the Chain Bridge, then turn right and walk towards the Matthias church tower

See the location of Alabardos Restaurant on the Budapest Tourist map (check the knife and fork map icon in the middle, and click on the icons to learn more about the neighboring places of interest). Notice that Alabardos Restaurant is in the Castle District on top of the Castle Hill (Varhegy), very close to the Matthias Church, the Fishermen’s Bastion, the Hungarian House of Wines, the historical little confectioner’s Cafe Ruszwurm, and of course the Royal Palace itself with its numerous exhibitions.

View Larger Map

Gundel Budapest (also mistakenly called Gundels or Grundel Restaurant) is a has grown a solid term over the last decades in Hungary. Gundel Restaurant (Gundel Etterem) bears aristocratic majesty in its several rooms with antique furniture, walls, glasswork, etc. Although the well-known restaurant is recommended by the Budapest Michelin guide, so far no stars have been give to it (strangely enough, not to any of the restaurants in the former Eastern block behind the iron curtain).

As the New York Times’ Frommer’s travel guide writes: “Budapest’s fanciest and most famous restaurant, Gundel was reopened in 1992 under the auspices of the well-known restaurateur George Lang, owner of New York’s Café des Artistes. The Hungarian-born Lang, author of The Cuisine of Hungary, and his partner Ronald Lauder, son of Estée Lauder and a one-time New York gubernatorial candidate, spared no effort in attempting to re-create the original splendor for which Gundel, founded in 1894, achieved its international reputation.”

Sunday brunches, which change their theme every week, are quite affordable for 5800 HUF (there’s a 50% discount for children under 15, while it’s free under 5)

Address: Állatkerti út 2. Budapest 1146 (14th district)
Phone: 00-36-1-468-4040
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 12:00-16:00 and 18:30-24:00, Colonnade Bar: 09:00-24:00, Sunday Brunch: 11:30-15:00
Note: Book a table in advance. Celebs are frequent, pets are not allowed (nor celeb dogs as the cross-section). Attire: formal (jackets in the evenings are obligatory). House specialties are smoked gooseliver, lamb, wild-game entrees, Gundel pancake dessert (Gundel palacsinta) with chocolate, ground walnut, etc.

Getting here:

• metro (yellow underground line) at Hosok tere station
• trolley bus: number 72, get off at either Szondi utca or Állatkert stop (the restaurant is about halfway between the two stops)

See the location of Gundel Restaurant on the Budapest Tourist Map (check the knife and fork map icon in the middle, and click on the icons to learn more about the neighboring places of interest or click on the View Larger Map blue link under the map). Notice that Gundel Restaurant is close to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Hall of Arts and the Millennial Monument on Heroes’ Square. The restaurant is practically neighboring the Art Deco ZOO, as well as the Budapest Circus and is fairly close to the Szechenyi Baths at the City Park, and the House of Horror museum on Andrassy avenue.

View Larger Map

And this is the Salon of Gundel Budapest:

Nice, isn’t it?