Two fantastic European capitals. Two different vibes. If you’re planning a European rail trip, both Vienna and Budapest are likely to form part of your itinerary. It’ll be hard to miss Vienna in particular – even just passing through. It could be considered as the ‘rail capital of Europe’ with its plethora of international rail services thanks to Austria’s ideal positioning in central Europe, with borders across eight countries and a rail-centric focus in its infrastructure planning. Many railway routes lead to Vienna…
If you want to sample both the grand Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture of Vienna and the lively scene and unique attractions of Budapest (16th century thermal bath, anyone?), how do you travel between the two cities and what options are available?
Train travel is straightforward between these two major cities, with journey times typically hovering around the two hours and forty minutes mark to travel between Vienna’s Main Station (Hauptbahnhof) and Budapest’s Eastern Station (Keleti) – with hourly frequency during the day.
Like the destinations themselves, the two types of train that operate on the same route offer a different travel experience. Therefore, it’s worth considering your preferred option. Firstly, there’s the RailJet of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) (not to be confused with RegioJet, a private operator running a handful of services on the same route) and secondly there’s the conventional EuroCity trains operating with carriages from the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV-START, or MÁV) on this route. Both trains stop at the same stations en-route.
The international journey from Vienna to Budapest by train is a journey of contrasts and, although both countries are part of the Schengen free travel area (with no formal border checks), you will notice when you’ve crossed this rail border. Austria’s rail network is modern and clean while Hungary’s is a little run down with bags of charm. From Vienna, when you reach Hegyeshalom railway station on the Hungarian side of the border, you can hear the clickety-clack of the retro split-flap departure boards (who needs LEDs?) and a catalogue of jingles to denote different train types filling the station prior to their announcements. A delightful contrast.
I have been fortunate to experience both the ÖBB RailJet and the MÁV EuroCity on recent trips between the two capitals. Which is the best train from Vienna to Budapest you ask and what are they like to travel on? Here’s the all important route map.
Option 1: ÖBB RailJet train 🔴
To kick things off, let’s take a look at the flagship Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) RailJet train, marked as ‘RJ’ or ‘RJX’ in timetables. There are currently two types and I have separate travel reports featuring both – the original RailJet and the RailJet New Generation. The type that runs on the Vienna to Budapest line is the original RailJet. These trains also serve cities much further west than Vienna, as far away as Munich and Zurich.
Departure from Budapest Keleti
One of my favourite railway stations in Europe is the majestic, cathedral-like Budapest Keleti, or eastern, station dating back to the end of the 19th century. I love an old station, and particularly when it’s served by contrasting modern trains and history being part of everyday life.
Facilities at Budapest Keleti include a ticket office, ATMs, premium class lounge, left luggage lockers and stalls to purchase food and drink. There are also nearby supermarkets.
Highlights in Budapest City
Budapest is one of my favourite cities to visit with an array of attractions and experiences to enjoy. Most attractions are situated around the river on both the Buda and Pest sides.
During my visits to Budapest, I recommend:
- Fisherman’s Bastion for views across the Danube
- Széchenyi Chain Bridge
- Széchenyi Thermal Bath
- Hungarian Parliament Building
- Shoes on the Danube Bank
- Keleti station
- Grab a Kürtőskalács, or chimney cake, at kiosks around the city
Budapest Keleti Premium Lounge
Included in a First Class / Business Class ticket is access to the Business Lounge at Budapest Keleti. This comfortable lounge has a number of complimentary items, including sandwiches.
Onboard the ÖBB RailJet 🔴
The modern ÖBB RailJet boasts three types of accommodation on board – Economy Class, First Class and Business Class, with Business being more premium than First. For this trip from Budapest to Vienna, I was booked to travel in Business Class.
There’s also a restaurant car onboard, called DoN’s, and hosts serving the restaurant car menu to tables in First and Business classes.
Economy Class Accommodation 🔴
In line with the ‘airline’ theme to its name, Second Class on the ÖBB RailJet is called Economy Class, unusual for a train. This features seating in a 2+2 configuration across the train in a mix of airline-style and table seating. A foldable seat back table is provided for the airline-style seating. There’s also power sockets, window blinds, footrests, armrests and free WiFi. Luggage storage is available in the overhead racks or at the end of the carriages.
There is also a carriage for families (Familienzone) with a children’s cinema and games printed on the tables. Also there is a quiet carriage (Ruhezone).
First Class Accommodation 🔴
First Class accommodation on the RailJet offers more space than Economy Class with a seating configuration of 2+1. First Class offers the same features and amenities as Economy Class, with the additional option of solo seating.
First Class accommodation has a dedicated steward who provides a chargeable at-seat service of food and drinks throughout the trip from the Dining Car menu. These are the same prices charged in the Dining Car.
Business Class Accommodation 🔴
The most premium type of accommodation is the Business Class on the RailJet. This is available to anyone with a First Class ticket by paying a €15,00 supplement, available in advance when booking or on the train. Although the RailJet may be familiar to those who have seen previous travel reports, this is the first time I’ve featured a travel report actually travelling in the RailJet Business Class. What’s it like and is it worth it?
As in First Class, there is an at-seat menu provided from the Dining Car menu in Business Class. The service provided from the dedicated steward who was as attentive as in First Class on a previous trip. The menu offered is exactly the same as First Class and is also chargeable. The benefit of travelling in Business Class is the upgraded travel environment. A free welcome drink is provided as an added benefit, however, unlike First Class.
For a journey of any length, the supplement from First Class is well worth it in my opinion and a real treat. The seats are more comfortable and a contender for the most comfortable seat in Europe! They offer a nice pillow and generous recline. They are also more spacious. Also, the carriage is separated into sections to allow for additional privacy and a quieter travel environment. There are sections for one, three and four passenger groups. The seats opposite are staggered to allow for more legroom.
Onboard Catering 🔴
Unusual for a modern train, as mentioned, there is an onboard restaurant car on the RailJet, albeit a small one. This is open to all passengers on the train and seating is available on a first-come-first-served basis.
As I was travelling in Business Class, I took advantage of the at-seat service while enjoying my comfortable seat. I sampled the Austrian staple of Wiener schnitzel and new potatoes followed by another must have of apple strudel with vanilla sauce. I washed this down with a herbal lemonade and a small bottle of white wine. The menu is seasonal and changed throughout the year, however these particular choices are always available on the menu!
Option 2: MÁV EuroCity train 🔵
Next, let’s take a look at a typical EuroCity train of the Hungarian State Railways, operating between Vienna and Budapest. These services are marked as ‘EC’ in timetables. A handful of these trains that run on this route are also extended further east than Budapest, even as far as Záhony on the Ukrainian border.
As it happens, I was actually travelling on one of the trains heading much further than Budapest in the sleeping car that runs all the way to Bucharest in Romania, overnight. A wonderful trip through the Carpathian mountains that you can read about here.
For the purposes of this travel report, I will focus on the daytime seated carriages that are detached in Budapest on this service and typically form all the two hourly EuroCity trains on the route.
Departure from Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Main Station)
The pristine station of Wien Hauptbahnhof opened in 2012 and still looks brand new to this day having been well maintained.
Facilities are aplenty in this hub station, including a staffed booking office, ticket machines, left luggage lockers, a food court and a First Class lounge. There are also supermarkets in the station, handy for stocking up. This includes a very chaotic Spar with its strange divide between the drinks section and other sections of the supermarket – required by law. There’s also a more spacious Billa on the lower ground floor.
On the date I travelled, it was in the middle of the Euros football tournament with Belgium vs Romania airing on a large screen outside the front.
Highlights in Vienna City
Known mainly for its architecture and music scene, Austria’s capital has so much to offer for a tourist getaway.
During my visits to Vienna, I recommend:
- Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
- Hofburg Palace
- St Stephen’s Cathedral
- Vienna State Opera
- Spanish Riding School
- Albertina Museum
- Vienna City Hall
- Sachertorte at Hotel Sacher
ÖBB Lounge
The ÖBB Lounge at Wien Hauptbahnhof is available to anyone with a First Class ticket (value above €15,00), including those travelling on the EuroCity trains and offers a range of complimentary drinks and snacks.
The lounge is situated above ground level, accessible by lift or stairs from the main concourse. In the lounge, a host checks your ticket on arrival and there are complimentary soft and hot drinks and snacks to enjoy in moderation.
Onboard the MÁV EuroCity train 🔵
The EuroCity trains on the Vienna to Budapest route are solely operated by carriages of the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV-START) with a contrasting blue and white livery compared to the ÖBB RailJet trains. The trains haul Second Class and First Class accommodation as well as a Restaurant Carriage.
These trains also sometimes convey sleeping and couchette carriages from other railway companies but the Second Class and First Class seats are typically the same.
Second Class Accommodation 🔵
Second Class accommodation on the EuroCity trains from Vienna to Budapest are typically a mix of seats in compartments and open saloon carriages. Each compartment offers seating for six passengers, with three facing each other while the open saloon carriages typically have four seats around tables in a 2+2 configuration across. Power sockets and WiFi are available throughout.
These carriages equate in comfort to the RailJet trains but are significantly older. Seating is mainly communal with tables around four or compartments of six passengers. You won’t find airline-style seating on this train. There aren’t any designated family carriages or quiet zones either, but an exclusive compartment may prove more attractive and may negate the need for either ambiences.
First Class Accommodation 🔵
First Class accommodation on the EuroCity from Vienna to Budapest comes in the form of a sole compartment carriage. These offer the same facilities as Second Class with seating of up to six passengers per compartment. Seating is more comfortable, however, and also there’s one less compartment per carriage enabling greater legroom. The First Class accommodation is usually a quieter environment where you’re more likely to bag an exclusive compartment for yourself.
There is no service at your seat on EuroCity trains, however. Therefore if you’re intending to eat you may want to book a Second Class ticket and head to the restaurant carriage.
Restaurant Carriage 🔵
The MÁV-START restaurant car, operated by Hungarian service provider Utasellátó, is open to everyone on the train, including those travelling in the sleeping cars operated by the Romanian Railways (CFR Cǎlǎtori).
The restaurant carriage offers fresh meals, cooked by an onboard chef and served to your table dressed with a tablecloth. The menu, featuring mainly Hungarian dishes is expansive and prices are reasonable. Dining on the move is always a great way to enjoy travel and enhance the experience! I’ve been lucky enough to sample different dishes on my trips on the Adria InterCity, Corona InterCity and the EuroCity Báthory – if you’d like to check out those travel reports.
On this trip, I enjoyed tarragon chicken soup followed by roast pork with letcho and potato rings with wine and water.
The restaurant carriage on the EuroCity train is much larger than that of the RailJet and is more likely to have seating availability unlike the restaurant car on the ÖBB RailJet. The cuisine is also different with Hungarian fayre on the EuroCity trains and Austrian fayre on the RailJet trains.
Booking and Fares
Despite the branded rolling stock of the services, both the RailJet and EuroCity operate as ÖBB services in Austria and MÁV services in Hungary and the onboard staff change at the border. Both ÖBB and MÁV therefore retail tickets for either the RailJet or the EuroCity.
Prices are dynamically managed and are available to purchase from the MÁV-START website and ÖBB website up to six months in advance. Ticket prices can vary between these websites, so do check both to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Also, consider booking your ticket through Omio at the link below.
InterRail / EU Rail passes can also be used on these services with reservations not usually required, however check the InterRail journey planner for your specific service.
| Journey Leg | Economy Class / Second Class 🔵🔴 | First Class 🔵🔴 | Business Class (RailJet only) 🔴 |
| Budapest to/from Vienna | from €19.90 | from €29.90 | from €44.90 |
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Conclusion
Travelling from Vienna to Budapest by train is a joy. Both the RailJet of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and the EuroCity trains formed of Hungarian State Railways (MÁV-START) carriages are great options. They both offer contrasting experiences, however. The ÖBB RailJet is more modern, offering more travel options and an enhanced service offering onboard. The MÁV EuroCity offers compartment seating and a more traditional restaurant experience.
Have you taken any of these trains? Let me know of your experience and which one you would choose!
This travel report was first published in April 2025.
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