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Budapest to Vienna: Railjet Time, or the Cheaper Bus

Budapest to Vienna takes about 2 hours 40 minutes on the direct railjet, and as quick as 2h20 on the fastest services, running nearly every hour from Budapest-Keleti to Vienna Hauptbahnhof, city centre to city centre. The railjet and EuroCity trains are a joint MAV and OBB service with integrated ticketing. Coaches take around 3 hours for a little less, and the hop is far too short to fly. Here is how the times and fares compare.

FastestRailjet, about 2h40 (as quick as 2h20)
FrequencyNearly hourly, direct
CheapestRegioJet train or a FlixBus coach
RouteBudapest-Keleti to Vienna Hbf, about 270 km via Gyor
Budapest to Vienna: your options
ModeOperatorDurationApprox fareOvernight
Train railjet / EuroCity (MAV / OBB)
Direct and nearly hourly, Budapest-Keleti to Vienna Hauptbahnhof, as quick as 2h20 on the fastest RJX. Book Sparschiene fares early.
about 2h40 approx €20 to €40 No Check on 12Go →
Train RegioJet (a few daily)
A handful of cheaper direct trains each day, often the lowest train fare when the times suit.
about 2h45 approx €10 to €25 No Check on 12Go →
Bus FlixBus coach
Cheapest overall, with frequent daily departures.
about 3 hours approx €10 to €20 No Check on 12Go →

Fares are approximate and shown for comparison. Confirm live prices and times on 12Go before booking.

Show stays for:
Where to stay in Budapest
Option 1
Promenade Hotel by Mellow Mood Hotels
Budapest
Top-rated stay in Budapest
Promenade Hotel by Mellow Mood Hotels
★ 9.0 176 reviews
€99
per night
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Option 2
Radisson Blu Beke Hotel, Budapest
Budapest
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Radisson Blu Beke Hotel, Budapest
★ 8.9 757 reviews
€99
per night
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Option 3
Courtyard by Marriott Budapest City Center
Budapest
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Courtyard by Marriott Budapest City Center
★ 8.6 160 reviews
€101
per night
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Where to stay in Vienna
Option 1
City Stay Vienna – Lugeck
Vienna
Top-rated stay in Vienna
City Stay Vienna – Lugeck
★ 8.1 87 reviews
€82
per night
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Option 2
Novotel Wien Hauptbahnhof
Vienna
Top-rated stay in Vienna
Novotel Wien Hauptbahnhof
★ 8.8 2735 reviews
€83
per night
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Option 3
Leonardo Hotel Vienna Schönbrunn
Vienna
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Leonardo Hotel Vienna Schönbrunn
★ 8.9 2373 reviews
€78
per night
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Things to do
In Budapest

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In Vienna

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Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Budapest to Vienna?
About 2 hours 40 minutes on the direct railjet, and as quick as 2h20 on the fastest RJX services. Trains run nearly every hour from Budapest-Keleti to Vienna Hauptbahnhof.
How much does the train from Budapest to Vienna cost?
Advance railjet Sparschiene fares start from about EUR 20, with a few cheaper RegioJet trains and FlixBus coaches from about EUR 10. Booking ahead saves the most.
Is there a direct train from Budapest to Vienna?
Yes. Railjet and EuroCity trains run direct several times a day with no change, a joint MAV and OBB service, plus a few cheaper direct RegioJet trains, all Budapest-Keleti to Vienna Hbf.
What is the best way to get from Budapest to Vienna?
The railjet is the best all-round option: direct, nearly hourly, and about 2h40 centre to centre. RegioJet trains and FlixBus coaches are cheaper if you are counting every euro, with the bus taking around 3 hours.
What is the Budapest to Vienna train frequency?
Railjet and EuroCity trains run nearly every hour from Budapest-Keleti to Vienna Hauptbahnhof, from early morning to late evening, so departures are frequent throughout the day.

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Hotel options and prices come from Agoda and update at booking time; sample data shown if live pricing is unavailable. Transport fares are estimates, confirmed on 12Go.

Beta Prices and availability reflect current partner rates and can change before you book. Confirm the final price on 12Go or Agoda (linked per result) before booking.