How to get from Prague to Budapest by train, bus, plane or car

Going from Prague to Budapest is a very common route for tourists visiting central Europe. Although you are going to move from the capital of one country to another, don’t think that you are going to have to spend days on the road. That’s the good thing about Europe, The distances between the main cities are not very great. If you like go from Prague to Budapest, it will be very helpful for you to analyze these 4 options. This way you will know which one best suits your pocket and itinerary. It’s a super easy transfer!

HOW TO GO FROM PRAGUE TO BUDAPEST: 4 OPTIONS

1. Train, the most comfortable transportation to get from Prague to Budapest

⏱ Journey time: 7 hours approximately
💰 Trip price: from €140

A very good alternative is the train. In fact, it is the most comfortable way to get from Prague to Budapest. The train leaves Prague central station and comes to Budapest-East. The stations are very close to the city center and the trains are spacious. Although it is the most comfortable option, it is not the fastest. We are talking about the journey takes about 7 hours, more or less the same as going by bus. The advantage of the train is that you can enjoy the landscape if you travel during the day.

The frequency of trains occurs every hour from 4:29 a.m. to 4:31 p.m.. If you go with a tight itinerary, then it will not be very convenient since you will spend more than half a day making this transfer. The usual price of online tickets is around €140, although you can find good deals searching in advance.

1.1. Night Train

Going from Prague to Budapest on an overnight train can also be convenient. This train It leaves daily at 00:17 a.m. and arrives in Budapest at 8:29 a.m.. The truth is that this is our favorite option for go from Prague to Budapest, since you take advantage of the night to make the transfer. It’s a super smart alternative! The price is very similar to day trains. Hay compartments with 2, 4 or 6 beds. If you want privacy you will have to pay an extra fee.

And if you prefer to pamper yourself a little you can also buy a first class ticket. In this case you will have a single compartment with bathroom and shower. We recommend you buy the ticket online in advance so as not to run out of space. If you go with this last option, despite being more expensive, it will mean savings. Consider that you will be paying for a hotel, you will not waste time and you will be super comfortable. Also, on day trains, tickets are more expensive if you buy them at the station.

2. Bus, the most economical option

⏱ Journey time: 7 hours approximately
💰 Trip price: from €24

Looking to save a little? So the bus can be a very good ally. Is the cheapest way to get from Prague to Budapest. The duration of the journey is very similar to that of the train. Depending on the route it takes between 6 and a half or 7 hours. The good news is that there are many companies that make the journey without transfers.

FlixBus It has several frequencies throughout the day and also a couple of options in the early morning. You must reserve online, tickets cost from €24 to €36. We have tested this company and we highlight it for its punctuality.

The disadvantage of the bus is that the seats are not as comfortable as the train, so if you travel at night you will not be able to rest easily. In that case, we recommend that you pay a little more and opt for the train. Besides, night routes arrive in Budapest at 6 in the morning, a little early to visit the city at that time.

The stop of all bus companies is close to the Prague train station, next to the Florenc metro station. On the other hand, the final bus stop of Budapest-Nepliget is a bit far from the center, but well connected with metro and trams. It is something you should consider if you are going to go from Prague to Budapest with many suitcases.

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3. Plane, the fastest option

⏱ Journey time: 75 minutes approximately
💰 Trip price: from €80

There is no doubt that the fastest way to go from Prague to Budapest It’s the plane. The flight lasts an hour and a quarter approximately. But you should also consider the time it will take you to travel to the airport, which is on the outskirts of the city, and to be there a long time before the flight departs. So, being realistic In total it will take you about 4 hours to get from the center of Prague to the center of Budapest. It is the fastest transportation, but it can be very burdensome due to transfers, billing and security checks.

Prices to go from Prague to Budapest are around €80. We recommend buying tickets in advance so you can find good deals. You can find the best prices at this flight comparator. It’s going to help a lot!

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4. Car, recommended if you visit more places

⏱ Journey time: 6 hours approximately
💰 Trip price: from €33 per rental day

We only recommend this last option if you are taking a longer route. Rent a car just for go from Prague to Budapest It is not so convenient. You will spend half a day driving. In addition to the cost of fuel (about €86 according to ViaMichelin), you will have to pay to circulate both in Czech Republic like in Hungary. The highways in these countries do not have tolls, but you need a sticker on your car that allows you to circulate through the country. The prices depend on the days you want to travel around the country and you can buy it at any service station.

We dare to say that the advantage is that you will be able to get to know both countries in a different way. Nothing like driving and admiring its landscapes, towns, cities, roads, among other things. It is also a good idea for families or groups, since travel time in good company passes quickly. Even so, We do not recommend renting the car just to do this route. The two cities are super well connected by train or bus.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PRAGUE TO BUDAPEST OPTIONS

Below, we answer some questions about alternatives for go from Prague to Budapest. If you have any other questions, write us a comment.

What is the cheapest option to get from Prague to Budapest?

Taking a bus is the cheapest option to go from Prague to Budapest. There are tickets from €24, so it is quite economical compared to the other options. Of course, you must be clear that this It is not the most comfortable or fastest way to do this route.. Because it will take about 7 hours to get there and the seats are not the most suitable for such a long trip, especially if you decide to make a night trip.

What is the fastest option to get from Prague to Budapest?

The fastest option to get from one city to another is by plane because the flight takes a little over an hour. But You must also consider the waiting time at airports and transfers. So after the plane we can say that the fastest option is the car. But as we said, this is an optimal alternative only if you are going to take a route through the Czech Republic, Hungary and other Central European countries.

What option do we recommend to get to Budapest from Prague?

For us, the best alternative for going from Prague to Budapest is the train. It is comfortable and much more practical than other options, even the bus. Of course, we have to admit that It is not the most economical option because the second class ticket usually costs €140. But we are also aware that each trip is different, so the best alternative for go from Prague to Budapest It will be the one that best suits your pocket, itinerary and needs.

How many kilometers are there between Prague and Budapest?

There is a distance of 525 kilometers between Prague and Budapest.. It is a short journey if you consider that you are going to visit two of the most beautiful, historic and important cities in Central Europe. So, if you can combine these two destinations, I completely recommend it. And now you know all the options to get from Prague to Budapest!