Plan a train trip to Budapest: ideas and itineraries

Want to discover the Hungary's vibrant capital ? Divided in two by the Danube, Budapest offers two distinct sides: the hills of Buda, with its castle, and the bustling city of Pest, with its wide boulevards and Jewish quarter. Add to that century-old thermal baths and a thriving culinary scene.

And the good news is that Budapest is a Accessible by train from France without taking a single flight. While there certainly isn’t a direct train from Paris to Budapest, don’t worry—we’ll show you the routes for a 100% rail city trip where culture, cuisine, and heritage come together!

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How to reach Budapest by train?

The Best Train Routes from Paris

You can get to Budapest by Approximately 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with 1 to 2 transfers, usually by night train:

Paris → Stuttgart → Budapest (~18 h) : high-speed train from Paris Gare de l'Est to Stuttgart (about 3 hours and 30 minutes), then the overnight train EuroNight: Kálmán Imre (MÁV/ÖBB). It departs every evening at 8:29 p.m. and arrives at Budapest Keleti at 9:19 a.m. the next morning.
Paris → Munich → Budapest (~13–15 h) : TGV/ICE in the morning from Paris Gare de l'Est to Munich (with a transfer), then ÖBB Railjet to Budapest Keleti (about 6 hours and 50 minutes; one departure every two hours). Do you prefer to travel at night? The direct Paris–Munich TGV departing at 3:55 p.m. arrives at 9:46 p.m., in time for the same Kálmán Imre night train, which passes through München Ost at 11:49 p.m.
Paris → Zurich → Budapest : TGV Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zurich (about 4 hours and 4 minutes), then the Zurich branch of the Imre Kálmán, which also leaves for Budapest every evening.

Pricing, the overnight leg between Munich and Budapest begins at 59 € in a 6-berth sleeper, 69 € in a 4-berth sleeper, 99 € in 2-person sleeper cars and 129 € in a private compartment. Fares vary depending on the date, just like on a plane. Reservations for this night train open until 6 months ago the departure (slightly less for dates in late December).

Good to Know : Tickets are sold individually; one passenger equals one seat. If you’re traveling alone, you can book a single berth or a single bed in a shared compartment. In a sleeper car, you’ll share the compartment with passengers of the same gender. Breakfast is included in sleeper cars.

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From Paris to Budapest by train with Arthur Aubœuf

From other major French cities

Strasbourg → Stuttgart or Munich → Budapest : The direct Paris-Munich TGV stops in Strasbourg and then in Stuttgart. You can then board the Kálmán Imre night train either in Stuttgart or at München Ost.
Lyon, Lille, Marseille, or Bordeaux : Add the TGV trip to Paris, then follow one of the itineraries above. Be sure to note the train stations: trains to Stuttgart and Munich depart from Paris Gare de l'Est, and the TGV Lyria to Zurich departs from Paris Gare de Lyon.

Can you Budapest Keleti, the city's main train station.

As usual, remember to book early : Night train fares go up as the departure time approaches!

What to do by train in Budapest?

Buda Side, begins with the castle district, on the hillside. There you'll find the Royal Palace, which houses the Hungarian National Gallery, Matthias Church, and the Fishermen's Bastion, whose terraces offer a breathtaking view of Pest and the Danube.

A little further south, the Citadel It reopened in the spring of 2026 after being closed for eleven years. At the top of Gellért Hill, at an elevation of 235 meters, the fortress built by the Habsburgs in the 19th century has been transformed into a public park, featuring terraces offering 360-degree views of the Danube. It also features a new exhibition dedicated to the history of the struggles for freedom in Hungary.

On the other side of the river, Pest aligns the monuments : the Neo-Gothic Parliament building on the banks of the Danube, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Chain Bridge, which connects the two banks. In the Jewish quarter stands the synagogue on Dohány Street. Built in the Neo-Moorish style, it is the largest synagogue in Europe, with nearly 3,000 seats. Come evening, the same neighborhood comes alive around the romkocsma, these “ruined bars” housed in old buildings, including the famous Szimpla Kert.

To join the Városliget Park, take the M1 metro line. In service since 1896, it is the oldest metro line in continental Europe. Its small yellow trains run beneath Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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At the end of the trip, the Széchenyi Thermal Baths t...await visitors in a Neo-Baroque palace built in 1913. It is one of the largest spa complexes in Europe, with 18 pools, including 3 outdoor pools where Regulars play chess in the warm water, even in the middle of winter. Please note: the famous Gellért Baths have been closed for renovations since October 2025 and are scheduled to reopen in 2028. For a historic atmosphere, check out the Rudas or Lukács Baths.

On the culinary front, Hungarian cuisine has a reputation for being very meat-heavy. However, vegetarian and vegan restaurants are popping up everywhere, and many are putting a new spin on local classics like goulash and lángos. We’ve rounded up our best finds.

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Where to Eat Vegetarian in Budapest: A Guide to the Best Spots

For accommodations, we've selected options for every budget, ranging from youth hostels to campgrounds to luxury hotels.

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Eco-Friendly Accommodations in Budapest: 10 Eco-Friendly Options for Every Budget

Want to get out of the city? The village of Szentendre, with its Baroque-style streets and numerous museums and art galleries, is about a 40-minute ride away on the HÉV H5 commuter train. It departs from Batthyány tér on the Buda side.

In winter, the Christmas market The market on Vörösmarty Square is renowned for its crafts and sweet treats. It’s also part of our selection of the most beautiful Christmas markets accessible by train!

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Europe's top Christmas markets accessible by train

And what about continuing your trip from Budapest?

Budapest is very well connected to the rest of Central Europe. Direct trains run daily to Vienna and Prague. In the evening, night trains take you to Bucharest or to Kraków on the EuroNight Carpatia—a route we’ve covered in detail in our dedicated guide.

And if you're stopping over in the Austrian capital, be sure to make the most of your visit: