Copenhagen to Budapest by train

Copenhagen to Budapest by train is not a direct journey. Plan on a long cross-Europe trip with at least two changes, usually at Hamburg and Vienna.

Copenhagen to Budapest by train at a glance

Item	What to expect
Direct train	No direct service
Typical journey time	18 to 22 hours across commercial booking examples
Fastest published itineraries	Under 18 hours on the best-timed connections, depending on date
Changes	At least 2, typically Hamburg and Vienna
Distance	Around 1,010 km by rail
Main route	Copenhagen to Hamburg, Hamburg to Vienna, Vienna to Budapest
Overnight option	ÖBB Nightjet from Hamburg to Vienna, then continue to Budapest the next day
Key operators	DSB, Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, MÁV-START
Rail pass	Interrail or Eurail Global Pass, with mandatory reservations on key trains

No booking engine shows a direct Copenhagen to Budapest train. Every itinerary involves at least two changes. Treat the fastest published times as orientation, not a guarantee for your specific departure. If you want the least tiring version, check the Hamburg to Vienna Nightjet before anything else.

The easiest route for most travellers

The clearest plan is Copenhagen to Hamburg, Hamburg to Vienna, Vienna to Budapest.

Each city is a useful rail hub. Copenhagen connects into the German network through Hamburg. Vienna gives you a straightforward approach into Hungary. Budapest is then a manageable two-and-a-half-hour Railjet ride away.

Other routings come up in booking engines. Berlin, Prague, Munich, and Bratislava all appear on certain dates, but Hamburg and Vienna remain the most reliable waypoints for most travellers.

Copenhagen to Hamburg

Treat Hamburg as your first target.

DSB and Deutsche Bahn both cover the Copenhagen to Hamburg cross-border leg. The international section is typically priced in EUR via DB. A delay here affects every connection that follows, so if you are catching a night train in Hamburg, do not leave a tight same-day margin unless your entire journey is on a single booking.

DSB periodically warns that track work in Denmark or Germany can shift itineraries. Check the exact train times close to departure.

One thing to know: the Fehmarnbelt fixed link between Denmark and Germany is still under construction. It is not yet a travel option. The current route runs via Jutland and Schleswig-Holstein.

Hamburg to Vienna

The ÖBB Nightjet is the best reason to route through Hamburg on this trip.

The Nightjet to Vienna boards from Hamburg, and also from Berlin, Cologne, and other German cities. Hamburg is the most natural choice if you are coming from Copenhagen. If you prefer to avoid Hamburg, you can also position to Berlin and board the separate Berlin to Vienna Nightjet. Compare both options when you check availability.

The Nightjet is not a Copenhagen to Budapest sleeper. It covers the long middle section overnight so you reach Vienna in the morning and can continue from there by day. That is the logic behind it.

Vienna to Budapest

Book to Budapest Keleti. That is where almost all international trains from Vienna arrive.

ÖBB Railjet and EuroCity services cover the Vienna to Budapest corridor, with journey times typically around 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours. Some Railjet services also stop at Kelenföld before Keleti, so check the exact station on your ticket. Nyugati and Déli are primarily for domestic services and are unlikely to appear on itineraries from Vienna.

Reservation rules can vary by train. Follow the booking result for your exact departure rather than assuming the same rules apply to every service.

Daytime and overnight options

The overnight plan is the most comfortable way to make this trip feel manageable.

The practical overnight route: Copenhagen to Hamburg by day, board the ÖBB Nightjet in Hamburg for an overnight ride to Vienna, then continue from Vienna to Budapest the next morning. The longest section happens while you sleep. It removes the need for a hotel night on the way.

Nightjet accommodation makes a real difference to how rested you arrive. Keep your overnight bag inside the compartment. Larger luggage goes in the rack at the end of the car.

A seat is cheapest and least restful. A couchette lets you lie flat in a shared compartment. A sleeper gives more privacy. Some newer Nightjet trainsets also offer Mini Cabins, though availability depends on the specific service.

Daytime trains work too, if sleepers are sold out or the overnight plan does not suit you. The trade-off is a very long day in one go, or a deliberate stopover in Hamburg or Vienna.

Choice	Best for	Watch out for
Overnight via Nightjet	Travellers who want the least tiring plan	Couchette and sleeper availability sells out on popular dates
Daytime with a stopover	Travellers who want sightseeing time in Hamburg or Vienna	Adds at least one hotel night
Fastest booking-engine itinerary	Travellers chasing the shortest elapsed time	Often involves tight transfers or connections at awkward hours
Flexible date search	Travellers who want lower fares	A one-day shift can change both fare levels and sleeper availability

Tickets and booking

Book the hard-to-replace leg first.

For an overnight plan, secure the Hamburg to Vienna Nightjet before paying for the Copenhagen to Hamburg leg. Nightjet tickets are typically available up to around six months ahead, but lower fares and couchette or sleeper space disappear well before that on popular dates.

Each leg is priced and sold separately unless you use a platform that packages the route. What to expect per leg:

• Copenhagen to Hamburg: DSB and Deutsche Bahn both cover this section. The international leg is typically priced in EUR. Advance fares can start from around EUR 29, but prices vary with demand and how far in advance you book.

• Hamburg to Vienna Nightjet: ÖBB Nightjet advance seat fares can start from around EUR 29 to EUR 49, depending on date and demand. Couchette fares typically start from around EUR 79 to EUR 120. Sleepers start higher still. Check ÖBB for current fares on your specific date.

• Vienna to Budapest: ÖBB Railjet advance fares can start from around EUR 19 to EUR 29. Prices rise closer to departure.

Rail Europe, Omio, and Trainline can all compare multi-leg itineraries, but check booking fees, refund rules, and connection protection before paying.

Interrail and Eurail passes

A Global Pass covers all four countries on this route. The catch is that reservations are still required on every key train.

Pass holders must book a separate reservation for the Nightjet. Do not board without one. The fee depends on the accommodation type:

Category on Nightjet	Approx. pass-holder reservation fee
Seat	Around EUR 4 to EUR 9
Couchette	Around EUR 10 to EUR 29
Sleeper (private compartment)	Around EUR 29 to EUR 59

These are orientation figures. Check ÖBB for current fees before booking.

Railjet and EuroCity services on the Vienna to Budapest leg may also require a pass-holder reservation. Check the exact train before you travel.

Before using a pass day, compare the pass day value plus reservations against an advance point-to-point ticket for your exact date. A Global Pass makes sense if this journey is part of a wider trip across Europe. For a single city pair on fixed dates, advance tickets may cost less overall.

Book early if you want a couchette or sleeper. These categories fill before seats, and once they are gone, your only option on a sold-out Nightjet is a seat.

Stations and transfers

Start at Copenhagen H (Hovedbanegård). If you are arriving by air into Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup), trains run from the airport to Copenhagen H, so factor that connection into your timing.

Hamburg Hbf and Vienna Hbf are your key transfer stations on the standard route. Arrive in Vienna with time to spare if you are catching the Railjet to Budapest.

In Budapest, arrive at Keleti. Some Railjet services also stop at Kelenföld before Keleti, so confirm the station on your ticket. If a booking page shows only “Budapest”, open the train details and check.

Do not book a non-refundable hotel or onward connection too close to your planned Budapest arrival. This journey crosses four rail networks, and small delays can compound.

Train or flight

Take the train if the journey itself is part of the point, or if you want a stop in Hamburg or Vienna. A direct flight from Copenhagen to Budapest takes around 2 hours and involves two airports and the usual security and check-in time. The train takes 18 to 22 hours or more, spread over two days on the Nightjet plan. The flight wins on speed; the train wins if the journey matters.

For rail-minded travellers, the real choice is whether you want a Nightjet-based two-day plan or a deliberate daytime route with a stopover. Both are reasonable depending on your schedule and budget.

Best choice by traveller type

Traveller type	Best choice	Why
Wants the simplest plan	Copenhagen to Hamburg, Nightjet to Vienna, then Vienna to Budapest	Clear route and the longest leg happens overnight
Wants proper rest	Couchette or sleeper on the Nightjet	More comfortable than sitting for the entire journey
Wants full control	Daytime trains with a stopover	Easier to handle delays and choose better connection times
Uses a rail pass	Global Pass plus mandatory reservations	The route crosses four countries, and reservations are required on key trains
Has fixed travel dates	Check Nightjet availability early	Sleeper space and lower fares sell out ahead of peak dates
Needs the fastest city-to-city travel	Compare direct flights	Rail is viable but this remains a very long journey