Krakow to Budapest by train
About 8 to 9.5 hours by day via Ostrava and Bratislava, or about 11.5 hours in a through sleeping car. Trains arrive at Budapest-Nyugati.
Krakow to Budapest by train takes about 8 to 9.5 hours by day or about 11.5 hours overnight, arriving at Budapest-Nyugati.
Through coach or one change
The direct options here are through coaches rather than whole trains. A through coach is a carriage that gets coupled from one train to the next along the way. You stay in your seat.
In the current timetable, which runs until 12 December 2026, a second-class through coach leaves Kraków Główny in the middle of the morning and reaches Budapest-Nyugati in the evening, about 9.5 hours later. It goes via Oświęcim, Ostrava, Břeclav and Bratislava. It runs on most days, not all.
The other daytime trips need one change, at Břeclav or Bohumín, and take about 8 to 8.5 hours. They leave between early morning and early afternoon. For most people the one-change trains are the better pick because they are quicker. Choose the through coach if you would rather not haul luggage between platforms.
Overnight in a sleeping car
A through sleeping car leaves Kraków Główny in the late evening and pulls into Budapest-Nyugati the next morning, after about 11.5 hours. On the way it is coupled to different trains, and from Břeclav through Bratislava it runs as part of the Metropol EuroNight. Seats are also sold on this service.
Compartments sleep one, two or three, each with a washbasin. PKP Intercity's international sleeping cars have a shower and serve breakfast. A reservation is compulsory.
There is no sleeping car on 17, 18, 20 to 23, 29 and 30 November 2026.
Budapest-Nyugati, not Keleti
The through coaches and the usual one-change trains all end at Budapest-Nyugati. Budapest-Keleti is about 30 minutes away on foot. Allow for that if your hotel is near Keleti.
Tickets, reservations and passes
PKP Intercity and MÁV both sell tickets for this route.
The line crosses Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, so an Interrail pass has to cover all four. PKP Intercity requires pass holders to buy a €3.50 seat reservation on international daytime trains to and from Poland. On the night train a reservation is always compulsory. The reservation fee depends on whether you book a seat or a berth, and a single compartment costs the most.
Engineering works and the December timetable
From 17 November to 1 December 2026, construction work between Břeclav and Bohumín moves some long-distance trains to different times or diverts them. Some also run with fewer seats and berths.
The new timetable starts on 13 December 2026, and the through coaches are not yet confirmed for it. Check your date before booking for late December 2026 or 2027.
Where to book
Train service
- Check times & prices
MÁV's domestic InterCity and Railjet trains require seat reservations; Interrail and Eurail passes cover the journey but not the reservation fee.
Official website - Check times & prices
PKP Intercity runs Poland's long-distance trains, including Pendolino, Express InterCity, InterCity and TLK services. Some trains require reservations.
Official website
Find places to stay in Budapest
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Krakow to Budapest?
Yes, as through coaches. A second-class daytime through coach runs on most days and a through sleeping car on most nights, both from Kraków Główny to Budapest-Nyugati. Other daytime trips need one change at Břeclav or Bohumín.
How long is the train from Krakow to Budapest?
About 8 to 8.5 hours on a daytime trip with one change, and about 9.5 hours in the daytime through coach. The overnight sleeping car takes about 11.5 hours.
Which Budapest station do trains from Krakow arrive at?
Budapest-Nyugati. The through coaches and the usual one-change trains do not serve Budapest-Keleti, which is about 30 minutes from Nyugati on foot.
Is there a night train from Krakow to Budapest?
Yes. A through sleeping car leaves Kraków Główny in the late evening and arrives at Budapest-Nyugati the next morning. Compartments sleep one, two or three, seats are also sold, and a reservation is compulsory. It does not run on 17, 18, 20 to 23, 29 and 30 November 2026.
Do I need a reservation with an Interrail pass?
Yes. PKP Intercity requires a €3.50 seat reservation on international daytime trains to and from Poland. On the night train a reservation is compulsory and the fee depends on whether you book a seat or a berth. Your pass must cover Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
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