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Say hello to Your Account
All your tickets and travel info, all in one place. Easy as that.
Got a question? Our support team are on hand 24/7.
Search. Book. Travel.
No more fumbling in your pockets
Digital tickets live neatly in our app, so you can just tap, scan and go.
All your tickets, all in the palm of your hand.
Search. Book. Travel.
Looking for a cheap price?
Look no further. Compare tickets easily with our price calendar.
We’ll find you the cheapest day to travel.
Search. Book. Travel.
Say hello to Your Account
All your tickets and travel info, all in one place. Easy as that.
Got a question? Our support team are on hand 24/7.
Search. Book. Travel.
No more fumbling in your pockets
Digital tickets live neatly in our app, so you can just tap, scan and go.
All your tickets, all in the palm of your hand.
Search. Book. Travel.
Looking for a cheap price?
Look no further. Compare tickets easily with our price calendar.
We’ll find you the cheapest day to travel.
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Take the train from Zürich to Budapest in 10 hours 22 minutes
If you want to travel from Zürich to Budapest by train, you've come to the right place.
You can expect the journey from Zürich to Budapest by train to take around 11 hours 39 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 10 hours 22 minutes on the fastest services. You'll usually find around 14 trains per day running on this route, which spans 790 km. There's no need for any changes along the way, as there are direct trains available to Budapest. Both ÖBB and SBB trains operate on this route, offering modern comfortable services with plenty of room for luggage as standard.
Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices and we'll show you how much you can save. Tickets from Zürich to Budapest start from $52.81 when you book in advance.
If you want to know more about the journey, keep reading for train schedules, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs, including first and last train times. Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today!
Zürich to Budapest by train
It takes an average of 11h 39m to travel from Zürich to Budapest by train, over a distance of around 491 miles (790 km). There are normally 14 trains per day traveling from Zürich to Budapest and tickets for this journey start from $52.81 when you book in advance.
| First train | 5:35 am | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 10:38 pm | |
| Departure station | Zürich | |
| Arrival station | Budapest | |
| Journey time | From 10h 22m | |
| Distance | 491 miles (790 km) | |
| Frequency | 14 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From $52.81 | |
| Train and bus operators |
FAQs about the train journey from Zürich to Budapest
Want to know more about your journey from Zürich to Budapest? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there direct trains from Zürich to Budapest?
What's the distance between Zürich and Budapest by train?
Who runs the trains from Zürich to Budapest?
Can you travel from Zürich to Budapest without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Budapest from Zürich?
What time is the first train from Zürich to Budapest?
What time is the last train from Zürich to Budapest?
How often do trains go from Zürich to Budapest?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from Zürich to Budapest?
Is there a return trip from Zürich to Budapest?
ÖBB and SBB trains from Zürich to Budapest
ÖBB
SBB
ÖBB is the major railway company for Austria, subdivided into several subsidiaries, responsible for certain areas of transport, such as long distance and local transport, the operation of postal buses and the transport of goods. Railjet is ÖBB's high-speed train, which travels at speeds of up to 143 mph (230 km/h) and connects the main Austrian cities with Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Italy.
The Swiss rail network is operated by SBB. SBB train ticket prices are based on travel and not on the type of trains. You will find available return tickets (standard price, one way or round trip), Multiple journey tickets (for six individual trips on a pre-determined itinerary) and the City-Ticket (including a one-day transportation pass from the city of departure or arrival).
More information
Cheap train tickets from Zürich to Budapest
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Zürich to Budapest by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.