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Travelling from Zürich to Budapest by train
Looking to travel from Zürich to Budapest by train? You've come to the right place!
On average, it takes around 11 hours 36 minutes to travel from Zürich to Budapest by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 10 hours 22 minutes though. You'll usually find 14 trains per day running along the 491 miles (790 km) route between these two destinations. Once you're onboard, you can sit back and relax, as you won’t need to make any changes on your way to Budapest. You'll probably be hopping onto a ÖBB train to get to Budapest, as they are the main operators of services on this route.
Plan your trip ahead of time and book early if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Tickets from Zürich to Budapest start from £43.17 when you book in advance, so use our Journey Planner to view the latest prices.
If you’re feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Budapest by train, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times.
Zürich to Budapest by train
It takes an average of 11h 36m to travel from Zürich to Budapest by train, over a distance of around 491 miles (790 km). There are normally 14 trains per day travelling from Zürich to Budapest and tickets for this journey start from £43.17 when you book in advance.
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 trains from Zürich to Budapest
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.
More information
- ÖBB /
- Railjet /
- Nightjet /
- Trains in Austria
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.