Budapest to Krakow - 13 Best Ways to Travel in 2026

Even though trains are one of the most popular ways to travel around Europe, they do not work especially well for the Budapest to Krakow trip. While the cities are only 400 km apart, the Budapest to Krakow train takes much longer because the route goes around via the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

There are two direct trains between the cities. One runs during the day, leaving Budapest at eight in the morning and arriving in Krakow almost nine hours later. The other runs at night and takes even longer, with a travel time of nearly eleven hours and an arrival in Krakow at 6:20 in the morning.

In addition to the direct trains, there are also a few connections with at least one change in Breclav (Czech Republic). The travel time is similar to the direct services, so if the schedule suits you, it is worth considering a Budapest to Krakow train with a transfer.

Carriages on the Budapest to Krakow trains are usually comfortable, with power sockets next to each seat and complimentary wifi (although it might not always work). Unfortunately, these trains often do not have a dining car, so bring enough food and drinks for the long journey.

Budapest to Krakow night train
If you still want to travel by train from Budapest to Krakow, we recommend choosing a night connection. This way, you can save time on travel and money on accommodation. The journey is long enough to rest properly, and since all the countries along the route are part of the Schengen Zone, you will not be interrupted by passport control in the middle of the night.

The train offers sleeper compartments with one, two, or three beds, which provides maximum comfort for the journey. You can also choose a second-class carriage, which is cheaper, although the overnight trip can be a bit more challenging.

Budapest to Krakow train tickets
Budapest to Krakow ticket prices depend on how far in advance you buy. Second-class tickets start at €20 for the day train and €25 for the night connection. These fares are non-refundable, so if your plans are not fixed, it is better to choose a more flexible ticket. Those are much more expensive, at around €90 for the Budapest to Krakow train trip.

If you want a bed in a sleeping compartment, expect prices starting at €50 for a promo ticket and €110 for a flexible one. To buy tickets, check the websites of the Hungarian or Polish railways. It is also worth looking at the Czech and Slovak railways, as the price for the same train can sometimes vary.

You can also buy a ticket at one of the train stations in Budapest, although you may need to wait in line as it can be busy.

Budapest to Krakow train with a travel pass
If you are traveling with a rail pass such as Interrail or Eurail, you can use it on the Budapest to Krakow train, both direct services and connections with a change. You only need to purchase a seat reservation for €3, which you can easily do online through one of the websites.

Train stations in Budapest and Krakow
In Budapest, all trains to Krakow depart from Nyugati train station, located in the city center. It is easy to reach by the blue metro line 3 or by tram no. 4 or 6, which stop right in front of the station.

In Krakow, you will arrive in the city center, not far from the Old Town. If your accommodation is in this historic area, you can easily walk there.

Otherwise, you can use public transport to reach your final destination. Many trams stop near the station, and the most convenient stops are Dworzec Główny Tunel, Dworzec Główny Zachód, and Teatr Słowackiego. You can also use popular ride-hailing apps in both cities, including Uber and Bolt.

The journey from Budapest to Krakow takes the better part of a day by bus or train. The route crosses Slovakia from south to north, a country filled with remarkable towns, mountain landscapes, and historic sites that many travelers pass through without ever discovering.

The Budapest to Krakow Private Transfer Tour uses that travel day differently. You make two stops in UNESCO World Heritage Sites that sit directly on the route, both entirely off the standard tourist trail, both genuinely worth the sidetrip. Just you and your group, with a guide who knows Central Slovakia well and turns the crossing into something you will actually remember.

What's Included

The recommended departure from Budapest is around 9:00 AM and the journey takes approximately 9 to 10 hours, arriving in Krakow in the evening. You travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, privately booked for your group alone.

Your guide is a local who knows Slovakia well and travels with you the full day. You get informed, genuine commentary at every stop and real conversation throughout the drive. The pace is yours to set, and the itinerary can flex around your interests.

A lunch break is scheduled near Vlkolínec, where you can eat and take in the surroundings before continuing to Krakow. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Your group is picked up from your hotel or apartment in Budapest and dropped off at your accommodation in Krakow. Check the Budapest to Krakow Private Transfer Tour booking page to see the exact price for your group.

What Travelers are Saying

A good alternative to the train is taking a bus from Budapest to Krakow. You have more connections to choose from, as there are usually between 5 and 13 direct buses, depending on the day of the week. Another advantage is the travel time. The fastest Budapest to Krakow bus takes only six and a half hours, although the total journey time depends on the specific connection, so make sure to check the details carefully when planning your trip.

Buses on the Budapest to Krakow route are operated by Flixbus. The vehicles are generally comfortable, with plenty of legroom, complimentary wifi, and power sockets next to each seat. There are also a few stops along the way in Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, so you will have opportunities to stretch your legs.

Budapest to Krakow bus tickets
Budapest to Krakow bus ticket prices depend on the travel day and time, as well as how far in advance you book. The cheapest tickets start at €20, with prices rising to €70 shortly before departure. All tickets include hand luggage to take on board, plus a larger bag stored in the compartment below.

To search for connections and buy a ticket, visit the FlixBus website.

Bus stations in Budapest and Krakow
In Budapest, you can choose from three departure points, all easy to reach by public transport: Nepliget (on blue metro line no. 3), Kelenföld (on green metro line no. 4), and Mexikói út (closest to the center, on the yellow metro line no. 1).

In Krakow, you will arrive at the MDA bus station, next to the main train station in the city center. From there, you can use public transport to reach your final destination in Krakow.

If you would rather avoid busy train and bus stations and prefer a smooth, comfortable trip, but do not want to drive yourself, a Budapest to Krakow private transfer can be a good option.

The door-to-door journey from Budapest to Krakow takes around six hours, and prices start at about €430 for a comfortable car with an English-speaking driver. For an additional fee, you can add sightseeing stops along the way. Popular options include Kosice, Slovakia's second-largest city with plenty to see and do, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Vlkolinec, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, and Banská Štiavnica, and the majestic Orava Castle in Slovakia.

Unfortunately, you cannot fly directly from Budapest to Krakow at the moment. There are, however, a few connections worth considering. You can find Budapest to Krakow flights with a short change in Warsaw, operated by LOT Polish Airlines.

The fastest options take around three and a half hours, so even when you include travel to and from the airport, the total time is similar to taking a bus and much better than traveling by train. An important advantage is that the entire journey is booked as a single reservation, so if there are delays, the airline is required to rebook you on the next available flight. Another perk is that LOT Polish Airlines allows larger cabin luggage free of charge, which is a nice advantage compared with low-cost airlines.

Budapest to Krakow plane tickets
If you book in advance, you can find the cheapest Budapest to Krakow flights for around €120. Last-minute tickets can cost about €300. You can buy your ticket directly on the LOT Polish Airlines website.

It is also possible to fly for less with low-cost airlines such as Ryanair or Wizz Air, with a change in one of the European airports. Prices for these connections start at €40, but you will need to book each leg separately. If something goes wrong and you miss your next flight, you will have to buy a new ticket, and last-minute fares can be expensive.

Airports in Budapest and Krakow
You can reach Budapest Airport by public transport. The easiest option is the express airport bus 100E, which runs frequently from Deak Ferenc ter in the city center. It also stops at the metro stations Astoria and Kalvin Ter before continuing to the airport. The journey from the center to the airport takes around 40 minutes, and you need a special ticket for this route, which you can buy from the driver.

A slightly cheaper option is to take the metro, blue line 3, to its final stop, Kőbánya-Kispest, and then transfer to bus 200E to the airport.

After landing in Krakow, the easiest way to reach the city center is by train. Trains run twice per hour, and the ride to the main train station takes only 18 minutes. A ticket costs €5 and can be purchased online, on board the train, or at the airport ticket machine.

A hassle-free way to travel from Budapest to Krakow is by car. If you have your own vehicle, the trip is straightforward and easy. Renting a car for the Budapest to Krakow drive makes the journey much more expensive, though. You can expect to pay around €1,000 for a rental car, and you will still need to cover additional costs for petrol and vignettes, which are required in Slovakia and Hungary.

The quickest driving route between Budapest and Krakow is about 400 km and should take around 6 hours. Still, it is worth allowing more time, since you will be passing through a beautiful region with charming towns and villages, as well as scenic areas that are hard to resist.

Some of the best places to stop along the way include towns along the Danube Bend in Hungary, the Low Tatras and Velka Fatra National Parks, the UNESCO-listed village and town of Vlkolinec and Banska Stiavnica in Slovakia, and the Tatra Mountains on the border of Poland and Slovakia. If you can spare even more time, you will find plenty of other places in this part of Central Europe that are worth a visit.

A more active way to travel from Budapest to Krakow is by bike. It is not for everyone, as you need a solid level of endurance and physical strength to complete a route that often leads through mountainous terrain. The effort is worth it, though. You will be rewarded with spectacular views, a few UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way, and a great opportunity to explore this still underrated part of Central Europe.

Cycling from Budapest to Krakow takes at least five to six days. Still, we recommend allowing more time if you can, so you can enjoy more sightseeing along the way and fully appreciate this amazing region.

If you love adventure and have a flexible schedule, you can try hitchhiking from Budapest to Krakow. Keep in mind, though, that finding a direct ride all the way to Poland can be tricky, although it is not impossible.

A good starting point for your Budapest to Krakow hitchhiking journey is the motorway junction at Sződliget. To get there, take a train from Nyugati train station toward Vac and get off at Sződliget. The ticket costs around €2, and the ride takes about 30 minutes. From the station, it is a short walk to the motorway, where you can start hitchhiking north toward Poland.

Even though carpooling is a popular way to travel around Europe, it does not always work well for the Budapest to Krakow trip, as this is not a particularly popular route. We do not recommend relying on it too much, since there are days when only a few rides are available, or none at all. It is best to think of carpooling from Budapest to Krakow as a backup plan.

The most popular website for finding rides is BlaBlaCar. Once you find an offer that suits you, contact the driver to arrange the pickup details and you are ready to go. Make sure to check the departure and arrival points, as they may be outside the city center. In that case, you will also need to plan how to get to and from the meeting point, which is not always easy.

The driver sets the final price for the Budapest to Krakow carpool trip, which usually ranges from €15 to €25. If you cannot find a direct ride, you can also try splitting the journey into two legs, with Kosice often being the best option. Keep in mind, though, that the extra cost and travel time may not be worth the hassle.

It might sound like a crazy idea to many, but if you have at least two weeks and want to discover Central Europe in depth, you can walk from Budapest to Krakow. We are not going to sugarcoat it. This is a challenging trip, as much of the route is hilly or even mountainous, but the places you pass along the way are worth the effort.

You will see breathtaking landscapes, charming towns and villages, majestic castles, and more. There is no better way to learn about the region, its culture, habits, and heritage. If you decide to walk from Budapest to Krakow, make sure you bring good shoes, as they are essential for completing the journey.

If you are traveling by motorhome, the trip from Budapest to Krakow can be a real adventure. The winding roads along the way offer fantastic views, and there are plenty of interesting and varied places where you can stop and explore. Do not rush to reach Krakow. Take your time, enjoy the journey, and discover the area along the way.

There are many campsites on the route where you can stop for the night and recharge. Keep in mind that wild camping is forbidden in Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, so it is best to stick to designated places for overnight stays.

Traveling from Budapest to Krakow by motorcycle can be a fantastic experience. You can enjoy the freedom of the open road while riding along winding backroads through scenic, hilly landscapes. We recommend choosing these routes instead of the main roads for a more relaxed trip. This way, you can get to know this part of Central Europe better and discover some overlooked, beautiful places along the way.

A more luxurious option for traveling from Budapest to Krakow is a private jet. Chartering a plane is expensive, with prices starting at around €5,000, but it can be worth considering if you value comfort and need to travel quickly. It is the fastest way to get from Budapest to Krakow, with a flight time of only about one hour. Even when you factor in travel to and from the airport and simplified procedures, you can complete the trip between the two cities in under three hours.