Budapest to Prague - 13 Best Ways to Travel in 2024

The most popular way to travel from Budapest to Prague is by train. Despite the journey taking over 7 hours, it is a comfortable and convenient trip. Each seat is equipped with power sockets, there is free Wi-Fi, and if you get hungry, you can visit the dining car for snacks, drinks, and hearty local meals. The first leg of the Budapest to Prague train journey is also very scenic as you travel alongside the Danube River until you reach the border with Slovakia.

Train Stations in Budapest and Prague
There are eight direct trains available from Budapest to Prague, with one of them operating overnight. The first train departs from Budapest Nyugati station at 5:29 AM, and the last train of the day departs at 5:29 PM, with connections every two hours. In Prague, most trains arrive at the central train station, Praha Hlavni Nadrazi, while a few terminate at Praha Holesovice station. The easiest way to reach the train stations in both cities is by public transport, particularly the metro. In Budapest, Nyugati station is on the blue line 3 (stop: "Nyugati pályaudvar"). In Prague, both the central train station and Holesovice station are on the same red metro line C; the main station stop is "Hlavní nádraží," and the Holesovice stop is "Nádraží Holešovice." Along the journey, the trains make stops at several interesting places where you can break your journey if you feel that seven hours is too long. The best options are Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, and Brno, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic. The Old Towns in both cities are within walking distance from the train stations.

Train Tickets from Budapest to Prague
The price for a Budapest to Prague train ticket starts at €20 if purchased in advance and is €31 on the day of departure. Since the trains on this route are popular and can sell out, we recommend buying your ticket in advance. To purchase tickets, you can visit the Hungarian or Czech Railways website and buy them online. It's worth checking both websites, as prices may vary slightly. If you prefer a traditional paper ticket, you can obtain one at the train station in Budapest. At Nyugati station, the ticket offices are located on the right side after entering the station. Alternatively, you can go to the Keleti station and purchase your ticket there; the ticket desks are on the left side of the station.

In addition to the trains operated by the national Hungarian/Czech railways, there are also two daily connections provided by the privately-owned RegioJet company. These trains depart from Deli station (the end station of the red metro line 2) at 7:45 AM and 2:45 PM. They stop at Budapest - Kelenföld station before continuing the journey to Prague via Vienna and Brno. The travel time for the Budapest to Prague train on this route is slightly longer, around 7 hours and 30 minutes. Tickets start at €21, and you can purchase them directly on the RegioJet website.

If you wish to save time and money on accommodation, the Budapest to Prague night train is a good option to consider. This direct train departs from the Hungarian capital at 7:29 PM and arrives in Prague at 8:37 AM, allowing for a proper rest. In addition to regular second-class carriages, there is also a sleeping car with 1-, 2-, and 3-bed compartments, ensuring comfort and privacy. Budapest to Prague night train tickets start at €51 and can be purchased online through the Hungarian/Czech railways websites or at the train station.

If you are interested in exploring more than just the popular destinations and prefer not to spend an entire day traveling from Hungary to the Czech Republic, the Budapest to Prague Transfer Tour is the ideal choice for you. Instead of spending long hours on a train or bus, you will travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle, with exciting stops along the way. This will make your trip slightly longer but much more rewarding and less tiring.

Stop 1: Györ
The tour departs from the central area of Budapest (Erzsebet Square) at 8 in the morning. After a drive of over an hour, you will reach your first stop of the day - Györ. This city is one of the oldest in Hungary and is primarily known for its stunning Baroque architecture, which you will have the opportunity to admire. You will explore the charming Old Town and venture beyond it to see the lovely town hall, one of the country's most beautiful buildings dating back to the early 20th century.

Stop 2: Bratislava
From Györ, it's a short ride across the border to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Although it receives less attention than nearby popular cities such as Vienna, Prague, or Budapest, Bratislava offers plenty of attractions as well. After exploring the central part of Bratislava, including the castle and the quirky UFO bridge, you will have time for lunch. It will be an excellent opportunity to try the local Slovak cuisine, which has its own unique flavors compared to neighboring countries.

Stop 3: Lednice Chateau
From Bratislava, it's only a one-hour drive to the final stop on this tour - the stunning Lednice Chateau in the Czech Republic. This chateau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the best examples of the English Gothic style in Continental Europe. You will have time to wander around the fantastic and meticulously planned gardens and enjoy the beauty of the castle and its surroundings. After visiting Lednice, you will drive straight to Prague, where you should arrive around 18:00.

The price for the Budapest to Prague Transfer Tour is €95 for the group tour, and a private option with hotel pick-up and drop-off is also available. You will travel in a comfortable vehicle with a knowledgeable local guide who can answer all your questions about the region. This tour not only allows you to visit more than just the major destinations but also provides an opportunity to add Slovakia to your itinerary, exploring another country along the way.

A good alternative to the train is taking a Budapest to Prague bus. Two leading companies serve this route: Flixbus and Student Agency. Both companies offer similar services, comfort, prices, and travel times, so choose the one that has a schedule that works best for you. In total, there are ten departures per day. The first bus (Flixbus) leaves Budapest at 6:45 AM, and the last one (also Flixbus) departs at 11:30 PM.

The travel time for the Budapest to Prague bus journey varies depending on the connection, but on average, you should expect it to take around seven hours. All buses depart from Nepliget bus station in Budapest (accessible via the blue metro line 3) and stop at Kelenföld station (green metro line 4) before continuing towards the Czech Republic. In Prague, you will arrive at the Florenc bus station in the city center. To reach your final destination within the city, it is best to use the metro; the bus station is served by the red line C. Some buses also make a stop at the central train station in Prague. If you wish to break up your journey along the way, all the buses also stop in Bratislava and Brno.

Flixbus and Student Agency offer Budapest to Prague bus prices starting at €20 for a one-way ticket, with last-minute tickets priced at €35. Generally, Student Agency tends to have lower prices closer to the departure date, while in Flixbus, even departures on the same day can have significant price differences. To purchase your ticket, simply visit the website of either company: Flixbus or Student Agency.

If you prefer to fly between the capitals, the low-cost airline Ryanair offers flights from Budapest to Prague. Flights are available every day except for Saturdays, and on some days, there are even two flights. With a flying time of only 1 hour and 10 minutes, it is a fast way to travel between the cities.

Plane Tickets from Budapest to Prague
The basic price for a one-way ticket starts at €16, but it's challenging to predict the best time to purchase tickets with Ryanair. You may find €21 flights within the next few days, but the price can jump to a hundred euros or more, even if you plan in advance. As a low-cost airline, Ryanair charges extra for additional services such as larger carry-on bags, checked-in luggage, seat selection, priority boarding, and airport check-in. Don't expect any luxurious amenities on the flight; Ryanair's focus is on getting you safely from one place to another at an affordable price. Since the flight is so short, you won't experience much discomfort.

Airports in Budapest and Prague
Both airports can be reached by public transport in addition to taxis. In Budapest, the easiest way is to take the express airport bus 100E, which frequently departs from Deak Ferenc ter in the city center. It also stops near the Astoria and Kalvin ter metro stations before continuing its journey to the airport. The travel time on the 100E bus from the city center to the airport is approximately 40 minutes. 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 reach the airport. In Prague, you can take the Airport Express bus, which costs a bit more but goes directly to the central train station (journey time is 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic), or you can take local bus 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín and then transfer to metro line A to continue into the city.

If you are willing to pay a bit extra for the comfort and convenience of door-to-door travel, a private transfer from Budapest to Prague might be an appealing option for you. The cost for a car with an English-speaking driver, going directly from one city to another, is around €450. This option allows you to reach your destination in approximately five hours. However, for an additional fee, you have the option to include sightseeing stops along the way in your itinerary. Some exciting places to consider for these stops are Bratislava, Lednice Chateau, Mikulov, or Kutna Hora, just to name a few.

Fans of traveling on two wheels can embark on a fantastic Budapest to Prague cycling trip. This allows you to explore some of the most beautiful places in Central Europe while immersing yourself in the region's culture, customs, and history. The shortest distance between the two capitals is approximately 500 km, so you should plan for at least 10-14 days to cover the distance and engage in sightseeing along the way. There are numerous unique spots to visit, including UNESCO sites, historic towns brimming with fascinating stories, breathtaking natural landscapes, and more. The Budapest to Prague bike trail offers a relatively easy route, with only the final stretch, closer to Prague, featuring some hills. Overall, it promises to be a pleasant and comfortable journey.

If you prefer to avoid the practical aspects of organizing a cycling trip in Central Europe, you can opt to join a Budapest to Prague bike tour. Accompanied by a professional guide, you can leave all the arrangements in their capable hands. All you need to do is pedal along and immerse yourself in the beauty of the region. Some portions of the tour may be covered by minibus, allowing you to save time on transportation and focus on the best attractions in the area.

You also have the option to rent a car and drive from Budapest to Prague yourself. The best route between the two capitals is approximately 520 km long, so you can expect a travel time of around five to six hours, including rest stops. This journey can also be turned into an enjoyable Budapest to Prague road trip, allowing you to make stops at various exciting destinations. Central Europe is filled with interesting places that many tourists have yet to discover, and having the freedom to drive gives you the opportunity to explore them all. While some detours may be necessary for sightseeing, they will undoubtedly be worth it. Some of the best places to visit along the way include Gyor, Trnava, Trencin, Mikulov, Punkva Cave, Kromeriz, and many more.

If you decide to embark on a car rental Budapest to Prague trip, be prepared to incur a higher cost since you will be returning the car to a different location. The price for a same-day car return on this route can be up to €1,000. However, for an additional €200, you can extend your journey to three days, making the price more justifiable.

While many may consider it an extreme idea, embarking on a walking journey from Budapest to Prague can be a remarkable way to spend your holidays exploring Central Europe. Covering a distance of approximately 500 km, such a trek requires a significant amount of time, but the experience is sure to be unforgettable. Not only will you have the opportunity to discover fascinating and lesser-known places, but you will also witness Central Europe in all its splendor, deepening your understanding of the region's culture, customs, and traditions. Additionally, the journey promises scenic beauty as you can initially follow the Danube River and later explore the picturesque Moravia region on your way from Budapest to Prague. As the route is not overly mountainous, all you need for this adventurous undertaking are comfortable shoes, determination, endurance, and an open mind.

A popular mode of travel in Europe is car sharing, but due to the considerable distance, it may not be the most practical option for the Budapest to Prague route. Nevertheless, if it piques your interest, it is worth exploring. You may have better luck finding a ride to Bratislava or Vienna first and then continuing on to Budapest. However, changing cars and navigating a new city can be cumbersome.

The recommended website for searching car-sharing rides is BlaBlaCar. Once you have browsed the available rides and found a suitable one, contact the driver to arrange the details. It is important to carefully read the terms and conditions, as pick-up or drop-off locations may be outside the city center, posing a challenge to reach. It is also worth noting that when searching for the Budapest to Prague route, you may come across bus trips in the search results, but you can quickly filter them out. The average price for a Budapest to Prague car-sharing trip is around €30, although the final cost is determined by the driver.

Fans of thrills and adventure can opt for hitchhiking from Budapest to Prague. However, it's important to note that the likelihood of finding a ride all the way to the Czech capital may be slim. Nevertheless, it's worth giving it a try! A better strategy would be to aim for Vienna or Bratislava first and then adapt your journey accordingly.

Regardless of your chosen direction, the starting point from Budapest remains the same—the M1 motorway. The recommended spot for hitchhiking west towards Austria/Slovakia is the OMV petrol station in Kelenföld, located right at the beginning of the highway. To reach the station, you can take the metro green line 4 to its final stop, Kelenföld vasútállomás, and then walk approximately 1 km to the motorway. There is another petrol station about 200 meters further, but it is less popular than the OMV station, so it's advisable to try your luck there.

Even though there are no direct river routes connecting the two cities, you can still embark on a river cruise that includes both capitals in the itinerary. Some companies offer Danube cruises that start in Germany, pass through Austria and Slovakia, and end in Budapest, with an extension to Prague. However, it's important to note that the final leg of the journey from Budapest to Prague is typically done by bus. Despite this, a river cruise can be a fantastic holiday option as it allows you to experience the highlights along the Danube, Budapest, and Prague. It's worth noting that technically, you cannot go on a Budapest to Prague river cruise alone.

While it may initially seem like a great idea, a day trip from Budapest to Prague is simply not feasible. The distance between the cities, approximately 500 km, is too vast to travel there and back in a single day while still having time for sightseeing in Prague. It would take at least five hours one way (even longer if using public transport) to travel between Budapest and Prague, making it impractical for a day trip.

However, if you plan to visit the Czech Republic after staying in Hungary, you can utilize the travel between the cities to incorporate some sightseeing along the way and create a memorable day trip from Budapest to Prague. The best approach is to opt for a sightseeing transfer, as mentioned earlier in this article. This way, you can travel seamlessly between the cities while also making stops at remarkable places that you wouldn't typically be able to cover in a single day.

A luxurious and extravagant option for traveling from Budapest to Prague is by private jet. It is undeniably expensive, but if you have around €7,500 to spare for chartering a plane, why not indulge in this experience? With the inclusion of transportation to and from the airports, as well as the flight itself, the journey should take approximately 3 hours from the center of one city to the other. This makes it the fastest means of traveling from Budapest to Prague. Moreover, you have the freedom to fully customize the trip according to your specific needs and itinerary.