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Paris to Budapest by train
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Cheapest Price £72.38
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30 days in advance £154.84
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7 days in advance £163.79
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First train06:37
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Last train22:05
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Avg changes2
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Fastest journey13hr 1m
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Distance1,247 kilometres
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Trains per day41
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Avg. journey time18hr 28m
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Train operators
Travelling from Paris to Budapest by train
Considering a train trip from Paris to Budapest? This guide will walk you through everything — from the best routes to finding the cheapest train tickets — so you can enjoy a smooth, stress-free journey.
Train ticket cost for journeys between Paris and Budapest
Just like airline tickets, train fares vary by the operator, the number of stops, the time of day you travel, how far in advance you book and more. When it comes to timing, while the cheapest tickets on this route are typically £72.38, when booked a month in advance, tickets costs an average of £154, and when purchased a week in advance, tickets increase to £163.
How to find cheap train tickets
Booking early nearly always keeps more money in your pocket, but there are other ways to save big on tickets. Refer to our cheap train ticket guide to make sure you make the most out of your travel budget.
Train times for travel from Paris to Budapest
During the week, the earliest departure time is at 06:37 and the last departure is 21:55. On weekends, the first train departs at 06:37 and the last train leaves at 22:05. On average, a total of 41 trains make this journey each day.
Average train travel time and distance from Paris to Budapest
On this route, the fastest trip lasts 13 hours and 1 minute, spanning 1,247 kilometres in total.
When do tickets between Paris and Budapest go on sale?
Travellers can book train journeys between Paris and Budapest 6 months before the travel date. The earlier you book, the better the price. Stay informed about ticket availability by setting up a personalised booking alert with Rail Europe.
More information on train travel from Paris to Budapest
Want to know more about train travel in Europe? Explore our help articles for guidance on booking, travel discounts, class of service and much more. Need some travel inspiration? Check out our Budapest city guide to get you started.
Frequently asked questions
How far is it from Paris to Budapest by train?
The train journey between Paris and Budapest covers 1,247 kilometres.
How much is a train ticket from Paris to Budapest?
The cheapest fare on this route is £72.38. If you book 30 days in advance, tickets cost about £154. If booked 7 days in advance, the cost is typically £163.
When can I start booking my Paris to Budapest train tickets?
You can purchase tickets for this route 6 months in advance.
How long does the train take from Paris to Budapest?
The fastest journey takes 13 hours and 1 minute.
Other journeys to Budapest View all journeys to Budapest
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From London to Budapest From £82.83
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From Munich to Budapest From £34.70
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From Brussels to Budapest From £60.82
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From Prague to Budapest From £15.67
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From Berlin to Budapest From £34.70
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From Cologne to Budapest From £34.33
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From Amsterdam to Budapest From £60.82
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From Frankfurt am Main to Budapest From £34.33
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From Vienna to Budapest From £8.21
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From Stuttgart to Budapest From £33.95
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From Mannheim to Budapest From £34.70
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From Bruck an der Leitha to Budapest From £29.48
Other journeys from Budapest
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From Budapest to Vienna From £8.21
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From Budapest to Munich From £33.95
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From Budapest to Prague From £15.67
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From Budapest to Bruck an der Leitha From £33.95
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From Budapest to From £18.50
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From Budapest to Bratislava From £38.06
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From Budapest to Salzburg From £28.36
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From Budapest to Zurich From £41.04
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From Budapest to Vac From £5.22
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From Budapest to Zagreb Glavni Kolod. From £40.67
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From Budapest to Frankfurt am Main From £33.95
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From Budapest to Siofok From £16.42
Other journeys from Paris
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From Paris to London From £57.46
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From Paris to Milan From £12.09
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From Paris to Berlin From £18.28
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From Paris to Frankfurt am Main From £17.54
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From Paris to Geneva From £9.33
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From Paris to Zurich From £26.12
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From Paris to Bern From £48.13
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From Paris to Nice From £9.33
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From Paris to Bourg-Saint-Maurice From £50.37
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From Paris to Chamonix From £18.28
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From Paris to Amsterdam From £28.73
TGV & EuroNight
It is an easy journey by train from Paris to Budapest. Our preferred option is to take the mid-afternoon TGV from Paris to Munich, changing there onto an overnight train to Budapest. The TGV service from Paris to Munich is run by French operator SNCF, while the onward overnight service to Budapest is operated by the Hungarian train company MÁV. During the summer months, you’ll be rewarded with some fine scenery on the evening journey through southern Germany towards Munich. Sadly, you’ll not see much of the Alps as that section of the trip is overnight.
There are alternative routes. One option is to take a late-afternoon TGV from Paris to Zurich, from where there is a direct overnight train to Budapest. The travel time is a shade quicker than the Munich option, but it is usually considerably more expensive. You can also travel by day from Paris to Budapest. It’s a longish journey and you’ll need to change trains in Stuttgart and Salzburg.
Paris to Munich
The year-round once-daily direct train from Paris to Munich departs from the Gare de l’Est in Paris and arrives at Munich Hauptbahnhof. A new high-speed line through eastern France opened in 2016, bringing the journey time for the direct Paris to Munich train down to just over five and a half hours. There are several additional Paris to Munich options each day, all requiring a change of train in Stuttgart, Mannheim. Karlsruhe or Frankfurt.
The direct TGV from Paris to Munich tracks east on the high-speed line from Paris towards the German border, sometimes touching 320 kph along the way. After a brief stop in Strasbourg the train crosses the River Rhine and then continues south-east to Stuttgart, where the train reverses. From there it is another two hours with stops in Ulm and Augsburg to Munich Hauptbahnhof, where there is an excellent range of onward connections to destinations in Bavaria, Austria and beyond. The direct train is a French TGV train, with German Deutsche Bahn and French SNCF staff working together on board to ensure the highest levels of customer service.
Munich to Budapest (night train)
Late every evening, a multicoloured rake of carriages pulls out of Munich Hauptbahnhof, carrying overnight travellers to destinations which include Venice, Ljubljana, Zagreb and Budapest. The Hungary-bound portion of the train travels overnight through Austria, pausing in Vienna around six in the morning. From the Austrian capital, it is less than three hours to Budapest. The train terminates at Keleti station in Budapest.
The night train from Munich to Budapest is named after the Hungarian composer Kálmán Imre. You have a choice of seats, couchettes or sleepers – all in air-conditioned Hungarian carriages.