Prague to Budapest train route.
 

Hello Group,

We are planning to visit Prague & Budapest this Sep. After spending about 3 or 4 days in Prague, we plan to travel to Budapest by the overnight train. Since we are not US citizens (only "permanent residents or green card holders"), we would need tourist visas for the Czech Republic & Hungary. We are planning to apply for the same this week.

Does anyone know the train route from Prague to Budapest? Through which countries does the train pass through? The reason I am asking is because, if it passes through the Slovak Republic (which I think it does), would we need any kind of "transit" visa from the Slovak Replublic? (we will not be getting down from the train until it reaches Budapest). Also, not sure if the train passes through any other country before getting to Budapest.

Thanks for any help.

The train from Prague to Budapest would pass through Slovakia. You should check with a Slovak embassy or consulate to find out about the need for a visa.

You can actualy do this route and avoid Slovakia altogether by taking a train to Vienna and then on to Gyor and on to Budapest. The problem with this route is it can take more than an hour longer than the more direct trains which pass through Slovakia and it involves several changes. The longer duration and changes necessary are probably not worth it vs. making suitable arrangements to pass through Slovakia...but again, it CAN be done.

The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable. Table 60 shows that the direct night train takes passengers at Prague Hlavni at 2230, leaves at 2323, and reaches Budapest Keleti at 0818. The fare, with a berth in a 3-berth sleeper is 144 euros

The night route that avoids Slovakia is not bad. Board at Prague about 2230, leave at 2305, use an euro coin to take a luggage trolley (koffer-kooli) and change at Vienna South from 0603 to 0715, breakfast with an omlette and good coffee on the train, and reach Budapest Keleti at 0948. The fare, with a berth in a 3-berth sleeper is 118 euros

For a 2-berth sleeper fares are 216 direct or 177 via Vienna. In Prague Hlavni station pickpockets work in gangs of three, and jostle you. My solution is to put just my railway ticket and a little cash in my front pocket (or even in the gtop of a sock), and all other valuables in a packet in a dirty shirt deep inside a big bag. I bring out my passport once I am on the train, and move a credit card to a pocket five minutes before I reach Vienna or Budapest. I lock and bolt my compartment door once the train leaves, and open only for frontier checks.

The sleeper leaves from Cheb, in the western Czech Republic, as train R243, so for a longer night I board at Prague Hlavni at 2150, and reach Vienna at 0603. I can tell you whom to email if you want to book from the States. And please tell me if I can otherwise help further.

Ben Haines, London
[email protected]

If a person is not a US citizen, but a Green Card holder, wouldn't he need a visa to enter (transit) Austria?

Thanks for the responses so far.... I have emailed the Slovak Consulate in Washington DC today asking them the same question. Let's see what they say.

Also, it is my understanding that if I travel via Austria, I would need a visa (Schengen) since we will be changing trains, etc.; but with the journey via Slovak, we will not be getting down from the train until it reaches Budapest. Now, whether we still need a transit visa or not... I guess I will find out from the Slovak consulate (hopefully by tomorrow).

Ben, Can you please email me the contact info. for purchasing rail tickets from the US.

Thanks again.

Well, as it turns out, we do need a transit visa to the Slovak Republic, even though we will not be stepping down from the train... and the bad thing is that we would have to personally go to Washington DC to apply for the same. They don't accept applications by mail :-(. The consulate also mentioned that if we have a Schengen visa, then a transit visa to the Slovak Rep can be obtained at one of their border checkpoints.

Thanks,
S

Have you considered flying from Prague to Budapest? We did in May 2005, Malev Airlines, and it was a good and quick flight.

The cheapest I found was for $200 (RT) per person on Czech Airways.