How to Get From Brno to Budapest by Train
We’re down to our last month in Europe, and this will be the last train we get. We’ve loved our 6 days in Brno and will be back again in the next year or two. I much prefer it to Prague.
Our next destination is Budapest in Hungary. We spent a few days there earlier this year but the weather was dreadful. This time we’re spending 11 days there.
Brno Central Train Station
Brno Central train station is near the city center. It was also close enough to our apartment to walk to and from it.
We originally booked online via Rail Europe, which was a big mistake. They tickets cost $146.95 for two which included a booking fee. That’s around 134 EUR, meaning each ticket cost 67 EUR. We were told that we needed to print the tickets. As we didn’t have access to a printer, we cancelled the tickets and got a refund for the tickets but not the booking fee ($.8.45). We then bought them from the train station.
Our tickets to Budapest that we bought at the train station cost 28 EUR each. So, Rail Europe wanted over double the price. What a rip-off. I will never use them again for anything. We saved 78 EUR by booking at the train station.
Our Train
We opted to get the 12.22 train, but when we arrived at the station the departure board showed that it was 20 minutes late. Luckily, there are lots of cafes at the station as well as a nice Billa supermarket.
The train ended up being 90 minutes late leaving Brno.
The train was very comfortable and there was a drinks trolley that came around twice. Pro tip: The tea was organic and the best I have had in Europe in the last 5 months.
The train had a separate area to stow bicycles and luggage.
As the train progressed, it got more and more delayed. When the board was showing it was 120 minutes late we were told that the train was terminating and that we had to get on a local train for the remainder of the journey.
The local train stopped at 10-15 stations and was very slow. It was also very crowded without any room store luggage.
When we arrived at Budapest Nyugati staion, we were 3 hours late.
Budapest Nyugati Train Station
The part of the station shown above looks fairly new, but when you head down the stairs to the metro it looks like you’re in an old and abandoned shopping mall. Everything looks very old and nearly every store is closed.
How to Get From Budapest Nyugati Train Station to the City Center (Deak Ferenc ter)
As you can see above, it’s only two stops to Deak Ferenc ter, which is in the city center. Our Budapest Airbnb with super-fast wifi was only a few minutes walk from there.
You can buy the metro tickets from the machines at the station. The machines are easy to use and accept card payment. Just select a single ticket. Cost is 350 HUF (around $1).
Book your hotel in Budapest
When not staying at Airbnb apartments, our favorite booking website is agoda.com.
