München / Munich to Budapest by train

Final Destination: Budapest-Keleti

Train also calls at: Wien, Gyor, Budapest-Kelenfold

Note that these trains do NOT call at Munchen Ost station.

This is a pleasant, but not exceptionally beautiful journey, so this is a route when taking the alternative overnight train means you won't lose out on seeing spectacular views.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: Three months ahead of the travel date

On the DB Bahn booking site look for journeys that have:

• 0 in the Chg. column
• RJ  (and only RJ) in the Products column.

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day - so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
Use the earlier/later buttons to search for the cheapest ticket prices.

Though something to look out for is that the final direct daytime train of the day usuallyt departs from Munchen Hbf at around 13:30.

Book 1st class ticket journey tickets on with DB and your seat reservation is included, but they're optional when booking 2nd class tickets, or if you will be travelling with a 1st or 2nd class rail pass.

This train is usually scheduled to depart from Munchen Hbf* at 23:35 and arrive in Budapest Keleti at 09:24.
Note that this train has fairly convenient departure and arrival times, so it can be a good alternative to travelling from Munich to Budapest on the alternative daytime trains,
You also won't be missing out on experiencing a fabulously scenic journey if you take this night train.

However, the Hungarian sleeping and couchette coaches used on these trains aren't as modern as some other night trains - note that Nightjet trains aren't used on this route.

Final Destination: Budapest

This train also calls at: Munchen Ost, Gyor and Budapest-Kelenfold**

*The train will call at Budapest-Kelenfold around 10 mins before arriving at Budapest-Keleti.

If the end point of your journey in Budapest is by a station on Metro Line 4, or has an easy connection from Line 4, then leave the train from Munchen at Kelenfold station and transfer to the Metro there.

Not only will your journey be quicker overall, the Metro transfer at Kelenfold is much easier, than at Keleti station in Budapest, particularly if you have luggage.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 3 months ahead of the travel date

'Kalaman Imre' is the name given to this train, which uses coaches provided by Hungarian Railways (MAV).

The train conveys:
- Compartment Seats
- Couchettes ; 4 berths AND 6 berths
Sleeping cars with 3 bed, 2 bed and 1 cabins (there are no deluxe sleeping cars with showers in the cabins available on this route).

Click the train button above for more info including the rail pass reservation fees:

Using rail passes:

Rail pass users must reserve before boarding this train.

However, these rail pass reservations can NO longer be booked online the DB website.

If you want to reserve seats, berths in couchettes or beds in the sleeping cabins before you arrive in Germany, the best option is to pay a booking fee and use the Eurail or InterRail reservation services.

Or you can avoid the booking fees by arranging the reservations when you arrive in Germany, by purchasing them at a Reisezentrum travel desk, which you will find in any hauptbahnhof.
Though it's best to do this at the first hauptbahnhof (city centre station) that you will arrive at, the later you leave booking your accommodation, the more likely it is that your preferences will be sold out.