Budapest Dock to Rail

[penang32]

We will be leaving Scenic Cruise trip in Budapest in Jan 2010 and travelling by rail to Vienna. Can any one advise how far is the railway station from where the boat will dock and the best means of making this transfer.

[webfoot]

Be aware that there are two train stations in Budapest. The one with rail service to Vienna is several miles from the dock. We were on an Avalon tour and our front desk folks made reservations for us with a taxi company that charges fixed rates. Not only did our taxi driver take us there swiftly but she also went inside to help us locate where to store our luggage until closer time for the train. The charge (last year) was equivalent to 10 Euro and we gave her a generous tip.

 

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

[steamboats]

penang32,

 

Both train stations are quite a bit away from the cruise ship landings. Although public transportation is easy to use in Budapest I´d suggest to take a cab. First is you don´t have to drag your bags. Second is you don´t have to cope with any ticket machines which only take Forint. Cab drivers do accept Euros.

 

steamboats

[Ship's Wake]

Our Uniworld cruise this past December ended in Budapest. The Uniworld concierge called a radio taxi for us to the Keleti station, about a 10 minute taxi drive away from the pier. We were able to pay for the taxi in euros.

 

One nice fact about travelling from Eastern Europe in a westward direction is that train tickets are usually cheaper than if travelling west to east. Hungarian rail has a special excursion fare for the equivalent of 29 euros from Budapest Keleti station to Wien Westbahoff station that also includes a day local transport in Vienna.

 

The only catch is that you cannot book this fare online, but need to buy your ticket at the station and you must pay in forints. When we were there they did not accept euros or credit cards. Make sure you have enough forints to cover your fare.

 

Here's a link to Mav Start: http://elvira.mav-start.hu/elvira.dll/xslms/

 

The international ticket counter at Keleti is somewhat hidden. From the front of the station, veer to the left for a ways and you'll come across a door on the left marked international. The queue is by ticket number, so make sure you take a ticket from the machine and wait for your number to appear on the digital sign. Some ticket agents do not speak English, so write out what you want in Hungarian to be safe.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Joe

[penang32]

Thanks to you three for the responses - most helpful

[Bobblsc]

We will be leaving Scenic Cruise trip in Budapest in Jan 2010 and travelling by rail to Vienna. Can any one advise how far is the railway station from where the boat will dock and the best means of making this transfer.

 

Those who suggest a set rate taxi from the ship to the station have it right. If possible, the ship people ought to do that for you. Uniworld got us set rate taxis from the ship to the State Opera one night, and to the airport the next day. We took a taxi back to the ship after the opera, and the driver cheated us. He had a meter, but turned it up from a 2 to a 6. I'll tell you, that meter moved fast. I talked to the driver all the way, and finally at the ship was able to get the fare cut in half, but that was still way too much.

 

So beware.

 

Budapest and Vienna are both great cities to visit. We have been to each three times. Both have, among other things, fine opera houses with great productions. However Vienna opera will cost about ten times Budapest opera. Just a thought.

 

Bob :cool:

[kuldalai]

Bit late, but post this info anyway as it may help other travellers .

 

The trains from Budapest to Vienna (West Bahnhof) depart from Budapest Kaleti Station which is on the Pest side of the Danube at the end of the street which leads from the Elizabeth Bridge .

 

Quite a distance from River Berth, so you order a taxi .

 

Two tips be sure to reserve your seats well in advance at peak times to avoid disapointment; and platforms of departure are not usually displayed for International Train Departures in Europe until 20 minutes prior to departure

(Security precautions).