Before you buy your tickets
Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. It answers all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or buy a €35 point-to-point ticket online?". Click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.
European train travel FAQ
Belgrade to Zagreb & Ljubljana for €29
Option 1, by day train, every day all year round
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A train leaves Belgrade Centar station at 10:05 & Novi Beograd at 10:19 every day, arriving Zagreb at 18:13 and Ljubljana at 20:56.
This train was suspended during the pandemic and remains suspended in 2024 due to Serbian & Croatian incompetence.
It's a leisurely trip across the former Yugoslavia on a route once used by the Simplon Orient Express. 2nd class only, but in two comfortable air-conditioned Serbian EuroCity cars. There's no catering, so bring your own picnic and perhaps some beer or wine.
You can check train times at int.bahn.de or the Serbian Railways website w3.srbvoz.rs/redvoznje.
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A Ljubljana Special ticket costs €29, good for either Belgrade-Ljubljana or Belgrade-Zagreb.
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You can't buy tickets online, but they're easy to buy at the station, always places available.
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While the train is suspended, take a bus from Belgrade to Zagreb
A Flixbus leaves Belgrade bus station at 11:30, arriving Zagreb bus station at 17:00
The fare is around €21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb bus station to Zagreb station, see walking map.
A train leaves Zagreb at 19:40 and arrives Ljubljana at 21:47. Fare €9, buy at the station it cannot be bought online.
In summer when it's light this is a lovely scenic run along the Sava river.
Belgrade to Sarajevo & Bosnia
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Unfortunately, the direct Belgrade to Sarajevo train was discontinued in 2012 and there are now no trains to Sarajevo other than from Zagreb. Indeed, the Zagreb-Sarajevo train service now has a gap in it, across the Croatian-Bosnian border.
Belgrade to Sofia
Belgrade to Istanbul for €50
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Sofia, as shown on the Belgrade to Sofia page.
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Stay overnight in Sofia. A same-day connection in Sofia is no longer possible, so spend a night and day in the Bulgarian capital. I recommend the Hotel Favorit, 10 minutes walk from Sofia station with great reviews.
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Step 2, travel from Sofia to Istanbul overnight on the safe & comfortable Sofia-Istanbul Express sleeper train costing €29 with couchette or around €40 with a bed in a cosy air-conditioned 2-bed sleeper, see the Sofia to Istanbul page for details.
You can't book a Sofia-Istanbul couchette or sleeper in Belgrade or anywhere outside Bulgaria, you either need to reserve at the station in Sofia or approach the sleeper & couchette attendants on the train and pay them directly if a berth is free. See the Sofia to Istanbul page for advice.
Belgrade to Skopje for €24
- There was a train from Belgrade to Skopje up until 2019 or 2020, nothing since. There are currently no trains.
Belgrade to Thessaloniki & Athens
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There used to be a daily overnight train from Belgrade to Thessaloniki, which was reduced to summer only, then ceased altogether in 2019. There are currently no trains from Serbia to Greece. The Balkans have fallen apart.
Belgrade to Podgorica, Bar & Montenegro for €22
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The line from Belgrade to Podgorica and Bar in Montenegro is one of the most spectacularly scenic train routes in Europe. There's a comfortable daytime train in summer and an overnight sleeper all year round.
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See train times, fares & how to buy tickets on the Belgrade-Bar Railway page.
Belgrade to Dubrovnik
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Step 1, take a train from Belgrade to Podgorica on one of the most spectacular lines in Europe.
There's a daytime train in summer and a sleeper train all year round, fare around €22.
See train times, fares & how to buy tickets on the Belgrade-Bar Railway page.
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Step 2, take a bus from Podgorica bus station to Dubrovnik.
You'll usually find an early morning bus and a late afternoon bus, journey time 4h15-4h45, fare €18-€30, check times and buy tickets at a site such as getbybus.com.
Alternatively, if you want to see the whole rail route from Belgrade to Bar, you'll find at least one daily bus from Bar to Dubrovnik, see getbybus.com.
Always allow an hour or two between train and bus in case of delay.
Belgrade to London
Belgrade to Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam
Option 1, using the Hungarian sleeper train from Budapest to Stuttgart - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest by train, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
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Day 1, travel from Budapest to Stuttgart by sleeper train Kalman Imre leaving Budapest Keleti at 20:40 & arriving Stuttgart Hbf 08:38.
The Kalman Imre has a modern air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. More about this sleeper train.
If you have a sleeping-car ticket, you can use the business lounge in Budapest on platform 9, see here for opening hours.
Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, more fiddly, no fee). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam. I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains. For example:
The 09:51 from Stuttgart Hbf, change at Cologne Hbf, reaches Amsterdam Centraal 15:29.
The 09:37 from Stuttgart Hbf, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, reaches Brussels Midi 15:35.
The 10:52 ICE train from Stuttgart Hbf reaches Paris Gare de l'Est 14:06.
Fares for all these journeys start at around €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Tip: Change Transfer time from normal to minimum 30 minutes. I'd allow at least an hour between trains in Stuttgart.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, using the sleeper train Lisinski from Zagreb to Stuttgart - currently involves a bus
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Zagreb on the daily train, leaving Belgrade Centar station at 10:05 & Novi Beograd at 10:19 arriving Zagreb 18:13.
This train was suspended during the pandemic and remains suspended in 2024.
It's a leisurely trip across the former Yugoslavia on a route once used by the Simplon Orient Express. 2nd class only, but in two comfortable air-conditioned Serbian EuroCity cars. There's no catering, so bring your own picnic and perhaps some beer or wine.
You can usually get a promotional ticket for around €29. You cannot buy tickets online, but they are easy to buy at the station or even on the train, there are always places available.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Belgrade to Zagreb
A Flixbus leaves Belgrade bus station at 11:30, arriving Zagreb bus station at 17:00
The fare is around €21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb bus station to Zagreb station, see walking map.
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Day 1, take the comfortable sleeper train Lisinski from Zagreb to Stuttgart, leaving Zagreb at 19:40 arriving Stuttgart Hbf 08:38.
Departure from Zagreb is at 18:40 until 13 July 2025, due to engineering work in the Tauern Tunnel.
The Lisinski has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended). Watch the Croatian sleeper video. There's no catering car, so take a picnic and a bottle of wine with you!
Fares start at €49 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €59 with couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €89 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper with washbasin, morning tea or coffee included, or €129 with a single-bed sleeper, morning tea or coffee included.
Book this sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, more fiddly, no fee). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam. I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains. For example:
The 09:51 from Stuttgart Hbf, change at Cologne Hbf, reaches Amsterdam Centraal 15:29.
The 09:37 from Stuttgart Hbf, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, reaches Brussels Midi 15:35.
The 10:52 ICE train from Stuttgart Hbf reaches Paris Gare de l'Est 14:06.
Fares for all these journeys start at around €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Tip: Change Transfer time from normal to minimum 30 minutes. I'd allow at least an hour between trains in Stuttgart.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 3, by train to Zagreb, comfortable sleeper train to Zurich, then onward trains - currently involves a bus
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Zagreb on the daily train, leaving Belgrade Centar station at 10:05 & Novi Beograd at 10:19 arriving Zagreb 18:13.
This train was suspended during the pandemic and remains suspended in 2024.
It's a leisurely trip across the former Yugoslavia on a route once used by the Simplon Orient Express. 2nd class only, but in comfortable air-conditioned Serbian cars. Bring your own provisions and perhaps some beer or wine.
You can usually get a promotional ticket for around €29. You cannot buy tickets online, but they are very easy to buy at the station and there are always places available.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Belgrade to Zagreb
A Flixbus leaves Belgrade bus station at 11:30, arriving Zagreb bus station at 17:00
The fare is around €21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb bus station to Zagreb station, see walking map.
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Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Zurich by sleeper train, leaving Zagreb at 19:40, arriving Zurich HB 09:20.
Departure from Zagreb is at 18:40 until 13 July 2025, due to engineering work in the Tauern Tunnel.
This sleeper train has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended). Watch the Croatian sleeper video. There's no catering, so take a picnic and a bottle of wine.
In summer when it's light there's lovely scenery along the Sava river from Zagreb to Ljubljana, and superb alpine views in Switzerland.
Fares start at €49 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €59 with couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €89 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper with washbasin, morning tea or coffee included, or €129 with a single-bed sleeper, morning tea or coffee included.
Book this sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same fares, a little more fiddly). You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Zurich to Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam by train. I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Zurich. For example:
The 13:34 from Zurich HB reaches Paris Est at 17:38. Fares from €29, book at www.thetrainline.com.
The 11:59 from Zurich HB, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, reaches Amsterdam Centraal 20:28. From €37.99, book at int.bahn.de.
The 11:59 from Zurich HB, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, reaches Brussels Midi 19:35. From €37.99, book at int.bahn.de.
For more detail, see the International trains from Zurich page.
Belgrade to Zurich & Switzerland
Option 1, using the Hungarian sleeper train from Budapest to Zurich - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start from around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Zurich by EuroNight sleeper train Kalman Imre, leaving Budapest Keleti at 20:40, arriving Zurich HB 08:20.
The Kalman Imre has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments. In the sleeping-car, a light breakfast with tea or coffee is included in the fare. More about this sleeper train. Watch the video.
Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (same fares, in €). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: You can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Hungary, click EN and look for Kalman Imre.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket, you can use the business lounge on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti with complimentary tea & coffee.
Option 2, by daytime trains with an overnight stop in Budapest - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 14:00, change Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 21:09.
Or there's an earlier departure, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start from around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Zurich by railjet, leaving Budapest Keleti at 06:40, arriving Zurich HB 17:20.
Or leave Budapest Keleti at 09:40 by railjet and change at Vienna Hbf onto the 13:28 railjet, arriving Zurich HB 21:20.
Railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st or business class a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat. You get a great view of Salzburg fortress on your left as you cross the River Salzach, soon after leaving Salzburg Hbf.
Tip: If you have a 1st or business class ticket, you can use the business lounge on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti.
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class, €59.90 in 1st class or €74.90 in business class (= premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com.
This is the easiest way to buy tickets, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee, just book Budapest to Zurich as one transaction. If you want business class, select 1st class then look for the +€15 business class reservation. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
Tip: You can book to any station in Switzerland, the ticket will then include an onwards Swiss train to Geneva, Basel, Interlaken, Zermatt, or wherever, at prices significantly cheaper than buying a separate Swiss domestic ticket for an onward journey from Zurich, as these are expensive.
You can also buy tickets at Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at or at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it, but booking on mavcsoport.hu only opens 60 days ahead. You can't book business class using www.mavcsoport.hu.
Option 3, via the excellent Zagreb-Zurich sleeper - currently involves a bus
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Zagreb on the daily train, leaving Belgrade Centar at 10:05 & Novi Beograd at 10:19 arriving Zagreb 18:13.
This train was suspended during the pandemic and remains suspended in 2024.
It's a leisurely trip across the former Yugoslavia on a route once used by the Simplon Orient Express. 2nd class only, but in comfortable air-conditioned Serbian cars. Bring your own provisions and perhaps some beer or wine.
You can usually get a promotional ticket for around €29.
You cannot buy tickets online, but they are very easy to buy at the station or even on the train, there are always places available.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Belgrade to Zagreb
A Flixbus leaves Belgrade bus station at 11:30, arriving Zagreb bus station at 17:00
The fare is around €21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb bus station to Zagreb station, see walking map.
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Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Zurich by sleeper train, leaving Zagreb at 19:40, arriving Zurich HB 09:20.
Departure from Zagreb is at 18:40 until 13 July 2025, due to engineering work in the Tauern Tunnel.
The train has a comfortable air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, see the Croatian sleeper video. There's also a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments which is also comfortable and air-conditioned. There's no catering car so bring a picnic and bottle of wine.
In summer when it's light there's lovely scenery along the Sava river from Zagreb to Ljubljana, and superb alpine views in Switzerland.
Fares start at €49 with couchette in 6-berth, €59 with couchette in 4-berth, €79 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper with washbasin, morning tea or coffee included, or €129 with a single-bed sleeper, morning tea or coffee included.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a little more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Belgrade to Trieste, Venice, Rome & Italy
Option 1, by train via Ljubljana, Trieste & Venice - the cheapest & easiest option for Venice & most of Italy
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Day 1, take the daily train from Belgrade to Ljubljana, leaving Belgrade Centar at 10:05 & Novi Beograd at 10:19, arriving Ljubljana at 20:56.
This train was suspended during the pandemic and remains suspended in 2024.
It's a leisurely trip across the former Yugoslavia on a route once used by the famous Simplon Orient Express. Bring your own provisions and perhaps some beer or wine. You can check train times at int.bahn.de. A Ljubljana Special ticket costs just €29. You cannot buy tickets online, but they are easy to buy at the station or even on the train, there are always places available.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Belgrade to Zagreb, then train...
A Flixbus leaves Belgrade bus station at 11:30, arriving Zagreb bus station at 17:00
The fare is around €21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb bus station to Zagreb station, see walking map.
A train leaves Zagreb at 19:40 and arrives Ljubljana at 21:47. Fare €9, buy at the station it cannot be bought online.
In summer when it's light this is a lovely scenic run along the Sava river.
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Stay overnight in Ljubljana. Consider the Hotel Slon which I have used myself, 13 minutes walk from the station with good reviews, the Hotel Emonec, or the Hotel Slamic 11 minutes walk from the station with great reviews.
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Day 2, travel from Ljubljana to Trieste and Venice for around €22, as shown in detail on the Ljubljana to Venice by train page.
There's no need to book ahead, indeed there are no seat reservations and tickets cannot sell out, just buy a ticket at the station.
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Day 2 afternoon, catch an onward train from Venice to Milan (2h25), Florence, Rome (3h50) or Naples booked at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly to use, requires Italian language place names, no booking fee, read this advice on using it).
Option 2, using the Zagreb-Zurich sleeper - a comfortable option, every day, all year round
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Zagreb then Zagreb to Zurich by sleeper, as shown in the Belgrade to Switzerland section.
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train, these leave every hour or so taking 3h17.
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Step 3, change in Milan for high-speed trains Florence, Rome & Naples, taking just 1h40 to Florence or 2h55 to Rome.
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More about trains from Zurich to Italy & how to buy tickets.
Option 3, by train to Montenegro then ferry to Italy - summer-only, on dates when the ferry operates
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Bar in Montenegro over one of Europe's most spectacular railways, see photos, timetable & how to buy tickets.
The day train Tara arrives too late in the evening to connect with the ferry, so you'll need the sleeper train Lovcen - wake up early and lift the blind, as the most spectacular part of the route is at the southern end and you'll see this in daylight even from the night train, at least in summer. Or take the previous day's Tara and stay overnight in Montenegro.
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Step 2, sail across the Adriatic from Bar in Montenegro to Ancona in Italy. The ferry sails overnight with cabins available.
Montenegro Lines used to sail from Bar in Montenegro to Bari in Italy, but ceased trading in 2017. Jadrolinija (www.jadrolinija.hr) resumed this route but then abandoned it. In 2024, Adria Ferries started a twice-weekly ferry from Ancona to Bar, which may run again in 2025.
In 2024, the ship sailed Bar to Ancona twice a week from early July to early September, the day of the week & time varied.
Check ferry sailing dates & book online at www.adriaferries.com/en/lines/ancona-bar.html.
If you find no sailings between Bar and Bari, look for sailings from Dubrovnik in Croatia to Bari. Dubrovnik is a 3h45 bus ride along the coast from Bar.
Belgrade to Barcelona & Spain
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, then take the sleeper from Budapest to Zurich as shown above.
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Day 2, travel from Zurich HB to Geneva by Swiss Intercity train then Geneva to Lyon Part Dieu by TER regional train. There are several possible departures, for example leaving at 11:32 and arriving 17:22, check times & buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com.
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Stay overnight in Lyon.
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Day 3, travel from Lyon to Barcelona by high-speed TGV, leaving Lyon Part Dieu at 06:40, changing at Narbonne, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no fee).
Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 3, change in Barcelona for Madrid, Valencia, Alicante & other destinations. Check times & buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com. I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Barcelona.
Belgrade to Salzburg, Munich, Berlin & Germany from €54
Option 1, using the Hungarian sleeper train from Budapest to Munich & Stuttgart - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
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Day 1, travel from Budapest to Stuttgart by sleeper train Kalman Imre leaving Budapest Keleti 20:40, arriving Munich Ost 05:50 & Stuttgart 08:38.
The Kalman Imre has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A restaurant car is available from departure until after midnight. More about this sleeper train.
If you have a sleeping-car ticket, you can use the business lounge at Budapest Keleti on platform 9.
Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, more fiddly, no fee). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, take an onward train to anywhere in Germany. I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Stuttgart.
Option 2, by daytime trains with an overnight stop in Budapest - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 14:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 21:09.
Or there's an earlier departure, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Salzburg or Germany. Railjet trains link Budapest Keleti with Salzburg & Munich Hbf every 2 hours.
The railjets have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st or business class a steward takes food & drink orders and serves you at your seat. You get a great view of Salzburg fortress on your left as you cross the River Salzach, soon after leaving Salzburg Hbf.
Fares start at €37.99 in 2nd class, €56.99 in 1st class or €71.99 in business class (premium 1st).
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log in at any time and check or reprint bookings.
Tip: If you have a 1st or business class ticket, you can use the business lounge at Budapest Keleti on platform 9.
Option 3, Belgrade to Salzburg, Munich & Germany using the Zagreb-Munich-Stuttgart sleeper train
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This is a slower route, but it's the way I'd recommend while the direct Belgrade-Budapest-Germany route is disrupted by engineering work.
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Zagreb on the daily train, leaving Belgrade Centar at 10:05 & Novi Beograd at 10:19 arriving Zagreb 18:13.
This train was suspended during the pandemic and remains suspended in 2024.
It's a leisurely trip across the former Yugoslavia on a route once used by the Simplon Orient Express. 2nd class only, but in comfortable air-conditioned Serbian cars. Bring your own provisions and perhaps some beer or wine.
You can usually get a promotional ticket for around €29. You cannot buy tickets online, but they are very easy to buy at the station and there are always places available.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Belgrade to Zagreb
A Flixbus leaves Belgrade bus station at 11:30, arriving Zagreb bus station at 17:00
The fare is around €21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb bus station to Zagreb station, see walking map.
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Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Germany by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Zagreb at 19:40 arriving Munich Ost 05:50 & Stuttgart Hbf 08:38.
Departure from Zagreb is at 18:40 until 13 July 2025, due to engineering work in the Tauern Tunnel.
The Lisinski has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended). Watch the Croatian sleeper video. There's no catering car, so take a picnic and a bottle of wine with you!
Fares start at €49 with couchette in 6-berth, €59 with couchette in 4-berth, €89 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper with washbasin, morning tea or coffee included, or €129 with a single-bed sleeper, morning tea or coffee included.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
If changing in Munich, you must usually transfer from Munich Ost to Munich Hbf by frequent S-Bahn train taking 8 minutes.
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Step 3, travel from Munich Hbf or Stuttgart Hbf to anywhere in Germany.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in case the sleeper is late.
Option 4, Belgrade to Salzburg, Munich & Germany with overnight stop in Zagreb
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This is a slower route, but it's also a way I'd recommend while the direct Belgrade-Budapest-Germany route is blocked by engineering work..
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Zagreb on the daily train, leaving Belgrade Centar at 10:05 & Novi Beograd at 10:19 arriving Zagreb at 18:13.
This train was suspended during the pandemic and remains suspended in 2024.
It's a leisurely trip across the former Yugoslavia on a route once used by the Simplon Orient Express. 2nd class only, but in two comfortable air-conditioned Serbian EuroCity cars. Bring your own provisions and perhaps some beer or wine.
You can usually get a promotional ticket for around €29. You cannot buy tickets online, but they are easy to buy at the station or even on the train, there are always places available.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Belgrade to Zagreb
A Flixbus leaves Belgrade bus station at 16:15, arriving Zagreb bus station at 21:45, or there's an earlier 11:30 bus.
The fare around €21, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb bus station to Zagreb station, see walking map.
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Stay overnight in Zagreb, the historic Esplanade Hotel, the Palace Hotel or Central Hotel are all near the station with good reviews.
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Step 2, next day travel by daytime trains from Zagreb to Salzburg & Munich and onwards into Germany, see the Trains from Zagreb page for full details. It's a lovely journey along the river Sava and through the mountains of Austria.
Belgrade to Vienna from €34
Option 1, Belgrade to Vienna via Budapest, 05:00 departure - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 05:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 12:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Vienna by railjet, leaving Budapest Keleti at 13:40, arriving Vienna Hbf 16:20.
Railjets have a restaurant, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class or €44.90 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You can also book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu (more fiddly, in Hungarian forints, see my advice for using it, booking with MAV only opens 60 days ahead).
Tip: If you have a 1st or business class ticket, you can use the business lounge on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti.
Option 2, Belgrade to Vienna via Budapest, 11:00 departure - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Vienna by railjet, leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:40 and arriving Vienna Hbf 22:20.
Railjets have a restaurant, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class or €44.90 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You can also book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu (more fiddly, in Hungarian forints, see my advice for using it, booking with MAV only opens 60 days ahead).
Tip: If you have a 1st or business class ticket, you can use the business lounge on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti.
Option 3, Belgrade to Vienna with an overnight stop in Budapest - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 14:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 21:09.
Or there's an earlier departure, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest Keleti to Vienna Hbf by railjet or EuroCity train using any departure you like.
Trains leave every hour taking just 2h40, see the timetable here.
Railjets have a restaurant, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st & business class, a steward takes your order & serves you at your seat. Many of the EuroCity trains also feature a restaurant car.
Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class, €29.90 in 1st class or €44.90 in railjet business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You can also book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu (more fiddly, in Hungarian forints, see my advice for using it, booking with MAV only opens 60 days ahead).
Tip: If you have a 1st or business class ticket, you can use the business lounge on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti.
Option 4, Belgrade to Vienna with overnight stop in Zagreb
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This is a slower route, but it's the way I'd recommend while the direct Belgrade-Budapest-Germany route is blocked by engineering work.
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Zagreb on the daily train, leaving Belgrade Centar at 10:05 & Novi Beograd at 10:19 arriving Zagreb at 18:13.
This train was suspended during the pandemic and remains suspended in 2024.
It's a leisurely trip across the former Yugoslavia on a route once used by the Simplon Orient Express. 2nd class only, but in two comfortable air-conditioned Serbian EuroCity cars. There's no catering, so bring your own picnic and perhaps some beer or wine. See the photos of this journey here.
You can usually get a promotional ticket for around €29.
You cannot buy tickets online, but they are easy to buy at the station or even on the train, there are always places available.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Belgrade to Zagreb
A Flixbus leaves Belgrade bus station at 16:15, arriving Zagreb bus station at 21:45, or there's an earlier 11:30 bus.
The fare around €20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb bus station to Zagreb station, see walking map.
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Stay overnight in Zagreb. The historic Esplanade Hotel, the Palace Hotel or Central Hotel are all near the station with good reviews.
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Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Vienna, leaving Zagreb at 07:05 every day, change at Graz, arriving Vienna Hbf at 15:02.
Zagreb to Graz is by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car, Graz to Vienna is by swish Austrian railjet with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey is a treat, enjoy lunch with wine or beer as the train travels over the wonderfully-scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Graz & Vienna.
Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (quickest & easiest to use, in €, £ or $, international credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in €, same fares). You print your own ticket.
Belgrade to Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Stockholm
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Due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo, Stockholm or Helsinki as shown on the Trains from Budapest page.
Belgrade to Prague
Option 1, Belgrade to Prague in a day - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 05:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 12:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 13:30 and arriving Prague Hlavni 20:15.
The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see timetable, fares, photos & tips for Budapest-Prague trains.
Fares start at €19 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz or the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.
Booking normally opens 90 days ahead on cd.cz or 60 days ahead on mavcsoport.hu. You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
Option 2, Belgrade to Prague using the Budapest-Prague sleeper - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Prague by sleeper, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 19:30 and arriving Prague Hlavni 08:13.
This train has an air-conditioned Czech sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, morning tea or coffee included in the fare.
Book at Czech Railways www.cd.cz. Booking normally opens 90 days ahead. You print your own ticket
For full details, see the Budapest to Prague sleeper train page.
Option 3, Belgrade to Prague with an overnight stop in Budapest - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 14:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 21:09.
Or there's an earlier departure, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Budapest Nyugati at either 05:30, 07:30 or 09:30.
You arrive at Prague Hlavni 6h40 later, see timetable, fares, photos & tips for Budapest-Prague trains.
The EuroCity trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €19 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz or the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.
Booking normally opens 90 days ahead on cd.cz or 60 days ahead on mavcsoport.hu. You print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
Belgrade to Bratislava
Option 1, Belgrade to Bratislava, 05:00 departure - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 05:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 12:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Bratislava by EuroCity train, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 13:30 and arriving Bratislava Hlavna 15:58.
The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see timetable, fares, photos & tips for Budapest-Prague trains.
Fares start at €19 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Belgrade to Bratislava, 11:00 departure - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Bratislava by train, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 19:30 and arriving Bratislava Hlavna 21:55.
This train has 2nd class seating only.
Buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 3, Belgrade to Bratislava with an overnight stop in Budapest - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 14:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 21:09.
Or there's an earlier departure, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Bratislava by EuroCity train, leaving Budapest Nyugati at either 05:30, 07:30, 08:12 or 09:30.
You arrive at Bratislava Hlavna 2h25 later, see timetable, fares, photos & tips for Budapest-Prague trains.
The EuroCity trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €19 in 2nd class or €35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Belgrade to Budapest from €23
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A major route upgrade from 2019-2026 means that direct Budapest-Belgrade fast trains are cancelled until 2026. The line is being rebuilt for speeds of up to 200 km/h which will cut journey time cut to 2h40.
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However, in 2024 a new cross-border local service means that the determined traveller can get from Belgrade to Budapest by slow train with 3 changes, in an interesting day with lunch in Subotica. One departure per day.
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This dramatically improves from a date to be announced, when the main line reopens between Belgrade and Subotica. There will then be 3 comfortable train services a day taking around 6h50 with changes at Subotica and Szeged, see the Belgrade to Budapest timetable here.
Belgrade to Bucharest & Romania
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The incompetent Romanian & Serbian Railway managers have had a disagreement, and since 2017 the Vrsac-Timisoara trains have been starting from one station north of Vrsac, meaning there are currently no trains at all across the Serbian/Romanian border, completely destroying this international route.
Belgrade to Warsaw & Krakow
Option 1, Belgrade to Poland using the Budapest-Krakow-Warsaw sleeper - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Poland by sleeper, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 19:30, arriving Krakow Glowny 06:20 & Warsaw Centralna 09:08.
It has economical couchettes in 4 & 6 bunk compartments and a comfortable, safe & civilised sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin or 1 & 2 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower. A sleeper is the recommended option, you'll be safe and snug. The sleeper is of Polish Railways latest air-conditioned type, see the photos below.
Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. If it doesn't offer deluxe sleepers, stick with regular ones. If it doesn't offer single-bed sleepers, simply book 2 tickets for a 2-bed sleeper.
Option 2, Belgrade to Poland with an overnight stop in Budapest - due to start 8 December 2024 but postponed, see updates.
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Day 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest, leaving Belgrade Centar at 14:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 21:09.
Or there's an earlier departure, leaving Belgrade Centar at 11:00, change at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Budapest Nyugati 18:09.
You take a 200 km/h SOKO train from Belgrade to Subotica, a local train to Szeged, then a Hungarian Intercity train to Budapest, for details see the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
Transfer from Nyugati to Keleti station by taxi or tram as shown here.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Poland by EuroCity train, leaving Budapest Nyugati at 08:12, one portion arriving Krakow Glowny 16:56 another arriving Warsaw Centralna 19:16. For more information see the Budapest-Warsaw & Budapest-Krakow sections.
Fares start at €19 if you book in advance.
Book online at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it in the MAV app on your phone.
Belgrade to Moscow & Russia
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Trains to Russia area suspended.
The train from Warsaw to Moscow uses new Austrian-built sleeping-cars owned by Russian Railways. Each compartment converts from comfortable sofas to equally comfortable beds and can be used as either 1st class 2-berth with two lower berths or as 2nd class 4-berth with all four berths in use. There are a shower and toilets at the end of the corridor. Compartments have electronic key-card locks, and the cars are very smooth-riding. The sleeper attendant can serve lovely Russian tea for around €0.50 a glass. Highly recommended!
Belgrade to Lviv, Kyiv & Ukraine
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Step 1, travel from Belgrade to Budapest as shown here.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Ukraine as shown here.
Hotels in Belgrade
Recommended hotel: Hotel Moskva
Look no further for a hotel in Belgrade than the historic Hotel Moskva. Opened in 1906, anyone who is anyone who has visited Belgrade has stayed here, from British author Graham Green to Ethiopian emperor Haile Salassie. It served as Gestapo Headquarters in 1941-44, although fortunately no trace of these former occupants remains. It's right in the centre of Belgrade at the end of the pedestrianised main street that leads to Belgrade fortress. It was only 10 minutes walk (admittedly uphill) from Belgrade's old station, but now a taxi ride from Belgrade Centar station. The hotel has immaculate rooms, friendly staff and a good cooked breakfast. Book the Hotel Moskva.
Travel insurance & VPN
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Always take out travel insurance
Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Here are some suggested insurers. Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.
www.staysure.co.uk
offers enhanced Covid-19 protection & gets 4.7 out of 5 on
Trustpilot.
www.columbusdirect.com
is also a well-know brand.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
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Get an eSIM with mobile data package
Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.
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Get a Curve card for foreign travel
Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.
How it works: 1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.
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Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN
When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I get a small commission to help support this site.
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Carry an Anker powerbank
Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from buy from Amazon.com.