Paris to Budapest
The train departs Paris in the late afternoon, crosses France and Germany overnight, and arrives in Budapest the following afternoon after a midday stop in Vienna. It is a journey that moves through the heart of Central Europe, and the arrival into Budapest Keleti station is one of the finest railway arrivals in the world.
The Paris to Budapest route runs on selected dates through the season and connects two of Europe's most celebrated capitals in the most civilised way imaginable. It is a longer journey than Paris to Venice, covering more ground through the night, and gives the impression of a continent being traversed rather than merely crossed.
The train departs Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 16:00, with a complimentary transfer from your Paris accommodation included in the fare. The first evening follows the same rhythm as any VSOE journey: settle into your cabin, dress for dinner, take an aperitif in Bar Car 3674 before the first call to the restaurant car. Chef Jean Imbert's four-course seasonal menu is served with the sommelier's selection of wines. After dinner the Bar Car stays lively; at midnight a brunch is laid on for those still awake, champagne and lobster rolls in the small hours. France moves through the darkness outside.
The Second Day
Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward as the train passes through Germany and into Austria. By mid-morning the landscape has changed character, the flatlands giving way to rolling hills and the first Alpine scenery as the train approaches Vienna. The breathtaking Alpine scenery continues to unfold as you relax over a leisurely three-course lunch, with majestic mountain peaks, flower-strewn meadows and shimmering lakes providing an ever-changing backdrop. The train arrives at Vienna Westbahnhof at 15:00, a mid-afternoon stop that gives passengers a moment to stretch their legs on the platform before the train continues east towards Hungary.
After Vienna, the landscape opens out into something quite different from anything on the Paris to Venice route: wide Hungarian plains, villages with church towers, the Danube plain gradually revealing itself as the train crosses the border into Hungary. Afternoon pastries are served in your cabin as the countryside rolls by. The train arrives at Budapest Keleti at approximately 16:30. Budapest Keleti is one of the great railway stations of Central Europe, its neo-Renaissance facade and grand main hall a fitting setting for the arrival of the world's most celebrated train.
What Is Included
Complimentary Transfer
Transfer from your Paris accommodation to Gare d'Austerlitz before departure.
Cabin Accommodation
One night in your chosen cabin: Historic Twin, Suite or Grand Suite. Personal steward service throughout.
Four-Course Dinner
Seasonal table d'hote menu by Chef Jean Imbert, served with the sommelier's selection of wines.
Midnight Brunch
Champagne, lobster rolls and more in Bar Car 3674 from midnight for those who wish to continue.
Breakfast in Your Cabin
A French breakfast served by your steward the following morning as the train crosses Germany and Austria.
Three-Course Lunch
A leisurely lunch in the restaurant car as the train passes through Austria and into Hungary on the second day.
Timetable
2026 Departure Dates
The Paris to Budapest route runs on selected dates. The December departure serves Vienna only.
April
- Wed 29
September
- Wed 9
December
- Thu 17 Vienna only
For all 2026 and 2027 departure dates, see our VSOE Timetables page.
2026 Fares: Paris to Budapest
| Cabin Type | 2026 Price (GBP) | Per Person Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Historic Twin Cabin | from £4,275 | Two sharing |
| Suite | from £10,625 | Two sharing |
| Grand Suite | from £13,530 | Two sharing |
All fares are per person, one way, and include all meals and a transfer from your Paris accommodation. See the full fare table for all routes and years.
Budapest to Paris
The train departs Budapest Keleti at 10:30 and arrives in Paris Gare d'Austerlitz the following morning. Unlike the Paris to Venice route where the Alpine crossing happens overnight, on the Budapest to Paris direction you are awake for much of the scenery through Austria, and the Austrian Alps in the afternoon from a VSOE dining car window is a view worth being awake for.
The Budapest to Paris journey is the return direction of one of the VSOE's most rewarding routes. The train departs Budapest Keleti station in the morning, a grand neo-Renaissance terminus that is as impressive a starting point as any in Europe. The first few hours run through the Hungarian plain and into Austria, and a three-course lunch is served in the restaurant car as the train heads on toward Vienna.
The train makes an afternoon stop at Vienna Westbahnhof, arriving at 16:00. After Vienna, the Arlberg Pass route takes the train through the Austrian Alps in the afternoon, the kind of mountain scenery that makes a dining car window one of the best seats available on land. Afternoon pastries are served in your cabin as the light changes over the peaks. By evening the train has crossed into France and is heading north-west through the French countryside towards Paris. Dinner in the restaurant car is followed by the Bar Car and whatever the night brings. The train arrives at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at approximately 10:05 the following morning.
Arrival in Paris
Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward as the train makes its final run through France towards Paris. The train arrives at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at approximately 10:05. A transfer is not included at the Paris end on this direction of the journey, but Paris is easily reached from Gare d'Austerlitz by taxi or Metro. Passengers connecting to the Eurostar home to London transfer to Gare du Nord, approximately 30 to 40 minutes by taxi.
What Is Included
Cabin Accommodation
One night in your chosen cabin: Historic Twin, Suite or Grand Suite. Personal steward service throughout.
Three-Course Lunch
Served on the first afternoon in the restaurant car as the train travels through Austria towards Vienna.
Afternoon Tea
Pastries and tea served in your cabin as the train crosses the Austrian Alps.
Four-Course Dinner
Seasonal table d'hote menu by Chef Jean Imbert, served in the evening with the sommelier's selection of wines.
Breakfast in Your Cabin
A French breakfast served by your steward the following morning as the train travels through France to Paris.
Steward Service
Your personal steward is available throughout the journey to attend to your cabin and assist with any request.
Timetable
2026 Departure Dates
May
- Sat 2
September
- Sat 12
For full 2026 and 2027 departure dates, see our VSOE Timetables page.
2026 Fares: Budapest to Paris
| Cabin Type | 2026 Price (GBP) | Per Person Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Historic Twin Cabin | from £4,275 | Two sharing |
| Suite | from £9,660 | Two sharing |
| Grand Suite | from £13,530 | Two sharing |
All fares are per person, one way, and include all meals. No transfer is included at the Paris end. See the full fare table for all routes and years.