In August 2024, we took part in an action-packed overland adventure from London to Tirana, with one of the most memorable legs being the train ride from Budapest in Hungary to Timișoara in Romania. It proved to be a perfect cross-border adventure through Central Europe without resorting to hectic airports.
Travelling from Budapest to Timișoara by train offers a more leisurely way to journey between these two cultural hubs. Read on to discover why we think this is an ideal route for anyone travelling in the region – including our own experience, how to buy tickets and where to find the stations.
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Why travel from Budapest to Timișoara by train?
1: The simple scenery: This route will never be recognised as one of the world’s most scenic railways. There are no dramatic mountains, no sparkling coastal views. However, watching the vast expanse of farmland unfold outside your window can be surprisingly peaceful. There’s a real sense of crossing a huge distance, one station at a time.
2: The ease of border crossings compared to flying or road journeys: Travelling by international train allows you to stick the usual airport chaos. Instead of scrambling through security, border officials enter the train and check your passport while you remain seated in comfort. Generally, it’s a more relaxed experience than crossing by car, bus or plane – even if it can take a little longer. We recommend bringing a good book just in case there is a wait!
3: Sustainability: Rail travel is, of course, one of the most sustainable modes of transport. Cut down on your carbon footprint as you watch the landscape roll by.
4: Local insight: From overhearing snippets of conversation in Hungarian and Romanian to catching the occasional glimpse of a small town or village, this train allows you to observe daily life at a leisurely pace that planes or private cars simply cannot match.
How to plan your journey from Budapest to Timișoara: Tickets, Stations and Timetables
Buying tickets for the Budapest to Timișoara train
Tickets for the Budapest to Timișoara train are available via three main routes:
- Online: MÁV (Hungarian Railways) and CFR (Romanian Railways) both provide online booking options. The websites are fairly easy to navigate – they both have English-language versions. It’s also the perfect way to check the train timetables and prices before you travel.
- At the station: If you prefer an in-person experience or are travelling last-minute, head to the ticket counters at main stations – most trains leave from the magnificent Budapest Keleti, so we would recommend heading there.
- Using an Interrail/Eurail pass: If, like us, you are travelling with an Interrail or Eurail pass, you can use it on this route. You may wish to make an optional seat reservation, but our train was mostly empty on a peak-season August afternoon.
Which station to travel from in Budapest?
To get to Timișoara from Budapest, you should travel from Budapest Keleti (Eastern) Station. This is the busiest international gateway and is home to most cross-border services heading east or southeast.
There is another station, Budapest Nyugati (Western), but international lines to Romania typically depart from Keleti. Double-check your ticket to avoid going to the wrong station.
In any case, Keleti is one of the finest train stations in Europe. Even if you are only passing through Budapest, it is worth taking a short walk outside the station to view its imposing entrance before catching your onward train.
Arriving in Timișoara
Your train from Budapest will arrive at Timișoara Nord (North) Station – this is the main railway terminal in Timișoara. The station is fairly central and is well-connected by local buses and taxis.
It’s just over 2 kilometres from Timișoara Nord to the city centre. To reach the famous Union Square, you will need to walk for around 30 minutes. The walk may seem unremarkable at first, but the charm of the old town is not far away. You may wish to take a short taxi ride if you have lots of luggage or the weather isn’t kind.
Timetables for the Budapest to Timișoara train
Frequency: You can expect several direct trains a day between Budapest Keleti and Timișoara Nord. However, schedules can change seasonally, so it’s worth checking the Hungarian Railways website for the latest schedules. Some routes, particularly overnight, require a transfer – make sure you’re booking a direct service if you prefer fewer hassles.
Timing: You should plan for around 6 hours for the direct trains. However, delays at the Hungary-Romania border may add extra time – our journey was just over 7 hours in the end following a long wait. Most direct trains set off in the morning or early afternoon, reaching Timișoara in late afternoon or evening.
Tip: Always doublecheck your departure station and time – it’s easy to get caught out by out-of-date timetables. The MÁV and CFR websites will be your most reliable sources of schedule information.
The Border Stops: What Really Happens
Crossing from Hungary to Romania involves two passport checks – one on the Hungarian side and another on the Romanian side. Here’s how it unfolded during our journey:
1: Hungarian Exit Check: The border police entered the train soon after we came to a stop at the last Hungarian station. The friendly guards scanned our passport and flicked through the pages for a minute or two before handing them back.
With all the formalities completed, we set off to cross the border into Romania. The landscape hadn’t changed – we saw endless miles of parched yellow fields with distant villages on the horizon as we approached the Romanian side.
2: Romanian Entry Check: Before long, the train reached the Romanian border station, passing a collection of rusty trains as we pulled to a standstill. The Romanian customs officials entered the train to perform the next passport check. They flipped through our pages slightly more carefully, but the procedure remained straightforward.
3: Locomotive Change: At some point, you may notice prolonged shunting sounds or see a different locomotive attaching to your carriage. This can cause delays, especially if the officials hold the train for extra checks. We were sat at the Romanian border for over an hour in stifling temperatures, which was certainly a low-point of the journey.
4: Delays: Yes, it’s worth explicitly calling out that the waiting period at the border may stretch beyond the expected timetable. It’s not uncommon to wait for 30 minutes or longer. We recommend packing plenty of water and dressing comfortably during the summer months, as the lack of air flow can make conditions rather toasty – but once you’re cleared, you’ll be rolling onwards to Timișoara in no time.
On Board The Budapest-Timișoara train: Air Conditioning & Seating Options
Spotting the Air-Conditioned Carriages
On a typical direct service between Budapest and Timișoara, there are two coached marked with an air conditioning symbol. If you see the classic snowflake icon or a sign that says “klima”, that carriage is your best bet for a cooler ride.
Be warned: The Air Conditioning isn’t always reliable. In fact, it wasn’t working at all when we travelled – we moved to one of the carriages where you could open the windows for some extra airflow. Even if it is working, it may cut out during border stops or when switching locomotive.
Read next: 10 of the best things to do in Yerevan, Armenia.
Non-Air-Conditioned Coaches
Older carriages may not have air conditioning. If this is the case, they should have openable windows for some natural air flow. In scorching summer weather, sliding the window open didn’t bring much relief since the air outside felt a little like being blasted by a hairdryer. Still, fresh air beats no air, so if the AC is broken, you may want to consider trying a non-AC carriage for an occasional breeze.
Comfortable enough for 5-7 hours
Overall, we found the conditions to be comfortable enough for the long journey, even if the upholstery was showing some signs of wear. The seats were typically firm but well-padded, with tall headrests perfect for Matt’s oversized frame.
Reclining the seats isn’t an option, but they would do the trick for a short nap. If the train is quiet, you might be able to claim an entire set of four seats to stretch your legs out.
Our top tip: We packed a small USB fan, which proved to be a real lifesaver when the train stopped at the border. We really appreciated the personal airflow when the heat spiked.
Read next: How to travel from Amsterdam to Rotterdam by public transport.
Amenities On The Train: Food, Luggage and Power
1: No food onboard: There is no dining car or trolley service on the train. It’s a long journey, so make sure to bring your own snacks, sandwiches and water. Once the train has departed Budapest, your only options are typically limited to whatever you have packed.
2: Luggage racks: On our journey, we found overhead shelves on every carriage. These were sufficient for backpacks or mid-sized suitcases. Some corners at the end of the carriages may accommodate larger gear.
3: Charging ports: Some carriages have the standard two-pin power sockets at a table or along the wall. However, we recommend bringing a portable charger in case the sockets aren’t working.
4: Toilets: The toilets onboard are basic but generally acceptable, and they tend to be unlocked for the duration of the journey. We recommend bringing some hand sanitiser in case there is no soap.
Scenery between Budapest and Timișoara
The endless expanse of the Hungarian plains dominates much of the journey – this means a patchwork of golden fields and quiet villages will be your typical view. While it’s not the most dramatic countryside, the slow shift of landscapes and architecture as you edge closer to Timișoara does offer a subtle sense of crossing cultures.
One of our highlights was the occasional trundle through railway yards, joining up to a dozen train tracks on the edge of larger towns. This offered a perfect opportunity to spot some classic, rusting locomotives gathering dust in the sidings – an underrated thrill for many train travellers.
Sunlight tip: If you’re travelling during the afternoon, we recommend sitting on the left side of the carriage (facing forwards) if you want to avoid direct sunlight. The right side tends to get most of the sun for most of the route, which can turn your seat into a greenhouse on hot days.
Read next: Exploring Lake Saint Anna in the misty Romanian mountains.
Other observations during the journey to Timișoara
Here are a few other things that we noticed during our trip from Budapest to Timișoara:
- Smoking: Whilst smoking is technically forbidden, we did notice that some of the older carriages still had smoking signs on the windows. Don’t worry about this – they just haven’t updated their signage to reflect that smoking is banned. A couple of passengers did try sneaking cigarettes in the vestibule between carriages when the train had stopped. This wasn’t particularly disruptive, but it did mean that the automatic doors kept opening and closing quite noisily.
- Quiet carriages: There are no official quiet cars, but we found that many passengers drifted off to sleep, read books or generally kept to themselves – especially during longer stretches of the journey. There were occasional periods of chatting, but it tended to be at a low volume.
- Window curtains: On a sunny day, the thin, slightly tatty curtains for the carriage windows proved very useful. Even though it blocks your view, drawing the curtains on the sunny side of the carriage does help reduce the heat. We chose to use the curtains, and so did most other passengers.
Where to stay near the stations
For those who want are leaving early or arriving late, there are plenty of accommodation options within a short walk from both stations.
Accommodation near Budapest Keleti
1: East Station Comfort Plus: Within touching distance of Budapest Keleti, East Station offers a range of modern, clean accommodation options for travellers. The Comfort Plus rooms come with a private bathroom, which is perfect for those who are looking for a bit more privacy. The rooms aren’t the biggest, but they’re more than adequate for a night’s sleep before catching your train. Rooms from £39 a night.
2: IntercityHotel Budapest: A perfect options for anyone looking for a big-name hotel, the IntercityHotel could hardly be closer to Budapest Keleti. In fact, you can see the main station entrance from some of the rooms. There hotel offers a popular buffet breakfast, which could be perfect for fuelling yourself with pastry and coffee before the journey to Timișoara. Rooms from £50 a night
3: Danubius Hotel Hungaria City Center: Just 300 metres from the station, the Danubius is another big, modern option that is perfect for travellers who are stopping over in Budapest before travelling further. Like the IntercityHotel, the Danubius offers a good buffet breakfast and also boasts a bar and restaurant (including room service) if you want an easy food option in the evening. Rooms from £58 a night.
Accommodation near Timișoara Nord
1: Fanea Residence: Probably the closest hotel to the train station, Fanea Residence offers simple accommodation – from double rooms to apartments – that is surprisingly stylish considering the bargain prices. The main downside is that it’s in the opposite direction from the city centre, and therefore there isn’t much to shout about in the immediate vicinity. Perfect for a quick stopover, but possibly not the best option if you want to explore Timișoara over several days. Rooms from £26 a night.
2: Hotel Iosefin Residence: Located in a grand, three-story building on the corner of two busy streets, the Hotel Iosefin is an excellent hotel situated roughly halfway between the train station and the city centre. There is also a tram stop just a few steps from the main entrance. The hotel offers stylish studio apartments that are perfect for a longer stay in Timișoara. Rooms from £50 a night.
3: ibis Timișoara City Center. Our final option is the ibis – an ideal choice for anyone who is looking for an international hotel. It’s a 10-minute walk from the main square, but there’s a tram stop nearby if you’d prefer to take public transport. It’s a little further from Timișoara Nord train station – 1.5 kilometres – but it’s still very walkable, particularly during the day. There’s even a Lidl en-route for anyone who needs to stock up on snacks or water after the journey from Budapest. We stayed here and it was perfect for us. Rooms from £52 a night.
The Budapest to Timișoara Train: Our Final Thoughts
This journey from Budapest to Timișoara is more than just a convenient way of getting between two major cities: it’s an experience in itself. The route may involve old, noisy carriages and unpredictable air conditioning, but these little quirks can become stories to share later – especially if you come prepared with snacks, water and a healthy dose of patience. We certainly found this out the hard way!
Yes, you might face long, hot waits at the border or be driven slightly mad by the constant slamming of doors. Despite the challenges, we found a distinct charm in rolling slowly across the plains, watching the landscape flash past your houses. Once you arrive at Timișoara, you’ll be more than ready to stretch your legs and explore everything the city has to offer.