Train info between Budapest and Romania - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

trailer_park_chick · 01-25-2006, 11:31 AM

Hey all,
Need some help! I want to take a trian from Budapest into Bucharest, and then back again a week later. What I need to know is train schedules, prices and any other info you all may have! Any help appreciated! Thanks!

**ajb3000** · 01-25-2006, 11:51 AM

The price is 15,000 Ft. from Budapest to Bucharest. This is for a chair in a 6-person compartment, beds are slightly more (not sure exactly how much, but around $20 extra I believe). The train I caught left in the evening at about 10PM, use www.bahn.de for more precise timetable information. Tickets can be bought at the Station (Keleti) or at the main train companies office in central Budapest.

**Esterina** · 01-25-2006, 11:57 AM

In 2002, the tickets ajb3000 is talking about were return tickets, I suppose it hasn't changed but make sure they still are. And those tickets had also stopovers included in ALL the stations between Budapest-Bucharest. Great to visit Transylvania (Sighisoara and Brasov for example) without having to purchase new tickets.

Have fun !

trailer_park_chick · 01-25-2006, 12:17 PM

Thank you sooooo much you guys! My computer is acting up and its been hard to do any kind of search without it freezing up. Do I need to buy tickets ahead of time online, or will it be pretty easy to get on any train? I'm going at the beginning of May.

**Esterina** · 01-25-2006, 12:27 PM

I was there in late May and bought mine the afternoon before leaving (night train as ajb said). The journey is not a quiet one, because of the conductors and customs officers who kept coming in the compartment ! Short night...

By the way, Sighisoara is a beautiful city, worth spending a day or two.

Just an idea...

**ajb3000** · 01-25-2006, 12:33 PM

The are indeed return tickets, which are cheaper than one-way tickets for some reason.

trailer_park_chick · 03-24-2006, 12:21 PM

Okay so have tried to look at teh site recommended as well as some others but they aren't in english and the options for english aren't working or soemthing. Also, am not going ot be able to buy my ticket from teh actual station the day before as am going stright from teh airport in Budapest to teh train station to get to Bucharest right away. Why oh why am I not able to figure this out? Is it likely that I can jsut show up and buy a ticket or what? And what is the price range for a one way train ticket? I'm coming back to Budapest from Cluj so wont need return. Thank soooo much!!!

trailer_park_chick · 03-24-2006, 12:23 PM

Just re read the earlier posts so question answered but just want to reconfirm about being able to buy a ticket the day of travel. Thanks.

**ajb3000** · 03-26-2006, 01:21 PM

A return ticket is cheaper than a single, plus I think you can use the return ticket from Cluj, just buy a new seat reservation for that leg. I asked for the price of a one-way and the guy just said 'return is cheaper', the woman at the hostel in Budapest confirmed that this is correct. As for buying on the day you shouldn't have any problems providing the train isn't full, which I very much doubt it will be; I bought mine about 6 hours before the train departed.

**Esterina** · 03-26-2006, 07:00 PM

Yes, you can use the return from Cluj, just make sure though when you buy your ticket to have the right route to Bucharest. There are two possibilities, and one of them goes through Cluj. You have to understand that the return ticket Budapest-Bucharest is usable anytime from/to any of the stations along the way ! It doesn't matter that you stop one day here, two weeks there, take the bus and need the train only cities away from where you last took it. It is pure freedom !

trailer_park_chick · 04-20-2006, 10:09 AM

I'm going to be arriving really really late to Bucharest as well, so am wondering if anyone knows how liklely it is that I can get a reputable taxi from teh train station? I was told ot wlak ot the metro station, but is it very far? Ugh, am such a spaz...

**ajb3000** · 04-20-2006, 11:36 AM

Do not touch the taxis at Bucharest train station with a barge poll! They will all severly rip you off. I don't think I used the metro once while I was there, but I know there is a tram line about 30 seconds walk from the station. Be craeful though, the tram doesn't really have a platform, it just kinda stops in the middle of the road.

trailer_park_chick · 04-20-2006, 12:59 PM

I cant use any of the public transport, I'm gettin gto Bucharest at like 2 in teh monring so am toitally stuck with a taxi. however, I ws told that I could get a half decent one at the metro station, that all the ones at the train station would be awful. I can handle getting ripped off for a few extra £ as long as I get to my hostel safely. I just wondered how easy it was ot get a taxi at 2 int eh monring there. Worse comes to worse, I dont care, I'l pay an extra few quid and get whatever taxi I can. Am feeling a bit desperate, everyone makes it seem like as soon as I get off the train at night, I'll be instantly mugged nad assulted. NOT the way to get motivated for my trip!

**ajb3000** · 04-20-2006, 05:16 PM

To be honest, I would be very careful wandering around Bucharest alone late at night. Also the taxis at the train station are likely to charge you about five times as much as the journey should cost, and they are all VERY pushy as soon as you walk out the station. If I were you I'd walk out and turn right, walk across the road without even looking at the taxis out the front of the station and then try to hail a taxi from there.

Why are you getting in so late? Why don't you get a night train that gets in to Bucharest in the early afternoon?