How to Book Train Travel From Hungary to Slovakia

Slovakia shares its longest border with Hungary. Train travel across the border is frequent and easy to book.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hungarian currency
• Passport

Prepare to Travel From Hungary to Slovakia

1. Make sure you pack the necessary documents to cross the border and stay in Slovakia. U.S. citizens can get by with only a passport for up to 90 days of tourism.

2. Decide what route is best for you by researching the railways in the region. There are frequent trips from Budapest to Bratislava, Miskolc to Kosice and Budapest to Kosice. Most routes range from 2 hours to 6 hours in length.

3. Carry enough Hungarian currency to cover the cost of the tickets, because Hungarian train stations will not accept traveler's checks or credit cards. A first-class train ticket to Slovakia will probably range from 1500 forints to 5000 forints.

4. Choose the departure time best for you. Official timetables for Hungarian stations can be found at the state railway's Web site, Elvira (see Resources). Most destinations in Slovakia will be reachable by several trains daily.

Book Your Train Ticket From Hungary to Slovakia

5. Decide if your travel group would like to book first-class or second-class tickets. Take into consideration that natives of Hungary and Slovakia usually travel second-class. Be prepared: in some cases, Hungarian trains only have second-class seating available.

6. Go to any train station in Hungary. Most travelers hop on-board at either Budapest or Miskolc, and it would be easiest to book tickets from your departure city. Communication may be easier in Budapest and easier still at Budapest's central ticket office.

7. Book your tickets as simply but specifically as you can. Agents at train stations are busy people who might not sympathize with miscommunication.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can book the ticket over 7 days prior to leaving North America, and if you plan to do more train traveling in Eastern Europe, consider buying a European East Pass from Rail Europe. Go to Rail Europe's Web site to learn more.
• Students, children and seniors ride trains at hefty discounts in Europe.
• You might want to pack a bottle of water or a sandwich for your journey. Many trains come with dining cars, but food can be pricey.
• Book train travel from Hungary to Slovakia through Rail Europe by visiting the Web site (see Resources) or by calling a North American agent at (888) 382-RAIL.
• After you book your plans, note which train station will be used for departure. Many cities have more than one train station.
• Be prepared for late departures. Trains in this region are rarely punctual.