Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest. It's easy to reach Budapest by train..!

Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest
 

London to Hungary in 24 hours

The train ride from London to Budapest is safe, comfortable & affordable and takes less than 24 hours.  Take an afternoon Eurostar to Brussels, the excellent Nightjet sleeper train to Vienna and an onward railjet train to Budapest.  Or take Eurostar to Paris and a high-speed TGV to Stuttgart, then a Hungarian sleeper train to Budapest.  Or travel by daytime trains with an overnight stop in Munich or Zurich.  Times, fares and how to buy tickets are explained below.

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Which route to choose?

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London to Budapest by Eurostar to Brussels, sleeper to Vienna, train to Budapest

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London to Budapest by Eurostar to Paris, sleeper to Vienna, railjet to Budapest

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London to Budapest by Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Stuttgart, sleeper to Budapest

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London to Budapest by daytime trains with overnight stop in Munich

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London to Budapest by daytime trains with overnight stop in Zurich - the scenic route!

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London & Cambridge to Budapest via ferry from Harwich

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UK to Budapest via ferry from Newcastle or Hull

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Starting from other UK towns & cities

International trains to & from Budapest

small bullet point  Trains to Budapest from other European cities

small bullet point  Trains from Budapest to other European cities

Useful train travel information

small bullet point  Budapest Keleti railway station facilities

small bullet point  Hotels in Budapest - suggested places to stay

small bullet point  Useful country information: currency, dial code...

small bullet point  Holidays & tours to Budapest by train

small bullet point  General European train travel information

small bullet point  Taking a bike    Taking a dog

small bullet point  Luggage   Left luggage at stations

small bullet point  Travel insurance, mobile data, VPN & other tips

Route map:  London to Budapest by train

Route map: London to Budapest by train

Useful country information

Train operator

in Hungary:

MAV (Magyar Allamvasutak) www.mavcsoport.hu, www.elvira.hu for times & fares

All-Europe online train times.

 

Railpasses:

 

Beginner's guide to European railpasses   Buy a rail pass online

Time zone:

GMT+1 (GMT+2 from last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October).

Dialling code:

 

+36

Currency:

£1 = 420 Forint,  €1 = 370 Forint, approx.    Currency converter

Tourist information:

www.hungarytourism.hu   Hotels in Budapest   Budapest metro map

Hotels:

Find a hotel in Budapest   Hotel reviews: www.tripadvisor.com     Backpacker hostels

Page last updated:

18 February 2025.  Train times valid 15 December 2024 to 13 December 2025.

London to Budapest

Which route to choose?

Which option is cheapest?  You have to go online and see, because each option involves several tickets and the price of each ticket varies like air fares.  However, at short notice, the ferry options are usually cheaper than Eurostar.

Can you go out one way, back another?  Yes!  Almost all European train fares are priced one-way, so you can book one-way out on one route and one-way back on another.  Eurostar is the exception where a return fare is cheaper than two one-ways, so book London-Paris or London-Brussels as a round trip if you can.

Can you stop off?  Of course!  Simply book trains either side of the stopover on whatever dates you want.  Each part of these journeys is ticketed separately in any case (for example, the Eurostar, the sleeper train and the onward train), so it's no problem to stop off on the way at any of the key interchange points.

What if you're not starting from London?  See advice about starting your journey from elsewhere in the UK.

Option 1, London to Budapest using the Brussels-Vienna sleeper

This is the easiest, most comfortable & most time-effective way from the UK to Hungary.  Take Eurostar to Brussels, the excellent 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper from Brussels to Vienna, then a connecting train to Budapest.  Option 2 is almost identical, but via Paris rather than Brussels, so check that out too.

London ► Budapest

Budapest ► London

How much does it cost?

 1. London to Brussels by Eurostar  

 From £52 one-way, £78 return 2nd class.

 From £97 one-way, £168 return 1st class.  Child fares 

 

 2. Brussels to Vienna

 by Nightjet sleeper train

 one-way per person per bed

In a seat

In a couchette

In the sleeping-car

6-berth

4-berth

3-berth

2-berth

1-berth

3-berth

+ shower

2-berth

+ shower

1-berth

+ shower

 Fares start at:

€29.90

€49.90

€59.90

€89.90

€109.90

€159.90

€99.90

€139.90

€189.90
 

 3. Vienna to Budapest

 From €19 each way 2nd class, €29 each way 1st class.

All these fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Return fares are twice the one-way.

On the sleeper train, berths are sold individually, one ticket means one bed, other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers.  For sole occupancy, simply book 1 ticket in a 1-berth sleeper or 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper or 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette and so on.

How to buy tickets

Another way to buy tickets

Or use an Interrail pass

Have your trip arranged as a package

How to buy tickets by phone

What's the journey like?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide.  In Brussels, I recommend using the Pullman Hotel bar as your VIP waiting room.

A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.

  

1st class: Plus or Premier seating.
Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class.  Larger photo.

  

One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet

This Austrian Railways (ÖBB) Nightjet train has two sleeping-cars, two couchette cars & seats.  Each of the two sleeping-cars has nine 1, 2 or 3 bed compartments with washbasin, plus three deluxe compartments with 1, 2 or 3 beds with shower & toilet.  The sleeper berths come made up with sheets and duvets, sleeper passengers get mineral water in the evening and a light breakfast served in their compartment next morning.  Towels & toiletries are provided, including shampoo and shower gel in the deluxe sleepers.  In the more economical couchettes, you can book a couchette in a 6-berth compartment or a less-crowded 4-berth compartment, each provided with sheet, blanket, pillow & bottle of water.  Couchette passengers get tea or coffee, rolls & jam in the morning.  When waiting for the northbound sleeper train in Vienna, if you have booked a sleeper you can use the ÖBB lounge with complimentary refreshments & WiFi.  More about Nightjets.  Vienna Hbf station guide.

The Nightjet sleeper from Brussels to Vienna at Brussels

On 20 January 2020, the inaugural Nightjet left Brussels for Vienna, the first scheduled sleeper train to leave Brussels in 16 years.  Above, that inaugural train is seen ready to leave Brussels Midi on 20 January - naturally, the Man in Seat 61 was on board!  More about Nightjets.
Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room

  

Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.

  

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.

  

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.
6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchettes on Nightjet train   Couchette car on Brussels-Vienna sleeper

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

Couchette car on the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet.

3. Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity or railjet train

The swish Austrian railjet train has business class, 1st class & 2nd class (in that order!).  All seats have power sockets and there's free WiFi.  There's a restaurant car although in 1st & business classes a steward takes food orders and serves you at your seat.  EuroCity trains use older but still comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian carriages, usually with a restaurant car.  More about Vienna-Budapest trains.  Budapest Keleti station guide.

A railjet train about to leave Vienna

A railjet about to leave Vienna.  More about railjets.
Business class seats on a railjet train   Railjet restaurant car

Business class.  About.

  

14-seat restaurant & bar counter.
Business class seats on a railjet train   Economy class seats on a railjet train

First class.

  

Economy class.
A Railjet train at Budapest

The railjet has landed.  A railjet has arrived spot on time in Budapest's historic Keleti station, built 1881-1884

Back to top

Option 2, London to Budapest using the Paris-Vienna sleeper

Almost identical to option 1, but via Paris instead of Brussels.  Option 1 involves an easy same-station change in Brussels from Eurostar to Nightjet, this involves an easy 7 minute walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est, that's the only real difference.  The Paris-Vienna & Brussels-Vienna Nightjets run on the same 3 days of the week, in fact they run coupled together between Mannheim and Vienna.

London ► Budapest

Budapest ► London

How much does it cost?

 1. London to Paris by Eurostar

 From £52 one-way, £78 return 2nd class.

 From £97 one-way, £168 return 1st class.  Child fares 

 

 2. Paris to Vienna by

 Nightjet sleeper train

 one-way per person per bed

In a seat

In a couchette

In the sleeping-car

6-berth

4-berth

3-berth

2-berth

1-berth

3-berth

+ shower

2-berth

+ shower

1-berth

+ shower

 Fares start at:

€29.90

€49.90

€59.90

€89.90

€109.90

€159.90

€99.90

€139.90

€189.90
 

 3. Vienna to Budapest by railjet  

 From €19.90 each way in 2nd class, €29.90 each way in 1st class.

All these fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Return fares are twice the one-way.

On the sleeper train, berths are sold individually, one ticket means one bed, other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers.  For sole occupancy, simply book 1 ticket in a 1-berth sleeper or 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper or 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette and so on.

How to buy tickets

Another way to buy tickets

  • Alternatively, you can book direct with the operators, it's more work with separate bookings on different websites, but no booking fees.  In all cases you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  • Step 1, book the London-Paris Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.

  • Step 2, book the nightjet sleeper at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

  • Step 3, book Vienna-Budapest at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

Or use an Interrail pass

Have your trip arranged as a package

How to buy tickets by phone

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in just 2 hours 20 minutes, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Gare du Nord station guide.

A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

Eurostar e320 at Paris Nord.

  

1st class: Plus or Premier seating.
Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class.  Larger photo.

  

One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Paris to Vienna by Nightjet

This Austrian Railways (ÖBB) Nightjet train has two sleeping-cars, two couchette cars & seats.  The two sleeping-cars each have nine 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet.  The sleeper berths come made up with sheets and duvets, all sleeper passengers get mineral water in the evening and a light breakfast served in their compartment next morning.  Towels & toiletries are provided, including shampoo and shower gel in the deluxe sleepers.  In the more economical couchettes, you can book a couchette in a cheaper 6-berth compartment or a less-crowded 4-berth compartment, each provided with sheet, blanket, pillow & small bottle of water.  Couchette passengers get tea or coffee, rolls & jam in the morning.  When waiting for the northbound sleeper train in Vienna, if you have a sleeping-car ticket you can use the ÖBB lounge with complimentary refreshments & WiFi.  More about Nightjets.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide.  Vienna Hbf station guide.

The Nightjet sleeper from Munich to Amsterdam

A comfortline sleeping-car on a Nightjet sleeper train.  More about Nightjets.
Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room

  

Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.

  

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.

  

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.
6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchette on Nightjet train   Couchette car on Brussels-Vienna sleeper

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

Couchette car on a Nightjet.

3. Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity or railjet train

The swish Austrian railjet train has business class, 1st class & 2nd class (in that order!).  All seats have power sockets and there's free WiFi.  There's a restaurant car although in 1st & business classes a steward takes food orders and serves you at your seat.  EuroCity trains use older but still comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian carriages, usually with a restaurant car.  More about Vienna-Budapest trains.  Budapest Keleti station guide.
A railjet train about to leave Vienna

A railjet about to leave Vienna.  More about railjets.
Business class seats on a railjet train   Railjet restaurant car

Business class.  About.

  

14-seat restaurant & bar counter.
Business class seats on a railjet train   Economy class seats on a railjet train

First class.

  

Economy class.
A Railjet train at Budapest

The railjet has landed.  A railjet has arrived spot on time in Budapest's historic Keleti station, built 1881-1884

Back to top

Option 3, by Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Stuttgart, sleeper to Budapest

Another good way to reach Budapest, this time with daily departures, a convenient morning departure from London, cosy sleeper berth at night on a comfortable Hungarian sleeper train with a morning arrival in Budapest and a full day's sightseeing ahead of you.

London ► Budapest

Budapest ► London

How much does it cost?

All these fares vary like air fares.  Each train is ticketed separately.  On the sleeper, berths are sold individually so one ticket means one bed, other beds will be sold to other passengers.  For sole occupancy, book 1 person in a single-berth sleeper or 2 people in a 2-berth sleeper or 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette and so on.

 1. London to Paris

     by Eurostar

 From £52 one-way, £78 return 2nd class.

 From £97 one-way, £168 return 1st class.  Child fares 
 

 2. Paris to Stuttgart

     by TGV

 From €39.90 each way in 2nd class

 From €69.90 each way in 1st class.

 The price varies like air fares, so book ahead.

 If you book at int.bahn.de, accompanied children under 15 go free.

 

 3. Stuttgart to Budapest  

 on the Kalman Imre

In a  

seat:

In a couchette

In the sleeping-car

6-berth

4-berth

3-berth

2-berth

single

 One-way fares start at:

€29

€49

€59

€69

€79

€139

How to buy tickets

Another way to book tickets

Or use an Interrail pass

Have your trip arranged as a package

How to buy tickets by phone

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Gare du Nord station guide.

A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

Eurostar e320 at Paris Nord.

  

1st class: Plus or Premier seating.
Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class.  Larger photo.

  

One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex   See the video

In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Germany.  Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The train has power sockets at all seats & free WiFi in both classes.  A cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods & farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  An hour or two later, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide.

TGV Duplex at Paris Gare de l'Est

TGV Duplex at Paris Est. These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris with Nice, Marseille, Frankfurt, Munich, Barcelona & Switzerland.

TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats   TGV Duplex cafe-bar

2nd class seats on the upper deck.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.  360º photo.

  

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved dishes.
A TGV Duplex at Paris Est.   First class on board a TGV Duplex

TGV Duplex at Stuttgart Hbf.  The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

  

1st class on upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right.  360º photo.

3. Stuttgart to Budapest by sleeper train Kalman Imre   See the video

Cosy & inviting, the photo below shows the air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car of the Kalman Imre.  The sleeping-car has 11 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth room, with toilets at the end of the corridor.  The fare includes a light breakfast of coffee, juice & croissant.  More about the sleeper train Kalman Imre.  Budapest Keleti station guide.

The sleeper train Kalman Imre from Munich to Budapest

Sleeper train Kalman Imre.  More about this sleeper train.
The sleeper train from Zurich to Budapest   4-berth couchettes on train to Budapest   6-berth couchettes on train to Budapest

2 bed sleeper, can also be set up as 1 or 3 bed.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

6-berth couchettes.

Good morning Budapest!

City of Budapest & the Danube

Back to top

Option 4, London to Budapest with overnight stop in Munich

If you prefer to travel on daytime trains rather than sleepers, you can travel very affordably from London to Budapest with an overnight hotel stop in Munich.

London ► Budapest

Budapest ► London

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Gare du Nord station guide.

A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.

  

1st class: Plus or Premier seating.
Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class.  Larger photo.

  

One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex   See video guide

In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Germany.  Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The train has power sockets at all seats & free WiFi in both classes.  A cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods & farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  An hour or two later, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart & Munich.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide.  Munich Hbf station guide.

TGV Duplex at Paris Gare de l'Est

TGV Duplex at Paris Est. These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris with Nice, Marseille, Munich, Barcelona & Switzerland.
TGV Duplex cafe-bar   TGV Duplex upper deck 2nd class seats

Cafe-bar on upper deck car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.

  

2nd class seats on the upper deck.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.  360º photo.
First class on board a TGV Duplex   An TGV Duplex at Paris Est.

1st class on upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right.  360º photo.

  

A TGV Duplex.  The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

3. Munich to Budapest by railjet

Austrian railjet trains have business class, 1st class & 2nd class (in that order!).  All seats have power sockets and there's free WiFi.  There's a restaurant car, in 1st & business classes a steward takes food orders and serves you at your seat.  More about railjets.  Munich Hbf station guide.  Budapest Keleti station guide.

A railjet train about to leave Munich Hbf

A railjet to Budapest about to leave Munich Hbf.
Business class seats on a railjet train   Railjet restaurant car

Business class.  About.

  

14-seat restaurant & bar counter.
Business class seats on a railjet train   Economy class seats on a railjet train

First class.

  

Economy class.

Bavarian scenery between Munich & Salzburg.
View of Salzburg as the train crosses the River Salzach

View of Salzburg's Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach & approaches Salzburg Hbf.

Pleasant farmland scenery in Austria, between Salzburg & Vienna.

Between Vienna & Budapest it's largely flat, with more wind turbines than you can shake a stick at - allegedly over 200.  This photo sums up this part of the route!
A Railjet train at Budapest

The railjet has landed.  A railjet has arrived spot on time in Budapest's historic Keleti station, built 1881-1884

Back to top

Option 5, London to Budapest with overnight stop in Zurich. The scenic route!

This option not only keeps you on daytime trains with an overnight hotel in Zurich, rather than using a sleeper, it's the scenic option as it takes you through the Alps via the fabulous Arlberg Pass between Switzerland and Austria, hugging the valley wall with the mountaintops high above and the valley floor way below.  You then travel on right across the Austrian Tirol.  This option uses a direct railjet train between Zurich & Budapest - although the way cheap tickets work you're better off having a lunch stop in Austria!

London ► Budapest

Budapest ► London

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

Another way to buy tickets

Or use an Interrail pass

Have your trip arranged as a package

How to buy tickets by phone

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Paris Nord station guide.

A Eurostar e320 train at London St Pancras   Eurostar e320 first class seats

Eurostar e320 at Paris Nord.

  

1st class: Plus or Premier seating.
Eurostar e320 2nd class seats   Eurostar e320 cafe-bar

Standard class.  Larger photo.

  

One of two cafe-bars, cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria

All TGV-Lyria trains are now 320km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex like the one shown below.  TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes:  Standard (2nd), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with hot meal & drinks included in the fare).  There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks.  There are power points at all seats & free WiFi in all classes.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways.  More about TGV-Lyria.  Paris Gare de Lyon station guide.  Zurich HB station guide.

TGV-Lyria train from Paris to Switzerland, at Paris Gare de Lyon

TGV-Lyria TGV Duplex train at Paris Gare de Lyon. More about TGV-Lyria
TGV Duplex cafe-bar   TGV Duplex 2nd class seats, upper deck

The cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.

  

2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating.  There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.  360º photo.
TGV Lyria first class, upper deck   A TGV-Lyria train from Paris to Switzerland

1st class on upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. Larger photo.

  

A TGV-Lyria for Geneva, boarding at Paris Gare de Lyon.  You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

3. Zurich to Budapest by Railjet 

The swish Austrian railjet train has business class, 1st class & 2nd class (in that order!).  All seats have power sockets and there's free WiFi.  There's a restaurant car although in 1st & business classes a steward takes food orders and serves you at your seat.  More about railjets

A railjet train about to leave Zurich Hbf for Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna

A railjet about to leave Zurich HB.
Business class seats on a railjet train   Railjet restaurant car

Business class.  About.

  

Restaurant car.
Business class seats on a railjet train   Economy class seats on a railjet train

First class.

  

Economy class.

Scenery on the Arlberg route

The lakes between Zurich and the Austrian border

Swiss lakes:  Soon after leaving Zurich, the railjet runs alongside the shore of the Zürichsee and then the Walensee.

Train into Austria: Mountain scenery   Schaan-Vaduz station

Sargans castle:  Watch out for hilltop castles, this is the one at Sargans.

  

Liechtenstein:  The train cuts across Liechtenstein, passing non-stop through Schaan-Vaduz station.
Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Arlberg Pass:  Above, we're now in Austria, with brooding skies over the Arlberg pass.  The pass itself is long, narrow and curvaceous with the train snaking along the valley sides, often high above the valley floor.

Arlberg Tunnel:  Between Bludenz and St Anton am Arlberg the train passes through the Arlberg Tunnel, 6.2 km (6.3 miles) long and opened in 1884.  See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlberg_Railway_Tunnel.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

River Inn:  Running alongside the river Inn in the Tirol, somewhere between Landeck & Ötzal.

Scenery in the Arlberg Pass

Mountains near Innsbruck.  The train calls at Innsbruck Hbf for several minutes.

Kufstein station and castle   Lunch is served at your seat in first & business classes

Kufstein:  The train stops at Kufstein, where the castle towers above the station.

Above right, lunch is served.  In first & business class on a railjet, the steward takes your order & serves lunch at your seat.

Scenery as the train cuts across Germany

Cutting across Germany:  East of Kufstein, the train takes a short cut through Germany without stopping, see the route map here.  All fast Innsbruck-Salzburg-Vienna trains do this, they're still considered Austrian domestic trains even though they spend an hour on German territory!  Such a train is called a Korridorzug.  The train crosses back into Austria near Freilassing, just before Salzburg.

View of Salzburg as the train crosses the River Salzach

Salzburg:  View of the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the right hand side as the railjet crosses the River Salzach into Salzburg Hbf heading east.

A Railjet train at Budapest

The railjet has landed.  A railjet has arrived spot on time in Budapest's historic Keleti station, built 1881-1884

Watch the Video: Through the Arlberg

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Option 6, via the Harwich - Hoek van Holland ferry

This is the ferry alternative, a great option if you live in East Anglia.  It's the route to use if Eurostar fares are expensive or if you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel, for example if you suffer from claustrophobia.  I don't recommend the Dover-Calais route because of poor train/ferry connections, the Stena Line rail & sail service via Harwich & Hoek van Holland is the one to use as it has co-ordinated timetables and integrated ticketing, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page & watch the video.

London, Cambridge & Harwich ► Budapest

Budapest  ► Harwich, Cambridge & London

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

What's the journey like?

1. London to Amsterdam by train & ferry

A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich.  You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  The superferries Stena Britannica & Stena Hollandica are the largest ferries of their kind in the world.  All passengers travel in private cabins with shower, toilet & satellite TV.  There's free WiFi.  The journey is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.  See the video.

Stena Line ferry at Hoek van Holland

The Stena Hollandica boarding at Harwich, a floating hotel with private cabins, restaurant, bar, lounges, shop & kennels.

Standard outside cabin on Stena Line ferry   Stena Plus lounge on the ferry to Hoek van Holland

Above left, a standard outside cabin.  Larger photo.  360º photo.  Above right, the Stena Plus lounge with complimentary red & white wine, tea, coffee & snacks.

Bar on the Stena Line ferry to Hoek van Holland   London to Amsterdam via the Stena Line ferry

Above left, the bar on 9 deck. Above right, a Captain's Class cabin with complimentary minibar, toilet & shower.

2. Amsterdam to Stuttgart on ICE trains

ICEs are German Railways' premier trains, with 1st & 2nd class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICEs.

ICE3neo at Amsterdam Centraal

An ICE3neo at Amsterdam Centraal.  Click on the interior images for larger photos.

ICE3neo at Cologne   ICE3neo at Cologne

The 16-seat restaurant car.  Larger photo.

  

1st class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo.
ICE3neo at Cologne   Lunch on an ICE3neo

2nd class seats on an ICE3neo.  Larger photo.

  

Lunch: I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

3. Stuttgart to Budapest by sleeper train Kalman Imre

Cosy & inviting, the photo below shows the air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car of the Kalman Imre at Munich Hbf.  The sleeping-car has 11 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth room, with toilets at the end of the corridor.  The fare includes a light breakfast of coffee, juice & croissant.  More about the sleeper train Kalman Imre.

The sleeper train Kalman Imre from Munich to Budapest

Sleeper train Kalman Imre, boarding on platform 12 at Munich.  More about this sleeper train.

The sleeper train from Zurich to Budapest   4-berth couchettes on train to Budapest   6-berth couchettes on train to Budapest

2 bed sleeper, can also be set up as 1 or 3 bed.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

6-berth couchettes.

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Option 7, Scotland & North to Budapest   

If you live in the North of England or Scotland, you can of course take a train up to London, then travel to Hungary as shown above, see advice on buying connecting train tickets to London.  But DFDS Seaways (www.dfds.com) sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam, and P&O Ferries (www.poferries.com) sail overnight from Hull to Rotterdam.  So why not by-pass London, with lunch in Amsterdam into the bargain?

Scotland & the North ► Budapest

Budapest ► Scotland & the North

  • Day 1, travel from Budapest to Vienna by railjet, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:40, arriving Vienna Hbf 18:20. 

    The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, treat yourself to dinner, 1st & business class passengers have orders taken & served at their seats.  There are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

    Tip:  At Budapest Keleti, if you have a first class ticket you can use the business lounge on platform 9 with complimentary refreshments & WiFi.

    Tip:  At Vienna Hbf, if you have a 1st class ticket or a ticket for a sleeping-car berth you can use the ÖBB Lounge between trains, with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & free WiFi.

  • Day 1, travel from Vienna to Amsterdam by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 09:50.

    This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet.  There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats cars.  See the guide to Nightjet accommodation.

    There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee, served in your compartment.

    You've now the best part of the day to explore Amsterdam, left luggage lockers are available.

    If you're heading for Hull, in the afternoon take a frequent Dutch train to Rotterdam and the P&O transfer bus from Rotterdam Centraal to Rotterdam Europoort ferry terminal.

    If you're heading for Newcastle, an afternoon DFDS transfer bus runs from Amsterdam Centraal to IJmuiden ferry terminal.

  • Day 2, sail from Holland to Hull or Newcastle by overnight cruise ferry, whichever is most convenient for where you live, arriving next morning (day 3).  Transfer to the station and take a train home.

    For details of timetables, fares & how to buy tickets, see the Hull-Rotterdam page or the Newcastle-Amsterdam page.

How much does it cost?

  • Amsterdam to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train starts at €59.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €109.90 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  • Vienna to Budapest starts at €19.90 each way in 2nd class or €29.90 each way in 1st class.

How to buy tickets

  • Step 2, book the Nightjet from Amsterdam to Vienna at www.thetrainline.com.

    Booking for this Nightjet typically opens 3-4 months ahead, but it can vary.  More about when bookings open.  You print your own ticket.

  • Step 3, book the Vienna to Budapest train at www.thetrainline.com.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

  • Step 4, add any UK trains you need to Hull or Newcastle at any train operator website such as www.lner.co.uk.

What's the journey like?

Step 1, take the overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam with DFDS or Hull to Rotterdam with P&O, with private en suite cabins, restaurants, bars, cinema.  If travelling with DFDS from Newcastle, a transfer bus takes you from IJmuiden ferry terminal to Amsterdam Centraal station next morning.  If travelling with P&O from Hull, a transfer bus takes you from Rotterdam Europoort ferry terminal to Rotterdam Centraal, from where frequent Dutch trains run to Utrecht.

Princess of Norway (now Princess Seaways) at Newcastle   A standard cabin on DFDS Seaways Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry.

DFDS Seaways Princess of Norway (now Princess Seaways) about to sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam.  The ferry also has deluxe Commodore class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet.  See the video

  

A standard Seaways class cabin with shower & toilet on DFDS Princess of Norway from Newcastle to Amsterdam.
P&O Ferries Pride of Rotterdam   Cabin on P&O Ferries Pride of Rotterdam

P&O Ferries Pride of Rotterdam at Rotterdam Europoort.  The ferry also has deluxe class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet.

  

A standard outside cabin with shower & toilet on P&O's Pride of Rotterdam from Hull to Rotterdam.

Step 2, take the daily Nightjet sleeper train from Amsterdam to Vienna.

Nightjet sleeper train at Amsterdam Centraal

The Nightjet sleeper train to Vienna, boarding at Amsterdam Centraal.
Nightjet deluxe 2-berth sleeper   Nightjet deluxe sleeper in day mode   Nightjet deluxe sleeper toilet & shower   Nightjet standard (economy) sleeper

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room

  

Same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.

  

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.

  

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.
6-berth couchettes   4-berth couchette on Nightjet train   Couchette car on Amsterdam-Vienna sleeper

6-berth couchettes.

  

4-berth couchettes.

  

Couchette car.

Step 3, take a EuroCity train from Vienna to Budapest.  See the Vienna to Budapest page.

EuroCity train from Vienna to Budapest, at Budapest Keleti

A EuroCity train from Vienna to Budapest arrived at Budapest Keleti.
1st class seats on a Hungarian EuroCity train   2nd class seats on a Hungarian EuroCity train

1st class is usually in 6-seat compartments.  Larger photo.

  

Some 2nd class is in open-plan cars like this. Larger photo.

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Holidays & tours by train

If you want a holiday to Hungary by train not plane, but want someone else to organise all the train tickets & hotels for you, two specialist companies can do just that.

Railbookers logoRailbookers, railbookers.co.uk

Railbookers can custom-make a flight-free holiday to Budapest for you, with train travel & hotels, for however long you like, leaving on any date you like.  Why not combine a visit to Budapest with Prague and Vienna.  Indeed, they can arrange any tour of Eastern Europe you like to your own specification, with trains reserved, hotels booked and transfers arranged.

UK flag  UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk

US flag  US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website

Canadian flag  Canada call 1-855-882-2910, see website

Australian flag  Australia call 1300 971 526, see website

New Zealand flag  New Zealand call 0800 000 554 or see website

Byway logoByway, byway.travel

Byway (Byway.travel) is a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating.  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a holiday to Hungary for you as a package, including train travel from the UK and hotels, starting from any British station you like.

They can build a trip to your requirements if you phone 0300 131 7173 (open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, from outside the UK call +44 300 131 7173) or email them or use this contact form.  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

Tailor Made Raill logoTailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

Tailor Made Rail offers packages from the UK to Hungary by train which can be customised your requirements, with any stopovers you want.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected, which is like ATOL, but not just for agencies that sell air travel.  Website www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/france.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.

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European Rail Timetable & maps

Thomas Cook European Timetable - click to buy onlineTraveller's Railway Map of Europe - buy onlineThe European Rail Timetable (formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable) has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus currency & climate information.  It is essential for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair travellers.  Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.  You can buy it online at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).  More information on what the European Rail Timetable contains.

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map.  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

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Guidebooks

Lonely Planet Eastern Europe - buy online at Amazon.co.ukLonely Planet to Hungary - buy online at Amazon.co.ukPaying for a guidebook may seem an unnecessary expense, but it's a tiny fraction of what you're spending on your whole trip.  You will see so much more, and know so much more about what you're looking at, if you have a decent guidebook.  For independent travel, the best guide is either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide.  Both are excellent.  The Lonely Planet range offers an in-depth guide for Hungary or a guide covering all the countries in Eastern Europe.  You won't regret buying one! 

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

My own book, an essential handbook for train travel to Europe based on this website called "The Man in Seat 61", was published in June 2008, and is available from Amazon.co.uk with shipping worldwide.

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Hotels in Budapest

  • For something affordable near Budapest Keleti station with decent reviews try the inexpensive Baross City Hotel just across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk down the road.  Also consider the Hotel Bristol, an inexpensive 4-star hotel 550m 8-minute walk from the station with great reviews.  But perhaps the best hotel near Keleti station is the Intercity Hotel, just across the square, this would be my choice here.

  • For something affordable near Budapest Nyugati station, try the ever-popular & funky 3-star T62 Hotel just across the road or the even cheaper 3-star Star Inn Budapest Centrum a few minutes walk away, both with good reviews.  The 4-star Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is just one block along the road from the station.

  • For something different, but relatively inexpensive the floating hotel MS Maribelle gets great reviews, it's a river cruise boat permanently moored on the Pest side of the Danube close to the fortress with views across the river of the Hungarian Parliament.

  • For something special & historic, the luxurious 5-star Corinthia Hotel is the Grande Dame of Budapest hotels.  Opened in 1896 as the Grand Hotel Royal, it was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, made 2 years after film-maker Wes Anderson stayed here.  It's a superb hotel with a great spa and an excellent breakfast - with choice of dry or sweet champagne included.  It's 20 minutes walk from Keleti station or 9 minutes by taxi.  It's a !5 minute walk or a few minutes by taxi or number 4 or 6 tram from Nyugati station.

    Also historic and top notch, the New York Palace Hotel opened in 1894 and houses the famous New York Cafe on its ground floor.  It's 15 minutes walk from Keleti station and gets fabulous reviews.

Find hotels at Booking.comMy favourite hotel search: www.booking.com

Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place.  I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more.  Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip.  I never book hotels non-refundably!

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com:  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Budapest and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

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Travel insurance & other tips

 

Staysure travel insurance
 

Columbus Direct logo

Always take out travel insurance

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here.  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

UK flag  www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

UK flag  www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

US flag  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

 

Maya.net logo

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list.  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  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.

 

Curve card

Curve card

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 as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

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 getting 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.

 

Express VPN

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  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 this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

 

Anker Powerrbank

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com.

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

 

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