Learn the entry requirements for your citizenship to enter Austria. U.S. citizens will require a passport and a pre-booked return ticket to enter the country. A visa will not be required for stays less than 3 months long.
Exchange enough cash into forints, the Hungarian currency, to cover a 2,000 forint ticket price. Hungarian train stations will probably not accept credit cards or traveler's checks.
Refer to the state railway's official online timetable or equivalent to pick a departure time (see Resources). Up to 20 trains leave Budapest daily for Vienna. Most trips take between 3 and 5 hours, but a couple of trains will sidewind through the country and take up to 9 hours to get to Vienna.
Decide what class you'd like to travel. People traveling on a budget may not mind second-class seats for a trip only 3 1/2 hours long. On some trains, first class may not be available.
Go to any of the 3 train stations in Budapest. There is also a Hungarian state railway central ticket office in Budapest where you can buy tickets. The central ticket office may be better equipped to accommodate inexperienced travelers.
Tell the ticketing agent every detail when booking your travel. Remember to book a return ticket, too.
Ask about discounts when you book your tickets. Hungary has discounts for student, juvenile and senior travelers.
