| The overnight train from Kiev to Budapest is a | | | | as well as hot water for those wanting to cook |
| common route for those travelers exploring Eastern | | | | some instant noodles. |
| Europe, but train travel in this part of the world can | | | | 4. How many people will be in my sleeper cabin? |
| seem a bit out of this century. The task of traveling | | | | Sleeper cabins can have from 1 to 6 people |
| this route can seem daunting, unsafe and strange, | | | | depending on the class and rate of pay. Second class |
| especially when the traveler cannot speak the same | | | | will have four sleeping units with a sliding door for |
| language, so many questions may arise. In order to | | | | more privacy. There will be one large window, a small |
| shed some light on this activity, I have answered five | | | | table and usually luggage storage under both of the |
| common ones below. | | | | bottom bunk beds. |
| 1. How often do trains run from Kiev, Ukraine to | | | | 5. What do I need to do to prepare for the border |
| Budapest, Hungary? | | | | crossing? |
| Trains run from Kiev to Budapest daily. There is | | | | The border crossing between Ukraine and Hungary |
| actually one direct train every day that starts in Kiev | | | | will vary depending on the type of route you are |
| and ends in Budapest, while there are also many | | | | taking from Kiev to Budapest. If taking the direct |
| other potential routes, involving train changes, that | | | | overnight train, the train will usually stop at the |
| can get you to the final destination in Hungary. | | | | border for a while as border guards get on to check |
| 2. How long does the train take to travel from Kiev | | | | passports and possibly search for signs of smuggled |
| to Budapest? | | | | goods. If no visa is needed for travel to Hungary, |
| On average, train travel from Kiev to Budapest will | | | | then the passage is generally easy, but no one is able |
| take 24 hours to complete. The direct, daily | | | | to leave the train during this time. If taking an indirect |
| overnight train will progress for 25 hours, while other | | | | route, the border crossing may occur at Chop, |
| variations involving changes can take as little as 20 | | | | Ukraine. You will have to pass through customs and |
| hours if timed correctly. Ukraine is a surprisingly | | | | passport control where they will check your passport |
| expansive country in Eastern Europe causing travel to | | | | and belongings before entering the train. Once across |
| run slower than one would hope. | | | | the border, everyone will remain on the train until |
| 3. Is there food available on the overnight trains? | | | | guards in Hungary also check passports and |
| Food carriages are usually available at one end of the | | | | belongings. |
| train, but bringing your own snacks is a more | | | | After spending countless hours myself trying to |
| convenient way to travel, but be aware that some | | | | figure out the ins and outs of travel from Kiev to |
| people might expect you to share. Coffee and tea | | | | Budapest by train, I thought these little tidbits could |
| are available in each carriage by asking the attendant, | | | | at least give someone else a bit more direction. |