Originally Posted by
railways
The direct day train from Munich to Budapest is an RJ (Railjet) train - a brand new (Dec 2008) Austrian train. It is not really faster than the previous service, but it has three classes (including a premium first class). Second class has airline-style seating. The seven-hour journey can get a bit tiresome if you don't like train rides.
Flying time MUC to BUD rarely exceeds one hour.
Thanks - there is alas only one flight MUC-BUD with LH which is currently 723 EU. There isn't a budget airline nonstop (that I've found), so those fares are about 4hr of travel time. So the 7hr train (69 EU) somehow feels more appealing... especially when adding time for airport transits and security versus the train stations being smack in the middle of the two cities.
What's the best way to book RJ service - bahn.de shows only two classes (first and second) and the first class fare is 69EU (saver) with RJ. I assume this isn't the premium first class? What's a better website for comparing the first class and premium first class services?
My main paranoia with train travel is with the luggage - even though I've never suffered luggage theft, it just takes that one time to really ruin it. Otherwise I love riding the trains, they're quite lovely.