Info about train travel in Hungary

Discover Hungary by train is one of the most relaxing way, simply take on a train and relax till the train reach the final destination. It's gonna be that easy or not?

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Here we try to give you some good advise how to travel by train in and around Hungary.

Trains in Hungary

Most part of Hungary can be reached by train. There are Intercity trains which links major cities with Budapest or with each other (like the so called round Intercity, from Budapest-Miskolc-Nyiregyhaza-Debrecen-Budapest). Intercity trains are not really faster than normal trains only stops fewer times, you have a reserved seat on it, there are a restaurant/bar coach on the train. And actually you have to buy an additional ticket for intercities which contains the seat reservation. (without it you have to pay huge penalty)

There are speed trains which also links major cities, but stop more times. There are speed trains between Budapest-Debrecen, Budapest-Miskolc, Budapest-Gyor and Budapest-Pecs for example. There are no need to reserve a seat on a speed train, no airconditioning and toilets are not that clean.

Conventional slow trains are stop almost everywhere, but you can reach smaller places from bigger cities.

Train stations in Budapest

There are three major train station in Budapest. Budapest Keleti (the eastern station) is lying on the end of the Rakoczi str, easily reachable by red underground. Most of the Intercities, almost all international trains leave from here as well as trains to northern hungary, like Miskolc or Eger.

Deli (southern) station is also on the route of the red underground system. From Deli station you can reach Lake Balaton region.

Nyugati (western) station is reachable by blue underground (actually the station was designed by Eiffel). Trains from here leave to cities like Debrecen, or to the Danube Bend

Timetable, Tickets

You can check out timetable by clicking here (opens new window)

Info phone of the Train Company from Hungary : +36 40 49 49 49

Tickets can be purchased from the cashier desk at the stations. Do not buy tickets from conductors! You can buy tickets in advance for intercities through the phone above. Normal return ticket is valid for 1month from purchase, so you do not have to stick to one return date. There are discounts for kids, pensioners if you are EU citizen. Actually above 65years of age, train travel if FREE of Charge (you have to buy only intercity complementary ticket only)

Safety, Comfort on trains in Hungary

Trains are usually safe in Hungary although there are no CCTV or anything like that on trains. Pickpockets can be on trains, mainly in summertime. Do not let your belongings unattended, try not to fall asleep or if you do, try to grab your values. If there are any accident you should report to the conductor on the train and/or station stuff. There are police on every larger station.

Train comfort is way back in the past, as there are airconditioning only on Intercity trains, working toilets only on intercity trains. Other trains sometimes dirty a bit, but working. Restaurant car only on intercity trains, no wifi or anything onboard. Average speed 60km per hour.

Access by wheelchair, Take your Bike

Unfortunatelly most of the hungarian trains are not suitable for wheelchairs. Some new vehicles are ready to take travellers with wheelchair, but noone really able to tell which will work at the time.

Bikes can be taken to most of the trains even to slow trains,
More about bicycles on trains in Hungary

Budapest Ferihegy airport to Budapest downtown by train

There are train stop at Ferihegy Terminal 1, where from all the low cost airlines departure. Almost all train stop there, and you can ride to Budapest Nyugati (western) train station for 300HUF one way. You can buy tickets at the arrival hall (Terminal 1) at the Tourinform office or at the conductors on the train (prepare some coins).
If you arrived to Terminal2, you should have to take bus to Terminal 1 first than take the steps to the station.

Several example of how to go around in Hungary

Budapest-Gyor-Pecs, take Intercity from Budapest Keleti station to Gyor. From Gyor to Pecs you'd better go back to Budapest and change to an Intercity to Pecs. Intercities to Pecs from Keleti station, other trains from Deli. Total cost : 8900HUF, Takes around 4hours (the travel time only without waiting for connection)

Budapest-Eger-Siofok, take a normal train from Budapest Keleti (you have to change at Fuzesabony if you take an intercity) to Eger, than go back to Budapest Keleti, you have to go to Deli station (by underground) than take a train to Siofok. Total cost : 7350HUF, Takes around 8hours.

As you may noticed, trains in Hungary are very Budapest centered, so it is easier to go back to Budapest and change to another train in most of the cases than take some other locally.

If you have any question regarding train travel in Hungary, need a train ticket, do not hesitate to Contact us

Discover Cities in Hungary by train