Budapest travelcard validity and MAV

[sonic2009]

Good afternoon.

Im travelling to Budapest next February for 4 days - what is the area validity please for the Budapest tickets and does this include any MAV services within the area?

Also what routes do the MAV Stadler Double Deck services operate?

Also plan to head towards Lake Balaton - is this where old railcars can be found?

 

[43096]

Also what routes do the MAV Stadler Double Deck services operate?

Also plan to head towards Lake Balaton - is this where old railcars can be found?

You might want to consult this site (https://iemig.mav-trakcio.hu/) which shows live workings for Hungary. If you hover over/click on any train it will likely give you the vehicle number (it's the full EVN).

 

[70014IronDuke]

ITYWF that most, if not all the Bud Nyugati - Vac and Szob trains are Double Deck.

 

[Peterthegreat]

The validity is shown in pink on the attached map. It is valid on MAV services within this area.

https://bkk.hu/downloads/map/180/

 

[StephenHunter]

Also looking to do this myself in May/June. What's good for loco-haulage?

 

[sonic2009]

The validity is shown in pink on the attached map. It is valid on MAV services within this area.

https://bkk.hu/downloads/map/180/

Do i need to watch out for services that require reservations etc?

 

[43096]

Also looking to do this myself in May/June. What's good for loco-haulage?

There's loco hauled services running out of Nyugati and Keleti that call at Kobanya-Kispest, and also from Nyugati and Deli that call at Kelenfold. Keleti to Kelenfold is mostly IC services heading to Gyor/Vienna/Sopron that require reservation, although I've never yet been gripped between Keleti and Kelenfold.

 

[sonic2009]

There's loco hauled services running out of Nyugati and Keleti that call at Kobanya-Kispest, and also from Nyugati and Deli that call at Kelenfold. Keleti to Kelenfold is mostly IC services heading to Gyor/Vienna/Sopron that require reservation, although I've never yet been gripped between Keleti and Kelenfold.

So can a Budapest Travelcard be used for the services mentioned? Or reservation required?

 

[33056]

So can a Budapest Travelcard be used for the services mentioned? Or reservation required?

If you download the MÁV app, it will tell you which trains are available for Budapest Pass Holders (you can set it up in the passengers and discounts menu)

 

[StephenHunter]

Can you make a reservation from the app?

 

[sonic2009]

If you download the MÁV app, it will tell you which trains are available for Budapest Pass Holders (you can set it up in the passengers and discounts menu)

Does it specifically have to be the Budapest Pass as i note there are ones that allow you visits to attractions and discounts

 

[33056]

Can you make a reservation from the app?

Yes you can. There are a huge list of discounts to choose from which will then give you the correct fare, including a reservation if needed.

If a pass such as Interrail or FIP is held it will also confirm where no additional payments are needed

 

[CC 72100]

Yes you can. There are a huge list of discounts to choose from which will then give you the correct fare, including a reservation if needed.

If a pass such as Interrail or FIP is held it will also confirm where no additional payments are needed

I never knew you could do FIP activity in the MAV app; I'm actually really impressed by that (and quite surprised, MAV haven't historically struck me as the most modern of European operators!)

 

[33056]

The MÁV app is easily the best one I've used. I spent a whole week in Hungary back in August buying all my tickets with FIP discount via the app, the biggest problem was making sure there was a strong data signal when making a purchase though I generally found coverage in Hungary pretty good.

It goes without saying that you must present proof of any discount with the e-ticket, Hungarian "grippers" are usually very keen!

 

[CC 72100]

It goes without saying that you must present proof of any discount with the e-ticket, Hungarian "grippers" are usually very keen!

They don't get referred to as 'the Mavia' for no reason!

Useful to know for the future, thanks.

 

[neilmc]

Just a reminder that Brit pensioners (over-65s) have lost the free transport provision in Hungary which the rest of the EU enjoys. Fortunately train travel is amazingly cheap anyway compared to the mess we have in the UK. But it's anther wonderful non-gift which Brexit keeps on giving.

 

[miklcct]

I didn't use a travelcard as it was poor value compared to buying singles every time.

Do i need to watch out for services that require reservations etc?

Yes, these are premium trains which charge extra. Avoid them if you can.

 

[sonic2009]

A few more questions if anyone can help :

Is it best to buy tickets in advance to save anything - ie is it more expensive from the ticket machine on the day?

Is there anyway to get from Szob - Eztergom without having to double back on myself - is there a bus or train into Slovakia and walking?

​

 

[70014IronDuke]

A few more questions if anyone can help :

Is it best to buy tickets in advance to save anything - ie is it more expensive from the ticket machine on the day?

Is there anyway to get from Szob - Eztergom without having to double back on myself - is there a bus or train into Slovakia and walking?

​

Walking into Slovakia I'd say was a bad idea. There's not much around there. The easiest way would be to take the train from Szob to Sturovo, then walk into town (not sure if there is a bus) and across the bridge to Esztergom. That's about 3 km. The station at Esztergom is then about 1 km south of the town centre.

 

[sonic2009]

Walking into Slovakia I'd say was a bad idea. There's not much around there. The easiest way would be to take the train from Szob to Sturovo, then walk into town (not sure if there is a bus) and across the bridge to Esztergom. That's about 3 km. The station at Esztergom is then about 1 km south of the town centre.

Thanks - it's just so i can get onto that side of the river to go onto Gyor.

 

[70014IronDuke]

Thanks - it's just so i can get onto that side of the river to go onto Gyor.

Ah. In that case, I think you have a problem. Because the line from Esztergom will only take you back to Budapest. You would need to take a bus from Esztergom west to Komarom to get onto the line to Gyor.

Frankly, your easiest way would be to catch a train from Szob back to Budapest, ideally an international train that takes you to Keleti. (Save you the tram or trolley to Keleti.) Then you could get an intercity or railjet to Gyor directly from Keleti. I don't think anything goes from Nyugati to Gyor, only from Keleti or, if you don't mind a semi-fast, from Deli.

 

[ricohallo]

Another option would be to take a train to Nové Zámky and change there for a train to Komárno, then walk or take a bus (there is one but I don't know the timetable for it) from Komárno to Komárom, taking a train to Győr from there.