Train EC 146 from Cluj Napoca (Romania) to Bupapest (Hungary)

[yorkie]

Has anyone here travelled on this service? If so, if anyone can help with the following, that would be appreciated:

1. A small group of us will be travelling together - if we purchase tickets over the phone, how likely will we have seats together? (I understand there is no seat selector facility)

2. Is there any material difference between a first class or a second class compartment? Even if there are no material difference in the quality, is the capacity any different, or is standard likely to be extremely busy etc?

3. typically how busy is this service (we are travelling on a Sunday westbound if that makes a difference)?

Many thanks

 

[gordonthemoron]

Romanian first class is quite a bit nicer than second class

 

[jamesontheroad]

Have a look at VagonWeb for this train: the first class car appears to be a Hungarian MÁV Amz, not a Romanian one. Second class is available in both CFR and MÁV stock.

 

[Segedunum]

If you're travelling after the end of this month, it looks like the new electrification befween Püspökladány and Biharkeresztes will be put into use, thus eliminating the need for an extra loco change on the way.

 

[Alfonso]

Looking at vagon web, this train has a strange composition with both Romanian and hungarian bar cars (the Romanian one may be functioning with the bar closed). I recently travelled in the same kind of hungarian first class car and the extra legroom from having only 9 compartments versus 11 in second class was noticeable, and to a lanky bloke like me, very welcome. Whichever class you choose I'd thoroughly recommend spending time and money in the bar car...Good value, good food and drink, great service on our recent journey to Balaton

 

[Peterthegreat]

You can buy tickets for this train online from the CFR website. If you book all the tickets together that should put all of your group together,
Second class fares range from £20 for a non refundable ticket to £35 to a fully refundable one. First class is about 50% more.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

If you're travelling after the end of this month, it looks like the new electrification befween Püspökladány and Biharkeresztes will be put into use, thus eliminating the need for an extra loco change on the way.

Watch out for ex-BR class 86s in the yard at Püspökladány.
The CFR line from Cluj to Oradea and the HU border is also under electrification, don't know how far they have got.

 

[Zamracene749]

First class compartments have better legroom than 2nd, but are roughly the same seat width ie 6 to a compo. In a group, I'd go for the CFR 1st class coach. They are, as mentioned rather comfortable and being open saloon they offer better views, however DO NOT book the pair of seats that back onto the vestibules at either end- these are pushed together to allow space for the doorway.
On my last Romanian trip earlier this year, (albeit not on that particular line) unlike previous visits both classes were absolutely wedged so definately book early and pay the tiny bit extra for 1st.
PS There's a short line of nicely painted old steam engines on display in the station at Oradea, you should just have time to nip off the train for pictures