Trains in Hungary
Magyar Államvasutak (MÁV) is the national railway company operating trains across Hungary. Passenger services are managed by its division, MÁV-START Zrt., with the central hub located in the capital city of Budapest. Traveling by rail offers an efficient, affordable, and scenic way to explore both the historic capital and major regional destinations.
Train Categories in Hungary
Domestic Services
- InterCity (IC): Fastest domestic trains. Connect Budapest to major hubs. Feature air-conditioned first- and second-class cars. Most include a restaurant or buffet car.
- Express (gyors): Faster than local trains. Cover medium-to-long distances. Make limited stops and offer first-class compartments.
- Rapid (sebes): Medium-haul trains. Stop less frequently than local lines but slower than express routes.
- Local (személy): Slowest train tier. Stop at every town and village along the route. Typically offer only second-class seating.
International Services
- EuroCity (EC): High-speed trains connecting Budapest to neighboring European nations.
- EuroNight (EN): Overnight sleeper trains serving long-distance international corridors.
- RailJet (RJ): Premium high-speed services operating frequently between Hungary, Austria, and Germany.
Seat Reservations & Surcharges
Seat reservation requirements vary significantly depending on the class of train you board:
Rules by Train Type
- Mandatory Reservations: Required for all InterCity (IC), RailJet (RJ), and international EuroCity / EuroNight lines.
- Optional Reservations: Available on domestic sections of standard EuroCity trains.
- No Reservations: Local (személy) and rapid (sebes) trains do not allow or require seat assignments.
Booking & Costs
- Fees: Domestic seat reservations generally cost between 300 HUF and 990 HUF (~$1 to $3 USD). Buying at least one day in advance yields lower prices than purchasing on the day of departure.
- How to Book: Reservations can be secured online via the official ticket portal or directly through the mobile MÁV app (formerly MÁVPlusz).
- Pass Holders: Travelers utilizing an Interrail or Eurail Pass must purchase these seat supplements separately before boarding mandatory routes.
- Seniors: Passengers over 65 travel free on domestic lines but must still purchase seat reservations on IC, EC, and RailJet trains.
Train Travel Times Between Major Cities
Most major rail corridors radiate outward from Budapest's main stations: Keleti, Nyugati, and Déli.
Route (From Budapest) | Average Journey Time | Service Frequency | Primary Departure Station |
|---|---|---|---|
Budapest to Győr | 1h 05m – 1h 12m | Every 30 minutes | Budapest-Keleti / Kelenföld |
Budapest to Miskolc | 2h 06m – 2h 35m | Hourly | Budapest-Keleti |
Budapest to Szeged | 2h 10m – 2h 22m | Hourly | Budapest-Nyugati |
Budapest to Pécs | 2h 26m – 2h 38m | 8 departures daily | Budapest-Keleti |
Budapest to Debrecen | 2h 30m – 3h 05m | Hourly | Budapest-Nyugati |
Budapest to Vienna (AT) | 2h 40m | 12+ departures daily | Budapest-Keleti |
