Trains in Hungary | PolishTrains
Although rail traffic in Hungary is mainly operated by the national carrier Magyar Államvasutak, abbreviated as MÁV, the country and especially its capital can be reached by rail through other companies such as RegioJet, Slovak Rail and PKP Intercity. The railway in Hungary has 2,628 km of electrified track. This, combined with the country's small size, provides numerous passenger connections to other European countries..
At a glance
At a glance
- RegioJet runs three times a day between Prague and Budapest, stopping at Vienna, Brno and Bratislava
- The Prague-Budapest RegioJet journey takes 6 hours and 42 minutes, with three Budapest stop options
- Slovak Rail connects Bratislava and Budapest's Nyugati station nine times a day in 2 hours 23 minutes
- RegioJet offers three classes: Regular, Relax and Business, with complimentary drinks in the upper two classes
- Refreshments on international RegioJet routes can be paid for in zloty, Czech crowns, euros and forints
- Slovak Rail trains include a restaurant car, changing table and full amenities for passengers with disabilities
Railway operator in Hungary - RegioJet
One of the carriers that has a share of rail traffic in Hungary is the Czech company RegioJet. It has been operating since 2009. It is characterised by its modern fleet of trains and low prices.
Thanks to RegioJet's services, you can take the line running Prague - Žilina. This train:
Runs 3 times a day. Departs Prague at 6:16, 9:16 and 13:16.
It travels for 6 hours 42 minutes.
Along the way it stops at Brno, Bratislava, Vienna and on the Hungarian side at Hegyeshalom, Mosonmagyaróvár and Györ, among others.
It stops in Budapest at three stations: Kelenföld, Déli and Keleti.
From the Hungarian capital it travels to Slovakia via, among others, Trnava, Trenčín to Žilina, where it ends its run. The reverse route also functions similarly.
The trains are equipped with free Wi-Fi, electrical sockets, air conditioning and a multimedia system. Three classes are available:
Regular - this class offers seating in 6-person compartments, complimentary bottled water and coffee.
Relax - seating in a compartmentless carriage with large tables for work and entertainment, bottled water, coffee and tea.
Business - seats in 4-seater compartments or a seat in the quiet zone, seats with adjustable headrests and your own table. The ticket price includes mineral water, orange juice or prosecco, coffee and tea.
In Relax and Business classes, passengers are served on a priority basis. On trains on international lines, refreshments can be paid for in zloty, Czech crowns, euros and forints.
Slovak Rail - connections between Bratislava and Budapest
Another of the foreign carriers that operates services to Hungary is Slovak Rail. This company provides a convenient connection between the capitals of Slovakia and Hungary. Nine trains a day leave from Bratislava for Budapest's Nyugati station. The journey takes 2 hours 23 minutes and in Hungary the train stops at stations: Szob, Nagymaros-Visegrád and Vác.
Slovak Rail trains are equipped with all the amenities that modern public transport should have:
- A changing table,
- Restaurant car,
- Wi-Fi and electric sockets,
- Possibility of transporting bicycles.
- You can choose to travel in 1st and 2nd class.
Connections from Poland to Hungary
There are several connections from Poland to Hungary, operated by the Polish railway company PKP Intercity:
🚆 FromWarsaw - there are two trains from the Polish capital to Hungary.
The first of these, IC Batory, leaves Warsaw Central Station every day at 9:08 a.m. The journey takes 10 hours 41 minutes. During this time, it passes through Sosnowiec, Katowice and Tychy, among others. The train passes through Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In Hungary, it stops at the stations: Szob, Nagymaros-Visegrad, Vác and Budapest-Nyugati.
The second train, the EN Chopin, is a night service. The train departs from Warsaw Central Station at 20:00, passing through Opoczno, Cracow and Oświęcim. After crossing the border at Zebrzydowice, the route is already the same as that of the IC Batory train.
🚆 FromPrzemyśl - from Monday to Saturday, the IC Cracovia train departs once a day, leaving Przemyśl Główny station at 8:15.
The route to Budapest takes 11 hours 34 minutes, with stops along the way in Rzeszów, Tarnów, Bochnia, Kraków and Czechowice-Dziedzice, among others. It is a train with direct carriages - this means that part of them are interchanged at Bohumin station with the IC Batory train, which goes to Budapest, while the rest of the train goes to Prague.
As far as the EuroNight train is concerned, it is possible to purchase seats in 2nd class compartmentless cars and in a sleeping car. The carriages are air-conditioned and there are designated seats for persons with children under 6 years of age.
On IC Batory, it is possible to travel in 1st and 2nd class in compartmentless carriages, there are seats for wheelchair users, bicycles can be carried, there are seats for passengers with children under 6 years of age, and a dining car. On IC Cracovia there are two carriages in 2nd class - one compartmentless, the other with compartments. Seat reservations are required for all international connections.
How to buy train tickets in Hungary?
When it comes to buying tickets for journeys to Hungary with RegioJet, Slovak Rail and PKP Intercity, you can do it simply, quickly and in zloty on the PolishTrains portal. Simply search for the connection you are interested in, then select the class of carriage, fill in your details and pay for your chosen seat.
If you wish to transport a bicycle or a dog, please contact our Customer Service. You can do this in three ways:
📩Mail**:** kontakt@polishtrains.eu.
☎️Telefonicznie: +48 123 451 661 (charge according to the operator's tariff).
📲Throughthe priority hotline: +48 703 402 010 (call cost PLN 2.58 including VAT per call minute).
Summary
Hungary is a well-connected country when it comes to rail transport. Train traffic there is mainly served by the national carrier MÁV, but Budapest and its preceding towns and cities can also be reached by trains of the companies RegioJet, Slovak Rail and PKP Intercity, among others.
Is it possible to buy discounted tickets for connections to Hungary?
Yes, each carrier charges its own concessions for transport. Usually, the youngest children are exempt from payment. All information can be found in the carriers' regulations.
How far in advance can I buy a ticket for Hungary?
For RegioJet and Slovak Rail it is 30 days, PKP Intercity starts selling tickets for international relations 180 days in advance.
Are trains in Hungary adapted for people with disabilities?
Yes, trains have ramps or lifts to facilitate boarding, designated spaces for wheelchair users and adapted carriages.
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RegioJet
RegioJet is a Czech private rail operator that has been offering comfortable domestic and international connections in Central Europe for more than a decade. The brand belongs to the holding company Student Agency and is one of the largest private rail operators in the region. It is distinguished by its high quality of service, modern rolling stock and extensive range of travel classes, making it an alternative to state-owned carriers. Today, RegioJet is associated with comfort, punctuality and attractive value for money, and thousands of passengers choose it every year on routes between the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and Poland.
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