Hungary - Things to note/Look out for

[moves and mile]

Hello! Over the weekend I am off to Hungary, basing myself out of Budapest. I have been doing some research into the Nation's network, stock allocations, mandatory reservations etc. Before I head off, is there anything I should be aware of to keep an eye out for? I am mainly aiming for Loco Bashing for routes along with red pens. I'm expecting a lot of Nyugati - Zuglo / Kobanya leaps as well as Keleti - Kelenfold but I am also hoping for longer leaps with a day on Line 135, Szeged - Bekescsaba, along with a day round Lake Balaton.

My question is - is there anything I should make a deal of doing or looking our for? As mentioned, I am after required locos so do shunt moves still happen out there? If so, is there a list of locations/services were it is planned too or is it luck of the draw? I will be travelling with FIP Coupons and a Budapest-Pass on top of this so I am flexible day to day. Thank you in advance for any help

 

[Alfonso]

You might find timetables etc showing intercity and express trains at the same time that are in fact the same trains, with one price for the express (normal) carriages and more expensive fares for the second class normally air-conditioning intercity and rarer still first class intercity coaches.

 

[NCT]

You might find timetables etc showing intercity and express trains at the same time that are in fact the same trains, with one price for the express (normal) carriages and more expensive fares for the second class normally air-conditioning intercity and rarer still first class intercity coaches.

How is differential fares and differential accommodation enforced? How do I know that 'I can only use this second class coach but not that second class coach'? Are there effectively three classes?

 

[Alfonso]

How is differential fares and differential accommodation enforced? How do I know that 'I can only use this second class coach but not that second class coach'? Are there effectively three classes?

I only travelled in first and the cafe car so I don't know exactly how it works, but without looking I'd guess there's the base fare ticket plus supplements for seat reservations in the respective intercity bits. No idea if you're allowed to travel in the cafe without an intercity reservation. [Edit...looking at an old ticket I was charged a base fare, plus a c.20% supplement for first class, plus a seat reservation fee, plus an entirely optional round of burgers, beer and cake in the very reasonable and friendly cafe car]

 

[rg177]

How is differential fares and differential accommodation enforced? How do I know that 'I can only use this second class coach but not that second class coach'? Are there effectively three classes?

Usually one has opening windows (tends to be ex-DB carriages with doors at thirds) while the others are air-conditioned with end doors.

If they're split into InterCity and 'Gyors' (fast) categories - then the latter can be used without a reservation. If its InterCity and 'Express' then both are reservation compulsory - the former will just charge slightly more for a reservation.

Believe it or not this is actually simpler than it used to be, when supplements for the train category and reservations were separate things. Now you simply need a reservation or you don't.

I'd recommend using the MÁV app as it also has a live map of all trains in Hungary. It also has the number of whatever the leading unit or loco is.

 

[superalbs]

Usually one has opening windows (tends to be ex-DB carriages with doors at thirds) while the others are air-conditioned with end doors.

If they're split into InterCity and 'Gyors' (fast) categories - then the latter can be used without a reservation. If its InterCity and 'Express' then both are reservation compulsory - the former will just charge slightly more for a reservation.

Believe it or not this is actually simpler than it used to be, when supplements for the train category and reservations were separate things. Now you simply need a reservation or you don't.

I'd recommend using the MÁV app as it also has a live map of all trains in Hungary. It also has the number of whatever the leading unit or loco is.

Where is this found? Missed this feature from the vonatDroid app, so would love to have it back.

 

[rg177]

Where is this found? Missed this feature from the vonatDroid app, so would love to have it back.

Ah yes, I see its now moved around and the map is called 'EMMA' (browser only).

If you go to the service information tab and type in the train number you're after - it'll still show the unit/loco info (so long as that service is active/on the move).

 

[33056]

"VonatDroid" is back and working again though it does have its moments. As the name implies, it is only available on Android AFAIK.

I would recommend a visit to the Budapest Children's Railway https://gyermekvasut.hu/. Very easy to get to (Tram 56 to Hűvösvölgy or the rack-operated line 60 to Széchenyihegy). Trains are loco-hauled with at least two out per day.

 

[AdamWW]

I would recommend a visit to the Budapest Children's Railway https://gyermekvasut.hu/. Very easy to get to (Tram 56 to Hűvösvölgy or the rack-operated line 60 to Széchenyihegy). Trains are loco-hauled with at least two out per day.

I'd second that.

When I went on it the children seemed to be taking their jobs extremely seriously.

I haven't had The Stare as I'm compared to my passport photo the way the guard did since the Berlin Wall came down.

 

[littledude]

Where is this found? Missed this feature from the vonatDroid app, so would love to have it back.

Both are a little bit clunky to use (tbh Hungary is a bit of a clunky country so it's quite fitting ) but they should give all the info that's required...

EMMA - Egységes Menetrendi kereső Magyarországon

Az Egységes Menetrendi keresővel tervezhet vonattal, HÉV-vel, TramTrain-nel, helyközi és helyi busszal, metróval, villamossal, hajóval...

emma.mav.hu

EMIG - Éles környezet - MÁV Start Zrt.

iemig.mav-trakcio.hu

Tom

 

[dutchflyer]

The ONLY IC-trains that also contain a portion as ´gyors=fast´ are B´pest-Szeged, at least last tiime. On main lines to other main cities where IC runs, they go hourly.
Other special pecularity: the fairly new combo tram/dieseltrain-then as local tram Szeged-Hodmezövasarhély, running diesel in between and as newly built local tram in Hmz. (means middle market place)

 

[43096]

Hello! Over the weekend I am off to Hungary, basing myself out of Budapest. I have been doing some research into the Nation's network, stock allocations, mandatory reservations etc. Before I head off, is there anything I should be aware of to keep an eye out for? I am mainly aiming for Loco Bashing for routes along with red pens. I'm expecting a lot of Nyugati - Zuglo / Kobanya leaps as well as Keleti - Kelenfold but I am also hoping for longer leaps with a day on Line 135, Szeged - Bekescsaba, along with a day round Lake Balaton.

My question is - is there anything I should make a deal of doing or looking our for? As mentioned, I am after required locos so do shunt moves still happen out there? If so, is there a list of locations/services were it is planned too or is it luck of the draw? I will be travelling with FIP Coupons and a Budapest-Pass on top of this so I am flexible day to day. Thank you in advance for any help

If you are around Lake Balaton then you might want to take a look at the narrow gauge line from Balatonfenyves.

On the “big railway” MÁV are starting to use leased Akiem Class 490s on the Pecs diagrams. These are former French BB36000 locos refitted and re-registered for Eastern Europe. They are also just starting to use ex-DSB ME diesels - one diagram so far.