This is how much food and beverage cost on Hungarian trains in 2023

The Tópart InterCities and the Adria InterCity await railroad passengers with dining cars. Hop on to enjoy their vast food and drink selection. In this article, we give you an insight into how much it really costs to grab a bite on board. 

Summer peak-season schedule in effect

Since June 17, the high-season summer schedule has been in effect for the trains of the MÁV-Volán group, writes Pénzcentrum. The Tópart InterCity trains run between Budapest and the southern shore of Lake Balaton, with dining and bicycle cars. In addition, from June 9 to September 30, the Adria InterCity operates 3 trains a week, which also come with food and beverage on board.

The cost of food and beverage

The Balaton IC restaurant car, running on the Budapest – Székesfehérvár – Siófok – Zamárdi – Fonyód – Keszthely route, awaits passengers with chilled and hot drinks, snacks, various main dishes, desserts and snacks. In the dining car, you can use your bank or SZÉP cards, or pay in cash, however, only HUF is accepted in the latter case.

As far as breakfast goes, you will have to pay HUF 1,100 (EUR 2.93) for a platter of fried eggs / scrambled eggs with two slices of bread on the side, while a pair of hot dogs with two slices of bread costs HUF 690 (EUR 1.84). Although inflation is still rising, it did not affect that much the prices of the dishes on board. On the contrary, a hot dog cost HUF 790 (EUR 2.11) last year, while it sits at HUF 690 (EUR 1.84) today. The American hot dog costs HUF 890 (EUR 2.37), and various pies are priced at HUF 1,890 (EUR 5.04) each. You can try the so-called “flaming snack” for HUF 1,290 (EUR 3.44). Pre-packaged sandwiches can be purchased for HUF 1,090 (EUR .,91). A cherry soup is available for HUF 1,090 (EUR 2,91) and a bowl of goulash soup for HUF 1,790 (EUR 4.77). Meanwhile, instant soups can be purchased for HUF 380 (EUR 1.01). A Caesar salad costs HUF 1,790 (EUR 4.77), and the same with strips of grilled chicken breast is HUF 2,090 (EUR 5.57). The tuna salad is also HUF 2,090 (EUR 5.57).

Have food prices surged this year?

The START Burger costs HUF 1,690 (EUR 4.50) in 2023, compared to HUF 1,490 (EUR 3.97) last year. Thus, it became more expensive by 13.4 percent since last year. The Classic and Vega Burger cost the same, but if you pick both, they are on offer for HUF 2,470 (EUR 6.58). In 2022, the hamburger menu was priced at HUF 2,500 (EUR 6.66). If you fancy some chicken paprikash with dumplings, you have to fork out HUF 3,390 (EUR 9.04). Although, it was much cheaper last year, having been priced at only HUF 2,190 (EUR 5.84).

Prices have jumped by a whopping 55 percent since last year. Everyone’s favourite snacks, Galuska and Marlenka, have also become more pricey: this year they cost HUF 1,790 (EUR 4.77) each, while in 2022, the Marlenka cake was only HUF 1,390 (EUR 3.71). The price of a 0.5 litre mineral water rose from HUF 290 (EUR 0.77) to HUF 350 (EUR 0.93), and a can of coke from HUF 510 (EUR 1.36) to HUF 610 (EUR 1.63). A pint of Sopron on tap will now set you back HUF 680 (EUR 1.81), while last year it was only HUF 450 (EUR 1.20). Four cents of Unicum or Jägermaister is available for HUF 1,600 (EUR 4.27), while a whiskey coke or vodka orange for HUF 2,390 (EUR 6.37). A shot of espresso is HUF 460 (EUR 1.23), while a cup of cappuccino costs HUF 680 (EUR 1.81).