MÁV summer schedule announced: More vehicles and easier access to Lake Balaton

Starting from 22 June, as the high season begins, MÁV will introduce additional trains, IC carriages and motor trains, providing more seats for passengers to make their journeys to lakeside holidays and beaches more comfortable.

The high-season timetable, with more frequent services to popular tourist destinations, will be in place until 1 September. After this date, a post-season timetable offering a similar service to the pre-season will be operational until 22 September, Turizmus.hu reports.

MÁV promises more frequent train services and increased bicycle transport opportunities.

Photo: Mávcsoport.hu

In addition to the usual services between the capital and Lake Balaton (e.g. Balaton and Tópart InterCity, Déli->Parti InterRégió, Kék Hullám InterCity, Katica InterRégió, Vízipók trains), direct trains from eastern and south-eastern cities such as Miskolc, Nyíregyháza, Debrecen, Békéscsaba, Szeged, Kecskemét and Szolnok to Lake Balaton will also be available from 22 June.

MÁV will also introduce extra trains to the lake every day from major cities in the Transdanubian region. The Tanúhegy Express from Győr, the Lesence Express and Kék Hullám InterCity from Szombathely, the Fenyves Express from Pécs and more frequent Jégmadár trains connecting the Danube Bend with Lake Velence and the southern shore of Lake Balaton. Night owl trains (Bagolyvonat) will connect not only the southern shore but also the northern shore with the capital at weekends.

Photo: depositphotos.com

Travellers to Lake Balaton are advised to use the brand new EMMA travel planning system, which allows passengers to plan their trips quickly and reliably, whether they wish to travel by train, bus or a combination of both, as we previously reported.

In addition to trains, Volánbusz also provides direct access to and around Lake Balaton with local and intercity services from many regions of the country, making it easier for tourists and holidaymakers to get around. The Tihany bus timetable will also change, with new Volánbusz services available between Balatonfüred and Tihany during the summer holidays and on weekends.

With some exceptions, exchanging a seat ticket for most InterCity and express trains to Lake Balaton is compulsory. During the weekends, it is advisable to purchase tickets several days in advance, as second-class InterCity tickets are cheaper than those purchased on the day of travel. On InterCity and express trains, it is also compulsory to buy a seat ticket even if you own a country pass. There will be a single fare for cyclists for guaranteed seats on all Balaton services.

For more information, visit MÁV’s website here.

Read also:

Better service for higher prices on trains? Here’s what you can eat on your way to Lake Balaton this summer – Read here

Trains in Hungary replaced on many lines as MÁV experiences huge shortage of vehicles