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Snow and freezing temperatures disrupt train services across Hungary: here’s what to know
Unusually heavy snowfall and freezing weather caused widespread disruption to Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) services on several lines during the early hours of Thursday morning. According to MÁV’s passenger information service, Mávinform, travellers should expect longer journey times and operational difficulties on multiple main routes, including the Budapest–Szob line.
Major disruptions on key railway lines
According to Telex, on the Budapest–Cegléd–Szolnok and Budapest–Cegléd–Szeged lines, passengers must expect significant delays, cancelled services, shortened routes, and diverted long-distance trains running via Újszász. The disruption is caused by a damaged overhead power line between Üllő and Monor.
On the Budapest–Vác–Szob railway line, trains are running with longer journey times and on shortened routes, as a points failure between Göd and Vác means traffic can operate on only one track.
Departure boards at Nyugati railway station showed typical delays of 10–20–30 minutes on Thursday morning, while a train departing Szob at 6:34 AM was delayed by nearly an hour.
Transport minister comments on the situation
Transport Minister János Lázár addressed the situation in a statement published on Wednesday evening, saying that railway operations were stabilising; however, on Thursday morning, this does not seem to be the case.
According to the minister, points cleaning is ongoing nationwide, but progress is slow due to drifting snow and large snowfall, with priority given to major junctions. He added that point heating systems in rural areas are functioning properly, and although some delays and disruptions remain, travel is still possible on all lines. Nationally, delays of 10–30 minutes persist on certain routes due to points-setting issues, but most trains are already running according to schedule.
In a follow-up post on Thursday morning, Lázár stated that the railway system was “holding up”, reiterating that while snow clearance remains slow, most services are now operating on time, and there are currently no track or overhead line faults (however, the route between Üllő and Monor tells a different story; read below).
Where rail services are still affected: a detailed overview
Although the worst of the snowfall has passed, freezing temperatures and strong winds continue to affect rail operations in several parts of the country. MÁV warns that points-setting problems may still slow traffic, especially in regions impacted by snow and high winds.
MÁV also announced that train tickets are accepted on all Volán bus services nationwide, and bus tickets are likewise valid on MÁV trains where disruptions occur.
Kelenföld area
- The 6:32 AM Z42 service (4207) from Dunaújváros to Kőbánya-Kispest operated only as far as Kelenföld, with a delay of around 50 minutes.
- The 8:27 AM G43 service (3532) from Kőbánya-Kispest to Székesfehérvár ran only from Kelenföld.
Budapest agglomeration – Cegléd main line (Line 100a)
Severe delays, cancellations, shortened routes and diversions via Újszász continue on the Budapest–Cegléd–Szolnok and Budapest–Cegléd–Szeged lines due to the overhead line failure between Üllő and Monor.
Vác and Szob line (Line 70)
Longer travel times and partial routes remain in place on the Budapest–Vác–Szob line, as trains can only use one track between Göd and Vác.
- The 4:56 AM Z70 service (2349) from Szob was cancelled.
- Passengers were advised to use the 5:02 AM S70 service (2359) to Nyugati station.
S10 line – Almásfüzitő skipped
According to Portfolio, a points failure at Almásfüzitő means S10 trains pass through the station without stopping.
- Replacement buses run hourly at :40 from Almásfüzitő to Almásfüzitő felső.
- Return replacement buses depart Almásfüzitő felső at :10 each hour.
S71 and G71 – Budapest–Veresegyház–Vác
On Thursday, S71 services (with a few morning exceptions) operate only between Vác and Rákospalota-Újpest. Passengers heading to Nyugati station are advised to use S70 and G70 trains, tram lines 12 and 14, or Metro line M3, where railway tickets are also accepted.
Trains will not wait for connections. Passengers travelling from Nyugati towards Vác are advised to take the S70 services departing at :45 to Rákospalota-Újpest.
All G71 services are cancelled.
G40 line – modified route
On Thursday morning, G40 trains from Százhalombatta towards Budapest are diverted via Érd felső instead of Érd alsó. Boarding is only possible at Érd felső, and trains do not stop at Tétényliget.
S74 – Komárom–Esztergom line
Train services have mostly resumed on the Komárom–Esztergom line, with some exceptions. Passengers may use parallel bus services, where train tickets are accepted.
- The 7:42 AM S74 service (32922) from Esztergom to Lábatlan departed only from Esztergom-Kertváros.
- Passengers could instead take the 7:35 AM Z72 service (2047), which departed at 7:42 and also stopped at Esztergom-Kertváros.
Replacement buses operated instead of the following services:
- 4:46 AM S74 (32919) from Komárom to Esztergom
- 6:42 AM and 8:42 AM S74 services (32912, 32932) from Esztergom to Lábatlan
- 7:39 AM and 9:34 AM S74 services (32917, 32915) from Lábatlan to Esztergom
Hajdú-Bihar County
- The 6:47 AM train (6812) from Debrecen to Nyírábrány ran with a 35–40 minute delay.
- The 7:38 AM service (6837) from Nyírábrány to Debrecen was cancelled; passengers could take the 8:05 AM train (6847) instead.
- The 5:14 AM service (6810) from Debrecen to Érmihályfalva ran with delays.
- The 7:23 AM train (6817) from Érmihályfalva to Debrecen was cancelled; passengers could use the 7:44 AM service (6827).