CHRISTMAS UPDATE – Opening hours and schedules during the holiday in Hungary

Origo.hu collected the most important pieces of information that can make the Christmas holiday less stressful for everyone. In this article, you can gather information about the Christmas schedule of the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) and the VOLÁNBUSZ Transport Company Ltd., and also about the opening hours of pharmacies and shopping centres during the holiday.

The Hungarian State Railways (MÁV)

During the Christmas holiday, the number of passengers travelling by train increases significantly. Last year, between 24-26 December, approximately 300,000 people used the services of MÁV. When the winter holiday starts at schools, most passengers travel on the Budapest-Debrecen-Nyíregyháza, the Budapest-Miskolc and on the Budapest-Győr lines which are unusually crowded.

Photo: MTI

However, it is only on three days that the schedule of MÁV is changed during the holiday.

Between 24-26 December, Sunday schedule applies to train services. However, on 31 December and on 1 January, further changes are to be expected. Holiday schedules apply on New Year’s Eve, while on 1 January, trains operate on Sunday schedule. From 2 January onwards, all services are going to operate on normal schedule.

Due to the anticipated increase in the number of passengers travelling at that time, the railway undertaking provides extra compartments to the passengers on InterCity trains.

Furthermore, they try to call the attention of passengers to purchase their tickets online to avoid the long queues and pay special attention to their valuables at the stations and on the trains, too.

The VOLÁNBUSZ Transport Company Ltd.

On 24 December, the last buses depart from Budapest around 4 p.m., but further information on schedules can be checked out here.

Between 25-26 December and on 1 January, early buses do not operate. Please be aware that during the school holiday, some bus services operate on reduced schedules.

Therefore, it is highly advisable to check the timetables in advance or get further information about them by calling the information line of VOLÁN (+36-1/382-0888).

/kozeg.blog/

VOLÁN also encourages people to purchase their tickets online to save time and avoid the long queues.

Public transport services in Budapest during the year-end holidays and in the first few days of 2018

Daily News Hungary

The opening hours of shops

The busiest period of the year commercially is the last two weeks before Christmas. According to the previous estimation of the National Association of Trading (OKSZ), Hungarian families spend at least 3-4% more on Christmas presents than in the last year.

pixabay

As far as the opening hours are concerned, on 4 December, shops are open until 2 p.m., but merchants can decide to close earlier or not to open at all. On 31 December, it is also the proprietors who decide upon the opening hours. Usually, shops close between 2-4 p.m. on this day, but on 1 January, most of them stay closed.

The opening hours of pharmacies

During the Christmas holiday, you can use the services of the pharmacy designated to be on duty. On 24 December, pharmacies are usually open until 2 p.m., while on 25 and 26 December, only the pharmacies on duty are going to be open. The name and contact numbers of the store on duty are displayed in the shop windows of the pharmacies, but you can also check them out on the website of OGYÉI here.

Featured image: MTI

Source: origo.hu