Everything to know about Hungary’s new, improved public transport fee system: prices, passes

Today, a new public transport price and pass system kicked off in Hungary due to a fundamental modification of the relevant regulations originated from János Lázár’s Construction and Transport Ministry. The new system will generate considerable financial losses in the public transport system but will be cheaper for the passengers. Thus, both the leading Fidesz party and its opposition seem to be satisfied with it. Here is everything you need to know about the new prices and passes.

Cheaper for the people, more expensive for the state

Both construction and transport minister János Lázár and Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony are proud of many elements of the new fee and pass system. One of the main advantages is that it will be plainer and cheaper. However, it will also generate losses for huge service providers like MÁV, Volán, or Budapest’s BKK. Neither of the leaders talks about that now, and nobody has shared yet how exactly the government and the leadership of Budapest will fill the financial gaps with taxpayers’ money.

From today, all kinds of passes will cease to exist except for the County and Hungary passes (Vármegye- és Országbérlet). That means you will no longer be able to buy kilometre-based tickets. Furthermore, the simplification includes the reduction of the number of discounts available. Passengers will have two options: either buying a full-price ticket or one with a 90% discount, turizmus.com wrote. For example, the latter will be available for students, making public transport very cheap. In comparison, before 1 March, they could buy one for only a 50% discount.

Hungary, County and Budapest passes

Following the Budapest-government agreement, Hungary and Pest county passes will be valid in the capital’s metro, bus, trolley bus and tram systems. A monthly County pass costs HUF 9,450 (EUR 24), while the price of a Hungary pass is HUF 18,900 (EUR 48).

To maintain the competitiveness of the Budapest pass, the capital reduced its cost from HUF 9,450 to HUF 8,950 (EUR 22.7). Another good news is that it will remain valid both on MÁV-HÉV, MÁV trains and Volán buses.

Furthermore, new tickets will be available for passengers. The Vármegye24 ticket will be valid on means of public transport in a county. The Magyarország24 ticket will be valid on the entire Hungarian public transport system. The Vármegye24 ticket will cost HUF 999 (EUR 2.54), while the Magyarország24 type will cost HUF 4,999 (EUR 12.7). However, you can use your Vármegye24 ticket only on trains without a seat reservation. Furthermore, it will not be valid on services in Budapest. But both tickets will be valid on Intercity trains, even in Budapest.

Photo: BKK/FB

Discount system also changed in Hungary’s public transport

People under 14 and above 65 can travel freely. Moreover, young people between 14 and 25 can buy tickets for a 50% discount. Students will travel with a 90% discount regardless of their age. Unfortunately, that is not true for correspondent students. They will have to buy a full-price ticket or pass. Families raising three or more kids will travel for free.

Dog and bike tickets will cost HUF 500 (EUR 1.27) regardless of the distance. The Hungary bike pass will be HUF 4,950 (EUR 12.5), while the country pass for dogs will cost HUF 1,890 (EUR 4.8), Impress Magazine said.

You may buy the new tickets and passes in the MÁV app. More information in English about the new system HERE.

Read also:

• Taxi fares can rise again in Budapest while ‘banned’ Uber returns – Read more HERE.
• New, cheaper transport fee system introduced in Hungary today – HERE is what the minister said.
• Public transport deal with govt beneficial for Budapest – Read HERE what the mayor of Budapest said about the new system.