Good news for travellers: extra trains to Hungary’s favourite holiday spots

Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) has kicked off the excursion season, bringing extra trains and expanded bicycle capacity to the nation’s most popular spots for holidays and hikes.

Extra trains to Lake Balaton, Lake Velence, the Börzsöny Hills, and Lake Tisza

As reported by Pénzcentrum, MÁV launched its excursion season on 14 March, meaning extra trains to cherished destinations such as the Börzsöny Hills near Budapest, the perennially popular Lake Balaton, and the rising star of Lake Tisza. Bicycle-carrying capacity has surged too, catering to those who prefer pedalling their way around, with smart discounts attached to tickets to boot.

The article notes that services will expand not only to these three spots but to other favoured tourist haunts as well, though further details are pending. The boost to Balaton routes will also make Lake Velence more accessible with increased frequency.

By train and bike around Lake Tisza

Reach Lake Tisza via the express train from Keleti station to Tiszafüred, running from 14 March to 1 November. “Available on weekends and holidays from 14 March to 25 May, daily from 26 May to 30 August, and again on weekends and holidays from 5 September to 2 November,” states MÁV. The outbound journey takes from 8.10 AM to 10.38 AM, with the return departing at 6.25 PM and arriving back in Budapest by 9 PM. Circling the lake by bike—even at a leisurely family pace on flat terrain—takes just 3-5 hours, leaving ample time for a perfect day trip, children in tow.

Bicycle space starts at 20 places in spring and autumn, rising to 40 from mid-May to 30 August.

Lake Balaton, Danube Bend, Bakony Hills

• Daily weekend InterRégio services from Budapest Déli to the Balaton lakeside (via Lake Velence) run twice each way;
• The Lesence express links Szombathely to Keszthely on the Balaton shore, famed for its Festetics Palace;
• A sped-up service operates weekends between Budapest and Szob at the foot of the Börzsöny Hills, returning to Nyugati station;
• Extra bike capacity applies weekends between Vác and Diósjenő, with the final S750 train starting from Drégelypalánk instead;
• From 3 April, a tourist train runs between Győr and Zirc in the Bakony Hills.

MÁV urges passengers to plan via mavplusz.hu, the country’s premier timetable and route-planner service. Note that booking bike tickets there (a flat 500 forints nationwide, distance be damned) nets an extra 15% discount.

After just five bike trips, the annual nationwide bike pass pays for itself at 4,950 forints, valid across the full MÁV network, GYSEV lines, and all HÉV suburban rails.

Bikes on long-distance buses too

Another plus: select Volán bus routes allow bikes, as last year. From 29 March to 24 October, take your bicycle on services between Budapest and the Mátra region, between certain stops.

If you missed our previous articles concerning travel in Hungary:

• Plane ticket prices soar due to Iran war: how does this affect travellers from Hungary and Wizz Air?
• Wizz Air to expand to beautiful Balkan location very soon