New year, new perk: free dogs and bikes transport on select Hungarian trains – here are the conditions
From 1 January, the transport of dogs and bikes within Budapest will become free on all MÁV Group trains, which was previously only possible against payment of a separate fee. Those with a national or Pest county pass, a Budapest pass, a free travel entitlement within the capital or a monthly pass for job seekers can benefit from the free transport.
Based on feedback from the passengers and as part of the 5-point transport action plan announced by the Ministry of Construction and Transport (MCPT), the new fare system introduced in the spring will be extended with additional benefits from 1 January 2025: from the first day of the new year, bicycle and dog transport within Budapest will be free of charge on most trains, HÉV and VOLÁN services. The free travel will apply to all trains operated by the MÁV group on which it was still possible to transport bicycles and pets within the capital in 2024, but not free of charge, but by purchasing the corresponding ticket or country pass, MÁV press release said.
From January, dogs will be free of charge for travel within the capital on all domestic and international trains, on intercity VOLÁN services, and HÉVs (H5, H6, H7, H8, H9).
Cyclists will also be able to save on ticket changes and bicycle transport charges from January, as they will no longer have to pay for bicycle and scooter transport on the rail, all suburban and non-local domestic trains, and HÉV (H5, H6, H7, H8, H9) services.
On InterCity and express trains, as well as on some international trains, purchasing a bicycle place ticket will remain compulsory for journeys within Budapest. As in the past, it will not be possible to carry a bicycle on VOLÁN bus services in the capital (this is due to the design of the vehicle and closely related passenger safety).
Conditions and rules
Free transport will be conditional on the passenger carrying a dog or a bicycle being in possession of one of the following passes: a valid Budapest pass, a full fare or reduced fare Pest county pass, a country pass or a pass for free travel within the capital city, a monthly pass with a face permit as a jobseeker. Passengers with the appropriate pass can carry either a bicycle or a dog at the same time on the routes. If they are travelling with more than one bicycle or dog, they must continue to buy their usual tickets.
It is important to note that the normal travel rules remain unchanged and will continue to be maintained to ensure that our passengers are not inconvenienced by an inappropriate transport of a bicycle or pet.
When transporting dogs and bikes outside Budapest
When traveling outside the administrative boundaries of Budapest, you will still need to buy the necessary bicycle or dog tickets. However, since the spring fare reform, it has become cheaper, easier, and more convenient for most users to purchase tickets. As of March this year, the price of a regular bicycle or dog ticket will be 500 HUF – for a single, uninterrupted journey for a bike or pet dog on any route. Hungarian Cyclists’ Club members and START Club card holders can take their bikes with them on trains for HUF 375. The monthly Cycle Country Pass is valid for only 4950 HUF (with seat exchange if necessary), and the Dog Country Pass for 1890 HUF. You can carry your bike or a bike deposit box on almost all MÁV-START, GYSEV, and HÉV trains for unlimited travel, subject to the transport conditions of the service providers, while only the Dog Country Pass is valid on VOLÁN trains.
Another good news for dog owners is that since November, small and medium-sized dogs (up to 20 kg) can be carried in second class on all local trains without a closed crate, using only a leash and muzzle. However, for the safety of other passengers, the dog must not be off its leash or muzzle during the journey. A valid vaccination certificate (no more than 1-year-old) must be presented at the ticket inspector’s request, and a dog pass or dog country pass must still be obtained.
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