MÁV

Snow disrupts public transport in Budapest: Delays and detours announced

budapest snowfall public transport (1)

Budapest woke up to its first snowfall of the year on Wednesday morning, causing widespread disruptions to public transport and prompting warnings from authorities. Following snowfall in northern Hungary earlier this week, the wintry weather has now reached the capital, affecting both bus and train services.

Public transport detours

The Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) reported several detours affecting buses in the city and its outskirts. Icy and snowy conditions in higher elevations and outer districts have made some routes hazardous. Key changes include:

  • Bus 140 in Törökbálint avoided the Harangláb and Munkácsy Mihály Street stops earlier in the day due to slippery roads but has since returned to its normal route.
  • Bus 188, connecting Budakeszi and Budaörs, is skipping stops between the Tesco supermarket and Gyár Street due to expected disruptions on the road linking the two towns.
  • Additional detours were implemented for buses 40, 40E, 140A, 240, and 287 in Budaörs, bypassing the Patkó Street and Gimnázium stops.

BKK advised drivers to exercise caution, particularly in the hilly and outer areas of Budapest, where road conditions remain snowy and slippery. The public is encouraged to use well-maintained vehicles equipped with winter tyres and, if possible, opt for public transport.

Train delays and replacement services

Snowfall has also significantly disrupted railway services across the country. Passengers are facing delays, shortened routes, and replacement buses on several lines:

  • On the Győr–Veszprém line, delays of 30-60 minutes have been reported. Trains are running shorter routes, and buses are covering affected segments. For instance:
    • The 5:13 AM train from Győr to Veszprém operated only to Zirc, with buses continuing the journey.
    • The 7:35 AM train from Veszprém to Győr started with a bus segment to Zirc.
    • The 7:29 AM train from Bakonyszentlászló to Győr is running 25-30 minutes late.
  • On the Székesfehérvár–Komárom line, the 6:08 AM S150 train (34910) broke down near Bodajk. Passengers were directed to the 6:57 AM Volánbusz service from the Bodajk railway station entrance to Mór, where replacement buses continued toward Komárom, albeit with a 40-minute delay. Similarly, the 8:05 AM S150 train (34917) from Komárom to Székesfehérvár has been replaced by buses.

According to 444, in Budapest, trains departing from the Déli railway station are experiencing a baseline delay of 10 minutes due to the snow. One conductor announced that a train departure was indefinitely delayed as “Kelenföld station cannot accept trains.” Passengers wishing to monitor real-time delays and disruptions can do so online for the latest updates.

Proactive measures by city authorities

To mitigate the effects of the snowfall, Budapest’s public utility company (FKF) began pre-emptive gritting operations overnight on key roads. A fleet of 60 large-scale gritting trucks and 8 pavement-clearing vehicles have been deployed to ensure the city remains accessible. Mayor Gergely Karácsony reassured residents that the city had prepared for the snowfall, urging them to rely on public transport where possible to reduce traffic hazards. With more wintry weather forecast, both commuters and drivers are advised to stay updated on travel conditions and plan extra time for their journeys.

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Delayed train or bus in Hungary? Get half your ticket back!

máv public transport upgrade lázár bus train

In an effort to improve the quality of public transportation in Hungary, significant upgrades have been announced by Minister of Construction and Transport János Lázár. Starting 1 June, a new “delay insurance” policy will be introduced across MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) and Volán buses. Under this policy, passengers will receive half of their ticket price refunded if their train or bus is delayed by more than 20 minutes, with no paperwork or proof required from the passengers. Those who purchased tickets online will receive an automatic refund, while those with paper tickets can claim their refund at ticket counters.

Refunds on ticket prices, discount on passes

Additionally, MÁV season ticket holders will also benefit from this initiative. If their service is delayed five times in a month, they will receive a 10% discount on their next month’s pass. To make use of this, passengers will need to enable the delay insurance feature in the MÁV app. According to Economx, as part of a broader effort to enhance the overall travel experience, Lázár also announced plans for a major overhaul of public transport services by 2026. By 1 January 2026, all MÁV and Volán Group restrooms will be renovated, with a focus on improving hygiene standards. These restrooms will be free to use for passengers who have a valid ticket or pass. In addition, MÁV will deploy cleaning staff on all InterCity trains starting 1 April 2025, to maintain cleanliness during travel.

Renewing the bus and train fleet

To further improve the fleet, Hungary plans to purchase 1,000 new buses by 2026, expanding the existing fleet of 5,700 Volán buses. Additionally, the MÁV locomotive fleet will be upgraded, with 40 new electric locomotives and 15 high-performance diesel locomotives scheduled to enter service by the summer of 2025. The government also aims to reduce the shortage of InterCity carriages by adding 100 new cars during the peak summer season. Moreover, a new service called “MÁV Bus” will operate alongside trains to accommodate overcrowded routes.

For example, if a train from the Déli railway station is full, passengers will be directed to a MÁV Bus that will take them to their destination.

Passengers will also be able to choose whether they travel on air-conditioned trains or buses, as the government ensures that either option is available on all routes. In addition, the MÁV+ app will be revamped, offering expanded features such as the delay insurance system, set to launch in April 2025. With these extensive reforms, Lázár aims to provide a more reliable, cleaner, and modern public transport system for Hungarian travellers.

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New year, new perk: free dogs and bikes transport on select Hungarian trains – here are the conditions

dogs and bikes MÁV

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).

read also:

Faster train connections between Budapest and Vienna with major railway upgrade

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.

read also: Great news for travellers: Budapest-Kyiv train service restored

MÁV boosts holiday travel in Hungary: More trains, extra coaches, and planning tips

Hungary’s national railway company, MÁV-START, is gearing up for the busy holiday season with increased services and helpful travel tips for passengers. To accommodate the higher demand during Christmas and New Year’s, certain InterCity routes will feature additional coaches, ensuring more seating capacity for travellers.

Expanded services on key routes

Popular lines, including Budapest–Debrecen–Nyíregyháza (Nyírség), Budapest–Miskolc–Nyíregyháza (Tokaj), Budapest–Nagykanizsa (Tópart), Budapest–Keszthely (Balaton), Budapest–Békéscsaba (Békés), Budapest–Cegléd–Szeged (Napfény), and Budapest–Pécs (Mecsek), will see expanded train capacities, MÁV reports.

MÁV Christmas travel
Photo: Facebook/MÁV

Passengers are encouraged to book their tickets in advance, particularly for trains without mandatory seat reservations, as securing a seat during this high-demand period could otherwise prove challenging.

Easy ticket purchases

Tickets can be conveniently purchased through ticket vending machines, the Elvira online platform, or the MÁV app. The app also allows travellers to buy tickets for Volánbus intercity services, making holiday travel planning seamless.

Special holiday timetables

Adjustments to train, bus, and HÉV schedules will be in place:

  • From 22 to 28 December, public transportation will follow a modified timetable, reflecting workdays, holidays, and rest days.
  • On 24 December, some buses will not operate, while HÉV trains will run on a Saturday schedule during the day.

For those travelling between Christmas and New Year’s, MÁV and Volánbus recommend planning trips ahead to avoid any inconvenience. Timetable details and updates can be found on MÁV’s official website.

A smooth holiday journey by MÁV

By expanding services and offering user-friendly booking options, MÁV-START is committed to ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers this holiday season. Be sure to plan ahead, book early, and enjoy the festive spirit with hassle-free journeys across Hungary!

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Great news for travellers: Budapest-Kyiv train service restored

The Transcarpathia (Kárpátalja) international high-speed train, consisting of Ukrainian sleeper cars, will now operate nightly between Budapest and Kyiv, MÁV announced on Monday on its website.

The train will cover a distance of nearly 1,200 kilometres via Lviv, Mukachevo (Munkács), and Debrecen. The train from Budapest to Kyiv departs at 22:40 and arrives the following evening at 19:11. Conversely, the train from Kyiv to Budapest departs at 10:16 in the morning and arrives at 6:00 the next morning. The journey time is 20.5 hours—five hours longer than before the outbreak of the war, when the journey took approximately 15 hours.

For the entire journey between Budapest and Kyiv, second-class tickets are available for €48.10, with sleeping berths costing an additional €10, depending on the type of berth.

The first train departed Kyiv on Sunday morning and arrived in the Hungarian capital on Monday morning. In a video shared on her social media page, the speaker expressed MÁV’s pride in contributing to the cooperation between Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, Hungary, and the Hungarian people.

Budapest-Kyiv Train Service Restored
Budapest-Kyiv Train Service Restored. Photo: MTI

 

 

Snow covered Hungary, Budapest public transport changed, Budapest-Austria train line collapsed – PHOTOS, VIDEO

Extensive snowfall covered Hungary, Budapest public transport changed, Budapest-Austria train line collapsed

Extensive snowfall reached Hungary and Budapest in the last few hours. As a result, a thin, a couple of centimetres thick snow layer covers most of the country, including the urban areas. Concerning some bus lines in the capital, that means disruptions. The snowfall made passenger transport collapse on numerous train lines.

Budapest public transport changed in the hilly regions

According to idokep.hu, the snowfall caused some changes in the public transport system of Budapest. BKK says the changes concern bus lines nr 21, 212, 212B, 221, 212A, 21A, and 210, all of which commute in the hilly areas of West Buda.

PM Orbán’s first snowman:

Gergely Karácsony cleared in a previous Facebook post that the authorities follow a strict schedule concerning snow removal from the roads. In that regard, inferior roads in West Buda are at the end of their priority list, which is why snowfall usually results in changes there.

Less precipitation over the weekend, MÁV line collapsed

According to portfolio.hu, Storm Darragh, causing cancellations and delays due to strong winds in the Netherlands’ air traffic, changed course. Instead of arriving in the Carpathian Basin with intensive precipitation, it will swirl in the Alps region, slow down and a Mediterranean cyclone will be born Southwest of Hungary.

As a result, the amount of precipitation on Sunday will decrease, and extensive rains will only arrive next week.

Both Saturday and Sunday will be cold (1-7 and 3-9 degrees) and cloudy, and the Southern wind may become heavy. Rainfall will be rare these two days.

According to portfolio.hu, some suburban, InterCity and international trains commute with 20-40 or even 40-60 minutes delays. Based on MÁV, the problems concern the trains commuting on the Budapest-Győr-Hegyeshalom-Vienna line.

Extensive snowfall covered Hungary, Budapest public transport changed, Budapest-Austria train line collapsed
The Advent train at Budapest’s Nyugati railway station. Photo: FB/MÁV

Here are some more photos of this afternoon’s snowfall:

Read also:

  • Starfall-like atmospheric optical phenomenon over Budapest – check out the details and some photos HERE
  • Budapest flights cancelled due to horrible weather

Faster train connections between Budapest and Vienna with major railway upgrade

MÁV train operation Budapest Airport Vienna

By the end of 2024, a major upgrade on Hungary’s busiest railway line between Budapest and Hegyeshalom will be completed, promising faster and more reliable travel for both domestic and international passengers. The project includes state-of-the-art traffic management systems, improved passenger information, and reduced travel times, significantly benefiting connections between Budapest, Győr, and Vienna.

Faster connection between Budapest and Vienna

The Budapest–Hegyeshalom railway, Hungary’s most critical line for passenger and freight transport, is undergoing a transformative upgrade set to be completed by the end of 2024, Magyar Nemzet reports. The EUR 70 million project, supported by the European Union and the Hungarian government, aims to eliminate bottlenecks, enhance rail interoperability, and align with EU transport standards.

MÁV train operation Budapest Airport Vienna
Photo: FB/MÁV

One of the key outcomes of the project is improved connectivity between Budapest and Vienna,

with the introduction of 16 daily train pairs expected to run with shorter travel times.

Enhanced traffic control systems, including the replacement of outdated equipment with the latest Central Traffic Management (Központi Forgalomirányító berendezés, Köfi) systems, will ensure greater reliability and punctuality across the line. Additionally, passenger information systems will be centralised, providing clearer and more consistent updates.

The upgrade also includes critical infrastructure improvements such as track replacements, modernisation of signalling systems, and the integration of advanced train control technology (ETCS L1–L2), allowing trains to travel through the Hegyeshalom border station at speeds of up to 100 km/h without stopping.

While Hungary’s upgrades are nearing completion, the full benefit for international travellers will materialise once Austria completes its own line renovation by 2028. This project not only strengthens Budapest–Vienna links but also enhances suburban and regional rail services, particularly for commuters in and around Győr. With this modernisation, travellers can look forward to a faster and more convenient rail experience in Central Europe.

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Advent light trains, buses, and HÉV trains carry passengers from today! – PHOTOS

Advent light trains, buses, and HÉV trains carry passengers from today

Although MÁV, the Hungarian State Railways, is not among the most popular companies in Hungary due to the many delays and cancellations, they still would like to smuggle some fun into the Advent period with their astonishing light trains and buses, bringing joy and laughter into the darkest days of the year. Here is what you should know about the Advent light trains, buses and HÉVs.

Advent light trains start journeys today!

According to their statement on MÁV’s website, they will dress one of their Szili (V43) locomotives in 600-metre-long fairy lights containing 3,500 LED bulbs. The locomotive will travel on almost all main railway lines. Its first route will be on 1 December at 4.50 PM from the Budapest Nyugati railway station to Szeged. It will arrive at the “City of Sunshine” at 7.16 PM. You may read about Szeged’s beautiful Christmas fair, where everything is cheaper than in Budapest except for the mulled wine in THIS article.

The train will travel back to Budapest at 8.44 PM. MÁV promised to update the schedule of the train gradually. Unfortunately, it will not commute on the Győr-Vienna railway line. If you click on “Bővebben” (Details) HERE below the “Fény Szili” subheading and continue by clicking on “A mozdony aktuális menetrendje” (The actual schedule of the locomotive), you may check out where and when the train will carry passengers until 14 December.

Advent light trains, buses, and HÉV trains carry passengers from today
Photo: FB/MÁV

Ikarus bus to be dressed in lights

Volánbusz will dress one of their Ikarus 55 buses in decorative lighting. Volánbusz and MÁV were merged this year, which is why MÁV’s website reports about it. The decorated Ikarus will be displayed in Budapest’s Népliget station between 6 and 30 December. Furthermore, it will depart on a sightseeing tour – like in 2023 – multiple times. You may check out its schedule by following the same path described above.

Advent light trains, buses, and HÉV trains carry passengers from today
Photo: FB/MÁV

MÁV-HÉV (the suburban railway company carrying passengers to and from Budapest to its agglomeration) will decorate an MVIII HÉV locomotive, a PVX carriage and an LVII locomotive. If you have a ticket or a pass, you may get on for “free.” BKK nostalgia tickets are not valid. All trains will commute on the H5 line to and from Szentendre, a charming Hungarian town north of Budapest near the River Danube. We wrote about it HERE.

Advent light trains, buses, and HÉV trains carry passengers from today
Photo: FB/MÁV

Children’s Railway and Narrow Gauge Railway also ready

The Children’s Railway also prepares with uniquely designed decorative lighting, and the train will carry kids, their parents, and grandparents until January.

Below you may read the schedule:

Weekend (30 November, 1, 14, 15 December)

  • From Hűvösvölgy: 10:10, 12:10, 14:10, 16:10
  • From Széchenyihegy: 11:03, 13:03, 15:03, 17:03

Workdays (3-5, 10-13, 17-20 December)

  • From Hűvösvölgy: 9:10, 11:10, 13:10, 15:10
  • From Széchenyihegy: 10:03, 12:03, 14:03, 16:03

They wrote they would announce the winter break timetable in mid-December.

Advent light trains, buses, and HÉV trains carry passengers from today
Photo: FB/MÁV

Finally, the Narrow Gauge Railway of Balatonfenyves will be dressed in decorative lighting until 6 January to carry passengers to the Nagy-Berek and Csisztafürdő. The route travels through a winter wonderland near Lake Balaton.

The trains are scheduled to leave Balatonfenyves train station at 11.10, 13.10, 15.10, and 17.10 to Csisztafürdő. The travel time is 35 minutes. They will carry passengers back at 11.55, 13.55, 15.55, and 17.55.

Advent light trains, buses, and HÉV trains carry passengers from today
Photo: FB/MÁV

We wrote about MÁV’s festive train to Vienna and Zagreb in THIS article.

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Hungarian MÁV group unions secure job guarantees ahead of 2025 merger

Unions of MÁV group affected by the merger of MÁV-Start, Volánbusz and MÁV-HÉV have signed an integrated collective contract that ensures their continued employment after 1 January 2025, the state-owned public transportation company said on Tuesday.

The new collective contract affirms that employees may not be disadvantaged by the merger in any way: remuneration, as well as employee rights, will not change.

Long-distance bus company Volánbusz, passenger rail company MÁV-Start and rapid suburban rail company MÁV-HÉV are merging on 1 January 2025 into MÁV Passenger Transport.

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Hop on a festive train to Vienna and Zagreb’s Christmas markets with MÁV!

budapest vienna zagreb christmas market máv

This Advent season, MÁV is offering festive train services to Vienna and Zagreb, with affordable ticket prices and a quick 2.5-hour journey from Budapest to the Austrian capital. Special Advent trains will operate to the Zagreb Christmas Market starting on 14th December. MÁV also presents a Christmas-themed selection of food and drinks on board, with festive meals and warm beverages available for travellers.

Advent EuroCity and Railjet: Festive trains to Vienna

MÁV is bringing the magic of Christmas markets closer to travellers with its festive train services this Advent season, Turizmus.com writes. From Budapest, the trains to Vienna, Austria, offer an efficient and comfortable way to reach the Austrian capital in just 2.5 hours. The Railjet and EuroCity trains operate on an hourly schedule, ensuring frequent and convenient options for passengers.

budapest vienna zagreb christmas market máv
Photo: MÁV

The special Advent EuroCity trains will run every Saturday from 30th November to 21st December, departing from Budapest’s Keleti station at 8:01 AM and returning from Vienna at 6:04 PM. These trains are particularly popular during the holiday season, and passengers are advised to purchase tickets in advance for the best prices and to guarantee seating. The MÁV-START offers START Europa tickets, which include seat reservations, ensuring a stress-free journey for all passengers.

Travellers can also take advantage of special discounts for children, with tickets for children aged 6-14 priced at just EUR 5, while children under 6 travel for free, making it an ideal family outing.

budapest vienna zagreb christmas market máv2
Photo: MÁV

Zagreb Advent Express by MÁV

In addition to Vienna, MÁV is bringing back the popular Zagreb Advent Express, a special train to Croatia’s famous Christmas market. The train departs from Pécs on 14th December at 6:06 AM, with several stops along the way in Szentlőrinc, Dombóvár, Kaposvár, Somogyszob, and Gyékényes before reaching Zagreb. The round-trip tickets are available for EUR 54 for adults and EUR 38 for children. This festive journey is a great way to experience one of Europe’s most charming Christmas markets, which has earned a reputation for its cultural performances, children’s events, and traditional Croatian culinary delights.

budapest vienna zagreb christmas market máv4
Photo: MÁV

budapest vienna zagreb christmas market máv3
Photo: MÁV

Advent food and drink offers

On board the trains, passengers can indulge in a variety of seasonal dishes and beverages. Railjet trains feature a bistro section where travellers can enjoy festive meals, while EuroCity trains offer a special Christmas menu in the dining car. Highlights include holiday-spiced soups, fish soup, schnitzel with potato salad, stuffed cabbage, and the popular Christmas burger. For dessert, travellers can enjoy traditional treats like poppy seed bread pudding, vanilla custard, and Eszterházy cake. To keep warm, mulled wine and hot rum tea will also be available, adding to the festive atmosphere of the journey.

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Hungary’s MÁV group to undergo major restructuring

The state-owned MÁV group will undergo a restructuring from the start of next year, the state secretary for transportation said at an event organised by the Engineers and Technicians Union on Monday.

MÁV group’s restructuring

Bálint Nagy said MÁV group would be separated into a track operator, called MÁV Pályaműködtetési Zrt, while MÁV, Volánbusz and MÁV-HÉV, which provide passenger rail, bus and suburban rail services, would be merged into a passenger unit, dubbed MÁV Szemályszállítási Zrt. Another business, MÁV Szolgáltatóközpont Zrt, will manage services for MÁV, he added.

Nagy said rail and bus service would not compete against each other, but cooperate to serve passengers.

He said around half of the track used for passenger trains had speed limits because of technical problems, adding that funding from Brussels that could be used to remedy the situation was being “held back for political reasons”. For that reason, he said Hungary would use its own resources and credit, adding that there were plans to take out a EUR 1bn loan for railway developments from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

He said the renovation of 100 trains had already started, half of them InterCity trains. Those trains will be put back on the track by the end of 2025, at the latest, he added.

He augured an increase in passenger numbers with changes to ticket and pass prices as well as discounts. Sales of the recently introduced county and country passes now exceed 13 million, he added.

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Employers, unions could reach wage agreement ‘in weeks’ in Hungary

An agreement on wages between employers and unions could be reached “within a few weeks”, Sándor Czomba, the state secretary for employment policy, told public media on Tuesday.

New minimum wage in Hungary

Czomba said talks on Monday had done much to bring the sides closer to an agreement. He noted that employers backed minimum wage rises of 8pc in 2025, 10pc in 2026 and 12pc in 2027, while unions wanted increases of 10pc in 2025, 12pc in 2026 and 14pc in 2027.

He said the sides wanted to see the minimum wage reach 50pc of the average wage by January 1, 2027, a goal that could be achieved with a minimum wage rise of either 8pc or 10pc in 2025. If the minimum wage is to reach the equivalent of EUR 1,000/month, while the gross average salary climbs to HUF 1m/month, the minimum wage needs to rise by an annual 12pc, on average, or 10pc in 2025, 12pc in 2026 and 14pc in 2027, he added.

Although just 210,000-220,000 people earn the minimum wage, the impact on higher earners can be “very big”, he said.

Czomba said the agreement on the minimum wage rises was a matter for employers and unions to hash out, but acknowledged the effect on state-owned companies such as railway company MÁV and postal company Magyar Posta.

Hungary salary worker entrepreneur
Photo: facebook.com/szijjarto.peter.official

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Attention travellers! Major renovations underway at Budapest’s Keleti railway station – photos

Keleti Railway station

Budapest’s iconic Keleti railway station, celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, is undergoing essential renovations as part of the accelerated “Keleti Programme”, launched in response to recent disruptions. Following two derailments related to track switches in the second half of the year, MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) CEO Zsolt Hegyi announced a comprehensive plan to modernise and enhance the safety and reliability of Hungary’s busiest station.

Though unrelated in the cause, the two incidents impacted passenger confidence and disrupted train schedules, prompting Hegyi to prioritise an already-planned refurbishment programme for the station. (The last incident: A train derailed at Keleti station, causing several trains to be delayed.) The Keleti Programme, now underway, focuses initially on replacing nearly 200 wooden railway ties in the station’s switch zone. These upgrades are essential to ensure passenger safety and punctuality in train operations.

The project’s current phase, which began today, will run through the end of the month. To minimise disruption to passenger services, the construction work will occur exclusively at night, from 9 PM to 5 AM. However, travellers should be aware that some trains may arrive on alternate tracks due to the ongoing renovations. MÁV kindly asks for passengers’ understanding and patience during this time.

November marks the first yet crucial step of the Keleti Programme. By the end of the year, MÁV plans to implement significant interventions across 35 locations within Keleti’s switch and crossing zones. The major portion of the project is set for 2024, promising extensive upgrades to the station’s infrastructure and paving the way for smoother, safer rail operations in the years ahead.

As Budapest’s railway hub transforms, MÁV remains committed to delivering a more reliable and passenger-friendly experience for everyone travelling through the Keleti railway station.

Read also:

Plan ahead: Big changes to train and bus schedules in Hungary this weekend!

Keleti railway station Budapest anniversary train

This weekend, travellers across Hungary should prepare for changes in train, bus, and HÉV schedules as public transport adjusts for the upcoming holiday. Key routes will see added capacity on trains, while special holiday timetables are in effect for Volánbusz services and HÉV lines. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure a smooth journey.

MÁV train schedules

According to MÁV Group, Hungarian railways will follow special schedules over the long weekend. Here’s what travellers should know:

  • 31 October: Friday schedule in effect
  • 1 November: Saturday schedule in effect
  • 2 November: Holiday schedule in effect

To meet increased demand, InterCity trains on busy routes, including the Nyírség (Budapest–Debrecen–Nyíregyháza), Tokaj (Budapest–Miskolc), Tópart (Budapest–Nagykanizsa), Balaton (Budapest–Keszthely), Békés (Budapest–Békéscsaba), Napfény (Budapest–Szeged), Bakony (Budapest–Veszprém–Szombathely), Göcsej (Budapest–Zalaegerszeg), and Mecsek (Budapest–Pécs) will have additional cars. If passenger traffic demands and resources allow, more cars will be added, MÁV reports.

To check seat availability, passengers can use MÁV’s Elvira platform. This allows them to select trains with open seating (InterCity and Railjet Express). If these fill up, they are encouraged to consider regional trains and InterRegional routes.

Volánbusz and HÉV schedule changes

Volánbusz interurban buses will follow adjusted schedules:

  • 31 October: Weekday schedule for the last school holiday workday
  • 1 November: Holiday schedule
  • 2 November: Weekend schedule

For a guaranteed seat on Volánbusz routes that don’t require reservations, passengers are advised to book tickets in advance.

HÉV suburban trains will run on the holiday schedule on 1 November. Additionally, during the school holiday, from 28–31 October, HÉV routes follow the workday schedule:

  • H9 line: Replacement buses will run between Cinkota and Csömör from 28–30 October.
  • H8 line: Modified schedule in effect during these dates.

Travelers are advised to plan ahead, especially for peak routes, to ensure a smooth journey.

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All Saints’ Day and clock change: Changes to Budapest transport timetables

Tram Budapest bridge public transport air conditioning budapest transport

In preparation for All Saints’ Day, the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) is adjusting schedules to facilitate easier access to cemeteries and mitigate anticipated road congestion. From Saturday, 26 October, until the following Sunday, 3 November, BKK will increase bus and tram services to accommodate the heightened demand around the city’s cemeteries. Officials advise using public transportation during this period, as both traffic levels and parking availability are likely to pose challenges.

Travellers are encouraged to plan journeys using the BudapestGO app or the BKK Info website for live updates. Additionally, specific cemetery-related information is available on the Budapest Funeral Institute’s website.

Tram Budapest bridge public transport air conditioning budapest transport
Significant changes will affect the Budapest transport network in the coming days. Photo: FB

Transport adjustments during school break and All Saints’ Day

With the autumn school break extending from Monday to Thursday, the Budapest Transport Centre will operate its school-break schedule on these days, shifting to a holiday or Sunday timetable on 1 November. This shift ensures optimised service levels for families and visitors travelling to cemeteries, Világgazdaság reports.

Impacts of winter time on the Budapest transport network

On Sunday, 27 October, clocks will be turned back by one hour at 3 AM, transitioning to winter time.

Although many will appreciate the extra hour of sleep, the time shift can cause disruptions to Budapest transportation schedules. BKK’s announcement clarifies that while most nighttime services will continue unaffected, some adjustments are necessary for a few routes during the transition. Typically, routes operating hourly or more frequently will maintain their schedules between 2 AM and 3 AM, ensuring minimal inconvenience for passengers.

Changes in MÁV timetables

máv timetable changes clock change
Photo: MÁV

MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) also reports changes impacting certain national and international trains. For instance, on the Budapest–Esztergom line, the S72 train departing Nyugati Station at 2:25 AM will run according to winter time. Meanwhile, the Budapest–Székesfehérvár line will see adjustments for trains departing at 1:40 AM and 2:40 AM, with some trains awaiting the clock change to avoid schedule overlaps.

Other MÁV routes, including the Budapest–Miskolc–Sátoraljaújhely line and the Kaposvár–Siófok line, will also see minor modifications. Volánbusz has similarly announced that bus schedules in areas like Érd and Kiskunhalas will adapt to the time change. Full details of MÁV’s updated schedules are accessible on their official website, ensuring passengers are informed about any deviations.

Daylight saving time debate and its impact on health

Though discussions have persisted for years, the European Union continues to enforce the biannual time change. Notably, Ukraine recently abolished daylight saving time, making this October the last time Ukrainian citizens will reset their clocks, Világgazdaság writes in another article.

Critics argue that the disruption to natural circadian rhythms brings various downsides, from sleep disturbances to potential spikes in road accidents following the shift. Studies show that adjusting to the time change may take weeks for some, causing difficulties with falling asleep and disrupting sleep cycles.

While approximately two-thirds of Hungarians prefer sticking to summer time, enabling longer daylight hours during winter months, the yearly shift continues to spark debate. For now, residents will adapt to the upcoming changes, with updated transport schedules to ease the transition.

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Holiday travel advisory: Changes to train and bus schedules in Hungary on 23 October

Hungary's public transport changes bus schedules

Public transportation – train, HÉV and bus schedules – in Hungary will be modified on 23 October due to the national holiday. On this day, trains will operate on a special holiday timetable, while regional bus services will follow Sunday and public holiday schedules, according to a statement by MÁV, the national railway company.

Trains

For train routes such as Budapest to Debrecen, Nyíregyháza, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Keszthely, Békéscsaba, Szeged, Veszprém, Zalaegerszeg, and Pécs, MÁV plans to add extra train cars based on pre-sales of seat reservations, MÁV reports. The company also stated that additional carriages may be deployed as needed, depending on passenger demand and the availability of vehicles.

HÉV and bus schedules

Important change at Hungarian train, bus stations due to the heatwave
Source: Volánbusz/FB

Regarding buses, services will follow holiday timetables on 23 October, and travellers should note that shops and shopping centres will be closed, meaning buses serving these destinations will also operate on their holiday bus schedules.

In addition, travellers should be aware of potential traffic disruptions in certain towns and cities due to holiday events.

HÉV suburban trains will also run according to the holiday schedule on all lines. Detailed information on bus services can be found on the Volánbusz website, while HÉV timetables are available on the BKK website.

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Railway stations in major Hungarian cities to be completely rebuilt with private capital

debrecen railway statation visuals

On Monday, János Lázár, the head of the construction and transport ministry, said that the ministry is coordinating the revamp of ten busy railway stations.

Lázár said in a Facebook video that Debrecen railway station will be rebuilt with private capital as part of the scheme.

Commercial functions are being hived off from railway purposes and handed over to private capital, he said, noting plans to create a shopping mall with a railway point of arrival.

Tenders are open to private capital for projects in Debrecen, eastern Hungary, Győr, in the west, and Szeged, in the south of the country.

As we wrote today, a train derailed at Keleti station, several trains delayed, details HERE.

read also: Explore stunning Central European capitals this Christmas with the Hungarian Orient Express – PHOTOS

BREAKING NEWS: Train derailed at Keleti station, several trains delayed – UPDATE

Train derailed at Keleti station, several trains delayed

Another train derailed at Budapest’s Keleti station, causing numerous delays and cancellations for commuters on Monday morning.

Due to a technical fault, some trains at Keleti station may be delayed by 15-20 minutes, Mávinform said on its Facebook page on Monday morning.

They wrote that on the Hatvan line, the Agria from Eger and the Mátra InterRegio from Gyöngyös will run as S80 trains between Budapest and Hatvan. On the Újszász line, the Z60 trains from Szolnok will run as S60 trains between Budapest and Sülysáp.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that another train derailed at Keleti station.

Public transportation expert Dávid Vitézy wrote in a Facebook post:

Another derailment occurred this morning, again at Keleti station, involving a locomotive. This is the cause of the disruption to the station’s operations reported by MÁV. The exact causes are obviously not yet known, but after the incident at the end of the summer, MÁV should explain very quickly how this could have happened again in the same place. Fortunately, as far as I know, there were no personal injuries,

says the MEP in his Facebook post.

It is not yet known what caused the accident.

As we wrote earlier, a train derailed in late August at Keleti station. At the time, five cars of an InterCity train from Cluj Napoca called Claudiopolis derailed. Related article: InterCity derailed, paralysing train traffic at busy Budapest railway station – Photos

It took several days to restore and restart traffic, and days later, it was discovered that the derailment was caused by two broken bolts, which prevented the train from moving properly and diverted it to the adjacent track, which was not designated for it.

Vitézy also provided pictures:

Read also: 5 important things you should know before travelling by train in Hungary

UPDATE

Zsolt Hegyi, the CEO of MÁV made a statement on the matter:

“At dawn this morning, a locomotive travelling at low speed derailed with one axle at Keleti station. It was a trainset, so it was not carrying any passengers and was nowhere near the train. No-one was injured, including the driver, who noticed the track fault and acted accordingly. This accident understandably reminds everyone of the much more serious derailment accident in August, also at Keleti station. However, the two incidents are technically unrelated, as the bolts responsible for that accident have since been inspected at all reasonable points and replaced regardless of their condition, purely on the basis of their age. The cause of the current accident will have to be clarified by a more thorough investigation, but it is clear that the cause is different: the top rail in the picture has broken. However, this is not the most important thing for the passenger, but to reach his destination safely and on time. That is what we are working on. That’s why we have already decided to implement the East Programme next year, which will involve the renovation of the entire interchange area of the station (I should warn you that the complex works will also require the station to be closed to traffic for a while!) In the meantime, more frequent and thorough inspections and stringent safety measures will be taken to prevent accidents like this one from happening or, as in this case, to minimise their impact. Even now, my colleagues are working at full speed to get traffic back to normal as quickly as possible at the Keleti Railway Station.”