Slovenia

Tragedy in the Kamnik Alps: Hungarian hikers’ trek turns fatal – PHOTOS, VIDEO

Slovenia Alps accident Hungarian hikers

On the 22nd of December, two Hungarian hikers got lost in the Kamnik Alps, one of Slovenia’s most picturesque but extremely dangerous mountain ranges. They were stranded on the Kamniki saddle, at an altitude of 1930 metres, when one of them, a man, fell and broke his leg. The harsh weather conditions in the mountains, snowfall, strong winds and the risk of avalanches made the rescue operation difficult and it took days to complete.

According to Telex, the rescue operation faced serious challenges from the start. Slovenian mountain rescuers were informed of the victims late on Sunday afternoon. With wind gusts of 100 km/h and near-zero visibility in the area, a helicopter rescue was not possible. Rescuers tried to reach the hikers on foot, but the extreme weather conditions slowed progress. More than 40 rescuers working in the area struggled to make progress, even with the most advanced equipment.

Slovenia Alps accident Hungarian hikers
Photo: FB/Gorska Reševalna Zveza Slovenije

The Kamnik Alps in northern Slovenia, close to the Austrian border, are a beautiful but dangerous mountainous region. The mountain range covers 900 km² and has 28 peaks over 2,000 m, including the highest, Grintovec at 2,558 m. It is popular with hikers, but in the winter months it is a dangerous place, especially due to the danger of avalanches and rapidly changing weather.

Chronology of the dramatic events

The Hungarian hikers got lost on a trail starting from Turska Hill, probably straying from the marked path. According to Telex, rescuers found the woman hiker alive on Monday afternoon. The woman was hypothermic and exhausted, but survived the ordeal unharmed. Her clothes and sleeping bag kept her alive through the cold nights. After being warmed up by rescuers, she descended into the valley under her own power and was taken to hospital.

Slovenia Alps accident Hungarian hikers
Photo: FB/Gorska Reševalna Zveza Slovenije

The male hiker met a tragic end. After the fall, when he was still able to communicate with his companion and the rescuers, he probably tried to return to the path. Tragically, this attempt led to his untimely death as he slid deeper into a ravine. The man’s body was found on Thursday, 250 metres downstream, under two metres of snow. A rescue team used ropes to descend into the gorge to retrieve the body.

The hard work of the rescue team

The rescuers worked with unprecedented determination in difficult conditions. The technical equipment used in the rescue, such as probes and winches, enabled them to search the most inaccessible areas. The close cooperation between the helicopter rescue teams and the foot teams was an outstanding example of teamwork. Jernej Lanisek, head of the rescue team, emphasised that they had managed to carry out one of the most challenging operations of the year, although the result was not entirely successful.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Slovenian Mountain Rescue Service has warned that it is essential to check the weather conditions and plan the route carefully before setting out on a hike. Hikers should be aware of their own abilities and preparedness to avoid similar tragedies.

Slovenia Alps accident Hungarian hikers
Photo: FB/Gorska Reševalna Zveza Slovenije

In a statement, the Mountain Rescue Association expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased and praised the work of the rescuers who carried out their mission in extremely difficult conditions. The rescue operation demanded an unprecedented effort from those involved, who saved lives at the risk of their own.

Slovenia Alps accident Hungarian hikers
Photo: FB/Gorska Reševalna Zveza Slovenije

This tragedy is a warning to all walkers that the power of nature can never be underestimated and that even the most prepared walker can be in danger. While the beauty of the Kamnik Alps is alluring, a lack of responsible planning and caution can easily have fatal consequences.

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Drama in the Alps: Hungarian hiker rescued, urgent search for missing partner – picture, video

Alps hikers

As already reported in the Slovenian press, two Hungarian citizens got in trouble on Sunday at an altitude of around 1700 meters in the Kamniki Alps, North Slovenia. Mountain rescuers managed to find the female member of the pair and are now reportedly bringing her down. The man has not been found so far.

The two Hungarian hikers called the special rescue services on the phone on Sunday and have been in contact with them, but conversations have been limited to the most urgent matters to save batteries, and due to the weak reception.

The rescue team set out on foot to rescue them and the driver noted at the time that, given the circumstances, they were probably both hypothermic but could have all the essential supplies.

Jernej Lanisek said that this was one of the most challenging rescue missions of the year and warned that hikers should first check the weather forecast before heading into the mountains and adapt the trek to their abilities and skills.

“We are close, but we will certainly not be able to rescue them both before the evening,” said Jernej Lanisek, noting that the rescue would continue in the traditional way and that there were currently 43 mountain rescuers on the ground.

The rescue services revealed that the intense snowfall and blizzards have been a major threat to the rescuers in recent hours, which is why they decided to temporarily close the operation and then restart it.

In the afternoon, news came in that one of the hikers, a Hungarian woman, had been found by mountain rescuers in the Alps, but her companion was still missing. The search for the other hiker is still ongoing.

Mountain rescuers were directed to the female hiker from a helicopter. The man who was supposed to be with her was not spotted from the air.

On Monday afternoon, Jernej Lanisek, head of the rescue team, told the Slovenian news agency STA that one of the hikers, a woman, had been found and was being carried down the mountain. The other hiker is a man who is believed to have fallen and broken his leg. There is no information on his whereabouts at the moment, and the search for him is continuing, Mr Lanisek said.

The helicopter took off twice on Monday but was unable to approach the Hungarians because of strong wind gusts.

It is likely to be no sooner than Monday evening before the two Hungarian hikers trapped in the Kamniki Alps in northern Slovenia can be rescued and taken down. We will update this article as soon as we have new information.

Read also Horror hiking: dead body found by hikers in Hungarian mountains

UPDATE

“The action ends today; we will continue the search when the conditions allow.”

Breaking: Slovenia tightens border controls with Hungary and Croatia

WAMP design market

In response to the ongoing challenges posed by terrorism and illegal immigration, Slovenia has announced an increase in border controls with both Croatia and Hungary. This decision follows the recent developments in Syria, which have prompted several European nations to suspend the processing of Syrian asylum claims. Slovenia’s Interior Minister, Boštjan Poklukar, discussed the issue with his Italian and Croatian counterparts, Matteo Piantedosi and Davor Božinović, during a meeting on Tuesday.

Slovenia tightens border controls

Several European countries, including Belgium, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, have already suspended the processing of asylum applications from Syria, Economx reports. However, Slovenia has not yet indicated whether it will follow suit. The enhanced border checks are part of Slovenia’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal migration and terrorism, following concerns raised by the latest developments in Syria.

The three countries have agreed to continue discussions during a meeting of EU interior ministers later this week. Slovenia had reinstated temporary border checks on 21 October of the previous year after Italy introduced similar measures on its Slovenian border. Since then, both countries have periodically extended these controls in response to increasing migration pressures.

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Hungary-Slovenia mixed committee held in Ljubljana

Daily News Hungary Logo Új

Contrary to global trends, there are no disputes and unresolved issues between Hungary and Slovenia in the field of minority protection, the foreign ministry commissioner in charge of neighbourhood policy, and co-leader of the Hungary-Slovenia mixed committee said on Monday.

Ferenc Kalmár said the body had held its 19th meeting in Ljubljana, and its agenda focused issues that advance the lives and resolve some problems of ethnic Hungarians in Slovenia and ethnic Slovenians in Hungary.

He cited infrastructure development projects in Slovenian villages in Slovensko Porabje, road revamp works in Hungary’s Vas County where several border crossings are located, and the development of a system of channels which requires the approval of the Őrség National Park.

He said additional topics included cultural and educational projects, and a proposal for the launch of a new bus service on the Budapest-Lenti-Lendava route.

read also: Is a disaster coming? Shocking decline of Hungarians living beyond the borders

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Hungary and Slovenia’s foreign ministers hold key talks on bilateral and regional issues

szijjártó minister slovenia
The foreign minister said in Bled on Monday that Slovenia and Hungary’s economic and energy cooperation is the most effective yet, and both parties are open to further boosting ties.

Péter Szijjártó said he met the Slovenian foreign minister and the energy minister on the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum and discussed the main issues of cooperation with them.

Bilateral trade hit new records last year and surpassed 4 billion euros, with “significant” growth registered in the first half of 2024, too, Szijjártó said.

He said Hungarian companies are also gaining traction in Slovenia and contributing to its development, pointing to the Hungarian bank OTP, which has just become a market leader in Slovenia.

“We are also proud to see [Hungarian oil and gas company] MOL becoming second on the fuel market, having bought several stations.”

Meanwhile, he said Hungary and Slovenia are also on the same ground regarding the European Union’s enlargement, which they see as crucial for the bloc’s future. “Hungary and Slovenia are both pro-enlargement. They are convinced that the EU has at least as much interest in integrating the Western Balkans as vice versa,” he said.

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End of Schengen at Hungary’s borders? Here’s Slovenia’s unforeseen decision

End of Schengen at Hungarys borders

The Slovenian interior minister announced that his country would continue border control even during the summer and postponed its possible end date until 21 December. The border between Slovenia and Hungary “disappeared” after both countries joined the Schengen Zone in 2007. It seems that the measure lasted less than 15 years.

Slovenia extends border control deadline

According to 444.hu, Slovenia decided to prolong its border control on the Hungarian-Slovenian border for six more months. The new possible end date is 21 December, but the Slovenian government postponed that multiple times. The same measure applies to the Croatian-Slovenian border.

Interior minister Bostjan Poklukar announced on Wednesday that new threats appeared recently, affecting public order and safety in Slovenia and the European Union considerably. He mentioned the violence in the Middle East, the growing tensions between Iran and Israel, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, he talked about cyber attacks against Slovenia, the UEFA European Football Championships in Germany and the upcoming summer Olympic games in Paris. Mr Poklukar did not forget to mention the illegal migration, too.

border fence illegal migration schengen
The Hungarian border fence at the Serbian-Hungarian border. Is this the future of the Schengen Zone? Photo: facebook.com/UNHCRMagyarorszag

Could joint patrols be an alternative?

He repeated that Ljubljana is ready to introduce joint border patrol with Italian police officers. Such joint patrols could be an alternative to the “temporary Schengen border controls”, he added.

He said they would not like to disturb travellers, the economy or people close to the borders.

Slovenia reinstated temporary border control on 21 October 2023. That came after Rome’s similar decision. Both measures have been prolonged multiple times.

Border control schengen zone
Photo: facebook.com/PoliceHungaryOfficial

Germany and Austria also reinstated border control: here’s the end of Schengen?

Germany did the same last October. According to Portfolio, they apprehended 920 people smugglers and 37,600 illegal migrants thanks to the measure. Therefore, they also prolonged it until December. Border control has been in effect on the Austrian-German border since autumn 2015.

Austria decided to prolong border control on the Hungarian-Austrian border this April, and the measure will be in effect until November.

It seems that Schengen may collapse due to illegal migration and the growing number of violent conflicts in and close to Europe.

Read also:

  • Austria to extend border control at Hungarian border for 6 more months – Read more HERE
  • 32 Ukrainians detained for illegally crossing into Hungary in fake military truck

Fuel in Hungary: Is it still worth going abroad to fill up?

croatia petrol station fuel

The downward trend in Hungarian fuel prices seems to be breaking: from Friday, the price of diesel will rise by HUF 2. ATV’s newscast looked at how Hungarian fuel prices currently compare with those in neighbouring countries.

Fuel prices in Croatia vs Hungary

croatia petrol station fuel
Ina gas station in Zadar, Croatia, 18 September, 2023. Photo: depositphotos.com

ATV’s crew went to Croatia first to find out how much it would cost to fill up with diesel on Thursday. They found that diesel fuel had become cheaper in the country a few days ago.

Taking into account the fact that the price of diesel in Hungary increased today and that the forint has recently appreciated, the difference between the Hungarian and Croatian diesel prices is HUF 70 (EUR 0.18).

This means that if you go to the border to refuel in a car with a larger capacity tank, you will save about HUF 5,000 (EUR 13).

Diesel prices in Slovenia and Romania vs Hungary

According to ATV, many of those who have diesel cars also cross the border to Slovenia to fill up, and they also do their shopping there.

The news portal writes that Slovenians are particularly happy to see Hungarians, as more cars mean more traffic, which means a big increase in revenue. One politician who spoke to ATV said that he also goes from Debrecen to Romania to refuel and shop. A full tank can save up to HUF 2-3000 (EUR 5.20-7.80).

Austria and Slovakia

Diesel prices in Austria and Slovakia are similar to those in Hungary.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Breaking: Slovenia extends controls at Hungarian and Croatian borders

Border control Slovenia Hungary Schengen

Slovenia is extending border controls on the Croatian and Hungarian borders for another six months, until December, Slovenian Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar announced on Wednesday.

Slovenia to extend border controls

Border control Slovenia Hungary Schengen
Photo: FB/Magyar Rendőrség

The minister said that he had informed his Croatian and Hungarian counterparts, as well as the European Commission, of the decision, RTV writes. The extension of border controls was announced by Ljubljana after Italy also extended them on the Italian-Slovenian border on Wednesday.

Hungary’s neighbour reintroduced temporary border controls on 21 October last year, justified by threats to public order and internal security in the EU, the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine, and recent terrorist attacks in some EU countries. According to Poklukar, the situation has not improved since then but has got worse.

Boštjan Poklukar stressed that border checks will continue to be targeted, which means that not all passengers will be checked. He said that the measures would not cause any more problems during the tourist season than during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

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New Hungarian president perfectly repeats the foreign policy guidelines of the Orbán cabinet

Hungarian president sulyok in slovenia

“Hungary won’t abandon its sovereignty” President Tamás Sulyok, declared in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, on Monday, adding that the European community of independent nation states was currently guaranteed by the basic treaties.

After an informal meeting of the heads of state of the countries neighbouring Slovenia, Sulyok told a press conference that Hungary opposed federalism. This idea was increasingly encroaching on European politics, and could lead to an “enfeebling Europe”.

He said developing and politically stable central Europe, Hungary included, was a motor of the EU with its own ideas, strategies, and solutions.

The bloc, he added, was “united in diversity”, and, “respecting this principle”, this was the community that Hungary had joined.

“We hold that our various opinions on Europe unite rather than divide us, and Europe’s strength is based on dialogue,” he said, adding that Hungarians were “open to all discussions”.

Meanwhile, Sulyok said Hungary was carrying out the largest humanitarian mission in its history in Ukraine, adding that Hungary stood by Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and Hungary had condemned Russian military aggression from the outset.

But Sulyok added that any steps leading to the war’s escalation or prolongation must be avoided, and Hungary would do its utmost to ensure that the EU and NATO “do not become part of the conflict.”

Also, the president said Hungary firmly condemns the terrorist attacks of Hamas and supports Israel’s right to self-defense. Stability in the Middle East, he said, was in Europe’s interest, and the EU must play its part in quickly resolving the conflict.

On the topic of the environment, Sulyok said climate change was among “the most urgent challenges of our time,” to which Hungary attached great importance. But financially hard-pressed citizens should not have to pay the price of climate policy, and businesses should not be overburdened financially or by legal red tape.

Regarding Hungary’s upcoming EU presidency, Sulyok expressed Hungary’s commitment to EU expansion, adding that as many accession chapters should be opened up as possible during its six months at the EU helm. He noted that a summit involving the EU and Western Balkans will be held at the start of November.

Addressing the issue of criticism of Hungary, he said various EU member states had widely diverging opinions regarding their constitutional order in relation to EU laws. He added that the EU treaties upheld values, principles, and goals that were rooted in the constitutional order of member states rather than being independent of them.

The president added that common values had been clouded by “biased judgment”, and he called for a return to the original roles and powers contained in the treaties instead of pursuing political conflicts over values.

President Natasa Pirc Musar held the regional summit to mark the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s EU membership, with Sulyok, Sergio Mattarella of Italy, Alexander Van der Bellen of Austria, and Zoran Milanovic of Croatia in attendance.

Hungary-Slovenia-Serbia regional electricity exchange deal inked

Hungary-Slovenia-Serbia regional electricity exchange deal inked

A joint Hungary-Slovenia-Serbia electricity exchange can start operating from the second half of the year, boosting the security of supply for all the countries involved, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said after the relevant deal was signed in Budapest on Tuesday.

Today’s agreement was “excellent news”, Szijjártó said at a joint press conference held with Serbian energy state secretary Veljko Kovacevic and Slovenian energy minister Bojan Kumer, after the signing of the BlueSky Project.

He said security of supply would strengthen, making trade in electricity between the countries “fast and barrier-free.” The deal also creates a larger market with a favourable impact on prices, he added.

He said the deal concerned cooperation between EU member states and an EU candidate country, “so we have taken another step in the direction of realising the energy integration” of the Western Balkans into the EU.

The minister noted that

a German-French energy exchange company backed the initiative, guaranteeing that the system would always be up to date.

He said nuclear energy most efficiently served Hungary’s electricity supply, which is why the government had decided to expand capacities.

He also referred to expanding solar power capacities, which he said had grown eightfold in the last five years.

“Our goal is to create energy systems in the region that are as integrated as possible,”

he said, emphasising electricity supply, as demand was expected to increase by 50% in central Europe by 2030.

Read also:

  • Government-close media outraged by USA saying Orbán keeps Hungary in Russian gas dependence, details HERE
  • Hungary to be in the top 5 in green energy storage worldwide by 2030, says official

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Foreign Minister: Central Europe fully backs Hungarian EU Presidency’s expansion plan

hungary slovakia czechia slovenia austria

Central European countries fully support Hungary’s policy of promoting the EU integration of Western Balkan countries during its EU presidency in the second half of the year, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign affairs and trade minister, said in Ljubljana on Tuesday.

EU presidency and the Western Balkans

He told a press conference after a meeting of the foreign ministers of the C5 format of the Central European countries, Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia, that security must be reinforced, the European Union needs new vigour, and enlargement will be centre stage during Hungary’s presidency starting in July.

Integrating countries of the Western Balkans could energise the EU, and central European member states should take on special responsibility accordingly, according to a ministry statement quoted Szijjártó. He added that whereas they openly and genuinely backed enlargement, others elsewhere merely gave the impression of doing so in public while actually blocking the process.

Genuine supporters, he said, were in the minority, and so he urged central European countries to join forces and “promote the cause”. He said all sides at the meeting supported Hungary’s related goals.

Szijjártó noted that the five Western Balkan countries had been waiting to join the EU “for 14 years and 10 months on average”. “This shows the real attitude of the community,” he said, and pledged that Hungary would “work to change that vigorously”.

“We Hungarians will do everything to bring the Western Balkan countries closer to the European Union,” he said.

Immigration

On the subject of restoring security, Szijjártó called for increased efforts to stop illegal immigration, and said its causes should be dealt with in the countries of origin, while protection of the external borders should be intensified “just as Hungary has done”.

He said the Hungarian government considered border violations as attacks against the country’s sovereignty, adding that rounding up people smuggling gangs was crucial.

“Criminals and migrans have fired shots at border guards on several occasions, which is completely unacceptable… We do not need such people in the EU,” he said.

The minister said pull factors of illegal migration should be reduced, adding that mandatory distribution quotas “act in just that way”.

Gaza, Ukraine

Answering a question, Szijjártó confirmed the government’s support for any initiative aimed at freeing hostages held in Gaza, including a Hungarian national.

The success of Israel’s anti-terrorism operation, he said, was of global importance, but “saving the civilians should also be an important aspect.”

Regarding Ukraine, he mentioned that over one million refugees had crossed into Hungary since the outbreak of the war. He said “neither side can win on the battlefield” and the armed conflict could only be resolved through negotiations; “the question remains when, and it would be sooner than later.” “The sooner there is a ceasefire and peace talks, the fewer people will die and destruction will be less detrimental.”

Hungarian minister agreed with his Slovenian colleague in these programmes

Hungarian minister with Slovenian counterpart

Hungary and Slovenia are cooperating in regional development and in supporting ethnic minorities, Tibor Navracsics, the minister of public administration and regional development, said after talks with Slovenia’s minister for cohesion and regional development Aleksander Jevsek in Sümeg, western Hungary, on Friday, adding that the goal was to preserve identities, enrich cultural life and strengthen businesses.

Navracsics told a joint press conference that his talks with his Slovenian counterpart had focused on the results of bilateral programmes, cooperation in regional development and providing support for ethnic minorities. The sides discussed programmes supporting investments affecting the Hungarian community in Slovenia and ethnic Slovenes in Hungary. The minister said they wanted to continue the programmes, financed partly from European Union funds and partly by the two governments.

Navracsics expressed his appreciation of Slovenia’s support for ethnic communities and offered his government’s support for development opportunities for the Slovene community in Hungary.

Jevsek said the most important goal was to keep the population and especially young people in the border region, and he called job creation and the development of tourism indispensable for this purpose. He said Slovenia and Hungary were each spending one million euros on implementing the projects. Jevsek pointed to the importance of bilateral cooperation in tourism, economy and culture.

Read also:

  • Night trains from Budapest to European cities and the Adriatic – Read more HERE
  • Schengen in serious trouble: strict control prolonged at Hungarian border again – Details in THIS article

Hungarian Defence Minister meets Slovenian counterpart in Ljubljana

Hungarian Defence Minister meets Slovenian counterpart in Ljubljana

Hungary and Slovenia have had a “traditionally good” defence and military cooperation, Hungary’s Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said after talks with Marjan Sarec, his Slovenian counterpart, in Ljubljana on Monday.

According to a statement from the defence ministry, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said, “We need to find opportunities for cooperation and strengthen our defence ties to maintain security in the region.”

The minister noted that Hungary had protected Slovenia’s airspace in cooperation with Italy. “Neighbours can rely on each other . we will come to each other’s aid without delay,” he said. He said Hungary and Slovenia were both participants in the EUFOR ALTHEA mission and the Central European Defence Cooperation supporting stability in the Western Balkans.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky commented on the war in Ukraine, ” We still see the end to the war in an immediate ceasefire and starting peace talks.”

Sending weapons or ammunition would only prolong the war, therefore Hungary refuses to do so, he said.

The two ministers also inaugurated a memorial to Hungary’s Emil Czant, a captain who died in the First World War, at the Isonzo River.

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Night trains from Budapest to European cities and the Adriatic

Night trains from Budapest to European cities and the Adriatic

The night trains commuting between Budapest and major European cities were immensely popular last year.

According to turizmus.com, there are 13 different night trains connecting the Hungarian capital with European cities and capitals, and more than 280 thousand people travelled with them in 2023.

Among other destinations, you can reach Berlin, Zürich, Brassó (Brasov, Kronstadt), Prague and Stuttgart by direct night trains from Budapest. In the summer, you may get on MÁV’s Adriatic night trains commuting between the Hungarian capital and the seashore.

You can buy your ticket to a couchette with 4-6 beds or a sleeping car with 1-3 beds. The latter offers more privacy and intimacy, close to hotel rooms, MÁV writes on their official website. You can feel safe during the journey since you can lock your door and there is a steward on the train.

In the couchettes, food and drink are included. If you feel like it, you can buy more from the stewards. Beds are equipped with pillows, sheets and blankets, but passengers have to make the bed.

Couchettes are coed, but “on some routes, ladies’ compartments are also available”, MÁV wrote. Service included in couchettes contains a welcome package in the evening (still mineral water, chocolate-rum candy) and breakfast (hot drink with sweet or savoury pastry).

In sleeping cars, there are a washbasin, ready-made beds and an extended welcome package (peanuts, apple juice, champagne). For breakfast, you can choose seven components from the menu card. Thus, you can feel almost like you’re in a hotel room.

Read also:

  • Unexpected announcement: M1 Budapest-Vienna motorway will become three-lane! – Read more HERE
  • Wizz Air rewrote summer timetable: European Riviera flights called off, modified

Swiss and German cities are the most popular

The overnight journey to Stuttgart is via Vienna and Munich. You can take off in Vienna, Innsbruck and Feldkirch while travelling to Zürich. On the way to Berlin, the train stops in Pozsony (Bratislava) and Dresden. Meanwhile, if you travel to Brassó (Brasov), you can get off in Csíkszereda (Miercurea Ciuc), Gyergyószentmiklós (Gheorgheni) and Sepsiszentgyörgy (Sfântu Gheorghe).

Of course, you are not obliged to sleep during your travel. You can travel sitting in a conventional 2nd class seat, as well.

To Berlin, Stuttgart, Zürich and Brassov, 10 couchettes and 8 sleeping cars commute each day. During summers, 6 sleeping cars travel to Split (Spalato) and 4 to Fiume (Rijeka) in Croatia and Koper in Slovenia.

In 2023, 90 thousand passengers chose to travel on the Budapest-Zürich EuroNight train. The second most popular ride was the Kálmán Imre EuroNight to Stuttgart with 60 thousand passengers. Berlin stands in third place with 50 thousand travellers.

In 2022, The Guardian chose the Budapest-Adriatic train journey as one of Europe’s ten best routes. We wrote about that HERE. Below are some photos:

Hungary establishes another important regional cooperation

Hungary, Serbia and Slovenia could start operating a regional electricity bourse in the first half of the year, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said on Saturday.

Decisions on the exchange have already been taken at the expert and corporate level, Péter Szijjártó said, adding that all that was necessary now was government approval. Cooperation between European countries to face the challenge of energy security has “never been more important”, he added.

Defence minister: Hungary to host Austrian (Donau) Derby

Hungary will host the Austrian Derby for the first time this year, Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky said in a post on Facebook on Saturday. Budapest’s Kincsem Park will host the Hungarian Derby on July 7 and the Donau Derby on August 4, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said.

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  • BBC: Lost Hungarian vizsla found in England with jaw-dropping new method
  • Miraculous Hungarian cat can become Norway’s Therapy Animal of the Year – Read more HERE

Refuelling in Hungary? Fuel is cheaper in almost all neighbouring countries

MOL fuel station

In January, Mol will increase the price of fuel in two instalments by a total of HUF 41, to take account of the increased excise duty. According to a report by Világgazdaság, even with the first increase introduced on 1 January (which is HUF 20), it is already more expensive to fill up in Hungary than in practically any other neighbouring country.

As we reported before, Mol will implement the increase in excise duty on fuel in two steps, with the HUF 20 change on 1 January followed by a HUF 21 price change on 15 January. After that, domestic petrol and diesel prices will be among the highest in the region. According to the report of Világgazdaság, even now, after the first price increase, fuel prices are already higher in Hungary than in most neighbouring countries.

According to Holtankoljak, the lowest price of petrol in Hungary on 4 January was HUF 523 (EUR 1.38) per litre, and HUF 555 (EUR 1.46) for diesel. The average prices are HUF 561 (EUR 1.48) and HUF 599 (EUR 1.58). In the middle of the month, these retail prices will rise by a further HUF 21 per litre.

Refuelling in Croatia

In Croatia, the government reduced the excise duty on fuel and capped the profit margin for traders last spring, effectively making fuel an officially priced product. Currently, a litre of standard fuel of both types costs EUR 1.4.

Thanks to the price cap, Hungarians living near the border have been regular visitors to Croatian petrol stations for some time, Világgazdaság writes. On an average tank of fuel, you can save up to HUF 3-4000 (EUR 8-11) there.

Even cheaper elsewhere

However, fuel prices are even cheaper in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thus, while Hungarians fill up in Croatia, Croatians go to their neighbour. There, a litre of petrol costs HUF 450 (EUR 1.19) and the same amount of diesel costs HUF 460 (EUR 1.21).

Fuel in Slovenia

At about the same time as Croatia, the Slovenian government also intervened in fuel prices, using almost the same model as Zagreb, Világgazdaság reports. In Slovenia, petrol costs HUF 520 (EUR 1.37) per litre, and diesel costs HUF 560 (EUR 1.48). As a result, Hungarian cars are becoming more common at Slovenian petrol stations.

According to Világgazdaság, regional fuel prices are as follows:

Regional fuel prices

Prices in HUF (EUR)

Petrol Diesel
Croatia 532 (1.40) 532 (1.40)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 450 (1.18) 460 (1.21)
Slovenia 520 (1.36) 560 (1.47)
Slovakia 589 (1.55) 570 (1.50)
Serbia 562 (1.47) 627 (1.65)
Romania 508 (1.33) 544 (1.43)

Source: Világgazdaság

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Schengen in serious trouble: strict control prolonged at Hungarian border again

The Slovenian government decided to prolong strict border control on their borders with Hungary and Croatia in their Thursday meeting. The extension will last much longer than any of the previous ones.

The Slovenian government decided to extend strict border control between Slovenia and Hungary until 22 June 2024, turizmus.com, a Hungarian travel news media outlet, wrote. The same extension will apply to the Slovenian-Croatian border.

The country reestablished strict border control temporarily last October, but it seems that it will last almost a year. The October decision followed the Schengen Codex’s 28th article. According to that, Slovenia could introduce such a measure for only two months. Now, they refer to the codex’s 25th and 27th article enabling it for six months.

Ljubjana said the reason behind the decision is the dangerous Middle East and Ukraine situation and the terrorist attacks committed in different EU member states. Authorities say terror danger is high in Slovenia, and if something menaces one Schengen member, it means all the zone is under threat. They added that illegal migration increases security risks in the region.

About possible extensions, they said authorities constantly monitor the situation and their decision is based on how the region’s security will be in June.

Slovenia will not check all the travellers. They do targeted surveillance aiming to reduce terrorism, extremism and crime.

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Another kick into Schengen: border control prolonged at this Hungarian border

Border control Slovenia Hungary Schengen

The Slovenian government decided on their Thursday session to prolong their strict border control on the Croatian and Hungarian border.

According to the Hungarian News Agency (MTI), the Slovenian government prolonged strict border control on the Hungarian-Slovenian border until 21 December. The reason is crime, terrorism and extremities sadly spanning through borders.

They added that the Slovenian police would do everything they could to protect the companies, citizens, locals, tourists and the environment from the negative effects of the inspection.

Slovenia re-established border control on 21 October temporarily and prolonged it multiple times.

Slovenia’s interior minister, Boštjan Poklukar, said the 21 December date is the latest the Schengen codex allows them to re-establish border control despite being a Schengen Zone member. Afterwards, they will continue to do so based on the 25th and 27th paragraphs of the codex. That can last for another six months.

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Featured image: illustration