Hungary is offering special public transport discounts during this year’s European Mobility Week, including free bicycle transport on intercity trains and nationwide travel for just HUF 999 on Car-Free Day.
Free bicycle transport for a week
Dávid Vitézy, Minister for Transport and Investment, announced the measures on Wednesday, saying the aim is to encourage more people to choose public transport as an alternative to travelling by car.
From 16 to 22 September 2026, passengers can transport bicycles free of charge on trains available for intercity travel. Where a bicycle reservation is normally required, passengers will still need to obtain one, but the reservation itself will also be free during the promotional period.
Unlimited travel for less than EUR 3
The main promotion will take place on 22 September, Car-Free Day. Passengers will be able to purchase a special Car-Free Day ticket for HUF 999 (around EUR 2.74), allowing unlimited travel for one day on eligible intercity public transport services across Hungary. The ticket will have the same geographical validity as the Magyarország24 day ticket and will cost HUF 999 through all sales channels.
There is an important limitation, however: the ticket does not cover local public transport, including in cities where county passes are otherwise accepted on local services. Any additional supplements required for a particular journey, such as a seat reservation, must also be purchased separately.
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Encouraging alternatives to driving
Vitézy said the measures were introduced to demonstrate that public transport can be a genuine alternative to the car for many journeys. In a Facebook post, he said that it was not enough simply to talk about alternatives to driving; they also needed to be made easier and cheaper to use.
He acknowledged that public transport cannot replace cars for every journey, but said that where trains, buses or bicycles provide a suitable alternative, the government wants more people to try them.
The HUF 999 day ticket is intended to make that particularly simple on Car-Free Day, allowing passengers to explore eligible intercity routes throughout the country for a single day. The promotions form part of Hungary’s participation in European Mobility Week, which runs from 16 to 22 September.
