Changes to Holiday Public Transportation in Budapest, Hungary

Published: December 21 2023

During the holiday season in Budapest, Hungary, there will be changes to the timetables of train, bus, and HÉV (suburban railway line) services. It is important to be aware of these changes and plan accordingly to avoid any disruptions to your travel plans.

From December 22 to January 2, there will be adjustments to the timetable of InterCity trains on busy days, with more carriages added during peak hours. It is recommended to buy tickets in advance through MÁV's ticket selling website, Elvira, or the MÁV app. The train services will follow a different timetable on certain days, including public holidays and Sundays.

Volánbusz, the local and intercity bus service, will also have changes to its timetable during the holiday period. On December 21, buses will operate according to the working day timetable, followed by the last school holiday timetable on December 22, and the days off timetable on December 23. There will be adjustments to the timetable on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the days between the two holidays, with many services being cancelled after 4 PM on December 24 and 31.

The HÉV (suburban railway line) will have alterations to its timetable in the last days of the year. On December 22, it will follow the timetable for the school holiday working days. On Christmas Eve, there will be a special timetable for the day, and HÉVs on certain lines will continue to run after 4 PM until the late evening service ends. The public holiday timetable will apply on all HÉV lines on December 25 and 26, followed by the end-of-year working days timetable from December 27 to 29. Night services will be provided on all HÉV lines on the night of December 31 to January 1.

When planning your holiday travel in Budapest, it is crucial to be aware of the changes to the timetables of train, bus, and HÉV services. Make sure to check the specific timetables for each mode of transportation and consider buying tickets in advance to avoid any inconvenience during your festive visits and activities.

What changes can I expect in the holiday public transportation in Budapest, Hungary? During the festive period, train and bus services, as well as the suburban railway line (HÉV), will operate according to different timetables.

Should I buy my tickets in advance for the holiday period? Yes, it is recommended to buy tickets in advance to avoid any inconvenience or need to reschedule your plans. It is possible to purchase tickets in advance using ticket machines, the online ticket purchase on Elvira or the MÁV app.

Which days will the trains run according to the public holiday timetable? Trains will operate according to the public holiday timetable on 24 and 25 December and on 31 December.

Which days will the trains run according to the Sunday timetable? Trains will operate according to the Sunday timetable on 26 December and on 1 January.

Which days will the trains run according to the normal working day timetable? Trains will operate according to the normal working day timetable from 2 January onwards.

Will there be any changes in the timetable for Volán bus services during the holidays? Yes, there will be changes in the timetable for Volán bus services during the holidays. On 24 and 31 December, most bus services will be cancelled after 4 PM. Many services will also be cancelled on Christmas Days and between the two holidays. It is recommended to check the specific timetable for the desired day.

Will the HÉV (suburban railway line) have any changes in its timetable during the holiday period? Yes, the HÉV will have changes in its timetable during the holiday period. On 22 December, the HÉV will run according to the timetable for the working days of the school holidays. On 25 and 26 December, the public holiday timetable will apply on all HÉV lines. From 27 to 29 December, trains will run according to the timetable for the end-of-year working days. On the night of 31 December to 1 January, night services will be provided on all HÉV lines.

Will there be any changes in the timetable for HÉV trains on Christmas Eve? On Christmas Eve, HÉV trains on lines H5, H6, H8, and H9 will continue to run after 4 PM, but less frequently than usual, until the late evening service closes.

Is there any other way to check the seat occupancy of a train before buying a ticket? Yes, on MÁV's ticket selling website, Elvira, the seat occupancy of a given train can be observed on the basis of ticket sales.