MÁV trains

MÁV is Hungary's national railway operator, running the country's InterCity, Railjet, and regional trains under the MÁV-START brand, the passenger transport arm of the MÁV Group. The network radiates from Budapest. Three main stations, Keleti, Nyugati, and Déli, handle most domestic and international departures, and each one serves different lines, so check which station your train uses before you head there. A smaller private operator, GYSEV, runs some routes in western Hungary and also accepts Interrail and Eurail passes.

For most domestic journeys you'll travel on an InterCity (IC) train, and on some cross-border corridors these run jointly with Austria's ÖBB as Railjet services. Seat reservation is compulsory on these domestic InterCity and Railjet trains. This is the single most common mistake pass holders make in Hungary. Buy the reservation alongside your ticket or pass, at a station ticket office or through MÁV's own booking channels, and do it before you board rather than hoping a seat is free.

There's a practical workaround if you're travelling on short notice. Many long-distance trains also carry Gyorsvonat, or fast train, coaches with unreserved seating that Interrail and Eurail holders can use without booking ahead. It's less comfortable than a reserved InterCity seat. But it keeps you moving if reservations for your preferred departure have sold out.

International trains to and from Hungary generally don't require a reservation. The main exception is the Budapest to Graz service, so check that route specifically if it's part of your plan. Night trains follow a separate pass rule: you only need to nominate the day of departure, not the exact arrival time, which matters if your overnight service crosses into the next day.

Both Interrail and Eurail passes are valid on MÁV-START and GYSEV trains, but neither pass covers reservation fees. Treat the reservation as a mandatory, separate purchase whenever you're booking an IC or Railjet service in Hungary, never as an optional extra. If you're unsure whether your specific train needs one, ask at the ticket office before you travel. It takes a few minutes and avoids a refused boarding on the platform.

Tickets and reservations for MÁV and GYSEV trains are priced in Hungarian forint (HUF), whether you buy at a station counter, from a conductor, or through MÁV's own ticketing site. If you're comparing costs against a rail pass, check current forint prices directly with MÁV rather than converting from another currency, since fares and reservation fees are set locally and can change with the timetable.