Over 65 you ride for free! PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION & TRAINS

Yes, I had a hard time believing it and would NOT advise anyone to take my word for it. ALWAYS head to buy your pass and be prepared to buy it. But if they won’t sell you a pass at the ticket office (and we went to different offices), I think you can believe them. That also doesn’t mean it won’t change.

But if you are over 65, and they say you don’t need a pass, then don’t worry. I passed through 3-4 inspectors during my week, and even the ticket seller for the airport bus glanced at my ID (I used my Driver’s License) and sent me on the bus without a ticket - both directions. That’s a pretty good number of workers all on the same page.

And if one says pay the fine, Just tell them that the RS Forum said ... or the lady at the BKK office, who's name you don't know, said it was okay.

Don't get me wrong. I'm riding daily without a pass, so far, so good.

It is well hidden on the website but is here- https://bkk.hu/downloads/24582/

also the same document is directly on the web page- https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/discounts/

(see under Free Travel, left hand side of the page, 2nd item down)

NEVER MIND ..I looked for about 5 min and found a similar, but apparently older list that looked identical. I just hate bad advice on the forum so I pulled back till I was certain.

Thank you.

Woa. It sure does say it. I feel like the website has been updated since I looked. I also checked the BudapestGo app just now and it looks like I could now use it to buy a ticket or a pass. Last week I would receive a warning to NOT try to buy one while changes were being implemented.

Is that true for traveling outside of Budapest? Friends & I are going to Budapest for a river cruise. We plan on landing a few days early to visit a friend who lives about 3 hours outside of Budapest. It would be great if we didn't have to pay for a train ticket to get there.

Doubt it, but worth asking. I believe it includes the Pest County Pass, but beyond that .... hmmmm .... but train tickets in Hungary are pretty cheap. I just looked at Budapest to Pecs and it was 3.099 forint which is about $9 and just shy of 3 hours.

Thank you Mr. E. I think I can afford the 3.09 Forints each way if need be. I will check into it again the closer we get to our October trip.

Ahhhh, sorry, in Europe, they do decimals and commas backward and I picked up the habit. It is three thousand and ninety-nine.

So, today, entering the M4 station at Rakoczi ter I saw metro cops checking passes. So as I approached I pointed to my balding head (old). He stopped me and said bald people need passes too. I must have looked startled because he began laughing and waved me on.

Hah, that's made me laugh too!

Did you really just say "in Europe?" (Where's my chuckle emoji when I need it?!*!?)

I believe that England (still in Europe) uses the same meaning for decimal point and comma as the US does. And apparently there are variations, even within continental Europe, though more subtle.

ETA: just found this interesting usage...

Curiously, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are different, as they use a point as a decimal separator, and an apostrophe (‘) for thousands.

Source

Well, you made me curious so I looked and correct you are. Live and learn. I know better than to say "In Europe". My bad.

Europe
The majority of European countries use the decimal comma. Among them are Spain, France, Norway, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and more. (and more includes Hungary)
However, it’s important to note that the United Kingdom is an exception because they tend to follow the Imperial System, which uses the decimal point. (now if we can get them to drive on the right side of the road)
Curiously, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are different, as they use a point as a decimal separator, and an apostrophe (‘) for thousands.

I knew it's your pet peeve.

So you made me chuckle twice today! A good start to the morning.

But IN EUROPE it is later than in the United States.

In looking up the decimel issue, I discovered that a billion widgets isn't the same number of widgets in very country. I wonder if some countries are surprised when they open their US aid package and find out that the billion they were expecting is quite a bit smaller.

Hah, yes that one (later time) is consistently true.

Well, I would like to order my big-billion widgets from Europe, get my invoice for 3.099 Forints and pay $3.09!

I just showed th BKK customer service lady my WA state drivers license at the Deak Ferenc ter Metro and asked if I am older than 65 did I need to buy a ticket. She said, no not as of March 1, 2024. I asked if I need to buy a ticket from Budapest to Pec. She said, no it is free in all of Hungary. I just show my ID when they ask for a ticket. Wow!

Welcome to Budapest!
My retirement here got a bit sweeter in March.

Pec or Pecs? And how were you planning to get there?

I just went on line and checked the price of the ticket to Pecs on the MAV site. Over 65 it was 650 forints ($1.80), 25-65 it was 3.099 forints ($8.56). I am guessing the $1.80 was the seat assignment. That is for a 3 hour train ride across the country. LOL. This place is a bargain for older travelers.....