I'm wanting to book train tickets for mid September from Budapest to Vienna and looking for more insight on options on MAV. What is the difference in 1st and 2nd class? Is the restaurant /food available in both classes? I'd like forward facing seats for 2 of us, so any suggestions would be great, and I'm wanting to book the 9:30 train. Am I reading the site correctly that if 1 of us is over 65 the fare is free and we're only charged for 1 person? Thanks!!!
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
26796 posts
The over 65 discount fare does not apply to international routes. If you found something else written on the MAV website, please send me a link. I am curious.
For the technical questions try: https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Budapest.htm#Budapest-Austria The trip is about 2:40. I have never purchased anything from the food counter / bistro car. No idea about it. If you are in second class and there are a lot of kids who didn’t buy seat assignments, you aren’t getting to the bistro car anyway. But I see you are staying at the Medosz so maybe you are on a tight budget, if so, 2nd class is fine. But for even better rates you might want to check out RegioJet https://regiojet.com/reservation/fare/there?routeId=8387280872&fromStationId=5404232005&toStationId=3741302011&tariffs=REGULAR
And a great time to be in Budapest:
SEPTEMBER
- 30 August - 10 Jewish Cultural Festival https://www.zsidokulturalisfesztival.hu/
- 1 - 6 Downtown Beer Festival https://www.sorfesztival.hu/
- 9 - 12 🍷Buda Wine Festival https://aborfesztival.hu/en
- 21 - 27 Budapest Coffee Week https://bpcoffeeweek.hu/
- 27 🍷Winelovers 100 Wine Tasting at the Corinithia Hotel https://wineloversrendezvenyek.hu/winelovers-100/
Posted by
OP
La Pine, Or
109 posts
Thanks! I'm not interested in the Regio, but thanks for the suggestion. I'll book the MAV 1st class. My mistake on the over 65 for the International ticket! We'll be there during the "Coffee" week, wishing it was Wine week!
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
26796 posts
Plenty of wine bars. One nice one, Champion, in front of your hotel (left side of the park when looking from the hotel). Another, my favorite, Kadarka, a 6 minute walk from your hotel. Cork about 5 minutes from you has a short but truly excellent list.
If you do Magyar Betyár kolbász osztó for lunch and N28 for dinner it averages out to an excellent food day for less than mediocrity in Western Europe. Both within in a few minutes of your hotel.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
26796 posts
Oh, and if you are going to be in town long enough, I can suggest a tour of a winery outside of town.
Posted by
OP
La Pine, Or
109 posts
Thanks for the suggestions for wine and food! Unfortunately we're only in town for 4 days. I'll be in touch.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
26796 posts
You can post here with dates and probably get ideas from a few folks, or PM me with dates and I will poke around for some interesting things.