Public transportation for seniors over 65 in central and eastern europe

The same is true in Budapest. Carry any identification with a picture and birth date. 99.9% of the time you will not be asked, unless you look way younger than I do. You will just get a Jó napot! from the inspector as you walk past him.

And, if you want to do some day trips, the trains are almost free .... or totaly free depending on ... well not sure what.

I just bought a RT ticket to Székesfehérvár and it cost me $3.30. There was an option for half that but I couldnt figure out why so I bought the expensive ticket. There also appeared to be a free ticket, but I suspect that meant no seat assignment.

Since the thread title refers to central and eastern Europe, though Wayne isn't going to Slovakia on this trip, I'll mention that there's some sort of special deal in Slovakia for at least some regional buses. I'm not sure what the qualifying age is, because I'm 72; it may well be 65. I wasn't able to get discounted tickets on trains, city transportation or long-distance buses, but my three day-trips (one from Kosice and two from Zvolen) cost me either €0.50 each way or nothing.

Mr. E,

Can you confirm that US senior (65+) can ride public transportation in Budapest for free with a US 'Passport Card'?

ccclement, I can confirm that a US senior (65+) can ride public transportation in Budapest for free with a US 'Passport Card'. Or with a US drivers license, or a passport. I suspect, but have never seen it in writing, that any form of identification with a photo and a bithdate on it. Just show it when you see the random inspectors. Pulling it out and holding it up is generally enough, they rarely (never in my case) have looked at it. They just wish you a good day and let you pass.

If you want to ride a train within Hungary, go to the MAV site, open an account and enter your birthdate and when you search for a train you will find many are free. Dont do it. Buy a seat reservation. That will set you back about 300ft.

I can confirm Budapest. Actually we were on the bus up to Buda Castle and an inspector checked people and got to us and waved his hand. Been to Budapest half a dozen times and never been checked.

I got checked so little that I got in the habbit of just pointing to my grey hair and walking past the inspector. They always said good day and returned to checking the tickets of the kids. Until one day, the agent did stop me. He said, "bald people have to pay too". Then he laughed and waved me on. I am not totally bald!!! Not yet! And a few days ago I had a bus driver stop me. He shrugged his shoulders like to say, you gonna show me your ticket. I pulled out my ID but before I could hold it up to show it to him, he laughed and waved me on. Oh, and one other. Young woman inspector asked. I thanked her for the complement. We both laughed and i walked on.

On the otherhand, if you are required to have a ticket and you dont, then there isnt an excuse that will work. You will pay the fine. I watch that almost every day. Its sad when its large groups of tourists. Each will end up paying about $35 for a $1 ticket.

After all this discussion I asked the front desk staff at the Anantera New York hotel, Budapest this question when checking today.
They said free for >65 applies only to EU ID holders and that older Americans could be ticketed for the 35 euro (or close to that) fine with a fully paid ticket…………..

The website for the BKK is to the contrary. It's a fairly new change, so that might be why they told you wrong. https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/discounts/

I've had the BKK ticket office refuse to sell me a ticket because I'm old, knowing I am an American, and I've been checked a few times in the last year. And we have another US citizen on the forum that was turned away at the ticket office because of her very, very advanced age she rides for free.

BUT, ultimately, the written policy is what's important. https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/discounts/ and i quote: FREE TRAVEL > Eligiable Customers > "Person over 65 (regardless of nationality or legal status)"

Had the same discussion with clerk at the k & k in Budapest. The law changed Jan. 2024. It’s free. If you doubt then pay.

ccclement, now that I have gotten of my lazy ..... and actually looked it up, here are the forms of ID that they will accept.

From the BKK Website (my comments)

FREE TRAVEL > Eligiable Customers > "Person over 65 (regardless of nationality or legal status)"
(which reads identical for Local Travel and for Regionsl Travel)

1. Idenitity Card. (Pretty wide open? I wouldnt push your luck. At least make sure it has a photo and your birth date on it. Passport Card or maybe a Global Entry Card?)
2. Passport
3. Driving Licence in Card Format. (So no temporary licenses).
4. Magyar igazolvany (which is Hungarian Identity Card. Which implies "Identity Card" at the top of the list does not have to be a Hungarian Identity Card.)
5. Magyar hozzatartozoi igazolvany (which is a Hungarian Citizenship Certificate)
6. Residence permit issued by a Hungarian authority.

https://bkk.hu/static/content/2024/04/local.webp

Wayne F, Mr. É is very politely referring to my extremely advanced age that barely allows me to ride free. Lol. The BKK office at the airport would sell me neither a travel pass nor a 100E bus ticket in March, after I handed them my Texas drivers license. Both staff members told me I travel free because of age. I was also checked twice by inspectors that week. Now, it could be a fluke but I feel like the BKK office is who I have to stick with - especially when they actively won’t sell me a pass. Ha!

TTM, did you think I was refering to you? I didnt even think you would qualify for the free ride for many, many, many years. There really is no debate about this, the official website say "regardless of nationality". I dont think they are being generous, i think its a practical manner. You have seen them checking tickets, they pass anyone that looks close to the age without any check. That gives them time to go after the ones most likely to not have a ticket. If they had to check nationality ID's of every grey haired old man they would have to double the number of agents to keep the line moving. I think they didnt see that as pratical.

But do remember that on the old trams the validation machine isnt electric. You have to insert your ticket and pull the handle down. The handle that is moulded in the shape of the case so it isnt even evident that its a handle. I saved a group of Spaniards last week.