Train from Budapest to Vienna
Jun 4th, 2011, 11:35 AM
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Train from Budapest to Vienna
I'm having trouble purchasing our one way train tickets from Budapest to Vienna. We're looking to depart Budapest on August 10th for Vienna. I'm using the www.oebb.at website but, it's telling me that tickets can't be purchased from Budapest to Vienna?? It worked fine for our tickets within Austria and then from Austria to Prague so, what's up with Budapest? Is there a different website I need to use? I'm assuming tickets can be purchased in advance but, perhaps not? I also looked on Rail Europe but the pricing was just so much higher.
While I'm on the subject of rail, I've purchased our one-way first class tickets from Vienna to Prague on August 13th and I did not purchase a seat reservation. August is probably high season, is not having a seat reservation a mistake?
Thanks for any insight!!!
While I'm on the subject of rail, I've purchased our one-way first class tickets from Vienna to Prague on August 13th and I did not purchase a seat reservation. August is probably high season, is not having a seat reservation a mistake?
Thanks for any insight!!!
Jun 4th, 2011, 12:19 PM
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Last year I found that it was impossible to book advance tickets from Budapest to Prague over the internet. I even emailed MAV to enquire how to do this and they informed me that there was no way at present to book international tickets in advance. I assume that this is still the case.
In the end we followed the advice MAV gave and went to the station (Keleti) to book our tickets a couple of days in advance of travelling.
It was a little inconvenient, required a wait of 15 minutes or so, but did mean that we got tickets to Prague for 29 euros each instead of the 70+ Euros that Rail Europe suggested.
Although it was August the train was not crowded. We found second class very acceptable and the tickets included a reservation.
In the end we followed the advice MAV gave and went to the station (Keleti) to book our tickets a couple of days in advance of travelling.
It was a little inconvenient, required a wait of 15 minutes or so, but did mean that we got tickets to Prague for 29 euros each instead of the 70+ Euros that Rail Europe suggested.
Although it was August the train was not crowded. We found second class very acceptable and the tickets included a reservation.
Jun 4th, 2011, 12:46 PM
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Wow, that's interesting. On the OEBB website seems to start the purchase process allowing me to select the trains & times I want; I can even get as far as selecting the payment type but, as soon as I click CONTINUE, it fails and says that it's not possible to book the tickets. It seems strange but, perhaps there are plans in the works for them to offer online tickets in the future?? Hmmm, why are you able to buy tickets through the Rail Europe website but, not through either the Austrian or Hungarian train websites?
Like you, I hate to take time out of our short time in Budapest to go and buy train tickets but, it sounds like we don't get a choice. Did you have issues with the language barrier when buying your tickets? I keep reading about how most customer service agents in train stations do not speak English. Hopefully that's not the case.
Like you, I hate to take time out of our short time in Budapest to go and buy train tickets but, it sounds like we don't get a choice. Did you have issues with the language barrier when buying your tickets? I keep reading about how most customer service agents in train stations do not speak English. Hopefully that's not the case.
Jun 4th, 2011, 01:21 PM
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I believe that there are MAV offices (on Jozsef Attila ut near Chain Bridge) where you can buy tickets in normal office hours. Because we were there over St Stephen's Day and a weekend they were shut and so we went to the international ticket office at Keleti station.
This was old and scruffy and at first sight rather confusing. There was a ticket machine at the side to collect a ticket from for a number to be called. (I seem to remember that there was an option for tickets for enquiries only or for purchases) Finally your number appears over one of the windows and you may approach.
The lady who served us was great. Her English was limited but more than sufficient to understand what we were asking for and to ensure that we understood that the tickets were only valid for that particular train. I had written out in Hungarian what tickets we wanted with train times etc. but we didn't need it at all. She came over as very friendly and wanting to ensure we got the best possible deal.
I found it quite useful to have sussed out the station that way so we knew exactly where and what to do when catching the train with all our luggage etc.
Hope this helps. You will have a great time in Budapest, Vienna and Prague. We certainly have enjoyed them all.
This was old and scruffy and at first sight rather confusing. There was a ticket machine at the side to collect a ticket from for a number to be called. (I seem to remember that there was an option for tickets for enquiries only or for purchases) Finally your number appears over one of the windows and you may approach.
The lady who served us was great. Her English was limited but more than sufficient to understand what we were asking for and to ensure that we understood that the tickets were only valid for that particular train. I had written out in Hungarian what tickets we wanted with train times etc. but we didn't need it at all. She came over as very friendly and wanting to ensure we got the best possible deal.
I found it quite useful to have sussed out the station that way so we knew exactly where and what to do when catching the train with all our luggage etc.
Hope this helps. You will have a great time in Budapest, Vienna and Prague. We certainly have enjoyed them all.
Jun 5th, 2011, 09:12 AM
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Many rail websites will book one way or return tickets starting in thir own country, but NOT one-way or return tickets starting at the 'wrong end'. And sometimes they'll book 'wrong end' tickets, but you can only collect tickets at the 'right end'.
In this case, try using the Hungarian railways site, www.mav-start.hu/english/index.php . Several reports say that payment failed at the last stage, but one report says they succeeded, so give it a go.
In this case, try using the Hungarian railways site, www.mav-start.hu/english/index.php . Several reports say that payment failed at the last stage, but one report says they succeeded, so give it a go.
