Trains
The centralization of the MAV rail network means that many cross-country journeys are easier if you travel via Budapest rather than on branch lines where services are slower and less frequent. Timetables displayed in stations are in yellow (for departures) or white (for arrivals), with the different types of fast trains picked out in red. By far the fastest are the InterCity ("IC" on the timetable) trains, which run express services between Budapest and Miskolc, Szeged and other larger towns; don't be misled by Express trains (marked "Ex" on timetables) - although they stop at major centres only, and cost ten percent more than gyorsvonat and sebesvonat services, which stop more regularly, they are still pretty slow. The slowest trains ( szemelyvonat ) halt at every hamlet along the way, and since the fare is the same as on a gyorsvonat , you might as well opt for the latter. It's not worth using international trains for journeys within Hungary, since they are expensive and not always faster. Most trains have first- and second-class sections, and many also feature a buffet car (indicated on timetables). Second-class trains have PVC seats and can be uncomfortable and crowded. First class offers slightly more comfort. International services routed through Budapest have sleeping cars and couchettes ( halokocsi and kusett ), for which tickets can be bought at MAV offices in advance, or sometimes on the train itself. Bicycles ( bicikli ) can be carried on most passenger trains (you have to buy a separate bicycle ticket, which is around 25 percent of the full ticket price); look for the bicycle pictogram on the timetable. Some trains have special carriages with stands for bikes; otherwise, you must go to the first or last carriage. If you're planning to travel by rail extensively, it's worth investing in one of the timetables available from the MAV office in Budapest at VI, Andrassy ut 35 (tel 1/322-8082), or large train stations. Train services (domestic and international) are covered by the chunky Hivatalos Menetrend (650Ft; note that the larger format version has no extra information), which also has details of the narrow-gauge lines and boat and ferry services on the Danube and the Balaton; an English-language section at the front explains the symbols used. You can also check train information on the website www.mav.hu , although it is in Hungarian only.
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