Hungarian trains

• Q. Can I add a friend to my existing rail pass?

  A. Once a rail pass has been printed, another name cannot be added. We may be able to exchange the rail pass through our contact center, but exchange fees and penalties will apply. The only exception is if you bought the Rail Protection Plan along with your rail pass. In that case, you’re eligible to exchange your rail pass for a new one that includes your friend, without incurring any fee or penalty. You’ll just need to pay the additional cost of the rail pass for your friend.

• Q. Are there facilities on board for disabled travellers?

  A. Special amenities for disabled travellers are offered on trains and at many train stations, and are clearly indicated with pictograms (for telephones, toilets, elevators, etc.).

  Special equipment is also available for use by disabled travellers but must be reserved locally in advance. You can do this while you’re in Europe by inquiring at the train station or through your hotel concierge.

  Be sure to specify if you need personal assistance (whether with a wheelchair, boarding, etc.).

• Q. How far in advance can I purchase a train ticket?

  A. Train tickets can be purchased in a booking horizon of 30 to 180 days in advance of a journey. This booking horizon depends on the route and each rail carrier’s policy.

  In order to take advantage of the best prices and availability, always book as far in advance as possible. It’s particularly important to book early during peak travel seasons to ensure you can travel on the date you wish.

  Please note – when planning a journey you can always enter a date within 30 days of today to view general travel times and ticket fares.

  Booking horizon by country (in advance of the date of travel):*

  Austria - 90 days
  Balkans - 60 days
  Benelux (International) - 90 days
  Croatia/Slovenia (International) - 90 days
  Czech Republic (International) - 60 days
  Denmark - 60 days
  Finland - 60 days
  France - 90 days
  Germany - 180 days
  Great Britain - 75 days
  Hungary (International) - 90 days
  Italy - 120 days
  Montenegro/Serbia - 90 days
  Norway - 90 days
  Spain - 60 days
  Sweden - 180 days
  Switzerland - 90 days
  Poland (Domestic) - 30 days
  Poland (International) - 60 days
  Romania (Domestic) - 30 days
  Romania (International) - 90 days
  Russia - 45 days

  Booking horizons for the major train lines or carriers (in advance of the date of travel):*

  Allegro - 60 days
  ATOC Britain - 90 days
  Berlin-Warsaw Express - 60 days
  DB - 180 days
  Eurostar - 180 days
  France-Freiburg (Breisgau)TGV - 90 days
  France-Germany High Speed - 90 days
  France-Italy TGV - 90 days
  France - Russia - 60 days
  France-Spain High Speed - 119 days
  Germany-Italy Day - 120 days
  Hungarian Trains - 90 days
  ICE - 180 days
  Lusitania - 60 days
  Lyria - 90 days
  NTV Italo - 120 days
  RENFE - 60 days
  Romanian Night Trains - 90 days
  Thalys - 90 days
  Thello Night - 120 days
  Tolstoy - 60 days
  Trenitalia (Domestic) - 120 days
  Trenitalia (International) - 120 days

  *Subject to change.

• Q. Can I purchase seat reservations from Rail Europe once I’m already traveling in Europe?

  A. Yes, but only when an e-ticket is offered for the train you want to take. If only a paper train ticket is offered, you’ll need (and want) to purchase your reservation(s) locally at the train station to avoid international shipping fees and delivery times.

• Q. I’m leaving for Europe within 3 days and need to buy train tickets or rail passes. What are my options?

  A. Some European train operators now offer electronic ticketing. If the train you’re interested in offers this, you can buy a train ticket up until its day of travel and retrieve it locally at the station using your unique e-ticket confirmation code or by printing it at home before you leave.

  Currently, e-tickets are only offered on Eurostar, Thalys, Renfe, Talgo, Italo & Trenitalia along with select German, French (including international TGVs), and British trains. This type of ticketing will be available on other routes in the near future. At this time, the only rail passes available as e-passes are the Renfe Spain Pass and Swiss Travel Pass.

  All other trains, certain activity vouchers, and rail passes must be issued as a paper document and mailed to you prior to your departure. If you’re leaving within three days, you should contact us via our Contact Us page and we’ll be able to advise whether there’s enough time for you to get your train ticket or rail pass prior to your leaving for Europe.

• Q. Are there smoking and non smoking sections on trains?

  A. Smoking is not permitted on any trains in Great Britain, Denmark, Ireland, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg), France, Hungary, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Norway, Sweden, or Poland.

  Smoking is restricted on trains in Finland and the Czech Republic.

  Smoking is also prohibited in lavatories and dining cars. And you must observe special regulations at stations where you usually find dedicated smoking areas or rooms.

• Q. Can I bring food and drinks on board?

  A. Of course you can! Eating and drinking are permitted on all European trains.

  You will also have the option to purchase food and drinks if the train you’re traveling on offers food services.

• Q. Will a National Rail Strike affect my train travel?

  A. A national strike impacting rail services could affect train travel for locals and visitors alike. Typically, during a rail strike there will be a reduced number of trains operating which could lead to more passengers on board trains that are running, changes in schedules, or even alternate modes of transportation (such as buses) to transport passengers to their destinations.

   In the event of a strike, Rail Europe will provide as much information as possible to assist those who may be impacted. If a strike has been announced, you can always submit inquiries to Rail Europe through the Contact Us page or, if you’re already in Europe during a strike, go directly to a railway station and ask the local railway official for assistance.

• Q. I want to refund my train ticket. How do I proceed?

  A. If you have a paper ticket that you would like to submit for a refund, please visit our Contact Us page for further information.

  Please note that train tickets must be received at least 2 business days prior to the train departure date.

  It’s strongly suggested that you send these documents by some type of traceable mail for proof of delivery.

  If you have an e-ticket to submit for a refund, this can be initiated on our Cancellation and Refunds page.

• Q. I'm looking to book a train on your site but I can't find it, why?

  A. We know it can be frustrating when what you’re looking for is not displaying, let us help, as there could be several reasons for this happening.

  1. It could be the case that it is too soon to book the train you wish to travel on. Typically, trains can be booked 3 months in advance. Of course, this can vary by carrier and time of year. Some trains have a longer booking horizon.

  2. The train or fare you are looking for is not available. Depending on the time of year, time of day, or train you are looking for, it could be the case that there are no available seats for booking. If your travel dates are flexible, you can select an alternate travel dates to see if the train you are looking for displays.

  3. Scheduled track work or maintenance could be scheduled for the day/time you are looking to travel. Carriers will close reservations for these scheduled dates, meaning they will not appear on our site to book.

  4. Some trains are private lines or operated by carriers that do not allow other distributors to offer them. In these cases, tickets will need to be secured locally at the station.

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