Trains are the most environmentally friendly way of travelling with many advantages over flying. On our night trains most of the journey is spent sleeping, so passengers arrive well rested in the morning in the centre of major cities in Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Our year-round or seasonal trains offer direct connections to Stuttgart, Berlin, Zürich, Prague, Cracow, Warsaw, Brașov, Bucharest, the Adriatic Sea and many other cities around Europe. In addition with only one change you can easily reach destinations such as Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, the Italian or Romanian coast.

Routes and destinations

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downloadable map [2]

There are 14 direct overnight services from Budapest to all destinations on the continent, operated jointly by MÁV-START and other European railways with different operators on several routes. Detailed train routes, operation days and operators are available below:

Services on board

Generally three travel categories are available on night trains, passengers can choose between sleeping cars, couchettes and 2^nd class seat cars. As presented above not all destinations are served by all three coach types.

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Booking tickets

For overnight trains tickets are available at varying prices depending on the time of purchase, train route, distance travelled and comfort category chosen. A seat carb is typically ranging between €20-100, a couchette can be booked around €40-150, while places in sleeping cars can be expected around €50-200.

Discounted tickets are typically non-refundable and non-refundable; check the ticket conditions during the ticket purchase process. Some ticket types are refundable with favourable conditions.

TICKET PURCHASE [19]

Discounts

• Children under 6 years of age travel free of charge on overnight trains provided they do not occupy a separate seat or bed.
• Children between 6 and 15 years of age can buy a discounted children's ticket.
• If six or more passengers travel together, tickets can be purchased at the group discount and on some services primary and secondary school classes including guides can travel at a special discount in a seat and couchette car. For group travel, please contact our sales team.
• Discounts entitling you to domestic travel (e.g. student card, country pass, >65) cannot be used on our international overnight trains, not even partially.
• Interrail season ticket holders only need to buy a reservation on the overnight trains which can also be done on Elvira (jegy.mav.hu [19]) by selecting the "Bérlet (pl. Interrail)" discount.

Useful tips for using night services

• Train timetables are subject to change due to track maintainance and exceptional reasons. A few days before your journey please check the online timetable, railway company websites or at railway stations and customer services to see if your departure or arrival times have changed.
• Most trains have a power socket but it's also a good idea to bring a powerbank for your journey.
• For those who sleep poorly it is also a good idea to bring earplugs and eye covers.
• There is limited space for luggage (suitcases) in the compartments, so it is advisable to travel with as small a bag (rucksack) as possible.
• Bicycles are generally not allowed on overnight trains (except Retro Istria express).
• On overnight trains animals (e.g. cats, dogs, birds) can be transported free of charge in a locked carrier in the seat car. Dogs may be carried in a seat car without a carrier with a leash and muzzle with booking a dog ticket. Animals as a general rule may not be carried in the couchette and sleeping cars, but it’s advisable to check the relevant carrier’s regulations