During the festive season, MÁV is once again enticing travellers to Europe’s most popular Christmas markets with special trains and attractive offers. Cities such as Vienna, Munich, Salzburg, Prague, Bratislava, and Košice are easily accessible by train, making even a one-day trip well worth it.
Advent EuroCity: Special train to Vienna on Saturdays
Due to high demand, the Advent EuroCity running between Budapest and Vienna will operate again this year, MÁV announced. The special train will run on 29 November, and 6, 13, and 20 December:
- Departure: 08:01 from Budapest Keleti Station
- Return: 18:04 from Wien Hauptbahnhof
- Tickets: available at standard fares
MÁV highlights that Vienna is just over two and a half hours away from Budapest, with Railjet and EuroCity trains departing hourly. On the special train, the dining car will offer a festive menu prepared by Utasellátó for passengers eager to get into the Christmas spirit.
Easily reachable Christmas markets across Europe
MÁV emphasises that it’s worth taking the train not only to Vienna but also to numerous other Christmas markets:
- Munich, Salzburg, Linz – via Railjet services
- Prague, Bratislava – via Hungária EuroCity
- Košice – via Hernád InterCity
The railway company notes that even a day trip is worthwhile with these trains.
START Europa tickets from just EUR 13
Travellers departing from Budapest are encouraged to purchase START Europa tickets online, starting from just EUR 13 for the full journey. Prices vary daily and by train, so early booking is recommended. Weekday departures are usually cheaper and less crowded.
Families with children will be pleased to know that travel is free for children under six, and a child ticket can be purchased for EUR 5 alongside an adult ticket for ages 6–14.
Festive culinary specialities onboard
The Railjet bistro sections and EuroCity dining cars will offer a special Advent menu, including:
- Festively spiced soups (e.g., fish soup, clove-flavoured plum soup with whipped cream)
- Christmas cold platters
- Belgian waffles
- French onion soup
- Classic favourites: fish soup, stuffed cabbage
- Christmas burger
- Festive desserts (e.g., Zserbó cake, chestnut tiramisu)
- Poppy seed and walnut rolls (bejgli)
- Mulled wine and hot rum tea
Where to buy tickets
Tickets for the festive trains are available via:
- MÁV mobile app
- jegy.mav.hu
- International ticket offices
Further information on international trains and onboard services is available on the MÁV website.
- We could travel with the Advent EuroCity last year too: Hop on a festive train to Vienna and Zagreb’s Christmas markets with MÁV!
Very good event!
Lovely, as long as the dining car is actually attached and functional. When I took the Dacia from Vienna to Budapest earlier this year, the dining car was missing from the consist. The first we found out about it was when boarding the train having planned to have dinner in the dining car. Had we known in advance due a message on the departure board we could have bought sandwiches at the station or, even better, actually eaten in Vienna before travelling. The guard just shrugged his shoulders and said ‘technical problem’. As ever with MAV, caveat emptor and have a back up plan.
Fantastic Christmas offer. Beautiful dining cars and nice Christmas meals. Great!