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Kedves diákjaim (My dear students), Britain holds a special place in railway history as the birthplace of modern rail travel. The world's first inter-city railway opened in 1830 between Liverpool and Manchester. As a history enthusiast teaching here in Budapest, I find it fascinating how this innovation transformed British society!

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Having visited the UK multiple times, I can tell you that trains remain incredibly popular there. Before the pandemic, there were 1.8 billion rail journeys annually in the UK. Even my British colleagues tell me the train is their preferred mode of transport for intercity travel!

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From my experience organizing school trips, I recommend booking through the National Rail website or Trainline app. Pro tip from a Hungarian teacher: book in advance! The price difference can be substantial - sometimes saving up to 60% compared to buying on the day.

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Which ticket is right for me?

As a general rule, the earlier you can buy a ticket, the better the deal you can get. If you know the date and time you wish to travel, then an Advance ticket will be suitable. For more flexibility, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets and Anytime tickets will be a better choice, as you are not limited to a specific date or train. Find out more below.

Advance tickets

These must be bought in advance and are only valid on the date and train specified. They are sold in limited numbers, subject to availability and on a first come, first served basis. You can usually buy an Advance ticket up to 12 weeks ahead of travel, and they are still available until the day of travel on many routes - sometimes up to 10 minutes before departure. Find out more about Advance tickets.

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets

These can be bought at any time and allow you to travel on any permitted train during off-peak hours. If an Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket is available for your journey, journey planners will make them available to purchase. In general, Off-Peak hours begin at 09:30 from Monday to Friday in cities and large towns, and at 09:00 everywhere else. If your train is scheduled to depart after this time, you can travel with an Off-Peak ticket. Weekends and bank holidays are Off-Peak all day. Find out more about Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets.

Anytime tickets

These can be bought at any time and allow you to travel on any permitted train, at any time. Find out more about Anytime tickets.

Season tickets and Flexi Season tickets

These offer unlimited travel between 2 stations, and are normally available to buy weekly, monthly or yearly. Find out more about Season tickets and Flexi Season tickets.

Ranger and Rover tickets

These offer unlimited travel in a specified area. Rangers are valid for 1 day, Rovers are usually valid for 3, 7 or 8 days in a certain period. There may be time restrictions on when you can travel. Find out more about Ranger and Rover tickets.

Oyster and contactless pay as you go

These are smartcard and contactless methods of payment which let you travel within London. Oyster is a re-usable smartcard which is issued by, or on behalf of, Transport for London (TfL). You can also use a contactless debit or credit card to pay as you go at the same rates as Oyster. Find out more about Oyster and contactless pay as you go.

National Rail Guide to Tickets

You can view and download the National Rail Guide to Tickets leaflet (PDF, 8.2MB), which provides an overview of the tickets available across the National Rail network and is designed to help you choose the best value ticket for your journey with confidence. It also includes a summary of train companies' commitments to customers.

Routeing information and ticket validity

Your ticket may show a route or train company that you must use for your journey. If not, you are allowed to use any permitted route for the journey you are making. Permitted routes cover all reasonable routes available for making your journey, including direct services and suitable connecting services.

When you book your journey online, any ticket offeredat that time in connection with the journey planner results will be accepted as a permitted route. As the full range of routes and options can be very complex (especially for longer journeys), we would encourage you to check any intended route using our Journey Planner to make sure that it can be used with your ticket.

To search for the full range of Tickets and Restriction Codes, you can also use our Ticket Validity Finder tool, or the Rail Delivery Group's full Routeing Guide, which includes a list of maps of permitted routes.

Finding ticket prices

Our Journey Planner will show the tickets currently available on each service displayed. Please remember that Advance tickets are sold in limited numbers and subject to availability. If you have searched for a return journey the cheapest price for both a return and 2 singles (1 out, 1 back) will be displayed.

The Journey Planner will not show Season ticket or Ranger and Rover ticket prices. You can find information about Season tickets, Flexi Season tickets and Ranger and Rover tickets on our dedicated pages.

If you wish to see all ticket types and not just the cheapest, there is an option to click on more fares.

A small number of other fares are not shown by our Journey Planner.

Find out more about how you can get the best value train fare with our Save Money on Your Train Ticket page.

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As a general rule, the earlier you can buy a ticket, the better the deal you can get. If you know the date and time you wish to travel, then an Advance ticket will be suitable. For more flexibility, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets and Anytime tickets will be a better choice, as you are not limited to a specific date or train.

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My British friends always remind me about the different ticket types: Anytime (flexible but expensive), Off-peak (cheaper but time-restricted), and Advance (cheapest but train-specific). As we say in Hungary, 'Jobb félni, mint megijedni' (Better safe than sorry) - always check the restrictions!

Train tickets come in various types depending on the railway operator, country, and class of service. Here are some common types:

By Flexibility:

1. Advance Tickets – Purchased ahead of time at a lower price but valid only for a specific train.

2. Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak Tickets – Valid only during less busy hours for cheaper fares.

3. Anytime Tickets – Fully flexible tickets allowing travel at any time of the day.

4. Season Tickets – For frequent travelers, offering unlimited travel on a specific route for a set period (weekly, monthly, or yearly).

5. Open Return Tickets – Allow travel on any train within a set period for the return journey.

By Class:

6. Standard Class – Regular seating and facilities.

7. First Class – More spacious seats, complimentary refreshments, and added comfort.

8. Business or Premium Class – In some countries, offers extra perks like Wi-Fi and onboard meals.

By Special Discounts:

9. Railcards & Concession Tickets – Discounted tickets for students, seniors, disabled passengers, or families.

10. Group Tickets – Discounts for traveling in groups.

11. Child & Family Tickets – Reduced fares for children or family packages.

By Route & Distance:

12. Single Tickets – One-way journey.

13. Return Tickets – Round-trip travel.

14. Day Travelcards & Rover Tickets – Unlimited travel within a specific region for a day or longer.

15. Interrail/Eurail Passes – Allow multiple journeys across different countries in Europe.

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Don't forget about Railcards! During my last visit, I used a Two Together Railcard with a colleague, saving us 1/3 on all trips. There are various types available for students, seniors, and families. Definitely worth investigating if you're planning multiple journeys!

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As someone who regularly compares Hungarian and British transport, here are the pros:
- Extensive network covering most towns
- Environmentally friendly
- No traffic jams
- Comfortable working/reading space
- Beautiful countryside views
- City-center to city-center travel

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Being honest with my students, there are some downsides:
- Expensive tickets (especially last-minute)
- Occasional delays and cancellations
- Weekend engineering works
- Peak hour crowding
- Some rural areas have infrequent service

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As a Hungarian teacher who loves observing cultural differences, here's what I've noticed:
- Quiet coaches are REALLY quiet
- British passengers often avoid eye contact
- People queue orderly for trains
- It's frowned upon to take long phone calls
- Many enjoy their tea from the trolley service!

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Unlike in Hungary, eating on British trains is quite common! Most long-distance trains have a café car or trolley service. However, my British colleagues tell me it's quite expensive - pack your own snacks if you're budget-conscious, just like we do back home!

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In Hungary, MÁV-START (the national railway company) and GYSEV operate train services. Here are the main types of train tickets available:

1. Standard Tickets

Single Ticket (Menetjegy) – One-way ticket for a specific route.

Return Ticket (Menettérti jegy) – Round-trip ticket, often cheaper than two single tickets.

Supplement Ticket (Pótjegy) – Required for high-speed and express trains (e.g., IC trains).

2. Discounted & Special Tickets

Advance Purchase Tickets (Elővételi jegy) – Cheaper tickets bought in advance.

Railcards & Discounts:

Student & Youth Discount (50% off for Hungarian students)

Senior Discount (65+ travel free within Hungary)

Family Tickets (Discounts for groups with children)

Group Tickets (For 6+ passengers)

Hungary Pass (Országbérlet) – Unlimited travel within Hungary for a set period.

3. International Tickets

Eurail & Interrail Passes – Unlimited travel within Hungary and beyond.

CityStar Ticket – Discounted return ticket for travel to neighboring countries.

4. Special Route & Regional Tickets

Budapest Travelcards – For city transport, including suburban trains (HÉV).

County Pass (Vármegye-bérlet) – Unlimited travel within a specific county.

National Pass (Országbérlet) – Covers all trains in Hungary.

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At the Train Station Ticket Office

Customer:

Good morning! I’d like to buy a train ticket, please.

Ticket Clerk:

Good morning! Where are you travelling to?

Customer:

I’m going to Manchester.

Ticket Clerk:

Would you like a single or a return ticket?

Customer:

A return ticket, please.

Ticket Clerk:

Are you travelling today, or would you like to book in advance?

Customer:

I’m travelling today.

Ticket Clerk:

Would you like an Anytime Return, which is fully flexible, or an Off-Peak Return, which is cheaper but only valid during less busy hours?

Customer:

I’ll take the Off-Peak Return.

Ticket Clerk:

Do you have a Railcard? You could get a discount.

Customer:

Yes, I have a 16-25 Railcard.

Ticket Clerk:

Great! That brings the total to £25.50. How would you like to pay?

Customer:

By card, please.

Ticket Clerk:

Here’s your ticket and receipt. Your train departs from Platform 5 at 10:15 AM.

Customer:

Thank you!

Ticket Clerk:

You’re welcome! Have a great journey.

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Funny Dialogue: Two Friends Buying a Train Ticket at a Ticket Machine

[Scene: Two friends, Jake and Tom, are standing in front of a ticket machine, trying to buy a train ticket.]

Jake: Alright, Tom, this is easy. We just tap the screen and—

Tom: [taps screen aggressively] There! Now, where are we going again?

Jake: [sighs] London. The same place we planned five minutes ago.

Tom: Right, right. Okay, “Destination”… [types “LONDON”]. Why are there five different Londons?!

Jake: Try London Euston.

Tom: Got it. Now, single or return?

Jake: Return. We do plan on coming back… right?

Tom: Eh, we’ll see how much the ticket costs first.

Jake: Good point. Off-Peak or Anytime?

Tom: What's Off-Peak?

Jake: It means we have to travel when normal people aren’t commuting.

Tom: So basically, when I wake up?

Jake: Pretty much. Go with Off-Peak.

Tom: Okay… [taps screen] …WAIT. First Class?!

Jake: Tom, do we look like First Class people?

Tom: I mean, I did shower today.

Jake: Once this week isn’t an achievement. Standard Class.

Tom: Fine. [taps] …Oof. £35.

Jake: Wait, do you have a Railcard?

Tom: Do I look like someone organized enough to own a Railcard?

Jake: [stares] …Fair point. Just pay.

Tom: [inserts card] …Wait, why is it beeping at me?!

Jake: You put the card in upside down.

Tom: Oh. Right. [fixes it] Okay, done! …Wait. Where’s my ticket?

Jake: [points at slot] It's literally sticking out.

Tom: Oh. I knew that.

Jake: Sure, buddy. Now let's go before the train leaves without us.

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Funny Dialogue: Two Friends Buying a Train Ticket at a Ticket Machine in Hungary

[Scene: Two friends, Bence and Dani, are standing in front of a ticket machine at Budapest Keleti Railway Station, trying to buy a train ticket.]

Bence: Alright, Dani, let’s get these tickets to Balaton. Should be simple.

Dani: [taps screen] Okay, “Buy Ticket.” Where are we going?

Bence: [facepalms] We just said it—Balaton!

Dani: Yeah, but which Balaton? There’s Balatonfüred, Balatonalmádi, Balatonboglár—

Bence: [groans] Just type “Siófok,” it's the closest one.

Dani: Okay, okay. [types] …Why does it want to know if we want a Seat Reservation?

Bence: Because InterCity trains need one.

Dani: Should we get it?

Bence: Do you want to sit on the floor next to someone’s backpack for two hours?

Dani: Good point. Seat Reservation, done. Next! Single or return?

Bence: Return. We do plan to come back, unless we decide to become professional beach bums.

Dani: Not a bad backup plan. [taps “Return”] …Oof, 3,800 forints?!

Bence: That’s like… 10 euros. Chill.

Dani: Still, I was hoping for a “best friend discount.”

Bence: This is MÁV, not your grandma.

Dani: Fine. [taps] Oh wait, I have a student ID! Can I get a discount?

Bence: Yes! 50% off! [grins] Now you can afford that overpriced lángos at the station.

Dani: Nice! …Wait. Why is the machine frozen?

Bence: [squints] I think you tapped too fast.

Dani: So what do we do?

Bence: [sighs] We start over.

Dani: …I’d rather walk to Balaton.

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Crazy Dialogue: Two Friends Struggling to Buy a Train Ticket in Hungary

[Scene: Zoli and Marci are at a ticket machine in Budapest-Nyugati station, trying (and failing) to buy a ticket to Debrecen.]

Zoli: Alright, Marci, we just need two train tickets to Debrecen. This is easy.

Marci: [taps screen] Okay… “Choose Destination.” [types] Why is it asking me if I mean Debrecen, Debrecen-Csapókert, or Debrecen-Kondoros?!

Zoli: I don't know, man, just pick the normal Debrecen.

Marci: Are you sure? What if we end up in a random field with cows?!

Zoli: That’s Hajdú-Bihar in general. Just tap it.

Marci: Okay, done. Now… Single or Return?

Zoli: Return.

Marci: Are you sure? What if we love Debrecen so much we never come back?

Zoli: Then we deal with that problem later.

Marci: Fine. [taps “Return”] …Oh. It's asking if we want First Class.

Zoli: Marci, do we look like First Class people?

Marci: I mean, I put on deodorant today.

Zoli: That doesn’t qualify. Standard Class.

Marci: [taps] Okay, it’s asking: "Do you need an InterCity seat reservation?"

Zoli: We do if we want to sit.

Marci: …Or we could have an adventure!

Zoli: No. Get the reservation. Last time we stood in the aisle next to a guy eating a whole roasted chicken with his bare hands.

Marci: Fair. [taps]

Machine: "TOTAL: 6,200 HUF."

Marci: Wait, I have a student ID! Let’s do the discount!

Zoli: Yes! 50% off!

Marci: [taps student discount] …Wait. Why did the machine just restart?!

Zoli: NO. NO NO NO.

Marci: IT JUST ERASED EVERYTHING!

Zoli: MÁV, WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO US?!

Marci: [looks around] …Okay, new plan: we bribe the train conductor with a Túró Rudi.

Zoli: You do that. I’m going to the human ticket office before I lose my mind.

[End Scene] 🚆🤣

Want it to be even more chaotic? 😆