UK pensioner using a bus pass in Hungary
Dec 21st 2011, 8:09 pm
#1
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UK pensioner using a bus pass in Hungary
Just a thought but can a UK senior citizen get discounted/free public transport whilst travelling in Hungary?
My mother was here last week and got talking to another 60+ couple at the airport who said they flashed their UK free bus pass when using public transpor in Budapest. Personally, I think is asking for trouble as they said they'd never been checked by a kontroller but it got me thinking. It may be much cheaper for my Mother to get to and from BP if she can utilise her UK bus pass.
My mother was here last week and got talking to another 60+ couple at the airport who said they flashed their UK free bus pass when using public transpor in Budapest. Personally, I think is asking for trouble as they said they'd never been checked by a kontroller but it got me thinking. It may be much cheaper for my Mother to get to and from BP if she can utilise her UK bus pass.
Dec 21st 2011, 9:58 pm
#2
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Re: UK pensioner using a bus pass in Hungary
I heard once that pensioners travelled free on the entire rail network, but that sounds optimistc.
People aged 65+ (not pensioners, not the same thing) do appear to travel free in Budapest though:
"Hungarian citizens (including those who have repatriated to Hungary and persons holding dual nationality) as well as citizens of other member states of the European Union over the age of 65 years can travel free of charge on BKV Budapest public transport services (except for the funicular, the chair-lift and boat trips) when they present to inspectors a personal identity card or document certifying their citizenship."
It looks as though the passport would do it. I wouldn't rely too much on a British bus pass...
The next section says "Ticket types and prices for the year 2008 (updated)" though, so I'm not sure how up to date it is.
www.budapest.com/travel/getting_around/public_transport.en.html
These pages confirm it (for Budapest) and apear to be recent:
www.simonseeks.com/getting-around/europe/hungary/budapest__170559
www.cancer-screening.co.uk/medical-tourism
I couldn't confirm this for anywhere else. There are reduced rates (half-price season ticket) for pensioners in Debrecen:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_transport_in_Debrecen
People aged 65+ (not pensioners, not the same thing) do appear to travel free in Budapest though:
"Hungarian citizens (including those who have repatriated to Hungary and persons holding dual nationality) as well as citizens of other member states of the European Union over the age of 65 years can travel free of charge on BKV Budapest public transport services (except for the funicular, the chair-lift and boat trips) when they present to inspectors a personal identity card or document certifying their citizenship."
It looks as though the passport would do it. I wouldn't rely too much on a British bus pass...
The next section says "Ticket types and prices for the year 2008 (updated)" though, so I'm not sure how up to date it is.
www.budapest.com/travel/getting_around/public_transport.en.html
These pages confirm it (for Budapest) and apear to be recent:
www.simonseeks.com/getting-around/europe/hungary/budapest__170559
www.cancer-screening.co.uk/medical-tourism
I couldn't confirm this for anywhere else. There are reduced rates (half-price season ticket) for pensioners in Debrecen:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_transport_in_Debrecen
Dec 21st 2011, 10:57 pm
#3
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,479
Re: UK pensioner using a bus pass in Hungary
Hope this helps:
HUNGARY
Travel by train
Senior citizen discount
In Hungary, all over 65 Hungarian and EU citizens can travel free by rail. Detailed information on the MAV website read.
Student discounts
Students presenting a valid student ID for 50% of European Union citizens under 26 years are entitled 33% discount. For more information on the MAV website is located.
Travelling by bus
Senior citizen discount
In Hungary, all over 65 and the Hungarian national of any EU Member State can travel free on buses. Detailed information about the Volan site is located.
Student discounts
The students' presentation of a valid student ID 50% discount on travel on the buses. For more information on Volan site is located.
Discounts are available so long as the passenger has a valid passport or ID card
HUNGARY
Travel by train
Senior citizen discount
In Hungary, all over 65 Hungarian and EU citizens can travel free by rail. Detailed information on the MAV website read.
Student discounts
Students presenting a valid student ID for 50% of European Union citizens under 26 years are entitled 33% discount. For more information on the MAV website is located.
Travelling by bus
Senior citizen discount
In Hungary, all over 65 and the Hungarian national of any EU Member State can travel free on buses. Detailed information about the Volan site is located.
Student discounts
The students' presentation of a valid student ID 50% discount on travel on the buses. For more information on Volan site is located.
Discounts are available so long as the passenger has a valid passport or ID card
Dec 22nd 2011, 6:48 am
#4
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Location: North East Hungary......for now
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Re: UK pensioner using a bus pass in Hungary
Seems like she'll have to wait another couple of years as she's only63 (yes, she was very young when she had me) 
)
Rules will have probably changed again by then anyway.
Thank you for your replies and information.
Paul
)Rules will have probably changed again by then anyway.
Thank you for your replies and information.
Paul
Dec 29th 2011, 11:33 am
#5
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,774
Re: UK pensioner using a bus pass in Hungary
Hope this helps:
HUNGARY
Travel by train
Senior citizen discount
In Hungary, all over 65 Hungarian and EU citizens can travel free by rail. Detailed information on the MAV website read.
Student discounts
Students presenting a valid student ID for 50% of European Union citizens under 26 years are entitled 33% discount. For more information on the MAV website is located.
Travelling by bus
Senior citizen discount
In Hungary, all over 65 and the Hungarian national of any EU Member State can travel free on buses. Detailed information about the Volan site is located.
Student discounts
The students' presentation of a valid student ID 50% discount on travel on the buses. For more information on Volan site is located.
Discounts are available so long as the passenger has a valid passport or ID card
HUNGARY
Travel by train
Senior citizen discount
In Hungary, all over 65 Hungarian and EU citizens can travel free by rail. Detailed information on the MAV website read.
Student discounts
Students presenting a valid student ID for 50% of European Union citizens under 26 years are entitled 33% discount. For more information on the MAV website is located.
Travelling by bus
Senior citizen discount
In Hungary, all over 65 and the Hungarian national of any EU Member State can travel free on buses. Detailed information about the Volan site is located.
Student discounts
The students' presentation of a valid student ID 50% discount on travel on the buses. For more information on Volan site is located.
Discounts are available so long as the passenger has a valid passport or ID card
Dec 29th 2011, 11:36 am
#6
I bite my thumb at thee
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,479
Re: UK pensioner using a bus pass in Hungary
What about Disabled people? In London I travel free 24/7 using my Freedom Pass on buses, underground and overland trains but for all other trains I use a Disabled Railcard to get 1/3rd off during peak hours. I have used my Freedom Pass in other areas outside London on buses and that was free too.
Hi Fentiger, not sure about disabled travel discounts. I'm just on my way out and hope to meet up with some Hungarian friends so I will try and find out for you
Dec 30th 2011, 11:08 am
#7
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Posts: 2,774
Re: UK pensioner using a bus pass in Hungary
I do know for a fact the Sympathetic Hearing Scheme card is not good enough to prove Hearing Loss because my wife and I almost got fined £60 each last summer on our return by bus from Debrecen to Malyi. A proper disabled ID card is needed.
I am aware Hungarian Deaf people travel on buses with a massive discount or free. And surprisingly .... not sure if this is a joke or not but a Hungarian deaf friend has been able to buy a full tank of petrol at a discount after showing a Deaf/Disabled ID card. Mind you some others confirm it and others say you need to fill up a FULL tank .... so ....
Dec 31st 2011, 9:36 am
#8
I bite my thumb at thee
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,479
Re: UK pensioner using a bus pass in Hungary
Hi Rural
I do know for a fact the Sympathetic Hearing Scheme card is not good enough to prove Hearing Loss because my wife and I almost got fined £60 each last summer on our return by bus from Debrecen to Malyi. A proper disabled ID card is needed.
I am aware Hungarian Deaf people travel on buses with a massive discount or free. And surprisingly .... not sure if this is a joke or not but a Hungarian deaf friend has been able to buy a full tank of petrol at a discount after showing a Deaf/Disabled ID card. Mind you some others confirm it and others say you need to fill up a FULL tank .... so ....
I do know for a fact the Sympathetic Hearing Scheme card is not good enough to prove Hearing Loss because my wife and I almost got fined £60 each last summer on our return by bus from Debrecen to Malyi. A proper disabled ID card is needed.
I am aware Hungarian Deaf people travel on buses with a massive discount or free. And surprisingly .... not sure if this is a joke or not but a Hungarian deaf friend has been able to buy a full tank of petrol at a discount after showing a Deaf/Disabled ID card. Mind you some others confirm it and others say you need to fill up a FULL tank .... so ....
Worth finding out about though as my mother has a ddisabilitycard.
