📋 Tender Overview
Budapest August 4 2026 - During the first thirty days of the high season which started at the same time as the vacation the popularity of the Balaton trains continued to grow. Compared to the same period of the previous year almost 5 percent more people traveled on the ticketed trains that ran both last year and this year. The Jegmadar and Csabai Tekergo express trains are particularly popular. Utasellatos products are also a huge success this year with 11 more purchases at Balaton InterCity and 44% more at Kek Hullam InterCity than last year. The most popular is the hot dog of which 4300 were already sold to our passengers this year.
The volume of bicycle transport also increased significantly by 6.5% on the Balaton lines. It is important to point out that it is mandatory to change the seat ticket for the InterCity and express trains in Balaton and in the case of traveling by bicycle the bicycle seat ticket must be exchanged so the seat and location are also guaranteed making the trip more comfortable. During the heat wave especially on weekends many people travel to Lake Balaton and the more popular lakes so it is worth buying your tickets and seat tickets well in advance of your trip as free seats can sell out quickly.
The data for the first month of the Balaton high season in 2026 clearly prove the growing appeal of public transport including the railway among those traveling to the lake shore. The total passenger traffic of the ticketed trains operating last year and this year exceeded the values of the 2025 base period by 4.8% during the first thirty days of the main season.
The drivers of the increase in passenger traffic this year are also the direct flights that ensure a comfortable journey without transfers: the passenger traffic of the Jegmadar Expressz between Dunakanyar and Fonyod increased by 22% while that of the Csabai Tekergo between Bekescsaba-Szolnok-Balatonfured-Tapolca increased by almost 30% in the first month of the main season. The Kek Hullam InterCity connecting the capital city with the north coast also showed stable growth (7%) as well as the Topart express trains between Budapest and the south coast (4%).
During the Balaton peak season the on-board catering services of Balaton InterCity and Kek Hullam InterCity are popular again this year. Compared to last years high season we registered 11% more transactions on Balaton InterCity trains and 44% more transactions on Kek Hullam InterCity trains. This year the passengers of the Balaton ICs preferred hot dogs of which nearly 3500 were consumed. In addition our hamburgers are still popular of which more than 1500 pieces were bought by our guests. The most popular were hot dogs with grilled sausages - available at Kek Hullam InterCity too more than 800 of which were sold. Among the drinks beer was the most popular but our passengers also prefer colas and different versions of soft drinks.
It is clear from the ticket sales data that passengers prefer products that provide unlimited coastal travel: more than 3000 Balaton24 day tickets have already been sold this year. This year Balaton24 tickets are also valid for local bus routes in Siofok and Balatonfured as well as for the Balatonfenyves light railway.
The unbroken popularity of bicycle tourism is shown by the fact that in the first 30 days of the main season the volume of bicycle transport also increased significantly by 6.5% on the Balaton lines. For those traveling by bicycle it is worth paying attention to the fact that in addition to a bicycle ticket (or pass) a bicycle seat ticket must also be exchanged for the Balaton flights.
We will continue to strive to provide a predictable and comfortable service to the traveling public during the rest of the Balaton peak season paying special attention to improving the schedule and ensuring that the vehicles are in good technical condition.
All important information and map help about high-season flights are available in one place on the website of the MAV group: mavcsoport.hu/balaton
MAV Zrt. Communications Directorate
