In this article, we will show you,
- how to use the new country and county passes;
- the conditions of their use;
- what to look out for when you travel with them
What are country and county passes?
The country pass and county pass are recently introduced productsВ by Hungarian transport companies, VolГЎnbusz and MГЃV. These passes allow for free travel throughout the country or a specific county of your choice for 30 days. However, there are restrictions to be aware of.
In Hungary, the country is divided into administrative regions called counties (megye in Hungarian). There are 19 counties in Hungary. Each county has its own local government and is further divided into municipalities.
Counties in Hungary, Image: Wiki Commons
Which documents do you need for their use?
The pass is only valid when used with an ID card (or another document that proofs your identity) or a student card. The card number must be written on the country or county pass.
Where can I use these passes?
The country pass provides territorial coverage for the entire country but cannot be used for partial journeysВ within the country on international routes.
The county pass, on the other hand, can be used until the last town within the county boundaries on a given route.
What modes of transportationare covered by these passes?
- Intercity (yellow) services provided by VolГЎnbusz and some other bus companies between different towns and villages. It is important to note that these passes are
not valid for local services such as BKK in Budapest, even if the local transport in the specific municipality is operated by VolГЎnbusz. - However, the passes areВ valid in Budapest for local BKK services that extend beyond the city’s administrative area. For instance, if you’re traveling from Budapest to Budakeszi by bus No. 22 and hold a country or county pass for Pest county, you won’t need to purchase a ticket for the journey outside Budapest. These passes are also valid for HГ‰V services outside Budapest.
- For train transportation operated by MГЃV and GYSEV, the situation is slightly more complex. The passes can only be used on trains and coaches without any additional charges or supplementary tickets. As a result, they cannot be used on IC trains in most cases unless there is a specific free section or carriage available.
- What should I do if my destination is outside the county?
If you have a county pass and wish to travelВ outside the county by train you can purchase a ticket from the last town within the county to your destination before you start your journey.
- In the case of bus travel, you must buy the ticket for the remaining part of the journey either online or at the last town within the county.
- How much do the county and country passes cost?
These passes are reasonably priced especially for those who can get them at a reduced rate (all those who are already entitled to a reduced rate, e.g. students).
The regular price of the country pass is 18.900 HUF while the county pass costs 9.450 HUF. With the student discount, these can be purchased for HUF 1,890 and HUF 945 respectively.
Who can benefit from these passes?
These passes are particularly beneficial for frequent travelers within a county or throughout the country, whether visiting multiple destinations or exploring the country using public transportation.
More information can be found here https://www.orszagberlet.hu/
