Europe Trains Guide Forum

General discussion => Travel plans, routes and timetables => Topic started by: SmoothGuy on February 19, 2013, 11:46:57 am

Title: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: SmoothGuy on February 19, 2013, 11:46:57 am
Hello,

Me and some friends want to take a trip to Budapest and Cluj. First we like to spend some days in Budapest, and then take a (sleeper) train from Budapest to Cluj. After a few days, we want to travel back to Budapest again ...

How many trains service this line, and at what times?
Also, what options of tickets do we have available?

Thank you so much for your help!
Title: Re: Trains from Budapest to Cluj
Post by: tUt on February 19, 2013, 12:50:09 pm
How many trains service this line, and at what times?
At the moment there are 4 direct train between Budapest and Cluj per day: 6:40am-14:42 (IC 367), 9:40am-17:40 (IC 363), 14:40-22:38 (IC 365) and 17:40-1:36am (train #407)
Also, what options of tickets do we have available?
Well, standard full fare one-way ticket Budapest-Cluj is 32,50 €, while return is 50,00 €. Besides that there is also discounted one-way tickets from 19 euro (need to be purchased in advance). And finally for Budapest-Cluj route available as well so-called 'Excursion ticket' ("kirándulójegy" in Hungarian), it is return ticket valid during 4 days, so in case you plan to stay in Romania <4 days, this option might be the best in terms of money.
What is the price difference between a day train and a sleepertrain?
Difference basically is in sleeper reservation fare, but the problem for you is that there is no real overnight train option here (see timetable above). So you will either need to travel with change in the morning (for instance in Alba Iulia) or opt for daytime journey. Anyway cheapest couchette/sleeper options for Budapest-X (station where you'll change in the morning) start from 29 euro in couchette or 49 euro for sleeper (in both cases ticket+reservation included) 
How big are the sleeper/couchette rooms and how much do they cost?
For sleepers you can expect something like this (http://www.vagonweb.cz/fotogalerie/RO/CFR_WLABmee-7091.php), while couchettes (http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/car/night/couchette/59-76/59-76-02.jpg) are obviously a bit more spartan
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: SmoothGuy on February 19, 2013, 01:20:29 pm
Thank you so much for your quick answer!

Do you happen to have the timetable of the return journey, so from Cluj to Budapest?

Also, after a bit of discussion, we might wanna travel from Cluj to Bucharest by train. Do you also have that timetable and price maybe? We hope maybe a sleepertrain on sundaynight if possible for this route ...

Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: tUt on February 19, 2013, 01:45:21 pm
Do you happen to have the timetable of the return journey, so from Cluj to Budapest?
As of now direct connections are 2:21am-8:20am (train #406), 7:22am-13:20 (IC 364), 10:32am-17:20 (IC 366) & 15:01-21:20 (IC 362). And also remember that both timetables to & from Budapest include time difference between Romania and Hungary

For timetable search & ticket purchase (http://europetrainsguide.com/Advice/How-to-Buy-Train-Tickets/Hungary-MAV.html) you can use official MAV (Hungarian Railways) website - elvira.mav-start.hu

Also, after a bit of discussion, we might wanna travel from Cluj to Bucharest by train. Do you also have that timetable and price maybe? We hope maybe a sleepertrain on sundaynight if possible for this route ...
No problem to catch overnight train (even trains) from Cluj-Napoca to Bucharest, for timetable, prices & ticket purchase available via official CFR (Romanian Railways) website - cfrcalatori.ro
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: SmoothGuy on February 19, 2013, 08:45:39 pm
I saw the discounted tickets for 19 euros right?

They are for second class only I believe? When are you eligible for these tickets and is first class noticably better then 2nd on these trains?
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: tUt on February 20, 2013, 12:48:37 am
I saw the discounted tickets for 19 euros right?
You can see and purchase them with a help of mentioned above MAV website (we have a step by step guide on how to purchase such and alike tickets - http://europetrainsguide.com/Advice/How-to-Buy-Train-Tickets/Hungary-MAV.html
They are for second class only I believe?
Yes, discounted tickets for the 1st class rarely available in this part of Europe
When are you eligible for these tickets
Discounted 19 euro tickets (offer is called 'Fortuna') available from dates 60 days in advance and sold until all the quota gets sold out, thus number of discounted tickets is limited per each departure. However mentioned above return 'Excursion ticket', which is 31 euro, doesn't necessarily have to be purchased in advance
and is first class noticably better then 2nd on these trains?
In seating carriages it's not that big of a difference (can expect something like 1st class (http://www.vagonweb.cz/fotogalerie/foto/201203/Apmz-CAf-int-1.jpg) vs. 2nd class (http://www.vagonweb.cz/fotogalerie/foto/201102/P1020617.jpg)), at least definitely not worth of overpaying for full standard 1st class ticket (48,2 euro vs. discounted 2nd class for 19 euro)

Btw, since you also want to include Bucharest, it might make to think about arranging the trips in manner like Budapest-Bucharest (overnight train, couchettes from 39 euro, sleeper from 59 euro), then overnight Bucharest-Cluj & daytime Cluj-Budapest (Fortuna tickets for 19 euro) or reverse - Budapest-Cluj-Bucharest-Budapest
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: SmoothGuy on February 27, 2013, 10:01:26 am
Hello again  ;D

I looked some more into things and found this. The train from Budapest to Cluj leaves from Keleti station. But we arrive same day in the airport.

I saw its possible to travel from Ferengyi station to Szolnok, get off the train there  and then board the train to Cluj that left from Keleti around the same time as the train from Ferengyi to Szolnok.

My questions are is this correct and how far from terminal 2 is the trainstation Ferengyi and what is the best way to travel there (taxi, bus, foot)?
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: tUt on February 27, 2013, 10:36:28 am
I saw its possible to travel from Ferengyi station to Szolnok, get off the train there  and then board the train to Cluj that left from Keleti around the same time as the train from Ferengyi to Szolnok.
Yes, it is possible, but you won't be able to purchase ticket Szolnok-Cluj Napoca via MAV website, as result you'll either have to do it already in Szolnok and pay full standard fare or purchase discounted ticket Budapest-Cluj Napoca, but board the train in Szolnok, because for Budapest-Cluj Napoca you can get discounted ticket, which is obviously cheaper than standard price ticket. Anyway with trick involving Ferihegy and Szolnok actual win for you seems to be only about a bit of time
how far from terminal 2 is the train station Ferengyi and what is the best way to travel there (taxi, bus, foot)?
Station Ferihegy located in front of the Terminal 1 of the airport, thus roughly 5,5 km from Terminal 2. Bus #200 (runs every 10 min. during the day) coming from Terminal 2 to the nearest subway station (Kőbánya-Kispest) makes an intermediate stop at Terminal 1 (Terminal 2 - Terminal 1 journey time is just 7 min.)
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: SmoothGuy on February 27, 2013, 10:57:05 am
The main problem is our plane is landig at 16.15.

Train from Keleti leaves at 17:40. I dont know if that is enough time to get to Keleti from airport on time.

If we take the train from Ferihegy, which leaves around 17:45 also to Szolnok, we have same amount of time for lesser distance ...

You know how much the train cost from Ferihegy to Szolnok?

I know i am asking a lot of questions, but you are really helping me out, thanks! ;-)
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: tUt on February 27, 2013, 11:19:34 am
The main problem is our plane is landig at 16.15.Train from Keleti leaves at 17:40. I dont know if that is enough time to get to Keleti from airport on time.
Well, bus #200 from Terminal 2 to the subway station takes 22 min. (as was mentioned runs every 10 min), metro ride with change of line at Deak Ferenc ter will take roughly 30-35 min (clean travel time there is 21 min.). So if you plane is on time and you don't need to go through border control/customs procedures, then 1:25 seems like enough time to make it to Budapest-Keleti station on time, although we see your concern here, especially if someone travels route from Airport to Keleti station without prior experience it might take longer
If we take the train from Ferihegy, which leaves around 17:45 also to Szolnok, we have same amount of time for lesser distance ...
Better to rely on trains at 16:48, 16:54, 17:24 (with change in Cegled), since 17:43 train in an InterCity for which you'll need additional seat reservation
You know how much the train cost from Ferihegy to Szolnok?
1680 HUF for ordinary trains or 1980 HUF for InterCity (because of compulsory seat reservation)
I know i am asking a lot of questions, but you are really helping me out, thanks!
Not a problem, we are here to help fellow travelers  ;)
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: SmoothGuy on February 28, 2013, 01:06:26 pm
So, looking at our situation.

Our plane is scheduled to land at 16:15.

We wanna catch the train to Cluj. We can catch in at Keleti at 17:45 but also at Szolnok around 19:00

What seems most logical option for us to you?
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: tUt on February 28, 2013, 09:42:06 pm
What seems most logical option for us to you?
Well, for someone familiar with Budapest (& public transport there) would recommend going to Budapest-Keleti, since it's cheaper and easier. But for someone not very experienced with Budapest transport, Szolnok option might be saver, since it will almost definitely give like an hour layover in Szolnok, thus enough time to print your discounted ticket (or purchase full fare standard one) and calmly wait for your #407 train to Cluj-Napoca
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: SmoothGuy on March 03, 2013, 10:28:06 am
The thing we wanted to go to has been replaced, from Cluj to Brasov ... aaaaaargh.

Now I know we can still take the train from Budapest to Brasov. It only take a littie longer, but because its mostly a night journey, thats ok.

I now have a question about the booking.

Online, the form says there are only 6-persons couchette and 3-persons sleeper. But on other sites I found it also has 4-persons couchette and 2-persons sleeper. How do I book this? We are probably with 8 people, so 2 4-persons couchettes would be the best option!

Also, if I reserve for 4 people at once, how do I know we all end up in the same compartment?

Thank you for your help!
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: tUt on March 03, 2013, 01:40:24 pm
Online, the form says there are only 6-persons couchette and 3-persons sleeper. But on other sites I found it also has 4-persons couchette and 2-persons sleeper. How do I book this?
Well, the answer here is rather simple - MAV sells discounted tickets for overnight connection to Brasov only for seats, 6 berth couchette and 3 bed sleepers. And that is why when you search for couchette berths it shows a possibility to purchase only 6 berth for 29 euro per passenger. For 4 berth couchette, double and single sleepers you'll be charged full price

Also, if I reserve for 4 people at once, how do I know we all end up in the same compartment?
System usually automatically selects seats/beds in one compartment when you order more than one at once. Also it is possible to see whether it is same compartment or not by the number of seat/bed (will be shown during reservation process). Anyway if you able to purchase discounted tickets it more or less means that there is still plenty of seat/beds available, so in such situation you'll almost definitely get one compartment or seats near (when it's airplane type open configuration) to each other
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: SmoothGuy on March 03, 2013, 03:00:33 pm
Explains a lot, thank you. Bit odd that discount this much is for the 6 persons, but not for the 4 persons but I guess thats the way it is ...

Already found a next problem though (getting tired of me yet? ;-) ) ... our group travels with 7 or 8 people.

If we want 2 berths for ourself, it is cheapest to get 9 discount tickets; 6 for the 6pers couchette and 3 for the 3pers sleeper. The system only lets me book 6 tickets at once, so how can I help it that the sixth bed in the couchette berth will not be sold to anyone else?
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: tUt on March 03, 2013, 04:42:29 pm
Explains a lot, thank you. Bit odd that discount this much is for the 6 persons, but not for the 4 persons but I guess thats the way it is...
Apparently MAV and CFR just decided to offer discounted fares for the most basic type, thus in the couchette options it's 6 berth one, while in sleepers it's 3 bed. Want something more than basic (like 4 berth couchette or double/single sleeper) - pay the full fare, at least that seems to be the logic
If we want 2 berths for ourself, it is cheapest to get 9 discount tickets; 6 for the 6pers couchette and 3 for the 3pers sleeper. The system only lets me book 6 tickets at once, so how can I help it that the sixth bed in the couchette berth will not be sold to anyone else?
A bit confusing what you actually mean here? You want a combination of 6 discounted tickets for couchette (thus making it one compartment) and additionally buy out one 3 bed sleeper compartment? As result making it 9 discounted tickets in total? If so, then just to remind you that couchette carriages and sleeper one are different, so with such combination you will definitely end up in different carriages.
Regarding purchase procedure, MAV ticket shop allows to enter only 5 passengers, thus purchase only 5 tickets at once and basically there is nothing anybody can do here, that is how their system works. You want to buy more ticket at once - ticket counter seems to be the only solution. Otherwise just buy tickets in two tries. Maybe best thing to do here will be to buy first 5 couchettes (most likely all will be in one compartment), then with second try just additional 2 or 3. While boarding the train if somebody will show up in the compartment where you bought out 5 places (what is highly unlikely), then you can just ask that person to switch for one of the berth you bought with the second run. This way you'll ensure that at least one couchette compartment will be totally yours, while those 2 or 3 guys can just come and spend time there
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: SmoothGuy on March 03, 2013, 08:20:42 pm
So your guess is that when I do 1 booking for 4 people, all in a 6 persons couchette, and then a second booking for 3 or 4 in a second 6 persons couchette, that they dont put anyone else in those couchettes?

Sounds logical, and if they do, we can maybe trade or something like that ...
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: tUt on March 03, 2013, 10:25:41 pm
So your guess is that when I do 1 booking for 4 people, all in a 6 persons couchette, and then a second booking for 3 or 4 in a second 6 persons couchette, that they dont put anyone else in those couchettes?
Well, obviously if the day you want to travel is among the busy ones, then all the beds will be sold out eventually. But if it isn't, then doubt that many passengers will want to buy intentionally the only berth that's left in the compartment where already 5 beds are sold. At the ticket counters cashiers usually sell first all the lower berth in the carriage, then middle ones and finally, in case it's really busy, the upper ones, as result in compartment where 5 out 6 berth are sold the chances to get the last 6th passenger (most likely it will be one upper berth left) will be minimal. So from our guess, unless it is really busy day, chances of having compartment without outsiders are pretty high
 
Also to remind you that the number of discounted tickets is limited per each departure and honestly we aren't sure whether that number is greater than 5 (we don't know the exact quota of discounted ticket per departure), so to begin with you might not even be able to buy 8 discounted tickets for couchette for the same train. If not, then you can come back to formula 5 couchettes + for 3 other guys go with 3 bed sleepers
Title: Re: Trains from Budapest to Cluj
Post by: andrebarbosa78@gmail.com on May 15, 2013, 02:19:11 am
How many trains service this line, and at what times?
At the moment there are 4 direct train between Budapest and Cluj per day: 6:40am-14:42 (IC 367), 9:40am-17:40 (IC 363), 14:40-22:38 (IC 365) and 17:40-1:36am (train #407)
Also, what options of tickets do we have available?
Well, standard full fare one-way ticket Budapest-Cluj is 32,50 €, while return is 50,00 €. Besides that there is also discounted one-way tickets from 19 euro (need to be purchased in advance). And finally for Budapest-Cluj route available as well so-called 'Excursion ticket' ("kirándulójegy" in Hungarian), it is return ticket valid during 4 days, so in case you plan to stay in Romania <4 days, this option might be the best in terms of money.
What is the price difference between a day train and a sleepertrain?
Difference basically is in sleeper reservation fare, but the problem for you is that there is no real overnight train option here (see timetable above). So you will either need to travel with change in the morning (for instance in Alba Iulia) or opt for daytime journey. Anyway cheapest couchette/sleeper options for Budapest-X (station where you'll change in the morning) start from 29 euro in couchette or 49 euro for sleeper (in both cases ticket+reservation included) 
How big are the sleeper/couchette rooms and how much do they cost?
For sleepers you can expect something like this (http://www.vagonweb.cz/fotogalerie/RO/CFR_WLABmee-7091.php), while couchettes (http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/car/night/couchette/59-76/59-76-02.jpg) are obviously a bit more spartan

Hi everyone!

I've read you mentioning the excursion ticket Budapest-Cluj Napoca, valid for 4 days and sold for 31 euros. I'm travelling to Budapest on 23rd May and going for 4 days to Romania, 25-28th May. I think this is the best option for me, but I need your help here.
1. Do I need to buy the excursion ticket in advance?
2. Does this ticket allow me to travel e.g. from Brasov-Sibiu or in other routes during my stay in Romania till I get back to Budapest? Or is it only a go-return ticket from Budapest-Cluj Napoca and from Cluj Napoca to Budapest? I'm asking this because I want to go to Oradea before returning to Budapest, which means I'm not doing a direct journey Cluj-Napoca/ Budapest.
3. In which train station should I buy this ticket and leave to Cluj Napoca?

Thank you for your help!

Best,
Andre
Title: Re: Trains and Prices Budapest-Cluj Napoca-Budapest
Post by: tUt on May 15, 2013, 12:16:02 pm
Andre, we already tried to answer you questions in the topic you've started yesterday - http://europetrainsguide.com/forum/index.php/topic,628.0.html