Europe Trains Guide Forum

General discussion => All other train travel questions => Topic started by: filu on May 27, 2013, 01:42:46 pm

Title: Where to buy Balkan Flexipass
Post by: filu on May 27, 2013, 01:42:46 pm
Hi,

Is it possible to buy the Balkan Pass out of the Balkan countries? (2nd class)

I think there is a Wasteels office at the Budapest Keleti station. Can they sell it there?

There is usually not enough time in Subotica to get out of the train and buy it there so I'd have to buy the ticket all the way to Belgrade (whereas I could use the Pass already on Subotica-Belgrade).

Filip.
Title: Re: Where to buy Balkan Flexipass
Post by: tUt on May 27, 2013, 02:13:58 pm
Is it possible to buy the Balkan Pass out of the Balkan countries? (2nd class)
No, at least as far as we know. Outside of participating countries only 1st class Balkan pass is sold by Rail Europe and it's obviously rather useless thing
I think there is a Wasteels office at the Budapest Keleti station. Can they sell it there?
Really doubt that they can, since they have nothing to do with agreement between Balkan countries railway companies
There is usually not enough time in Subotica to get out of the train and buy it there so I'd have to buy the ticket all the way to Belgrade (whereas I could use the Pass already on Subotica-Belgrade)
Well, you are not the first one to have this problem  ;D
Had similar problem few years ago and the solution found was simply to enter Serbia from Szeged, thus either by train (via Röszke) or by multiple direct buses Szeged-Subotica, that way it's possible to be in Subotica earlier and have time before "Avala" or seasonal overnighter Subotica-Bar. If not via Szeged, then same idea can be realized with train Budapest-Kelebia and then on foot border crossing (Tompa), while local buses (to Subotica) from the Serbian side depart almost from the border check point, so at least on the Serbian side there will be no need to walk far
Title: Re: Where to buy Balkan Flexipass
Post by: arrivans on June 14, 2013, 02:35:44 pm
1. in the past wasteesl at BP-Keleti was reported to sell this pass-at ROM prices, but this has stopped 2-3 years ago.
2.as there is the special 1way fare for just 15/16 eur-pay in HUF for BP-all the way to Beograd, this is also the cheapest way to reach Subotica-so there is no real need to get off there and buy BFP. Stay on to Beograd and have plenty of time.
You save hardly 1 eur by using local MAV ticket to border and cross on yourself or via Szeged-but loose plenty of hours. Just realistic thinking.
3. NOTE that BFP when sold IN the area concerened, it now only allows 1 return IN that country to border and no unlimited travel. This a bit similar to Interrail, but without need to buy extra ticket. Reports that they do check that now mainly in Romania, so be warned.
Title: Re: Where to buy Balkan Flexipass
Post by: tUt on June 14, 2013, 05:51:33 pm
2.as there is the special 1way fare for just 15/16 eur-pay in HUF for BP-all the way to Beograd, this is also the cheapest way to reach Subotica-so there is no real need to get off there and buy BFP. Stay on to Beograd and have plenty of time.
Well, regular one-way ticket Budapest-Subotica is 14,3 euro (when bought in Hungary or Serbia), so it's actually 70 cents cheaper than Budapest-Belgrade one ))) But to be serious, getting off in Subotica can make sense for those who intend to travel to Montenegro right away without stop in Belgrade, since change from 'Avala' to 'Panonija' is more convenient in Subotica compared to the option of catching the same train in Belgrade, where it will necessary to board it at Novi Beograd station instead of main station
You save hardly 1 eur by using local MAV ticket to border and cross on yourself or via Szeged-but loose plenty of hours. Just realistic thinking.
Agree that in terms of convenience neither Szeged or Kelebia+walking option are optimal, but in cases when someone needs to be in Subotica earlier than arrival of 'Avala' it's more or less the only options