Dining Cars Return to Balaton Trains during the Summer Season

From May 25 until the end of the season, passengers can use the on-board service on eight pairs of Lake Balaton InterCity trains daily between Budapest and Keszthely (western shore). On the northern coast, the dining service will be available on the Kék Hullám InterCity trains during the high season, writes Turizmus.com.

Every year, the Hungarian railway company prepares for the pre-season and summer traffic on Lake Balaton with more trains, resulting in more frequent and higher quality services. On the Lake Balaton InterCity trains between Budapest and Keszthely on the southern shore – all year round – a 1st class railway carriage will make traveling more comfortable. From May 25 onwards, Utasellátó (Passenger Service) will provide on-board catering in the dining cars on eight pairs of Lake Balaton InterCity trains a day. These cars have undergone major refurbishments in recent years, and the passenger compartment and kitchen have also been renewed to ensure a higher quality of service.

Utasellátó also updated its menu this year and has added new dishes to the Balaton menu.

In line with the street food trend, nachos, jalapeño poppers, and gyros are new additions to the menu. Following the popular line of cold fruit soups, this year passengers will be served chilled creamy peach soup in the dining car.

The main courses include meatballs in tomato sauce with boiled potatoes and pea soup, which can be served with fried eggs or vegetable cakes. A new seasonal hamburger has also been created by the Utasellátó team.

In addition to cash and debit cards, travelers can also pay by SZÉP card (the most popular form of fringe benefits in Hungary).

On the northern shore of Lake Balaton, on the Kék Hullám trains between the capital and Tapolca, Utasellátó’s offer will be available as part of the premium 1+ class dining service during the high season, from June 22 to September 1.

As Hungary Today reported earlier, the Hungarian railway company, MÁV-Start, is increasing the number of trains to Lake Balaton and the capacity of bicycle transport a month before the start of the school holidays. It is important to note that those traveling with a Hungary or country pass, as well as with a Hungary24 or Vármegye24 day ticket, can travel on all passenger and wagon trains going to Lake Balaton. However, on InterCity and express trains, seat reservations are mandatory. In addition, in preparation for the increased passenger traffic, compulsory seat reservation will be introduced on priority trains (Balaton, Kék Hullám and Tópart InterCity, Jégmadár express) as well. Bicycle transport on the Balaton trains is possible by purchasing a bicycle ticket.

Via turizmus.com; Featured image via Facebook/MÁV