Hi,
Looking for info on getting from Budapest to Belgrade with bike this August. I have emailed the Hungarian railway network and was told that bikes are not allowed. This phase of my journey will take place after riding from Berlin to Budapest before continuing from Belgrade to Istanbul. I have heard that you can get your bike onto a bus but will need to take it apart and put it in a box first. If this is true, it will be a big hassle taking place right in the middle of my trip.
Any info appreciated.
Ryan
Hello Mr Ryan Holbrook,
I've trained into Budapest with a tandem(!) I simply showed up & purchased tickets. From Goory.
I suspect if you could get your bike into a box that may help your situation. And I am guessing when I say that.
If it's just you simply ask how to accomplish it, rather than is it allowed.
my $0.02 worth,
Gerhardt in Portland
Thanks!
We want to train our bikes in the opposite direction from Belgrade to Budapest. Just wanting to know how you got on.
Hello
Just wondering if there is any up to date information re: transport between Budapest and Belgrade, with bikes? Many thanks!
Just spoke on the telephone with an English speaking representative from the Hungarian train company. 3 trains a day from Budapest to Belgrade, bikes not allowed on any of them.
As for the bus, it seems like if it's dissembled you can do it.
For buses in the Balkans, you just need cash. Only in touristy places in the summer you have to insist. Its the drivers decisions, when you buy a ticket at a counter they never have bike tickets and always tell you to speak with the driver. Some companies do have a price for bike transport, to pay at the driver; some drivers charge more than they should, some just ask the price of regular luggage.
Possibly the problem could be that bikes are not allowed on the international trains. I know that the "ICE" trains in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Germany etc do not take bikes. These are the fast, express trains. However, by routing your journey using just loacl/ regiona trains, bikes are allowed on most trains. Another way that can work is to have your bike in a bag. This will mean taking off the seat and front wheel to all fit inside the soft bike bag (I have used these in Spain and for cheaper rates on Swiss local trains. A third way to do it is that you go to the station and book your bike in as cargo. Doing that, you may or may not have the bike arrive on the same train as you - ask, It may arrive on a freight train a day or two later. (I have done that from Prague.) Are you sure you don't want to cycle between Budapest and Beograd? It's a nice ride down the Danube. :-)