If you are travelling between Belgrade and Budapest, there is still no direct service. You need to take this cross-border train from Subotica to Szeged via Röszke, and then take another train to Budapest.
Travelling by train from Subotica to Szeged
The Subotica to Szeged train service was reintroduced in November 2023, having been discontinued in 2015.
If you are Interrailing in Europe and want to travel from Belgrade to Budapest by train, there is still no direct service.
So until then, you need to take the cross-border train from Subotica to Szeged, crossing the Serbia-Hungary border at Röszke.
Once in Szeged, you can take one of many trains to Budapest, the capital of Hungary.
According to the Hungarian State Railways website, there are four trains in each direction, seven days a week: 06:03, 07:37, 13:37 and 16:37.
According to the Serbian train website, there are five trains in each direction, with an extra train leaving Subotica at 19:37.
Here is the timetable posted at Subotica Railway Station (July 21, 2024):
Subotica Railway Station:
How to buy tickets at Subotica Station: Cash vs. Card
According to another traveller who left a comment, the temporary ticket office at Subotica Railway Station is still being used.
The good news is that you can pay with cash or card!
My Subotica to Szeged ticket (598 RSD = £4.31):
The Hungarian State Railways Subotica to Szeged train:
Riding the Subotica to Szeged train:
The Serbian part of the journey is 30 km.
There is a 175 km border barrier between Serbia and Hungary, which was built during the European Migrant Crisis:
As I was leaving Serbia for Hungary (which is in the EU and part of the Schengen Area), I collected two more passport stamps.
The border formalities are done at Röszke.
Immigration officials and customs officers boarded the train.
Arrival at Szeged Railway Station:
Szeged Railway Station:
About 100 metres from the station is a SPAR supermarket if you need supplies and a bakery if you have time to kill:
I was travelling onwards to Budapest. There is WiFi in the station and a EURONET ATM (expensive), but Hungary is a cashless society anyway, so no need.
If anyone has any details to add, I welcome them in the comments section below.
Unsure,,,, when I travelled , they were operating out of a makeshift hut…. Subotica station is finished now apparently,, they might even have ticket machines,… please let me know
Safe trip. Let me know if the Subotica to the the border to the north is open yet. The Belgrade Budapest direct should be opening some time. Would be interested to know. Though sounds like is delayed again.
Hiya, I didn’t travel from Subotica to Szeged (due to time), but I took the train from Subotica to Belgrade. From Subotica there is still no direct train to Budapest but the makeshift hut to buy tickets is still there and cash & card are accepted as I saw a card machine in the window where the lady was selling tickets, (this was in early June) Got photos if needed.
Thank you for this post! Very informative for us travelling through the Balkans with the train.
thanks for reading my blog. and the comment. happy travels
Hi,
very interesting and informative. Thanks!
Do you know if there is any way to buy an online ticket between Szeged and Subotica?
Thanks, Wolfgang
hi. There really is no need…… but just google mavcsoport dot hu or Hungarian State Railways. (site is slow to load)
Hi!
Accept card in Subotica to buy ticket to Szeged or only cash?Thanks!
Unsure,,,, when I travelled , they were operating out of a makeshift hut…. Subotica station is finished now apparently,, they might even have ticket machines,… please let me know
Great post – I am travelling there in a June and your detailed to the point description has explained everything I need to know.
Thank you!
Thanks Mac.
Glad it helped.
Safe trip. Let me know if the Subotica to the the border to the north is open yet. The Belgrade Budapest direct should be opening some time. Would be interested to know. Though sounds like is delayed again.
Hiya, I didn’t travel from Subotica to Szeged (due to time), but I took the train from Subotica to Belgrade. From Subotica there is still no direct train to Budapest but the makeshift hut to buy tickets is still there and cash & card are accepted as I saw a card machine in the window where the lady was selling tickets, (this was in early June) Got photos if needed.
Thanks for the awesome update!!!!!