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BY TRAIN: Direct rail service is offered daily to several Lake Balaton destinations from Buda’s Déli Station (at Buda’s M2 metro terminus). Trains from Budapest to Siófok (full one-way fare: 2,375 HUF) depart at 7:35am, 9:35am, 11:35am, 1:35pm, 3:35pm, 5:35pm, and 7:35pm, while direct trains from Budapest to Balatonfüred (full one-way fare: 2,725 HUF) and Badacsony (full one-way fare: 3,395 HUF) depart at 8am and 6pm. From Friday through Sunday, people under 26 can receive a 33% discount, while students with proper ID can receive a 50% discount anytime. Certain trains allow passengers to bring bicycles with them for a small charge. Check www.mav-start.hu for English timetable info.
BY BUS: Hungary’s nationwide Volánbusz bus service offers daily service between Budapest and Balatonfüred, Siófok, and Keszthely from Pest’s Népliget Station (at the M3 metro Népliget stop) – however, with frequent stops along the way, this can be a time-consuming means of travel. Bus service is more useful for reaching smaller towns around Lake Balaton from bigger communities with train stops. See www.volanbusz.hu for English details.
BY CAR: The easiest way to drive to Lake Balaton is to take motorway M7 west of Buda (don’t forget to purchase a “matrica” highway permit from a gas station before getting on the motorway), which goes directly to Balaton’s south shore; if traveling to a north-shore destination, make sure to exit the M7 at the juncture with main road 71 and turn right. Be aware that traffic jams between Budapest and Lake Balaton commonly occur in both directions during summertime.