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The Volán companies operate scheduled long-haul bus services. Each major city (region) has an own Volán company (e.g. Budapest - Volánbusz, Eger and region - Agria Volán, etc.). They run coaches between their own and other regions. The fares are the same, however, the condition of coaches may vary from company to company and from route to route (it shows an improving trend). The timetables are harmonized and published without reference to which company runs a particular service. There are two coach stations in Budapest:
There is one coach station in every major city:
The coach stations belong to the Volán companies and are registered in the telephone directory under the name of the owner Volán company. If you want to find out the address and/or telephone number of a particular station, ask a resident or do a combined search in the online telephone directory of the MATAV for the words 'Volán' and the name of the city. The coach stations are usually located in the city center, if not, they provide access to local public transportation facilites.
Beyond the bus stations, there are several request stops on bus routes. Different regular and express services (called 'gyorsjárati autóbusz', but the word 'express' is also known) may stop more or less times on the same route. Detailed information on stops and expected travel times can be obtained at coach stations and from bus drivers.
You can reserve a seat usually by 20 minutes prior to departure at the ticket office of the departure station. Boarding starts between 5-15 minutes before departure. You can buy your ticket also at the driver (most passengers do so). It costs the same, however, it doesn't entitle you to a seat. Coach fares are about as much as train fares. The type of the service (regular or express) doesn't influence the fare. Only cash payment accepted.
If you have a reserved seat, then be at the bus in time to avoid that someone occupies your seat. If the coach is crowded, it is unpleasant and impolite to get through the crowd and ask someone to give up the seat to you, unless you are old or disabled. If possible, the driver lets in all passengers into the coach, also if there are no vacant seats. Men and young passengers are supposed to give up their seats to old and disabled people and women (e.g. with small children), if there are not enough seats.
You can take with you as much luggage into the passenger compartment as much doesn't inconvenience the other passengers (usually a hand luggage and a medium sized suitcase). The remaining will be put in the luggage rack and is subject to a fee, although some drivers or services may not charge for it.
Smoking is not permitted on any service. Toilet and washing facilities are not available. If the travel time exceeds 1,5 - 2 hours, the coach will park for 5-15 minutes at a rest stop.
Clerks at ticket offices and information counters and bus drivers overwhelmingly don't speak foreign languages. To avoid misunderstandings, ask a Hungarian to write down what you want to say or ask him to speak instead of you. If it's not possible, learn how to pronounce the name of your destination and tell the driver, who will give you an appropriate ticket. Cheating foreign passengers is neither typical nor possible. The fare and mostly the distance, too, are shown on the ticket.