Questions about Students

Who can benefit from the student discount?

Full-time and evening students in primary, secondary and tertiary education can benefit from a substantial discount on travel on national, regional and suburban public transport. These discounts are available on presentation of both a valid student card and a personal identity document or, in the absence of a student card, on presentation of both a certificate (certificate replacing a student card) issued by the educational institution in accordance with Section 12 of Government Decree 362/2011 (30 December) and a personal identity document.

On presentation of the aforementioned documents, such students can travel on any route in Hungary with a 50% discounted ticket, or on the route between their place of residence (place of stay) and the place of educational institution or practical training, with a 90% discounted pass.

Discounted national and county passes can be used regardless of the aforementioned territorial restrictions.

Students on correspondence courses are entitled to a 50% discount on tickets between their place of residence (place of stay) and the place of educational institution or practical training, on presentation of both a valid student card and a personal identity document or, in the absence of a student card, on presentation of both a certificate issued by the educational institution and a personal identity document. In the case of a journey requiring a change of service, a route certificate issued by Volánbusz Zrt. is required, indicating the location(s) of the change(s).

What can I do if I do not yet have student card?

Students who do not yet have a student card, are entitled to a discount on their travels on presentation of both a certificate (certificate replacing a student card) issued by the educational institution in accordance with Section 12 of Government Decree 362/2011 (30 December) and a personal identity document. Without a discount card or certificate, only full fare tickets can be purchased

What can I do if I have not received my student card validating sticker?

The student card of a student of compulsory school age is valid without a validation sticker until 31 October following the academic year in which the student reaches the end of the compulsory school age, i.e., 16 years of age.

The Hungarian student card is validated with a hologram sticker every academic year for students in public education over compulsory school age, and every semester for students in higher education. In primary and secondary education, the student card is valid until 31 October of each academic year, in higher education until 31 March of each academic year if validated for the first semester, and until 31 October of each academic year if validated for the second semester.

The sticker for the student card is ordered by the educational institution. Until the student card is issued, at the request of the student, in its place, the educational institution will issue, from the data controller’s central system, an A4 format certificate valid for 60 days.

A certificate replacing a student card referred to in Section 12 of Government Decree 362/2011 (30 December) may be used to claim a travel discount only if it bears an original signature and stamp, and the passenger can prove their identity at the same time as presenting the certificate.

If a student has reached the end of compulsory school age, i.e., is over 16 years old, and does not have a valid student card or does not have a validation sticker on their student card, they are not entitled to the discount.

What can I do if my student card is lost, expired or missing?

If a student card for a person with student status is not issued on time, the student does not receive it or the educational institution does not distribute the validation sticker on time, the educational institution must be notified and requested to issue a numbered certificate (in place of a student card) that can be used as a temporary student card. On presentation of both of that certificate and a personal identity document, the student is entitled to the discount for 60 days from the date of issue of the certificate. The educational ID number must be indicated on the pass.

What can I do if I was charged a penalty fare?

If, at the time of a check, a passenger is unable to produce a ticket, pass, other valid travel document or a legally issued document or certificate entitling them to a discount, but can subsequently provide clear proof of entitlement to travel, they may pay a subsequent presentation fee instead of a penalty fare.

When a penalty fare is applied, the inspector will provide you with detailed information on what to do next. The penalty fare can be paid on the spot or at our cash desks. Detailed information on ticket and pass control and penalty fares can be found here in Hungarian.