Originally Posted by
railways
Well, I'd take that with a large pinch of salt. And Keleti station international ticket office is a grim, horrendous place with lots of shady characters hanging around. Avoid it. If you have to buy an international ticket at Keleti station, go to the Wasteels office on platform 9. They sell the full range of tickets at no extra charge, and the service is much better.
However, the best place to buy train tickets in Budapest is at MAV's new downtown ticket office, near Deak square metro interchange (József Attila utca 16). There's never been anyone it when I have used it.
Yes if booking yourself in advance definately go to the office near Deak Square, only MŔV (either the Downtown Office or the International Ticket Desk) can sell the €13 ticket the day of or day before departure in my experience. I find it most simple to just go to the ticket desk as they have always been good with the language, accept credit cards and have the best price in my experience. I haven't seen these shady charecters or the grimmness of the grand old ticket hall albeit perpetually under 'renovation'. It might be easiest just to pay your accomodation the small service charge for their trouble.