chx1975

You are https://goo.gl/maps/4DaJdbbEi9T2 quite right it should take the same time with a cab, I haven't thought of that. (Very funny that Google Maps says: 26 min (20.2 km) via Route 4, 27 min without traffic)

deniah

if you buy a standard ticket, it is valid for the route a wide period of time. i.e., you could also even mix E.C. vs R.J. trains. walking on the 540 with the 340 ticket is not a problem. (ive done this plenty)

if you buy seat reservation for extra fee, you simply lose the reservation itself. but your ticket for travel is still valid.

afaik, *maybe* only the sparschiene are restricted

WilcoRoger

Just to add - the public transportation involves 3 tickets* each, so for a party of 4 it 12 tickets @ 350 HUF = 4200 HUF. The cab ride to Keleti should be around 6000 HUF, the difference is 6€ only. Easier on the family, no dragging around luggage and kids, no kiling 2 hrs at the station (not a particulary uplifting neighbourhood)

* yes, I know the underground can be absolved by one metro-transit ticket

tide

Thanks to all for tips and help. Wanted to come back here to provide an update on how things went.

Original question: Given a 1:45pm scheduled arrival from Schengen zone, could I (with family) make a 3:40pm train at Keleti with checked luggage?

Summary: FoTaxi taxi ride took 25 minutes - made it with plenty of time to spare. Meter 6480 HUF - made it an even 7000 HUF on credit card.

1:50pm: Wheels down
1:53pm: Block
1:58pm: Door open
2:04pm: Deplaned from literally back of bus, middle seat row 30 on Airbus 320
2:08pm: Collected luggage from carousel. Luggage had *A priority tags and came out among the first 10 bags.
2:15pm: in taxi (FoTaxi). Super clean exit, they run a great operation, only 2 ahead in taxi rank. Driver spoke good English.
2:45pm: At Keleti. Little to no traffic. RJ68 RailJet was scheduled at 3:40pm and departed only at 3:58pm.

Thanks again all!

EmailKid

Thanks for reporting back ^

railways

Just to clarify this for anyone who might be thinking of doing the same bus-metro-metro journey from the airport to Keleti: you actually only need one ticket - a transfer ticket costing HUF 530 - to do this journey. You stamp once on boarding the bus and once on entering the metro system. As WilcoRoger says, transfers within the metro system do not require a further ticket.