The A2PT project improves the integration of public transport and hiking trails in Hungary

Hiking is a popular recreational activity in many countries and often makes an important contribution to the local economy, particularly in rural and peripheral regions. Active2Public Transport (A2PT) pilot measures in Hungary show how rail access to long-distance hiking routes can be improved through station-based information, visible promotion and cooperation with the hiking association.

Within the Interreg A2PT project, project partner Győr-Sopron-Ebenfurt Railway (GYSEV Zrt.) implemented a pilot action to improve the integration of public transport with regional, national and international hiking trails, with the aim of encouraging hikers to take the train to and from the trail. In doing so, the action supports a modal shift from road to rail and can help reduce the need for the construction of car parks at trailheads in areas that are often sensitive to ecological and visual impacts.

In cooperation with the Hungarian Hiking Association (MTSZ), a Strategic Associated Partner in the A2PT project, GYSEV installed information panels at three railway stations — Kőszeg, Ölbő-Alsószeleste and Egyházasrádóc — during September and October 2025. These stations connect GYSEV’s rail network with the Hungarian long-distance trail “Kéktúra” (“Blue Trail”), much of it forms part of the European long-distance hiking path E4. At Ölbő-Alsószeleste and Egyházasrádóc, GYSEV also installed official Kéktúra stamping boxes during the same period.

The stamping boxes form part of the official Kéktúra hiking system. Hikers can use them to stamp their official Blue Trail booklets, which are available from MTSZ. Once they have collected all required stamps, they can submit the completed booklet to MTSZ and receive a certificate. Both stamping box locations set up under the pilot action were included in MTSZ’s official list of stamping locations and related trail information tools, which were updated on 9 October 2025.

Further activities under the pilot action included wrapping a locomotive and a motor coach to promote the use of public transport to reach the Kéktúra. These were presented to the public during an A2PT Action Day on 7 October 2025 and are regularly used on InterCity train services between Budapest and western Hungary, as well as on the local line to Kőszeg, close to the starting point of the Kéktúra at the Hungarian-Austrian border.

GYSEV also carried out a survey among hikers about the pilot action. The physical survey was conducted on 7 October 2025 during the A2PT Action Day in Kőszeg and on the extra coach for hikers travelling from Budapest to Kőszeg on the same day. The online survey was conducted during September and October 2025. The results showed that more than 96% assessed the action positively, and more than half of the respondents confirmed that it helps raise hikers’ awareness of the possibility of reaching the Kéktúra or other hiking trails by train. The majority also believed that more hikers would choose the train as a result.