MAV-Start Intercity Première, Debrecen - Budapest Nyugati: New cars make all the difference

After a few days in Hungary’s second-largest city, it was time to head back to the capital, Budapest.

As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:

#	Type	Review
1	Diary	Summer escape in Hungary
2	Lounge	British Airways Galleries Club, Boston Logan
3	Flight	British Airways Club World, Boston Logan – London Heathrow, Boeing 777-200
4	Lounge	British Airways Galleries First, London Heathrow T3
5	Flight	British Airways Club Europe, London Heathrow – Budapest Liszt, Airbus A320
6	Hotel	The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest
7	Restaurant	Ottimo at The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest
8	Train	MAV Start Intercity First, Budapest Nyugati – Debrecen
9	Train	MAV Start Intercity First, Debrecen – Budapest Nyugati
10	Hotel	Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest
11	Restaurant	Spago by Wolfgang Puck at Matild Palace, Budapest
12	Restaurant	Bistro Parísi, Budapest
13	Restaurant	The Duchess Rooftop Bar at Matild Palace, Budapest
14	Lounge	Plaza Premium Lounge, Budapest Liszt
15	Flight	British Airways Club Europe, Budapest Liszt – London Heathrow, Airbus A320
16	Lounge	British Airways Concorde Room, London Heathrow
17	Flight	British Airways Club World, London Heathrow – Boston Logan, Airbus A380-800

Today’s itinerary

Boarding

We arrived at Debrecen station about 45 minutes before our train was due to depart for Budapest-Nyugati.

When we arrived, the track had not yet been announced, and was about 30 minutes before departure.

So we waited in the large waiting room, pleasant despite its brutalist architecture, and with plenty of seats.

Various souvenir stores, newsagents and restaurants were open. Vending machines and luggage lockers were available.

Last but not least, a mini-exhibition of MAV uniforms was available, as well as a retrospective of the signalling systems in use since the deployment of the Hungarian railroads.

About 10 minutes before departure, we headed for track 4.

In Hungary, the composition of trains is announced by loudspeaker at the very last moment, generating runs on the platform almost as soon as the train arrives.

So we had to walk almost the entire length of the platform to get to our car.

Before departure, an estimated 10-minute delay was announced.

Cabin

We settled into car 19, the only first-class car in the convoy, located almost at the rear of the train.

A pleasant surprise, the car was almost brand new, with a partial lounge, 6-seater compartments and a bar.

The seats were very comfortable and everything were very clean.

Service and catering

Twice I used the bar car to buy a bottle of water and a coffee. The staff spoke decent English and all payment cards, including Amex, were accepted.