Train Mukachevo-Budapest: what’s in it for us?

Tourism expert told why the announced opening of a new railway route "Mukachevo-Budapest" will be good for Transcarpathians.

Oleksandr Koval, an expert in tourism, lecturer of the Faculty of Tourism and International Communications of UzhNU believes in particular that the new railway route will significantly increase the attractiveness of Transcarpathia for tourists and relieve checkpoints on the border.

"This route will significantly increase the attractiveness of Transcarpathia for tourists. Because those, who plan to visit Budapest from the cities of Western Ukraine, will be able to come to Transcarpathia and Mukachevo, and choose the new route – Oleksandr Koval said. – Also, tourists, who have already arrived in Transcarpathia, having a passport and visa will be able to visit Hungary for 1 or 2 days," – he commented.

In addition, residents of Transcarpathia will get the chance to visit popular water parks and other interesting cities of the neighboring country – such as the best zoo in Europe in the vicinity of the border, in the town of Nyiregyhaza.   Another key advantage is that it is easier to cross the border by train, so it will relieve motorway checkpoints.

At the same time, the expert believes that a new route connecting the capital of Hungary and Ukraine through Transcarpathia will appear on the transport logistics maps and tourist guides of Europe and Asia. In general, the development of infrastructure will have a positive impact on the potential and attractiveness of cross-border tourist routes, which will help to create jobs and increase income of residents of both countries.

As reported, the train Mukachevo-Budapest is to be launched this year.