Train travel on the Royal Hungarian Express - where imperial indulgence meets communist chic.

The Magyar motto is "jól enni, jól inni, jól élni", which means "to eat well, drink well, live well". Hungary's communist heads of state clearly did take this into consideration, as they moved around the country in private trains, on one hand encouraging the workers to exceed their quotas whilst occasionally entertaining Western royalty and presidents.

The private company MAV Nostalgia have restored nearly 50 of these vintage train carriages and locomotives for tourist train trips. The train is ususally a steam-hauled locomotive, althought sometimes it may also be a shiny red, American designed diesel electric locomotive.

The trains are made up of several carriages of various designs and vintages. The restaurant car and the bar are usually with wooden panelling, pristine tablecloths and fresh flowers. It is fitting, that the interior has not been modernised. The masses of velvet and velour, once the height of communist chic, have been retained, though there are a few necessary modern day additions, such as power points and showers. Individual compartments are for two, and they contain bunk beds, a washbasin and hanging space. As for the day, they are made up into sitting rooms.

Experience this high quality of old-time life. These trains are the best way to visit Hungary's several attractions, since it does not only mean that you travel somewhere, but that also your travel will be unique and awesome.