The „National Pilgrimage Train” returns in 2026, carrying thousands of believers to the Pentecost Pilgrimage in Csíksomlyó (Transylvania). Organizers from Kárpáteurópa Travel Agency and MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) announced the details this Thursday in Budapest.
The Route & Experience The four-day program (May 22–25) centers around the sacred Mária-shrine and a visit to the „Thousand-Year Border” in Gyimes.
- The Journey Starts: The Csíksomlyó Express departs from Szombathely, picking up passengers across Western Hungary (Sopron, Győr, Tatabánya) before joining the Székely Fast at Budapest’s Keleti Station.
- To Transylvania: The combined train travels through Southern Transylvania, reaching Szeklerland to drop off pilgrims in the Felcsík and Alcsík regions.
- The Return: The trains head back via the Maros Valley and Northern Transylvania, reaching Budapest via Debrecen.
Culture on Rails This year’s guest of honor is the renowned singer and actor Miklós Varga, who will perform at Tusnádfürdő and the historical border. The journey features live folk music representing the landscapes the train passes through, led by Liszt Prize winner Kamilla Dévai-Nagy and her students.
Modern Service & Charity The train, pulled by a locomotive dedicated to the memory of Bishop Áron Márton, features two buffet cars and professional pilgrimage guides in every carriage. This year, passengers will also collect donations to support the Csángó children of Gyimes.
Impressive Numbers László Kormányos, CEO of MÁV, highlighted that this is the 17th time the train has departed. Since its inception, over 20,000 pilgrims have participated. Following the 2025 merger of MÁV and Volánbusz, the railway company now serves over 1.15 billion passengers annually, offering more integrated services for large groups.
