Half of Hungarians travel within the country’s borders every quarter

Half of the population travels domestically every quarter

Autumn is here, and the soon-to-start school holidays are a popular time to plan domestic trips. According to the KSH, the desire to travel is also becoming more common during this period: in October last year, the number of domestic guests was 8.2% higher, and the number of guest nights they spent was 4.2% higher compared to October 2023. The research by Europ Assistance on Hungarian travel and insurance habits also shows that half of the population aged 18-69 travel within Hungary at least quarterly, and 66 percent travel within the country every six months. Another quarter of the population (28%) travels domestically at least annually, while a seventh (14%) travels less frequently, and less than a tenth (8%) never.

Most trips are made by car, more than half of Hungarians (57%) take a domestic trip of more than 100 kilometers at least every four years, and every third person does so at least once a month. Another third of the population drives within the country 1-3 times a year, and only one in five drivers never or less than twice a year travels such a distance.

Don’t set off on a trip without a technical inspection! – tips for the autumn break

More people get into cars during the autumn school break. Due to the increased traffic, possible dangers caused by the weather, and visibility conditions, trouble can easily happen even during a shorter domestic trip.

Therefore, a thorough technical inspection of the car is essential before starting any trips. With the arrival of colder, autumn days, the battery may fail, which can even cause starting problems. In addition, problems with lighting or electrical signaling systems and problems with the car lock are common. It is worth checking the tires, as too low pressure, damaged sidewalls or valve defects can result in a puncture and a tire change. Summer tires should also be replaced at average temperatures below 7°C, in colder weather they no longer provide adequate traction and can be an accident risk. It is important to have a spare tire, visibility vest, lights, chargers, and spare fuses on hand when traveling.

The problem occurs more often in older cars, and this particularly affects Hungarian motorists, as according to Europ Assistance research, nearly half (49%) of domestic cars are at least 16 years old, and the proportion of vehicles between 6 and 15 years old is 34 percent.

“The research also highlighted that only 27 percent of the population uses a vehicle assistance service: 14 percent of them received this type of protection free of charge from a dealership or service center. Many people are therefore still leaving it to chance, even though unexpected breakdowns can occur at any time, even during shorter trips, and an autumn trip can easily become an unpleasant experience. However, the additional costs and the many follow-ups that arise can be avoided if we are prepared and foresightful. In such cases, the AutoSOS service provides a safe safety net for all those who do not want a technical failure to spoil their family trip”

– said Gábor Szabolcs Timár, theEurop Assistance Operations Manager.