12 days of basketball – On the Train

Not sure what day, time or country it is, but I know it must be time to get moving again!

After the crappy night of sleep, it is time to use another mode of transport today – even if I spent the night at the airport, I am heading to Keleti railways station in Budapest, to catch at train to Vienna, Austria. Decided to try something different, and the cost of ‘Business Class’ travel from Budapest to Vienna is only few €10’s so why not.

My ride from the airport to the train accelerates and brakes in the mid-morning traffic, and we get to the station WELL before I thought we would. It was many years ago when I came here with my wife and we took a train from this station to Sopron – where Finnish women’s national team played a week long tournament. Funny how work/life takes you to the same places at times.

The train is already at the station when I get there, and soon the signs light up and display the numbers of carriages and so on – I walk into my carriage and take my seat. Nice three seat ‘compartment’ that I have all to myself – you also get a choice of welcome drink, and as I don’t know when I have a chance to eat again – I order a scnitchel from the restaurant car.. that is delivered to my seat.

Ride is nice and smooth – the food was actually really nice for a train meal – and at €11 (with two drinks) – not badly priced either. Train arrives on time at Vienna HfB and I have a hotel right outside the station – so I get myself there, early check-in, little kip and then it’s time to head to the game in Transkirchen – which is about another hour or so on the local train.

It is raining as I exit the hotel – and head towards the place where I am to catch the train/tram.

Find the stop OK – but wonder that.. ‘is this correct?’ as I am expecting a local ‘train’ – but this is just in the middle of the street. But – register with the ÖBB app and buy a ticket through that – and then the train/tram comes. I was hungry by this point, but the little bakery next to the stop had some old man taking five minutes to count their coins.. so I didn’t get a chance to have a take-away… but no worries, I am sure I can buy something at the game or in Transkirchen.

Mask-mandate is on in Vienna – which is fine by me, I have pretty much used a mask most of the time indoors and when in planes, trains and automobiles.

The tram/train rattles on through Vienna and suburbs and in the end we get to Transkirchen Lokalbahn and I get off – and it is DARK – there is a Bahn Kebab .. looks busy but no time to queue like that. Take a little walk around – but don’t see anywhere where I could grab something to eat.. so, off to Lions Dome for the game.

As I arrive, the people at the door do not seem to know that I am coming – but showing my press card and so on, they wave me on. Get inside the arena (or Dome) and soon enough am talking to the Finnish coach of the away team (reason why I am here) – go upstairs (to buffet) to try and get something to eat.. but of course they don’t accept cards here.

Honestly – in Austria/Germany is seems so difficult to pay with card in smaller places…so I sigh and think ‘Great – probably four hours before I am in city center…. might get thirsty before then!’ .. but then remember that there is a €5 in my bag.. happily dig that out and get myself some sort of sandwich..

Photograph the game – head outside (it’s getting rather cold!) and tram/train coming in 8 minutes – and rattle back to the city, get off at a different stop and walk the 30min or so from the stop to the hotel. I am sure there would be some tube/tram/bus that would have gone that distance in 5mins.. but walking is good for you!

Close to midnight before I am near the hotel, and unfortunately it is a McDonalds meal for me… take it to the hotel.. munch, munch, munch.. then bit of editing and head to the pillow, tomorrow is another train day!