Jegyek

Jegyek are documents that authorize access to a service or event in exchange for payment. They serve as proof of entitlement to enter a venue, ride a vehicle, or participate in an activity. The term is widely used in Hungarian, but similar concepts exist worldwide under different names.

Common types include admission tickets for concerts, theatres, cinemas, and exhibitions, as well as transportation tickets for buses, trains, trams, and subways. Some tickets grant a specific seat or a time window, while others allow general admission or a range of services. Tickets can be single-use or multi-use, such as day passes, weekly passes, or season tickets.

Formats vary. Traditional paper tickets and cardboard stubs remain in use, but electronic formats are increasingly dominant. Electronic tickets, or e-jegyek, are delivered digitally and may be scanned or validated via barcode or QR code. Mobile tickets, or mobiljegyek, are stored on smartphones and can be activated by tapping or presenting a code. Some systems also use contactless methods based on RFID or NFC.

Purchase and validation processes differ by service provider. Tickets can be bought at box offices, online, through vending machines, or via authorized retailers. At entry points, tickets are typically validated by scanning a code, stamping, or tapping a card. In public transport, validation confirms the fare and/or seat reservation and may occur automatically in some systems.

Economically, tickets are a primary revenue source for events and transit networks. Pricing structures often include discounts for age groups, students, seniors, or multi-ride options, and policies on refunds and exchanges vary by provider.