Politics and Money

[Elroy Jetson]

If you talk to the young people hanging out and begging in the city of Vienna you quickly discover virtually none of them cane speak proper German because they're not Austrian.

Most are Hungarians. Wien also tolerates a large number of illegal migrants (a lot of them from China) who work under the table for less than minimum wage, to the delight of Burger King owners and other business people. But you generally don't find the illegals hanging out in stations.


Hungary has passed laws making it illegal to be homeless or beg for money - on pain of imprisonment. As a consequence Hungarians with drug or mental problems, and young unemployed Hungarians, have relocated to Vienna. The Hungarian government is also becoming increasing corrupt.


Although Budapest is a little gritty, when you're in Wien, Budapest Keleti Station is just a one hour forty minute trip on the ÖBB Railjet.

Just be aware the Railjet line in Hungary is not segregated from the surrounding countryside, as trains in the rest of Europe are, so if you eat on Railjet you have to be prepared for sudden full stops for a cow or local towns person as they saunter across the track. You've never mentioned going there. Nearby towns like Vac are more rural and clean.