I would like to give some tips to a potential future Hungary rework. I am aware that including all of this is impossible - but I think it is better to have to choose what to leave out rather than miss something important because you didn't know about it.
Here's an interactive Google map I made with my ideas: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit? ... sp=sharing
Feel free to ask any Hungary-related questions here, or in private chat - I would be happy to help.
Table of Contents (including future additions)
- Roads and cities
- Budapest and Expressway M0
- Truck-accessible roads of Budapest
- Northern Central Hungary - Expressway M2 and the Danube Bend
- Motorway M1
- Motorway M7 and Expressway M70
- Road 8 - and a potential special transport
- From Graz to Pécs - Roads 84, 71, 68 and 6
- Pécs and Expressway M60
- Motorway M6 and Road 55
- Motorway M5
- Szeged and and Expressway M43
- Expressway M4, Road 4 and Szolnok
- From Szeged to Debrecen - Road 47
- Debrecen and its surroundings
- Motorway M3, Tiszaújváros and Nyíregyháza
- Miskolc, Expressway M30 and the Tokaj wine region
- Assets
- Signage
- Vehicles
- License plates
- Vegetation
- Traffic rules
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M0 ring road highlighted
Budapest is surrounded by the M0 expressway on three sides, going from the southwest to the north. The western connecting road between the two ends does not exist, however, an alternative going via Esztergom is detailed in a later post.
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The western section of M0 - click here to see on Google Maps
The western end of the M0 is at the intersection with the M1 motorway and Road 1. There is a small Outlet Center at the exit. The M0 continues to the southeast crossing a natural, hilly area before intersecting the M7 motorway. M1 and M7 merge near Budaörs, where a large shopping centre can be found along the M1-M7. The three roads currently intersect at a single intersection in the game, incorrectly.
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The southwestern section of M0 - click here to see on Google Maps
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Annahegyi pihenőhely, a rest stop on the southwestern section - click here to see on Google StreetView
The M0 continues through the nature until it reaches the M6 motorway, where it enters a more urban area. The M6 begins at this intersection, and does not branch off the M7 as it does in the game currently.
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Csepel Island near M0 - click here to see on Google Maps
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Lakihegy Radio Tower, the tallest structure in Hungary
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Szent Imre tér
After that, the M0 crosses the Danube river. Immediately after the river, there is an exit leading to the district Csepel, which has a large harbour and factory district. The harbour has, amongst others, a container port and an oil storage facility. (Edited on 2023-11-01) Csepel's main square is Szent Imre tér, featuring a church. On the right side of the M0, the Lakihegy Radio Tower, the tallest structure in Hungary can be seen.
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Logistics areas around the M0xM51 interchange
At the next two exits, there is a large logistics area to the south of M0. There is also a gas station north of the M0. After this, the M0 crosses a few fields before crossing another branch of the Danube. On the other side, near the intersection of M0 and M51 expressways, there are two large logistics centres, one to the north of the road, and one to the south. A significant proportion of the northern area is owned by Wáberer's, currently parodied in the game as Brawen. The northern area also includes a rail cargo terminal.
In the southern area, there is a Schwarzmüller trailer factory in the southern area, opening up possibilities for a Werlte-esque collaboration; a MAN truck dealer (though the Budapest dealership is currently Renault in the game); and a Coca-Cola bottling plant.
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The Soroksár Shopping Centre and the nearby logistics area
Further east, the M0 intersects with the M5 motorway, giving another opportunity to enter the city. Slightly north to the M5xM51 intersection (probably not enough room to include it), there is a large shopping centre and a large Wáberer's depot. To the northeast of the Wáberer's depot, there is another large logistics area, on the other side of the railway tracks. There is an overpass to the north of it (Szentlőrinci út, Méta utca), via which it can be accessed.
M5 continues to the north, and enters the city. There is a Citroën dealership along the way, with a miniature Eiffel Tower. After that, there are sound barriers on both sides of the road (2 lanes and a bus lane). The road (Nagykőrösi út) leads to one of Budapest's main industrial areas. Formerly, it was mainly chemical industries that were here, but nowadays, there are all kinds.
The northwestern part of this industrial area might be the best spot to put a viewpoint in Budapest. There are many landmarks that are visible from here: the MOL Campus, the tallest building in the country; Rákóczi Bridge; a university campus; the National Theatre; Gellért Hill; and, potentially further away: Buda Castle; Chain Bridge; Saint Stephen's Basilica; and the Parliament building.
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National Athletics Centre, with the northern tip of Csepel Island to the right
Click image for unannotated version
The Csepel area and the Ferencváros area can be connected via a bridge at the northern tip of Csepel Island. A recently built athletics stadium, which was the location of the 2023 World Athletics Championship, dominates the landscape here.
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Richter Gedeon HQ (Google Maps, Wikipedia)
Returning to the M0 and continuing northeast, the M0 intersects the M4 expressway. This is another way to enter the city. Along the road, the first landmark is Liszt Ferenc International Airport, potentially including an airport cargo area. After that, the road briefly enters the town of Vecsés (there's a shopping centre that could also be included) before entering Budapest. The road mainly crosses a suburban area with a few industries along the way. Further inside the city, there are two noteworthy companies that might be worth including: Bosch, a large industrial firm; as well as Richter Gedeon, Hungary's main pharmaceutical firm. Another possible inclusion in this part of the city is the Budapest Expo.
The remaining eastern and northern sections of the M0 are relatively uninteresting (in my opinion). I would recommend including the M31 expressway at the expense of the section of M3 between the city and the intersection with M31. (Though there could be benefits to preferring the M3 over the M31: at M0xM3, there is a shopping centre and a MAN truck dealership.) The triangle between M0, M3 and M31 is the location of the Hungaroring, Hungary's main racing track.
Also, the second exit after M0xM31 could lead to a Volvo/Renault truck dealership.
Finally, the M0 intersects with the beginning of the M2 expressway, heading north. I would not recommend adding the brief section of M0 heading west across the Danube, as it would not lead to any major road, landmark or industry that could be added, but I recommend to leave options open in case the western section of the M0 ever gets completed (it's been planned for decades now), making it a full circle.