Austria has closed the motorway that leads from the Hungarian border to Vienna, and its train connections with Hungary will remain closed through the weekend.

The authorities say it is for security reasons, as during the night and early this morning hundreds of refugees were heading towards the capital on foot.

It followed the announcement in Budapest that Hungary is preparing what it calls new “rules of the game”, including penalties for illegal entry, speeded-up asylum procedures, and possible expulsion back over the border.

Meanwhile thousands of people remain stranded in Hungary by the sides of roads or in camps where conditions are described as “atrocious”.

“Right now we want to stay in Hungary and after that we start our life in Germany. And after that, if our country avoids, if our Afghani government avoids war, poverty and adversity for our country, then we go back to our countries,” said Tarik, a young Afghan man.

At least one group has decided to register in Hungary.

Thousands more are arriving here and in the Former Republic of Macedonia by the hour as the Greeks relieve pressure on their overcrowded islands.