Arriving by train to Hungary on International Trains arriving is an existing and romantic option.:) Flying by airplane is fast but takes from you the opportunity to get used to the new environment step by step. When I travel for example to Prague I prefer to use train or car even if its longer then flying. To come here from Vienna is 45 mins by plane...but 2,5 hours by train. From Prague to fly is 1,5 hours, by train is 6-7 hours. And I still prefer to use train.
For some reasons almost all international trains now arrive and depart from the Keleti (eastern) railway station. Here we give some practical information and description of the main railway stations. Some of them are attractions by themselves, too.
The schedule of international trains to/from Budapest you can check on ELVIRA.
InterRail:
Budapest Eastern Railway Station
Keleti pályaudvar is also a station of the M2 (East-West) line of the Budapest Metro (subway) and from about 2009 on, it will be a station of the M4 line, too. So even if its not right in the downtown from the station you can reach your destination quite easily.
Budapest Eastern Railway Station (Budapest Keleti Pályaudvar) is the largest among the three main railway stations in Budapest. It can be found in the 8th district (Józsefváros), on Baross Square. Its not really the downtown but even not far from it. The 8th district is the poorest in Budapest so arriving to the Eastern Railway Station do not expect a fancy, clean area. Though the building itself is interesting and impressive.
The Eastern Railway Station in 1905.
It was constructed in eclectic style between 1881 and 1884 and was one of the most modern railway stations of Europe in that time. It was planned by Gyula Rochlitz and János Feketeházy. The station's length is 93 m, the platform length is 80 m, underground depth is 14 m.
The main façade is adorned with two statues of James Watt and George Stephenson.
source: wikipedia
Some photos of the Eastern Railway Station. To see them in larger version click on the photos:
Budapest Western Railway Station
InterRail:
Budapest Eastern Railway Station
Keleti pályaudvar is also a station of the M2 (East-West) line of the Budapest Metro (subway) and from about 2009 on, it will be a station of the M4 line, too. So even if its not right in the downtown from the station you can reach your destination quite easily.
Budapest Eastern Railway Station (Budapest Keleti Pályaudvar) is the largest among the three main railway stations in Budapest. It can be found in the 8th district (Józsefváros), on Baross Square. Its not really the downtown but even not far from it. The 8th district is the poorest in Budapest so arriving to the Eastern Railway Station do not expect a fancy, clean area. Though the building itself is interesting and impressive.
The Eastern Railway Station in 1905.
It was constructed in eclectic style between 1881 and 1884 and was one of the most modern railway stations of Europe in that time. It was planned by Gyula Rochlitz and János Feketeházy. The station's length is 93 m, the platform length is 80 m, underground depth is 14 m.
The main façade is adorned with two statues of James Watt and George Stephenson.
source: wikipedia
Some photos of the Eastern Railway Station. To see them in larger version click on the photos:
Budapest Western Railway Station
The Western Railway Station is right in the downtown. The square also serves as a transportation hub with several bus lines, tram 4 and 6, and a station of the M3 line of the Budapest Metro.
Budapest Western Railway Station (Budapest Nyugati Pályaudvar) is a railway station in the northern part of the old town of Budapest. It is one of the three main railway stations of Budapest (together with Keleti pályaudvar and Déli pályaudvar) and can be found in the 6th district.
Budapest Western Railway Station (Budapest Nyugati Pályaudvar) is a railway station in the northern part of the old town of Budapest. It is one of the three main railway stations of Budapest (together with Keleti pályaudvar and Déli pályaudvar) and can be found in the 6th district.
The Parisian Eiffel Company was the constructor of Nyugati Station's huge, iron-framed hall. The railway station is a key part of the cityscape even today.
(more info)
Southern Railway Station
This is the third larger Railway Station in Budapest located to the 1st district in Buda. It was build in the 70s and was considered as a modern Station that time but today it is in a critical condition. Recently its under reconstruction but the station is operating. Though only a few internation trains are arriving to here (mostly to Croatia and Slovenia) but the station might be important for you if you want to go to the lake Balaton for a few days. You can reach there by 1,5 hours so its not a big deal to make an excursion for fun.
The Southern Railway Station is the METRO terminal for the M2 line. So even if its not in the downtown it has a good link to the city.
The Southern Railway Station is the METRO terminal for the M2 line. So even if its not in the downtown it has a good link to the city.
