Railways and tourism have been close allies since early times. One of Europe’s densest railway systems offers tourists a comfortable, quick transport mode to discover the natural beauty of the Hungarian landscape as well as its rich historical heritage. Hungary’s main railway lines provide passengers with modern, quick, frequent and high-capacity connections, while catering services are also available on more and more routes.
Trains stop in the heart of the cities of historical importance (e.g. Eger, Tokaj, Szeged, Győr or cities at Lake Balaton), however, settlements with bath complexes (e.g. Hajdúszoboszló or Gyula) are also easily accessible by train. In the capital railway stations are located in the city centre, which are convenient to reach by public transport. Moreover, areas of natural beauty are well connected by rail.
Please find bellow our selection of the most spectacular railway lines:
The spectacular line stretches from Győr via Bakony to Veszprém is one of our favourite tracks. The railway line was built in 1896, and its route features incredible view. Leaving behind Győr, we can admire the scenery of the UNESCO heritage monastery of the Benedictine Order at Pannonhalma. Then we reach the Bakony mountain range, following the valley of Cuha stream, passing through three tunnels and several bridges. Porva-Csesznek and Vinye stations are next to the most popular tourist tracks. Zirc is famous for its arboretum and Cistercian Abbey. Following the route, the train crosses several newly renovated heritage bridges and the track traverses in narrow canyons until it reaches Veszprém, a city of rich historical background. The Bakony daily ticket, available since April 2021 and also valid on regional bus lines, has been launched for the peak season as a flexible, simple and competitive offer for travellers. The Győr-Bakony line had almost been closed by the millennium however, nowadays, thanks to the increasing number of passengers, it prospers again and actively supports sustainable tourism.
It’s only a half an hour journey from Budapest where you can reach an amazing railway path. The route from Vác to Szob runs in the Danube Bend following the curves of the river. The stunning scenery of the Visegrad Castle on the hill top will caught in to your eyes, while the wilderness of the Börzsöny on the other side provides you with an amazing scene. From the top of the double decker KISS train the view is eye catching. Alternatively, you can choose international connections that run every two hours and are equipped with a dining car.
The Balaton lines should be definitely included in the list of the most amazing routes. Especially the track between Székesfehérvár–Tapolca and Tapolca–Keszthely. Next to Balatonakarattya leaving behind a tunnel, we can see the whole eastern basin of the biggest lake in Central Europe. You can enjoy the beautiful and remarkable scenery of ancient churches, the curves of the Balaton highlands and the unique view of the Káli basin, the picturesque scenes of the Badacsony wine region as well as the silhouettes of the Szigliget Castle.
South of Lake Balaton, the narrow gauge railway runs from Balatonfenyves, which serves both locals and tourists. It is worth taking a romantic ride with these ‘stove trains’ to Somogyszentpál or to Csisztafürdő, since besides the nostalgic atmosphere, the narrow-gauge train offers an amazing view of this diverse and unique landscape. You can reach Balatonfenyves by Intercity trains running every hour on the main railway lines.
The most spectacular line in the North Hungarian Mountains is the line between Eger and Szilvásvárad. Leaving behind the historical city of monuments from the Turkish invasion, you will pass through the remote wilderness of the Bükk Mountains, through tunnels and viaducts. Szilvásvárad railway station is just a few steps from the entrance of the Szalajka Valley, which is one of the most picturesque natural areas of the Bükk Mountains.
However, even the Great Hungarian Plain offers some remarkable and unique rides too. From Poroszló to Balmazújváros, the train crosses Lake Tisza and allows us a breath taking view of the lake’s diverse landscape. It then crosses the endless "Puszta" plains, the World Heritage Site of the Hortobágy National Park. It is worth stopping to visit the Nine-Arch Bridge in Hortobágy as well as the Lake Tisza Ecocenter in Poroszló, which hosts the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe.
There are many other lines where the train journey itself is worth a trip. This type of journey offers a great way to see some of Hungary’s most beautiful scenery. Several routes provide travellers with the combination of a fantastic rail ride and hiking or cycling. The lines between Vác and Balassagyarmat, Hatvan and Somoskőújfalu, curve next to picturesque ruins of castles. For a view of the Mecsek Mountains and the forest in Gemenc, we suggest the Dombóvár-Baja line. The Tokaj wine region and the Zemplén Mountains are best to observe out of the windows of the Nyíregyháza-Szerencs and the Miskolc-Sátoraljaújhely lines. The line between Esztergom and Komárom provides us with an amazing view of the Danube and romantic villages. Furthermore, the floodplain of the Tisza is accessible by the recently launched tram-train, which runs every 30 minutes between the centres of Szeged and Hódmezővásárhely.
