BUDAPEST HOLIDAYS

Budapest Holidays

Exploring Budapest by train is a great way to make the most of this beautiful city. Located between Austria and Romania, this city is filled with charm and wonder, being awarded a UNESCO status in 1987 for its gorgeous urban landscape, making the rail tour to Budapest worth every second.

Get in touch with us to plan your Budapest rail holiday today!

There’s no better way to enjoy a Budapest rail holiday than on the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express, one of our most famous and luxury trains. With panoramic views of the rustic countryside, gourmet meals served onboard and cosy private cabins, the journey into the city will feel just as special as the destination.

From the second you depart the Orient Express, you’ll be in the heart of Budapest’s centre. The streets are filled with boutique shops and a wide variety of independent eateries serving local cuisine. While the city warmly welcomes international visitors and English is widely spoken, Budapest has retained its authentic, historic charm. 

Budapest is divided by the River Danube, and is named by combining both sides of the river. Buda is hilly and more rural, with visitors making the trip there for its scenery. While visiting Buda, you’ll explore heritage sites like Buda Castle, a top cultural spot for this side of the city. 

Impressive architectural spots like the famous Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church call Buda home and can be reached with ease by travelling along the Funicular, a true icon of the traditional Hungarian way of life. The terraces across the Fisherman’s Bastion offer fantastic views of the city and are often described as ‘fairytale-like’.

Pest is famous for its livelier city atmosphere, from bustling local cafes to boutique shops. Here, you’ll discover unbeatable sights like St Stephen’s basilica, Hungary’s largest church, and the majestic Hungarian Parliament building, which stands along the banks of the River Danube.

To embrace the sights, visitors enjoying a Budapest rail holiday can board river cruises along the stretch of the Danube. These boat trips are best during the summer months for guaranteed great weather but can be enjoyed all year round. Our Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Vienna & Budapest holiday package includes a boat tour and a hop-on-hop-off bus pass, allowing you to explore the city both on the water and through the inner city.

Budapest is also famous for its numerous public baths, with the most popular being the Szechenyi baths located close to the city centre. Here, you’ll have the chance to rejuvenate and relax across a variety of spa facilities, from saunas, massage services and of course, the vast collection of thermal baths. During the busier seasons, we recommend booking tickets online to avoid disappointment. 

Whilst wandering through the charming streets of Budapest, keep a look out for a collection of hidden, fist-sized statues, created by artist Mihály Kolodko. There are over 30 to find, and by spotting each one, you’ll uncover a little, often unnoticed pocket of Hungary’s art and cultural history. During your hunt, why not try Hungary’s famous delicious sweet treat- chimney cake?

In the evenings, you’ll have the chance to dine in some of Budapest’s most romantic restaurants, serving a mix of local and international plates. Dishes of Hungarian cuisine are full of rich flavour, with paprika at the heart of many of their recipes, like Chicken Paprikash and Gulyás for example. 

If you’re wishing to explore Budapest by train, you can get in touch with us here. We’ll take the stress of organising your adventure out of your hands, and plan everything for you tailored to your preferences. 

Your Budapest rail tour doesn’t have to end in the city! Our Hungary rail holidays allow you to explore neighbouring countries like Austria, Slovenia, Romania and many more.

 We organise easy rail transitions between destinations on your behalf and our team will also offer potential holiday enhancements for your rail holiday, like flights and airport hotels. All you’ll need to do is tell us where you’d like to go.

UNMISSABLE MOMENTS ON A BUDAPEST RAIL HOLIDAY

• Visit the Hungarian Parliament building for its incredible architecture
• Visit the Fisherman’s Bastion and relax with a drink in the turret bar
• Stroll through Budapest’s vast shopping district
• Wine and dine across Budapest’s traditional eateries

BUDAPEST HIGHLIGHTS

• Panoramic rail tours into Budapest
• Effortless travel to neighbouring cities (bus pass courtesy of Marvellous Escapes)
• Outstanding gastronomical scene
• Kolodko Mini Statues hidden around the city
• River cruises along the Danube
• Relax and soak in the views in the Hungarian baths