funiQ logo

Children's Railway, Budapest

Download track as GPX file for your GPS device.
Teljes táv: 11 km
Össz. emelkedő:  340 m
Össz. lejtő: -110 m
Magasság max.: 472 m
Magasság min.: 233 m

Leading through the spectacular landscape of Buda and operated by children, this railway is a real attraction of Budapest. The train between the two endpoints, Széchenyi Hill and Hűvösvölgy makes the 11,2 km distance in 40-45 minutes. In the summer, there are old nostalgia trains as well on the track.

The 10-14 year old children are supervised by older railway workers but the majority of the work is their responsibility. During the time of their service, the children can try all the positions needed for running the railway.

The journey on the train is a magical experience with the spectacular landscape of Buda and many sights on the way. The railway line goes next to sights such as the Budakeszi Wildlife Park, the Erzsébet Lookout Tower, the Cog-wheel Railway, the Zugliget Chairlift, Normafa, the Csillebérc Adventure Park and the Children's Railway Museum. Near Szépjuhászné station there is also a ruined Pauline church from the 13-14th century. For families with children it is also worth checking out the forest playgrounds at Széchenyi-hegy, Virágvölgy and Szépjuhászné stations.

The idea of a railway in Budapest operated by children originates from 1947, and in the next year the construction of the line was underway. The first stage was finished and put in operation in the same year and the whole line was completed in 1950.

Originally called the Pioneer's Railway in the socialist system, the aim of the railway was to teach children about railway transportation and to allow access to the newly built Csillebérc Pioneer's Camp. Following the change of the regime, after many decades of operation the railway was completely rebuilt, its name was changed to the current one and the children swapped their red ties for light blues. Though initially the attendance was low, since the 50th anniversary celebrations, the railway has become popular again, and more and more children want to try themselves as operators.

For those interested in the history of the railway and the children operators, there is a Children's Railway Museum at the Hűvösvölgy station where there and many images and objects from the past of the railway line.

Today, the Children's Railway can be booked for birthday parties, and there are many workshops and events about nature and environmental protection for children. There are also separate events at the railway for Children's Day, 20 August and Santa Claus.