Budapest

Budapest: Tourism office of Budapest

Budapest has preserved it old charm and has a turn-of-the-century feel to it. Hungary's capital straddles a gentle curve in the Danube. The city is characterised by broad avenues, leafy parks and elaborate bathhouses.

Fast facts

Cost
From £286
Journey time
20h 19
i-overnight Overnight

Journey planner

  1. London St Pancras
  2. Brussels
  3. Cologne
  4. Vienna Westbahnhof
  5. Budapest Keleti

Getting there

The train journey from London to Budapest is easy and takes just 24 hours, by Eurostar and high-speed Thalys train. The Eurostar will take you from London to Cologne, then travel overnight to Vienna aboard the excellent CityNightLine hotel train and finally a fast EuroCity train to Budapest.

The CityNightLine hotel train 'Donau Kurier' has double-deck sleeping-cars, couchettes and reclining seats. The train travels along the famous Rhine Valley line from Koblenz to Frankfurt. So if you are in a sleeper on the left-hand side of the train, switch all the lights out, enjoy your complimentary aperitif and admire the stunning view.

Highlights

  • Relax in the city's most famous thermal spa the Gellért Baths
  • View Hungary's most important collection of historical relics at the Hungarian National Museum
  • Spend a day travelling around the Buda Hills
  • Visit the 300-foot dome of St. Stephen's Basilica
  • Take a ride up the funicular to view the medieval Castle Hill

Lonely Planet itinerary

Want more expert travel tips on Budapest?

Why not check out the Lonely Planet suggested itinerary

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