Trains, trams and buses in the ‘burbs of Budapest

Today we tested Budapest’s public transport system – and it passed with flying colours. Five trains, eight trams and three buses took us north, south, east and west as we ventured out of the city to visit a couple of places that had piqued our curiosity.

First, a train to Moszkva tér metro station, then a couple of trams to II Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor, then aboard the Cog Railway, built in 1874, for a steep climb over 3.6 km in about 15 minutes to Széchenyi-hegi, 427 metres above sea level. This is one of the prettiest residential areas in Budapest and we wandered around for a while and had morning tea. We also visited the station of the Children’s Railway, a narrow-gauge rail that goes even higher. This railway was built in 1951, while Hungary was under Communist rule, by a group of socialist scouts known as the Pioneers and it is now staffed by children aged between 10 and 14 years (except for the driver).

Next we made our way back into the city and headed off in another direction, by tram and bus, to Memento Park, about 15km from town. This park was opened in 1993 and houses many statues that had been imposed on the people of Budapest after Hungary fell under Russian Communist rule after World War II. It speaks well of the Hungarian people that, following their liberation from the Communists in 1990, they chose to establish the park and retain the statues as part of their history, distasteful and oppressive as it was during that period.

Then back into town and off in another direction for a stroll along Andrássy Avenue, a world-heritage boulevard that runs for 2.5km, past the magnificent National Opera Theatre, erected in 1884. The avenue ends at Heroes’ Square, which dominates the landscape with spectacular statues and monuments, including a 36 metre high column topped by the Archangel Gabriel holding the Hungarian crown and a cross, and surrounded below by statues of rulers and statesmen, including King Stephen. Then we walked across to Vajdahunyad Castle, now an agricultural museum, and checked out the “Anonymous” statue – a chronicler at the court of King Béla III (King of Hungary and Croatia 1172-1196), who wrote a history of the early Magyars. Budding writers still touch the pen of the statue for inspiration. We then went underground and rode home on the metro line which runs the length of Andrássy Avenue and is the oldest underground rail line in continental Europe, opened in 1896.

Another fascinating day. Tomorrow – back up to Buda Castle, then a swim in the thermal pool and spa on Gellért Hill and perhaps a visit to Parliament House.