Though much farther east than popular cities like Berlin and Rome, let's not forget that Budapest is still Central Europe.

Budapest is not as far as you think, especially by train. Getting to Budapest Keleti train station is not a hassle at all—in fact, it's the first calling point on your adventure in the Pearl of the Danube.

Here’s everything you need to know about Budapest's train stations, including the main train station in Budapest, Keleti.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Elijah-Lovkoff. Image Location: Keleti station, Budapest, Hungary

Your guide to Budapest train stations

Train stations in Budapest connecting the Buda side to the Pest side and beyond.

How many Budapest train stations are there?

The Hungarian capital is no stranger to rail lines. Budapest has a handful emanating out from the city center, but there are only four major stations you’ll need to know: on the Pest side of the Danube, you'll find Budapest Keleti (where you'll catch trains to Vienna, Munich and Zürich) and Budapest Nyugati (just north of the Terror House Museum); on the Buda side, Budapest-Kelenföld which is southwest of the city and Budapest-Déli, which is just west of the Castle Hill and Fisherman's Bastion.

What is Budapest main train station?

Budapest Keleti is the main train station in Budapest. If you’re trying to improve your Hungarian, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask “hol van a budapesti központi pályaudvar?” or “Where is Budapest central train station?” They’ll likely know you mean Keleti, the city’s central station serving international destinations.

Where is Budapest Keleti train station?

Budapest Keleti train station is just east of the historic center, which is more than coincidental since ‘keleti’ means ‘eastern’ in Hungarian. You can essentially walk east from the Erzsébet Bridge and it’ll lead you right to the station.

Is there a train station at Budapest Airport?

There is no train station serving Budapest Airport, but there is one close by. It’s called Ferihegy Station and is accessible via the 200E bus line from the airport's terminal 2. A train at Ferihegy will take you to Nyugati train station. From there, we’d suggest taking the metro deeper into Budapest if your calves are burning at this point.

Does the Budapest train station have a metro stop?

Yes, the metro system in Budapest has a stop at Budapest Keleti train station: Keleti pályaudvar, serving the M2 and M4 lines. The Nyugati station also has a metro stop: Nyugati pályaudvar. The metro system in Budapest is a fantastic way to get around a city that deserves exploration beyond the old town.

Image Credit: Getty Images, LordRunar. Image Location: Keleti station, Budapest, Hungary

What to expect when arriving at Budapest central train station

What to know when arriving at Budapest main train station.

Food around Budapest main train station

Within Budapest Keleti, your rumbling stomach will find pizza, gyros, and coffee, among other quick serve spots and a small grocery. Just outside, small bakeries surround the metro stop while Western brands like McDonald’s, KFC, and Starbucks are across the street. You’ll find us at the Keleti Waiting Room, which is a cellar bar close by. For food, we’d probably slide into a seat at Baross for classic Hungarian plates.

Services at the main train station in Budapest

Budapest central train station has nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to services—and that’s a good thing. Paid luggage storage, a currency exchange (PS: read our European currency article before venturing to a non-Euro country), and places to take a load off before departing.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Tamas Gabor. Image Location: Keleti station, Budapest, Hungary

Hotels near Budapest Keleti train station

We mentioned Baross the restaurant, so we might as well recommend Baross City Hotel as an equally affordable stay. It’s across from the Budapest main train station, but soundproof rooms mean you won’t hear all of the commotion outside. Royal Park Boutique Hotel is another solid choice, especially with luggage storage on-site that’ll save you some forintok. Danubius Hotel Hungaria’s suite is one of our faves for working remotely; we love that you can gaze out over Keleti train station and Baross Square while kicking back.

Getting to Budapest

Think Budapest is too far east? Think again:

Plus, you can arrive on a sleeper train, letting you cross the longer distances from Berlin and Venice while you snooze. Before you start plotting which ruin pubs and bathhouses to visit, download the Trainline app and let us help you plan your trip to Budapest Keleti train station.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Kypros. Image Location: Keleti station, Budapest, Hungary

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