Gyermekvasút, railway line
Gyermekvasút is a narrow-gauge railway in the Buda Hills that links two stations through a stretch of dense forest. The line runs through several stops, giving passengers the chance to board or leave at different points along the wooded route.
The railway opened in the 1940s as a way to give young people hands-on training in how a real railway works. The concept survived through the decades, and the line has kept running ever since.
The railway is staffed by children and teenagers who take on real working roles, from checking tickets to giving signals at each stop. Watching them work is one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
The full one-way trip takes around an hour, so it is worth planning for the return journey too if you want to ride the whole route back. Some stops are near forest trails, making it easy to get off and walk part of the way.
Although children handle most of the roles on board, the trains are actually driven by adult engineers. Everything else, from ticket checking to signaling, is managed by the young staff.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
