Taking a trip on the Children’s Railway is not only time-transcending but also a truly unique journey. This special attraction is a living memento of the communist era and chugs past some of the most superb hiking spots in the Buda Hills. The trip will be memorable, and the staff some of the nicest you’ll ever meet in Hungary.
All Aboard the Cutest Ride
The Children’s Railway is operated almost entirely by kids. The sweet-looking staff, aged 10 to 14 and dressed in smart blue, white and red uniforms, hold all the positions on the railway, from conductors to signalmen, while a little adult supervision keeps things on track (the engineers, thankfully, are grown-ups). Running from Hűvösvölgy to Széchenyi Hill, taking in forested Normafa on the way, this is the longest narrow-gauge children’s railway line in the world, which earned an inclusion in the Guinness World Records.
Opened in 1948, the railway was originally operated by Soviet pioneer scouts. The goal was to give children the chance to learn about teamwork and responsibility. Today, a job on the railway is a prestigious position – only the top students are considered, and those who have been selected have to participate in training and take exams. But even without the railway’s retro charm, it’s worth hopping on to see a side of Budapest that will make you forget you’re in a busy European capital. Get your tickets ready for Hungary’s cutest conductors!
If you’d like to learn more about the past and present of the Children’s Railway, you can check out a short and sweet interactive exhibit and museum shop at Hűvösvölgy station, showcasing archival photos, documents, relics and games.
