Children's railway

The Children's Railway is a special attraction of Budapest. The speciality of this 11 kilometre-long, 760 millimetre small-gauge 'little train' is that children between 10-14 years provide most services: they check the tickets, signal out and even conduct trains. I think its really fun and they look very cute there:)

The Children's Railway was built between 1948 and 1950 connecting Hűvösvölgy (Cool Valley) and Széchenyi Hill. At that time and indeed until 1990, it bore the name Pioneers' Railway (Úttörővasút). The Pioneers ('úttörő') was the only children's organisation in the Socialist Era, following the example of the Russian 'pioneers'.

On the third and last stretch of the line a 198 metre-long tunnel was built, adding still more excitement to the journey.
The Hűvösvölgy Station building hosts a Children's Railway Museum (Gyermekvasutas Múzeum), which exhibits a collection of relics from the former Pioneers' Railway.

The Children's Railway runs every day from 9 am to 6 pm between 15th March and 23rd October, and hourly from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm between 24th October and 14th March.

On summer weekends and public holidays nostalgia steam- and motor-traction trains also run; these can be enjoyed with a special ticket. (source: www.hungarystarsthere.com)

(photo: Zsolt)

The best way to get to the Children's Railway is taking the Cog Railway from the Városmajor. This special train is part of Budapest's public transportation, so you can take it with a regular ticket or with your three days tourist card. The last station of the Cog Railway is at the Szechenyi Hill where you can find the station of the Children's Railway.

Actually this is a perfect excursion for both summer and wintertime. The route of the train is among the hills of Buda with a great view. These videos can give you an impression: