In Hungary, several narrow-gauge railways operate in different regions of the country. Unlike in other countries, some of these railways run year-round, while others operate daily during the summer season. Ticket prices are affordable, and narrow-gauge railways in Hungary are very popular among both Hungarians and tourists.
Narrow-gauge railways in Hungary are usually well-maintained and comprised of diesel locomotive and old open-plan carriages and open-air carriages which run in summer.
Narrow-gauge railways in Hungary:
1. Budapest and region
Children’s Railway on Széchenyi Hill
Route: Hűvösvölgy – Jánoshegy – Csillebérc – Normafa – Széchenyihegy
Route length: 11.2 km
One of Budapest’s major tourist attractions. It is located in the green heart of the city in districts II and XII. The railway connects the stations Széchenyi-hegy and Hűvösvölgy. The route is 11.2 km long with a height difference of 235 m. Trains run at an average speed of 20 km/h, and the journey takes 40-45 minutes. At the Hűvösvölgy station, there is a small museum dedicated to the railway The railway operates year-round (typically not on Mondays); outside the high season, it usually runs 8 pairs of trains daily, and even more during the season. The railway stations are accessible by public transport: to reach Széchenyi-hegy station, you take the cogwheel railway and then walk a short distance, while tram number 61 goes to Hűvösvölgy station.
Children’s Railway in Budapest – official website
Kemence Forest Museum Railway
Route: Kemence – Godóvár – Feketevölgy – (Hajagos)
Route length: 4 km (8 km to Hajagos station)
The Kemence Forest Railway is a 600 mm narrow-gauge railway located in the northern part of the Börzsöny Mountains, near the Slovak border. The best way to reach it is by taking a train from Bratislava to Štúrovo, then transferring to a train to Čata, and from there to the town of Šahy, which is 11 km from Kemence. Alternatively, you can transfer in the town of Levice. The railway is operated by volunteers and runs on weekends from the first weekend of April to the last weekend of October.
Kemence Forest Museum Railway – official fanpage
Királyrét Forest Railway
Route: Kismaros – Morgó – Szokolya – Paphegy – Királyrét
Route length: 12 km (total length over 14.5 km)
One of the oldest forest railways in Hungary, operating since 1893. The Királyrét Forest Railway is part of the former Börzsöny Mountains railway network, which once covered over 200 km. The train runs through the Morgó stream valley, which collects water from the entire Börzsöny basin, from the banks of the Danube in Kismaros through the village of Szokolya to Királyrét, a popular starting point for excursions into the Börzsöny Mountains. The track gauge is 760 mm, with a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
Királyrét Forest Railway – official website
Nagybörzsöny Forest Railway
Route: Szob – Nagyirtás – Nagybörzsöny
Route length: 21 km
The narrow-gauge railway in Nagybörzsöny features a unique mountainous route: it is the only railway line in Hungary with a summit turntable. It is the second line of the former Börzsöny Mountains forest railway network. The track gauge is 760 mm, with a maximum speed of 15 km/h. It operates on weekends and public holidays from March to November. The one-way trip takes 45 minutes.
To reach the railway station, take a train from Budapest or Bratislava to the border town of Szob or then a bus to Nagybörzsöny. The bus journey from Szob to Nagybörzsöny takes 35 minutes (if trains from Szob don’t run)
From 2016 it is possible to travel with railways in the forest from Nagybörzsöny throughout Szob, but due to the current ownership conditions, it is possible to continue the journey with a transfer in Nagyirtáspuszta and a new ticket. Transfers are announced in the timetable with a transfer time of 5-10 minutes.
Nagybörzsöny Forest Railway – official website
Vál-völgyi Kisvasút
The youngest of the Hungarian narrow-gauge railways, it was built near Budapest and opened in 2016. The 5.7 km route (with a total of 6,450 meters of track including technical sections) connects the arboretum in Alcsut with the stadium and sports complex of the football academy in Felcsut.
The track gauge is 760 mm, with a maximum speed of 25 km/h. The journey time between the starting and ending stations is 20 minutes. There is only one intermediate station between the start and end stations.
Vál-völgyi Kisvasút – official website
2. Northern Hungary
Forest Railway in Felsőtárkány
Hungarian: Felsőtárkányi Állami Erdei Vasút
Route: Felsőtárkány – Stimeczház
Length: 5 km
The State Forest Railways operate in the Bükk Mountains (Beech Mountains), north of Eger. Along the railway line, there is a wildlife park, and at the final station, a hiking trail begins, leading to the most interesting natural attractions of the park. From the final station, you can walk to the well-known Vöröskő-forrás spring, which occasionally spouts up like a geyser. The railway is located near the city of Eger and usually operates on weekends and holidays from the last weekend of April to the last weekend of September. The one-way trip takes 25 minutes. Felsőtárkány can be reached by bus from Eger.
State Forest Railway – timetable
Gyöngyös Mátravasút Railway
Route: Gyöngyös – Mátrafüred, Gyöngyös – Lajosháza
Length: 18 km
The narrow-gauge railway, located about an hour’s drive from Budapest. The railway runs on the two routes: the first one runs in a straight path around Mátrafüred through fields and vineyards with a beautiful panorama of Kékestető. At the city outskirts, the second line follows a stream and heads northwest towards the towns of Lajosháza-Szalajkaház. It is one of the most popular narrow-gauge railways in Hungary. There are direct trains from Budapest to Gyöngyös. The journey lasts about 90 minutes.
State Forest Railway – timetable
Lillafüred Forest Railway
Route: Miskolc – Papírgyár – Lillafüred – Garadna
Length: 14 km
One of the most popular narrow-gauge railways in Hungary, its route passes through picturesque forests. It is well-advertised, attracting tourists from Hungary and other countries. Along the way, it passes many interesting sites, including the “Palota” Hotel and waterfalls. The starting/ending station is located on the outskirts of Miskolc, exactly 5 kilometers from the Miskolc Tiszai station, where trains from Budapest and Košice arrive. The station can be reached by public city bus. The railway operates regularly for most of the year. The train covers the fourteen-kilometer route in an hour.
Lillafüred Forest Railway – official website
Pálháza Forest Railway
Route: Pálháza – Kőkapu – Rostalló
Length: 10 km
The forest railway line runs along the popular valley of the Kemence Stream, and from the stops along the line, hikers can continue their trek along one of the hiking trails. The line is located off the beaten path, not immediately fitting into the forested terrain, but that makes it even more attractive. The nearest railway stations are Sátoraljaújhely and Slovenské Nové Mesto (about 17 km from Pálháza). The Slovenské Nové Mesto railway station is on the Košice – Čierna nad Tisou railway line. Trains usually operate from mid-April to the end of October. The ten-kilometer route is covered by the train in 55 minutes, with a 15-minute stop at one of the stations.
Palhaza Forest Railway – official website
Szilvásvárad Forest Railway
Route: Szilvásvárad – Lovaspálya – Szalajka – Fatelep – Szalajka- Fátyolvízesés (waterfall)
Length: 3.64 km
The railway line runs through the picturesque Szalajka Valley from the horse track to the Fátyol waterfall. The railway has the highest passenger traffic among narrow-gauge railways in the region. Along the way, the train stops at the Szalajka Fishpond and the Forest Museum. The railway operates year-round, and the one-way journey takes 15 minutes. Szilvásvárad is located 30 kilometers from Eger, where local trains operate.
State Forest Railway – timetable
3. North Hungarian Plain
Narrow-Gauge Railway in Hortobágy
Route: Hortobágy – Kondástó
Length: 5 km
A little-known narrow-gauge railway that originally served fish ponds located within present-day Hortobágy National Park. When these areas were placed under protection, someone came up with the idea that the railway could attract tourists, and in 2007, this route was reactivated. The railway route runs along the ponds, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life and busy tourist routes. A five-kilometer ride provides an unforgettable experience. These areas also host habitats for rare bird species. Trains operate from April to October – on weekdays for groups, and on Saturdays and Sundays, three public rides are scheduled daily. During the summer, rides are also available on weekdays for the general public. The nearest railway station is Hortobágy, located approximately 100 meters from the railway station. Trains from Füzesabony to Debrecen stop here.
Hortobagy National Park – official website
Zsuzsi Forest Railway in Debrecen
Route: Debrecen-fatelep – Csereerdő – Sámsoni út – Hármashegyalja
Length of the route: 17 km
The oldest operational narrow-gauge railway in Hungary. The railway was inaugurated in 1882 and currently is one of the major tourist attractions in Debrecen. The ride on this railway is promoted as a journey through time. Despite its proximity to Debrecen, the route runs through a quiet forest, with interesting natural sites and hiking trails. It operates several times daily from late April to autumn. The one-way journey takes 45 minutes.
Zsuzsi Forest Railway – official website
Park Railway in Debrecen
Length of the route: 1100 m
The second narrow-gauge railway in Debrecen, located within a cultural and recreational complex resembling a zoo connected to a park and an amusement park. It operates year-round during the opening hours of the complex, allowing passengers to see animals walking around their enclosures from the passing train. Trains are operated based on the number of visitors interested in taking a ride.
4. Western Transdanubia
Forest Railway in Csömödér
Route: Lenti – Csömödér – Kistolmács
Route length: 32 km
The forest railway in Csömödér is part of a network of forest railways running through the Göcsej region with a total length of 102 kilometers. Passenger trains operate only on one-third of the line, with the remaining tracks are used for transporting goods, primarily wood. The stations along the railway are connected to hiking trails and bike paths. The railway operates from the last week of April until the end of September. Most trains run between Csömödér and Kistolmács, with only one train per day covering the entire route. The 32 km journey takes two hours and 45 minutes, with a half-hour stop in Csömödér. Csömödér can be reached by local trains from Zalaegerszeg to Redics.
Forest Railway in Csömödér – official website
Museum Railway in Nagycenk
Route: Fertőboz – Barátság – Kastély (Nagycenk)
Route length: 3.6 km
A typical tourist narrow-gauge railway built near the Széchenyi Palace in Nagycenk in 1972. The train, composed of a steam locomotive and retro carriages, operates on a 3600-meter route from April to September. The train is extremely popular among Budapest residents and tourists. The line is operated by the GySev. In Fertőboz, where the starting station of the railway is located, you can arrive by trains from Sopron (9 minutes travel time) and Győr (80 minutes travel time).
Narrow-gauge railway in Nagycenk – official website
5. Southern Transdanubia
Forest Railway in Almamellék
Route: Almamellék – Lukafai – Sasrét
Route length: 8 km
The narrow-gauge railway with a track gauge of 600 mm was built in 1901 by Baron Rezső Biedermann. The railway route winds through picturesque park areas, including a fishpond, a hunting lodge, and the Pipe Museum in Ibafa. From the stops along the line, visitors can continue exploring the park on foot along numerous nature trails. Trains usually operate twice daily on weekends from end-April to end-October. The one-way journey is planned to take 25 minutes.
Forest Railway in Gemenc
Route: Pörböly – Gemenc – Keselyűs – Bárányfok
Route length: 30 km
The narrow-gauge railway located in the Duna-Dráva National Park along the Danube River, near the Hungarian-Croatian border. Trains operate on the route from Pörböly – Malomtelelő (8 km) or to Gemenc (20 kilometers). The railway runs throughout the year, and the journey along the 20-kilometer route takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. The National Park and its surroundings offer a wide range of outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, and boat trips on the Danube.
Forest Railway in Gemenc – official website
Forest Railway in Kaszó
Route: Szenta – Kaszó
Route length: 8 km
A typical forest railway operating on a short narrow-gauge line running through the forest, along wetlands, and ending at Lake Balata. Trains are usually composed of a diesel locomotive, a converted open wagon for transporting bicycles, and open-air cars. Currently, the railway likely operates year-round on a shortened route from Kaszó to Balata (just 3 kilometers). Trains run twice a day, and the one-way journey takes 15 minutes.
Forest Railway in Kaszó – official website
Forest Railway in Mesztegnyő
Route: Mesztegnyő – Felsőkak
Route length: 9 km
The forest railway in Mesztegnyő is an ideal option for tourists relaxing near Lake Balaton, as it is located 30 kilometers away from Hungary’s largest lake. The route runs through the forest and along the lake, gathering excellent reviews due to its unique atmosphere. It usually operates from April 1st to mid-December. The one-way journey takes 45 minutes.
Children’s Railway in Pécs
Route length: 570 m
The shortest narrow-gauge railway in Hungary. It’s a typical park railway running between a local amusement park and a zoo. The track is 570 meters long and runs through the forest in the Mecsek Culture and Recreation Park. Trains operate year-round on weekends, and during the summer season, the railway runs daily.
Children’s Railway in Pecs – official website
6. Balaton
Field Railway in Balatonfenyves
Route: Balatonfenyves – Központi főmajor – Somogyszentpál
Track length: 13 km
The last operational field railway in Hungary. It is remnant of a long network of similar railways in region. Currently, the train operates only on a thirteen-kilometer stretch. Trains run daily with 5 pairs of trains operating on the route. The journey in one direction takes 45 minutes. It is very popular, although somewhat difficult to access; Somogyszentpál can be reached by bus.
Abandoned narrow-gauge railways in Hungary
In 2000s some of the narrow-gauge railways in Hungary were closed. Most popular of them was Kecskemet – Kiskőrös narrow-gauge railway closed in 2009. In Kecskemet you can see devastated rolling stock fleet (3 km from the city centre). The same year narrow-gauge railway in Nyíregyháza was discountinued.
I have no information about narrow-gauge railway in Tiszakécskei.
Related articles:
Train travel in Hungary – a comprehensive guide
Narrow-gauge railways by country
