Budapest's New Metro Line #4

David, It wasn't running last week. I even tried to get down to peek at it but it was pretty well secured off. The latest REVISED, REVISED, REVISED, REVISED plans call for it to open by the end of March but I understand that they are having equipment problems which could push the opening back to who knows when. The other three lines are wonderful and will get you anyplace you need to go as a tourist (with a little help from the trams).

We'll be staying close by another station so it won't be an issue. #4 runs down the street in front of the Central Market where we're staying.

We'll be coming into town from the airport via minivan anyway
Thanks, James

David,
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That’s right, you were staying above the steak house. I have eaten there, you can do much better in town. If you reach that point that you want an American steak then go to Haxen Kiraly Etterem.

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You are staying just a little out from the center so you should invest in a multiple day travel card as you will be using the metro system a lot; but it’s easy. You will be able to get to most of everything using the No. 47/49 Tram, No. 2 Tram, No. 4/6 Tram and the M1 Metro.

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From your apartment the No. 47/49 tram will take you to the Kalvin ter metro stop for the M3 metro line and Raday utca for restaurants and the Astoria metro stop for the M2 metro line and the Great Synagogue. At the end of the No 47/49 tram line is the Deak Ferenc ter metro stop where the M1, M2 and M3 all come together. From this point you can make your way deep into the heart of District V (tourist trap district), or up Kiraly utca to the Gozsdu Courtyard and the heart of the Jewish District or up Andrassy ut to the Opera and the City Park.

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The No.2 tram is a fantastic ride with great views. If you exit your apartment and walk towards the river, down the center of the tram stop boarding area you will find stairs that go down under the street. Go down and you will find the No 2 tram that will take you along the river front and to the Chain Bridge, Shoes on the Danube, Parliament and beyond to the roadway that crosses the Danube at Margaret Island. Here you can pick up the No. 4/6 tram that to cross the river or go the other direction back to Andrassy ut. The No. 4/6 takes you through some fantastic parts of town, past the Eiffel designed train station and the New York Café.

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Oh, Haxen. Worth the effort for really top class Hungarian food too. Excellent and I bet you will be the only tourist in the place, which makes it better if you are like me. Take the 47/49 to its terminus at Deak Fernec ter and then walk about 3 minutes to the end of Andrasy ut where you will find an entrance to the M1 metro. Ride the M1 up Andrassy ut (if its early and you have the energy you can walk this as Andrassy is very interesting). You will get off three stops up at the Vorosmarty utca metro stop (careful, there is a Vorosmarty ter station if you go in the wrong direction). Now walk up Andrassy ut to Rozsa utca and turn right. The place will be two or three blocks down on the corner of Kiraly utca.

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This is my favorite print it yourself metro map http://www.emta.com/IMG/jpg/budapestnetwork.jpg

The M4 opens to the public at 9am tomorrow morning (Friday the 29th of March).

It's operate, from Keleti Pályaudvar to Kelenföldi pályaudvar. It's not the whole line. Here you can check the stations: http://www.metro4.hu/nyomvonal_allomasok.php