Eger worth a one day visit?

First let me see if I understand the timing.

• Day one: arrive. Most arrivals are around 2pm. So, if that is correct, you have a few hours after checkin and before jet lag collapse.
• Day two: All day in Budapest
• Day three: All day in Budapest
• Day four: All day in Budapest
• Day five: board the boat.

One of the days you want to spend in Eger because “we felt we got a more authentic taste of the country in small to medium size towns.” If you are going for a more authentic taste of Hungary, Eger is probably not a great benefit in that regard. With just one day in Eger you will never get out of the tourist district. If you spend the night, you still won’t get out of the tourist district.

If you want a more varied tourist holiday in Hungary, then a trip to Eger can be good. Especially if you like wine because that, other than general tourism, is what it’s famous for. For that you need a tour and the best tour would include driving up and back; either in a group or independent.

For the train, you are on holiday after all, so let’s say the 9am train out of Keleti. That means departing your hotel on Andrassy ut about 8am (earlier if you are staying in District V). You will arrive Eger at 11am (cause the train will be a little late). The walk from the station to the old town is about 25 minutes, but an interesting 25 minutes. Or a taxi which by the time you call it, get in it and get there, will be 20 minutes. Or a bus goes most of the way. You know how to buy the ticket so … Will still take you 25 minutes. So, you are in old town for lunch.

Sunset in mid-October is about 18:00 so let’s say you start heading back to the train station about 16:00 for the 17:08 train to Budapest. That will give you 4.5 hours in Eger on top of the 6 hours of traveling. With that you can hit the major sights and be home in Budapest at 19:05 and maybe be in a restaurant for dinner by 19:45 for dinner. Or eat dinner in Eger and take a later train. All about your travel comfort levels.

There are no seat reservations for this train, but if you are over 65 the trip is free. Under 65 and its about $20 round trip.

Another option is the commuter train to Szentendre and the boat back. It takes about 45 minutes each way. (For my taste, I would go to Szentendre about 11am return on the boat which i think in October is at 4pm. )

Thank you for your detailed reply. Currently, our plan is to arrive in Budapest in the morning and, after checking in to our hotel. Walking to get our bearings then taking a night cruise along the Danube. We would like to tour a variety of sites in Budapest the following day. We were thinking of a day trip to a smaller city on our second full day . We board the ship the morning of our third full day but would have the afternoon and the whole next day free to explore before departing Budapest. I appreciate your recommendation. of Szentendre as a better option than Eger. I know there are countless things to see and do in Budapest and wondered if we are allowing ourselves enough time in the city.

Like I said, mid-October is just a wonderful time to be here. The day of the week can have some impact on your plans. Monday sees some things closed as does Saturday in the Jewish district.

So,
Tuesday, arrive in the morning. If you are coming by plane, take a taxi, if you are coming by train, then maybe public transportation.

Then your orientation walk. Not knowing where you are staying, I will start you at the Four Seasons. Take the 2-tram, often called the most beautiful tram ride in Europe, up to the Parliament visit the Shoes on the Danube Memorial (always a good place to start understanding Budapest). Then back on the tram down river to the Fovam ter where the Central Market Hall is located. Depending on the day it closes at 4pm or 6pm. But if your cruise is doing any tours for you, they will take you inside. So maybe you just view the cityscape on this trip. Watch that Anthony Bourdain video clip on my profile page.

At the market you will see the 47/49 tram, sit on the left and travel away from the river to its end stop (less than 10 minutes). Now a short walk to the end of Andrassy ut and a walk up Andrassy ut to at least Heroes Square (40 minutes at least). One of the most beautiful avenues in Europe and continuously changing with its architecture. When you get tired and for the trip home you can get on the M1 metro that runs under the street and terminates near the river not too terribly far from where you began. If time runs short you can always grab the M1 close to home.

In the broadest sense you just did the overview of Pest.

The night cruise … excellent. Do a dinner cruise.

The next day, Szentendre is a great idea. I like to pair it with the castle district. You go up to the castle in the morning then back down to the commuter train station for the short trip into Szentendere about lunch time. Lunch and poke the streets and shops of Szentendre until the boat takes you back to Budapest …. Or if you prefer, take the train back

Oh, unless you are 65 you will need a public transportation TravelCard. If your cruise is providing one, then you can get by with a 72 hour card before you start on their package, if not, you will need a 30 day card (dont worry, its cheap).