Travel from Keleti Train Station to Viking River Cruise

You can use Uber or the official taxi rank. The official taxi line is beyond platform six on the north side of the train station. When you exit the station go toward the right and you’ll see the official taxi line. City Taxi and Bolt are two reputable companies.

Elsewhere in the city, it’s best to use Uber where you will know the fee upfront before climbing aboard.

First, the negative comments you have heard about taxis are utter nonsense. There were a few issues 20 years ago and they got on the internet and.... nonsense.

Easiest of course, taking a taxi. Might be $15. Always better to call one as it reduces any chance of something bad to ZERO. So the comment about tge taxi ranks above isn't the best. I LIKE CityTaxi. Download their app to make it even easier.

Option 2 would be the M4 metro from Keleti to Fővám tér (i think 3 stops). Then the famous 2 Tram 2 or 3 stops. I could be more accurate with the pier name. I would say equal in stress.

FINALLY there is a third, fully above ground somewhat scenic option which uses the 23 Tram the whole way. You will need the BudapestGo app to find the Tram stop next to Keleti and it will take longer. If I am in town I can help you. Nice introduction to Budspest.

Wait, there is also a way using the M2 metro. Again a pier name would help.

Want scenic? The 4/6 to the 2 Tram does that in a great way.

The response two posts above neglected to mention that in Budapest Bolt and Uber are simply regulated taxi companies with yellow cars and meters. Yes, they are good, as is FoTaxi and a few others. We'll, all the others are good, thanks to regulation and price control. Their apps will show you where the car is.

But I encourage you to try public transportation. Not mentioned in the response is if you walk to the front of the station and down the stairs, you will find on your right a BKK office where you can buy a pass for the duration of your stay or maybe just a few single ride tickets. Then ride the Tram and/or metro to the pier. You should have come 2 days early, but I bet we missed that boat so I will skip the lecture.

Feel free to call or write of you need help.

Okay, 4 senior citizens with carryon luggage. My apologies for the previous post. In fact it was little help to you. So, a couple of serious options.

There will be a wonderful scenic trip to the ship and one that is more “efficient”. I really recommend the scenic if, despite being seniors, you get around okay. (I am a young senior at 60-something) If you are over 65 you will not need tickets. Just an ID with your birthdate on it.

THE SCENIC ROUTE
Go to the front of the station near the end of track 6 and track 7 you will find stairs going down. At the bottom and on the right there is a nice restroom. I think its 300ft but takes credit cards. If someone in your group is under 65 there is a ticket office right after the toilets. Buy a 24 hour pass.

When down there you will see directions to the M2 and M4 metro. You want the M2 metro in the direction of Déli pályaudvar. You will stay on one stop to Blaha Lujza tér. Then you will go up the stairs marked Exit E and you will see before you the city of Budapest and a very modern looking yellow tram. That is the 4/6 tram. You want one marked “Széll Kálmán tér”. I think I would sit on the right if given a choice. No ticket needed. Just show the ID if an inspector asks.

The tram will take you on a large arc through the city. You will pass the famous NY Café, the Oktogon, Andrassy ut and Eiffel’s Nyugati Train Station as well as quite a few magnificent buildings and a lot of typical Budapest.

The trip will be for 5 stops and will take under 10 minutes. You will get off at the stop after the Nyugati Train station. The stop is called Jászai Mari tér. In front you is the Margrit Island Bridge and Buda. To your left is the famous old Tram 2 that will take you to your ship. This is the end of the 2 tram line so you cant get on it in the wrong direction. This is also the stop for the 2A and the 23 tram. Not to worry, all the same.

Hop on and ride it past the Parliament building and the Chain bridge and see the views to the castle in Buda. Few if any better tram rides in Europe. Sit on the right side by the way.

After you go under the Chain Bridge you will see your ship. Stay on until the second stop after crossing under the bridge. The stop (the fifth if you are counting) is called Vigadó tér. That whole trip on the 2 Tram is also less than 10 minutes. Now walk down the wonderful old Danube Corso to your boat (just a few minutes).

THE EFFICIENT ROUTE
Go to the front of the station near the end of track 6 and track 7 you will find stairs going down. At the bottom and on the right, there is a nice restroom. I think it’s 300ft but takes credit cards. If someone in your group is under 65 there is a ticket office right after the toilets. Buy a 24-hour pass.

When down there you will see directions to the M2 and M4 metro. You want the M4 metro. Keleti is the end stop for the metro so you can only get on in one direction. You will stay on four stops to Fővám tér. It will take about 5 minutes. Here go up the stairs and you are under the Liberty Bridge that goes to Buda. You are also very near the Great Market Hall. But alas, this is the efficient way so you can’t see either unless you look backward really hard once you board the tram that you will see.

That Tram is the famous Tram 2 and you will ride it 3 stops to Vigadó tér. Those three stops, the less than 5 minute ride will be your total above ground experience. Sit on the left. From Vigadó tér it’s a short walk down the Danube Corso to your ship a bit further up river.

Favorite Tourism Video of Budapest https://youtu.be/1nd5AtZIrTk?feature=shared
Anthony Bourdain describing how visually pleasurable Budapest is https://youtu.be/0nd9DuDGCz0?si=aa0c19KaJHEtabkX

Thank you all for such excellent suggestions. There are great options for our group to consider, and we are thankful for you wise guidance.

If you do get stopped and asked for your public transportation tickets, a woman should point to herself and say tündérek. The man should do the same and say the masculine form, which is turul. The inspectors will pass you on.

I love the 4/6 (meaning either a 4 or a 6) tram and the 2 tram!

Mr. Ë’s directions are spot on - it might sound complicated but it’s not. And it’s gorgeous.

However if you aren’t up for the extra sightseeing, I personally use City Taxi. It has its own app and works like Uber. You input your destination and it finds your location just like Uber. Set it up at home before you leave. (If you do call for a taxi, I have found their English is perfectly good.) All the licensed taxis operate the same way so I wouldn’t worry about restricting yourself to Uber anywhere.

I have used Bolt in other locations - just not Budapest. Taking suggestions from a different Budapest source (not my own experience), the side of the freelance cabs will not have a corporate logo (City Taxi, Fo Taxi, Uber, Bolt) on the side and will just say “taxi” on the top sign (not the company name). Freelance may be the same yellow as licensed taxis if you are trying to hail one off the street, so take an extra look.

Yup, dont hail a taxi. Call one. I think that's cheaper too for some strange reason. They all charge the same, so you are shopping based on service, and City Taxi has always done well for me. Good chance the driver will have a sports coat or a tie. All the cars are clean and new in all companies ... more regulation.

TexasTravelMom, so you agree. Okay folks you heard it here. Blame her. Not me for the results of claiming to be a tündérek or a turul when the metro cops grab you.

Well, fortunately, when the metro police stop me, they look like metro police and the most they ever need is a quick glance at my ID. (And usually it’s just the motion of beginning to get it out. I guess I look old.) No need for any name-calling of any sort. :)