The day looked like rain. The forecast said rain. So, we decided it would be a perfect day for a daytrip to Szentendre.
Szentendre Video: https://youtu.be/KHTrW5AUs9E?si=sL1uhC6HNA3Wxe0o
About 11am we headed out the door. The M1 to Deák Ferenc tér then the M2 to Batthyány tér. At Batthyány tér we went to the BKK window and purchased a 450ft extension ticket on the H5 Commuter Train for my traveling companions Budapest TravelCard. The TravelCard gets her to the city limits, so the ticket is needed to reach Szentendre from there. The sweet lady at the ticket office made sure we didn’t forget the return ticket and reminded us to validate them. Me? I am over 65 so I travel for free.
We got on the train, and I saw a young couple putting their ticket in and out of the validation machine and looking confused because nothing was happening. They were Americans. I showed him how the machine worked. These trains are well over 50 years old and not much is automated. Nice kid. Really nice kid.
Off we went on the 45-minute journey. Once crossing out of Budapest (about 2/3 of the way down the rail) the conductor came along to check tickets. The nice kid presented his only to find out he had purchased a ticket from Szentendre to Budapest, not Budapest to Szentendre. Now, I have seen a lot of tourists get irate because they didn’t think they should have to pay for their mistakes …. But this kid was a gentleman. He asked questions calmly and understood and bought a ticket from the conductor. He didn’t let it spoil his day.
As we rode, we looked out the window at the pouring rain on the Danube River. Yikes. But I know Budapest rain so hoped for the best.
When we stopped in Szentendre (the end stop of the train) it was coming down hard outside. We ducked under a roof for cover while we decided what to do.
Okay 50m through the rain (with one umbrella) to the street underpass. Then a 10-minute walk to the town center. We bolted. By the time we came out from under the street on the other side, the rain had all but stopped. By the time we got to the town center the sky had blue and the temperatures had dropped to 70 or below.
After walking the streets and ducking into arts and craft shops and few local made clothing stores we went looking for a late lunch. We ended up at Elisabeth Étterem, where our waiter, István, to our surprise exhibited proficiency in being polite and welcoming in Hungarian, English, Mandarin and Korean; and I suspect he could have done it in German and French and Spanish if the situation had required.
Excellent food ….. Okay, we ate fried mushrooms and drank beer for two hours. But I imagine the food was excellent. Everyone else seemed happy.
The idea had been to take the boat home but It wasn’t at the pier. Maybe they didn’t sail because of the weather? So back on the train and our return. Back home about 6pm then out for a glass of wine at Kadarka a foot rub next door before a nice Thai dinner. Excellent day.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1324 posts
Just to add, in case anyone is considering biking from Budapest to Szentendre. We pictured a scenic ride along the 'main' Danube river, with constant views of nature and river traffic. But much of the ride is actually thru Budapest streets on a hard to follow route; when you get to the river portion, it is not the main Danube, it is a smaller side channel with almost no river traffic, and thru some food stands with no view of river, then when getting close to Szentendre, away from the river again thru non-descript fields. Don't mean to be too negative, we really enjoyed our time in Budapest; just wanted to set expectations for anyone considering this bike outing. Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23342 posts
Yup, not much. You get the traffic channel on Margrit Island but the narrow channel on the Obuda Island. Then the next one up as well. Not much from the land. But on the water its a good boat trip. Granted especially the last third past Margrit Island and then when you round the bend and the Parliament seems to appear out of nowhere. Its pretty stunning.
But if you are going to do a scenic trail do check it out with Google Street View in advance. That whole routes is on Google.
I once had a friend visiting from Tehran and her flight got in early enough where I could have her picked up at the airport and brought to Szentendre instead of Budapest (about 10 minutes further and I had the driver drop her bags in town). We did the tour then took the boat into the city. There is no better way to see Budapest for the first time.
Posted by
TX, USA
5477 posts
Maybe next year in June for me. I always seem to end up in Budapest when the boat isn’t running.
Posted by
OP
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23342 posts
That young lady may have seen a few pictures of Budapest, this was 10 years ago and it was still pretty much under the radar. But she had no idea, and when the boat rounded Margrit Island and the Parliament rose up in front of us .... her mouth fell open.
Posted by
California USA
4242 posts
Thanks for the description of your travel day to Szentendre and back. That is one day trip I’d like to do when we are in Budapest next month. I have 2 questions for you. If we are over 65 are all the little legs of this land trip, transportation wise free of a ticket, just show our passports on board? Also if we are fortunate enough to be able to take a boat back I’m assuming we’d need to buy a ticket at the pier?
Posted by
OP
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23342 posts
Mona, yes, if you are over 65 the Budapest public transportation (except the funicular), the HEV Commuter Trains (like the one to Szentendre) and the MAV city to city trains are all free. You can take an HEV train from Szentendre then 2 metro lines, and a tram to a train station, then the 2.5 hour train to the city of Eger and it will cost you nothing if your are over 65 (except if you want a seat assignment on the train ... if there are any on that route ... then I think its 600 ft, might be 800 ft). Odds are on all of the transportation the inspectors and conductors will simply say jó napot as they walk past you. Rarely do I ever get asked for an ID, and never have they looked at it once I pulled it out of my pocket.
Here is the boat company. You can buy tickets in advance. But I suggest that you arrive at the boat 30 minutes early as there isnt a lot of room on the outside decks and that’s where you want to be if the weather is good. https://mahartpassnave.hu/en/budapest-szentendre-budapest-1
And you know that the city runs a sightseeing boat and a transportation boat within Budapest. That might be my next Trip Report. I can do this as I am not a citizen and not a permanent resident. I am simply an extended tourist.
OHHH, why the train up and the boat back? The train up is about 40 minutes. The boat up is closer to an hour against the current. The boat back is 45 minutes or less depending on how the river is flowing. And you get that entry view which is priceless.
Posted by
62 posts
Thank you! Definitely adding this to our itinerary. And the boat back sounds wonderful.
Posted by
OP
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23342 posts
Happy to help.