Buda Castle Buda Castle, Budapest
Travelling by the Buda Hill Funicular is a pleasant and a fairly cheap way to save your legs a hike when you want to get up to the Buda Castle Hill from the river level on Adam Clarke square. Enjoy the ride on a historical cable car!
Located at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge, the funny ride on the Funicular takes only a few minutes, and it does provide a unique and beautiful view of Budapest, the River Danube and sights at the top of Castle Hill, such as the Fisherman’s Bastion. From the top, you will even see the Margaret Island on the left, or the beautiful Art Nouveau style Gresham Palace on the Pest side of the river.
Running every 10 minutes up and down the Castle Hill from early morning till late at night, do not be recoiled by the queues.
History of Funicular Budapest
Connecting the banks of River Danube and the Buda Castle, the Funicular (Budavari Siklo in Hungarian) has been in service since 1870.
The construction was started by the idea of Odon Szechenyi, son of the statesman Count Istvan Szechenyi. Back then, this was the second funicular railway operating in Europe.
The funicular had been meticulously reconstructed and rebuilt in a vintage style after being completely destroyed in a WWII bombing raid.
The Buda Castle Funicular was admitted to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1987.
Currently it runs on a 95-meter route of 50 meters elevation and has two tram cars. The Buda Castle Funicular has two stations, the lower station is at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge and the upper station is on Castle Hill, between Royal Palace and Sandor Palace. The upper station of the Funicular is where the Castle Tour & Funicular package descends to the riverbank level to continue the guided tour on the river Danube (and to rest your feet).
Address of Funicular Stations Budapest
Clark Adam Square, District I, 1013 Budapest
Opening Hours of Funicular
Mon – Sun: 8 am to 10 pm
Biweekly Monday Closures of Funicular:
please check the dates when the Funicular is closed due to regular maintenance works.
Prices of Funicular Tickets
You can use the Funicular to ride up and down Castle hill.
Adult: HUF 5000 return
Children aged between 3-14: HUF 2500
Free for children under 3
Note: only HUF is accepted at the cashier
Last updated: Sep, 2024
May I know if the Budapest funicular is open in December? (Between 15th to 17th December)?
Dear Mariella,
thabk you for your comment.
Yes, the Funicilar will operate during winter too.
I hope I could be of help.
Is funicular open on 29th jan please?
Dear Bina,
thank you for your comment.
The maintenance works of the Funicular are scheduled bi-weekly, i.e. every other Monday of odd weeks.
I am afraid, because of the maintenance works, the Funicular will be closed on 29 January, but will be open on both the previous and the following days.
https://budacastlebudapest.com/funicular-maintenance/
Have a great time in Budapest!
Will the funicular be open 13
/14/15 or 16th january?
Dear Kadie,
yes, the Funicular will run on Sunday Jan 13, Tuesday Jan 15, but on Jan 14 not, unfortunately.
Jan 14th is a Monday scheduled for maintenance works at the Funicular in the Buda Castle (Siklo in Hungarian)
Maintenance works at Funicular Budapest: every other Monday during odd weeks
Can we pay for the funicular ride with a credit card?
Hello Inga,
thank you for your comment.
The major debit and credit cards are accepted when buying your tickets on the spot.
I hope I could be of help.
Hi,
Would I be able to take my kid’s stroller up on the funicular? if not, would there be some place near the funicular starting point where I can securely leave the stroller and collect on my way back? Thanks in advance.
Dear Suyash,
yes, you can bring it to the Funicular.
Hello
Is budacastle ,fisherman’s bastion & the rock nuclear museum inside the buda hill ..???
So can i take the hill funicular trian from buda hill & reach the above mention places..?
Hello Surabhi,
yes, you can reach the top of the Buda Castle Hill by the Funicular, and the mentioned attractions will be in walking distance.
From where can i book tickets online for 2nd August
Dear Niti,
the Funicular tickets in itself unfortunately cannot be booked online, but let me kindly recommend you the following guided tour, where the Funicular ride is included: https://budacastlebudapest.com/buda-castle-tour-funicular-ride-river-cruise/
A group of 12 friends will be going there in March 2019. Everyone is of different fitness levels. But I think most would be with me. Could you tell me please if it will be in operation mid March. I am doing all of the organising of it all and I just want every piece of it to be perfect and not disappoint people. Thanks, Tina
Hello Tina,
the Funicular in the Buda Castle area is open every day, throughout the year, except for odd week Mondays. If you know exactly which days you have in mind for your visit in March, we can be of further help.
If you wish to book a guided tour in the Buda Castle, please find the most popular tours on the following page:
https://budacastlebudapest.com/buda-castle-tour/
I hope I could be of help.
How pet-friendly is the funicular and tour? We have a service dog.
Dear Chris,
dogs are welcome on board of the Funicular too, with the following regulations:
Small pets are allowed on the Funicular for free (in a carrier bag which size is not exceeding a hand luggage).
For large dogs and service dogs it is required to purchase a separate full price ticket, and have to be muzzled on a leash and be in a clean condition.
I use a wheelchair. Would I be able to take it up on the Funicular?
And how difficult would it be getting round the castle in a wheelchair?
Dear Joan,
Yes, the Funicular is accessible for wheelchair users too.
Regarding the other parts of the Buda Castle district, please note that the area is mostly covered in cobblestones, but not everywhere, so the ride is occasionally bumpy and the cobblestones may affect the wheels of your wheelchair negatively.
Holy Trinity Square has been recently renovated, and according to local wheelchair users, it is easily manageable with a mobile chair or wheelchair.
Matthias Church has got a rampart for wheelchair users, so it is also accessible for visitors.
In the nearby Hotel Hilton there are many accessible toilets that you can use.
Please note that the Buda Castle courtyards (next to the Budapest History Museum and the National Gallery) are all covered in cobblestones, which make them, unfortunately, not wheelchair friendly.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info [at] budacastlebudapest.com
Thank you so much for your detailed reply; it is most useful.
Hi gentleman,
I wanna beat the queue and be the first on the Siklo. Can you please let me know what is the best time to be there on a Saturday morning? Thanks in advance for your answer.
Best regards Simon
Dear Simon,
I would recommend you to arrive as early as you can, if you wish to avoid the crowds. The Funicular opens at 7.30 in the morning.
How do we get to the funicular from the Pariiament hotel ?
Would 9.30 am be OK for arriving without too much of a queue?
Dear Barbara,
probably the easiest way to get to the Funicular is to walk from your accommodation to the Opera, and there take bus no. 105 until Clark Adam Square. Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/vHUamiFKNkPxN4Rp8
Hi,
we cant wait for our trip to Budapest!!!
Which tickets do we need to buy for being able to see the change of guard?
Can we buy buda castle entrance ticket and furnicular ride tickets separately without any other combo??
Would the castle ticket entail us to experience the change of guard?
Thanks in advance
Hello how do we get from castle hill funicular to fishermen’s bastion please
Dear Margaret,
Thank you for your comment.
It is a short walk. We have sent you the directions and more details via email.
Have a lovely holiday in Budapest!
Is the funicular wheelchair accessible … ?
Hello Nancy,
thank you for contacting us.
Yes, the Funicular is accessible for wheelchair users too.
Regarding the other parts of the Buda Castle district, please note that the area is mostly covered in cobblestones, but not everywhere, so the ride is occasionally bumpy and the cobblestones may affect the wheels of your wheelchair negatively.
Holy Trinity Square has been recently renovated, and according to local wheelchair users, it is easily manageable with a mobile chair or wheelchair.
Matthias Church has got a rampart for wheelchair users, so it is also accessible for visitors.
In the nearby Hotel Hilton there are many accessible toilets that you can use.
Please note that the Buda Castle courtyards (next to the Budapest History Museum and the National Gallery) are all covered in cobblestones, which make them, unfortunately, not wheelchair friendly.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info [at] budacastlebudapest.com
Hello!
I noticed that payment at the cashier is “only in HUF” – cash only? No bank cards accepted?
Thanks in advance!
Dear Edi,
thank you for contacting us regarding the Funicular in Buda Castle District.
Unfortunately, they only accept cash (HUF) at the cashier, that’s correct.
Have a great time in Budapest!
can the funnicular lead to Buda Castle?
Dear Eva,
yes, the Funicular actually connects the banks of River Danube and the Buda Castle.
You can read more about the Funicular (Budavari Siklo in Hungarian) here: https://budacastlebudapest.com/funicular-buda-castle-district/
Have a great stay in the Hungarian capital!
Hi, may I know whether can I purchase the funicular ticket online in advance? Or the only way to purchase funicular ticket is at the counter?
Hello Terence,
Thank you for contacting us regarding buying tickets for the Funicular.
If you wish to buy tickets only you can purchase them on the spot (in cash). If you would like to book a Castle Tour with Funicular ride, your tickets for the Funicular will be included in the tour package and can be paid in advance.
Booking: https://budacastlebudapest.com/buda-castle-tour-funicular-ride-river-cruise/
Have a great stay in Budapest!
Hi, I just wonder if the Funicular is open during Easter 2020?
Thanks in advance!
Dear Lisa,
Thank you for contacting us regarding the opening hours of the Funicular in Budapest.
The Funicular will operate during Easter 2020 as usual.
Please find more details here: https://budacastlebudapest.com/funicular-buda-castle-district/
Have a great stay in the Hungarian capital!
Can I please ask whether the funicular is accessible for wheelchair users? Can a wheelchair user reach the funicular and board it? Thanks.
Hello Deb,
Yes, the Funicular is welcoming wheelchair users.
Guests can enter the top-cars barrier-free. Once you have purchased your tickets the staff will guide you.
We recommend you arrive with a company so he or she can help you if you need it.
Enjoy your stay in Budapest!
Aside from the cobblestones, is the castle district walking tour wheelchair accessible? Are there any steps on the way?
Dear Emma,
For wheelchair users we usually advise the following:
Generally speaking, 4 elevators help people with mobility issues to access the elevated Buda Castle grounds, where the recently refurbished pavement helps people in wheelchairs.Please note that the streets are covered with cobblestone and getting over some of the high curbs might also be tricky. Inside the Castle District, Matthias Church can be accessed by wheelchair from its southern entrance through a ramp, but please notify the staff. Visitors with disabilities and one accompanying person can enter here free of charge. The ground level of Fishermen’s Bastion can also be accessed by wheelchair. National Gallery’s recently revamped premises are accessible by an elevator for sightseers with physical disabilities, and the museum is equipped with a disabled-friendly bathroom.Please also read the following article:
https://budacastlebudapest.com/getting-there/
In general, much to our greatest regret, the current Castle District design is not wheelchair-friendly, consequently most of the tours are not wheelchair-friendly either.
The dates listed for the Mondays closures all say 2020. Are the Monday closures still current? If so, can you update the schedule, please.
Hello Liz,
Mondays are still closure days in the castle district most museums, restaurants, and shops are closed on Mondays.
We have updated the article with the 2023 dates: https://budacastlebudapest.com/funicular-maintenance/
Have a lovely time in Budapest!
Hello!
I am planning a trip to Buda Castle & Fisherman’s Bastion on Sunday 7/1/2024. I have a few questions regarding the trip:
1. We are a group of 3, how much is each funicular/cable car ticket?
2. Will the funicular/cable car take us up to see both Buda Castle & Fisherman’s Bastion?
3. One of our trip members uses a wheelchair, so is the funicular/cable car wheelchair accessible and after we go up is it easy to get to Buda Castle & Fisherman’s Bastion with a wheelchair?
4. How much is entry for the National Gallery and Budapest History Museum per person inside Buda Castle?
Thank you!
Dear Valerie,
Thank you for your comment.
We have contacted you via email.
Hope we can welcome you at Buda castle!
Hello, i have press card , is there free or discount to funicular or in museums to enter?
Hi!
Is Fanicular and Buda Castle open during easter 2024? specifically during 31st March and 1st April?
Hello
Are weekly/multiple passes available? My mum and I will be staying in the Castle Area and she stuggles with the hills a bit (poor planning on my part I know)
And is it possible to by single tickets rather than return?
Thank you for your reply, Amanda.
Only return tickets are available.
Thank you for your kind understanding.
Is the funicular open on 4th of June ?
Hello, yes, the Funicular is open from 8am to 10pm.
Tickets are available on the spot.
Enjoy your holiday in Budapest!
Is it possible to access the lower level of Fisherman’s Bastion without climbing stairs at all ?
Like the Matthias Church
Dear Tanmay,
Thank you for your inquiry.
There is a bus stop close to Matthias Church, we have sent you an email with further details.
Have a nice time at Buda Castle!
Hi,
May I know if the budapest card/ pass eligible for funicular ride?
Dear Beatrice,
The Budapest Card Plus includes the Funicular ride.
We have sent you an email with more details.
Have a wonderful holiday in Budapest!
At what tiime do you open tomorrow August 20th?
Hello Regina,
The Funicular will be open as usual from 8 am.
Enjoy your time in Budapest!
Hi
I’m wondering if the ticket is two ways or only single? I mean it is included two way ?
Hello Ghazaleh,
Thank you for contacting us.
Funicular tickets are for both ways (up and down).
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Have a lovely time at Buda Castle!
Hello,
does the ticket for an adult (4000 ft) is for both directions- up and down? Or is it just for one direction?
If it’s for both directions, how much ft is it just one direction for an adult?
Hello Shelly,
Thank you for your comment.
The ticket is for both ways, there are no single tickets available.
Enjoy your time at Buda Castle!