Funicular in Buda Castle District

Travelling up to the Buda Castle hilltop with the Buda Hill Funicular is a pleasant and comfortable way to save your legs a hike when you want to get up to the Castle District from the river level on Adam Clarke square in Budapest. If you wish to choose a historical vehicle rather than the public buses or the various lifts, the 19th century cable car is a must. Enjoy the ride and the vista!

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, now luxury Four Seasons Hotel, on the Pest side of Budapest by 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-metre 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 (next to the Chain Bridge and the Tunnel)

Opening Hours of Funicular

Mon – Sun: 8 am to 10 pm with regular Maintenance day closures see below.

Maintenance Days when the Funicular is scheduled to be closed for Mondays and for spring time and autumnal maintenance weeks.

When is the Buda Castle Funicular Closed?

Biweekly Maintenance Closures of the 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 2000
Free for children under 3

Note: only HUF is accepted at the cashier

Last updated: Jan, 2025