Buda Castle Buda Castle, Budapest
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
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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
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!
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