From Budapest to Szentendre: A day trip with a timetable

Red tiled roofs, ochre-coloured gables and church spires overlooking narrow cobbled streets: just under three-quarters of an hour north of Budapest, on the bend in the Danube, lies Szentendre, a town that looks like a painting. Serbian refugees shaped its character in the late 17th century, followed in the 20th century by painters who raved about its unique light.

Starting point: your a&o Budapest City

The a&o Budapest City is situated on Csengery utca in the lively Erzsébetváros district, between Nyugati and Keleti railway stations and not far from Oktogon. A tram and bus stop is just a few minutes’ walk away, whilst the Vörösmarty utca metro station is about a seven-minute walk away.

• Affordable accommodation: Depending on your travel dates, you can stay from as little as €12 in a shared room or from €49 in a double room.
• Breakfast on request: You can book the breakfast buffet if required. It’s a great way to start a long day out.
• Hotel bar in the evening: When you return, you can round off the day with a drink in the hotel bar.
• Good service: A 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi and a quiet courtyard where you can relax.

Getting there: How to get from Budapest to Szentendre

By HÉV suburban train (recommended): The H5 line runs directly from Batthyány tér on the Buda side of the Danube to Szentendre. The journey takes around 40 minutes. Batthyány tér is opposite the Parliament and can be reached by the M2 metro line.

From the a&o Hostel to the train station: From the a&o Budapest City, take the M1 metro to Deák Ferenc tér, change there to the M2 and travel to Batthyány tér. You should allow about 30 minutes for this journey.

Important information about tickets: Standard Budapest tickets and multi-day passes are only valid up to the city limits at Békásmegyer. To continue your journey to Szentendre, you’ll need a supplementary ticket (Kiegészítő jegy). Buy this before you set off from the BKK transport authority ticket machines or via the app, as you’ll be charged a higher fare if you don’t have a valid ticket.

Sights in Szentendre

Arrival and the Bükkös Stream: The station is situated on a busy road. Don’t worry – once you’ve gone through the underpass and crossed the little Bükkös Stream, the old town begins, and the world suddenly transforms into a world of pastel colours and cobblestones. Sturdy shoes are better here than high heels.

Fő tér (Main Square): The heart of the town is a square lined with Baroque merchants’ houses. In the centre stands the Plague Cross from 1763, which the merchants donated out of gratitude because the plague had spared the town. The restaurants right on the square are often more expensive than those in the side streets, but the view is free.

Umbrella Alley (Bercsényi utca): Colourful umbrellas span the narrow alleyway, making for a popular photo opportunity. If you want to take photos without the crowds, it’s best to come before 10 am.

Church Hill (Templom tér): A narrow flight of steps leads up from the main square to the Catholic Church of St John the Baptist. From the top, you can look out over the red roofs, the church spires and the ribbon of the Danube. You’ll often find small stalls selling arts and crafts here.

Kovács-Margit Museum: Margit Kovács created unique, expressive ceramic figures with elongated bodies and deep emotional resonance. The museum is housed in an 18th-century building and is regarded as the city’s finest art experience.

Marzipan Museum: Here you’ll see figures, buildings and even the Parliament made of marzipan. At the end, the shop tempts visitors with delicacies such as orange and chocolate.

Danube Promenade and Japanese Garden: Take a peaceful stroll along the river. If you want to leave the crowds behind, not far from the Danube, in the Czóbel Park area, you’ll find the small Japanese Garden with a pond and a tea house, which is usually accessible free of charge.

For the whole day: Skanzen. The open-air museum of folk culture is situated about three kilometres outside the city and covers 46 hectares. It features houses, mills and churches from all over Hungary that have been relocated here. The walk there isn’t very appealing; it’s better to take the bus from the station or a taxi. If you’re visiting Skanzen, you’ll need a full day for Szentendre and will have to skip parts of the old town.

Lunch break: Lángos and more

You’ll eat better and more cheaply in the side streets than right on the main square.

For a quick bite: By the steps leading up to the church hill, Álomlángos serves the classic lángos with cheese and sour cream – a deep-fried flatbread with a crispy crust and a fluffy centre. Eating standing up in the alleyway is all part of the experience.
For a sit-down meal: Teyföl serves modern takes on Hungarian classics in a courtyard away from the hustle and bustle.
By the water: On the banks of the Danube, Kacsakő Bisztró invites you to enjoy a drink with a view of the river. Try a Fröccs there – the Hungarian wine spritzer.

Your itinerary at a glance

• 07:45 am: Breakfast at a&o Budapest City
• 08:30 am: Set off for Batthyány tér on the M1 and M2 metro lines (around 30 minutes)
• 09:10 am: Buy a single-journey ticket and board the HÉV (trains run several times an hour; the time is a guide only)
• 09:50 am: Arrival in Szentendre; walk through the underpass to the Bükkös stream
• 10:15 am: Fő tér with the Cross of Pest and Bercsényi utca with its colourful umbrellas, whilst it’s still quiet
• 11:00 am: Walk up to the church hill with views over the rooftops
• 11:45 am: Kovács Margit Museum
• 12.45 pm: Lunch break with lángos or at a restaurant
• 02.00 pm: Marzipan Museum and a stroll through the side streets
• 03.15 pm: Walk along the Danube, coffee break or a visit to the Japanese Garden
• 04.15 pm: Return journey by HÉV to Batthyány tér
• 05.00 pm: Arrival at Batthyány tér, view of the Parliament Building on the opposite bank
• 06.00 pm: Return to the a&o Budapest City, followed by dinner nearby
• 08.00 pm: Round off the day in the hotel bar at the a&o Budapest City

A stroll and some souvenirs

The main street, Bogdányi utca, is the city’s shopping hub. It gets very busy at the weekend between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm. Walk two streets further into the residential areas, and it suddenly becomes quiet. Typical souvenirs from Szentendre include marzipan, ceramics, paprika and embroidery. When buying the latter, make sure they’re genuinely handmade, as not everything sold as ‘traditional’ actually comes from the region.

Szentendre isn’t a hidden gem, and that’s precisely why it’s so rewarding. If you arrive early, explore the side streets and take time to enjoy the art, lángos and views of the Danube, you’ll experience a day that feels a world away from the big city. And because you’re staying at the a&o Budapest City, you’ll be back in time in the evening for a cosy nightcap in the hotel bar.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the journey from Budapest to Szentendre take?
It takes around 40 minutes on the HÉV suburban railway (line H5) from Batthyány tér. From the a&o Budapest City, it takes about 30 minutes to reach Batthyány tér.

Is there a boat service to Szentendre?
During the season, there is usually a regular ferry service from Vigadó tér, with a journey time of about an hour and a half.

How much time do I need in Szentendre?
Four to five hours are enough for the old town. Allow a whole day for the open-air museum.

Which day of the week should I go?
Most museums are closed on Mondays. The main street is at its busiest at weekends between 11 am and 3 pm. Weekdays from Tuesday to Friday are the quietest.

Is Szentendre accessible?
Only to a limited extent. The Danube promenade is flat and easy to navigate, but the main square and side streets have uneven cobblestones, and the church hill is steep. The older HÉV trains have high steps.

Can I pay by card in Szentendre?
Yes, almost everywhere. Shops often only accept euros at an unfavourable exchange rate, so it’s better to pay in forints or by card.

Got hooked?

Then book your trip with a&o to Budapest!