The Royal Hungarian Express
Exploring the best of Hungary in style and comfort
An 8-day tour to Hungary with three days on the privately chartered Royal Hungarian Express.
Day 1 Wednesday - London to Hungary
We fly at lunchtime from London Heathrow to Budapest. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for three nights, the Hotel Astoria (4 star), situated within walking distance of the Danube.
Day 2 - Budapest sightseeing
Today we enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of this atmospheric city by coach and on foot. The tour includes Budapest's magnificent Parliament building, Heroes' Square and the monuments, museums and medieval streets of Castle Hill. We later travel by cog railway into the Buda Hills for a ride on the narrow gauge Children's Railway, operated by children who have done well at school.
Day 3 - Free in Budapest
Your day is free to explore Budapest. Take a stroll through the historic streets and admire the city's incredible architecture, perhaps visiting the Hungarian State Opera House to see its beautifully ornate interior during a guided tour. Enjoy the Transport Museum or catch the local train to Szentendre, a beautiful town just outside Budapest which has been home to a community of artists since the 1900s.
Day 4 - The Royal Hungarian Express
Today we join the Royal Hungarian Express. The journey begins with a glass of champagne in the opulent Royal Waiting Room of Budapest's Nyugati station before we are escorted to the train and its beautifully restored steam loco, quietly hissing in preparation for its journey south. As the train departs Budapest, you have time to settle into your compartment before we take our seats in the dining car for lunch. During this, the first of many meals on board, the train travels alongside Lake Balaton. After lunch we arrive in Keszthely, where you can visit the spa in Héviz or enjoy a tour of the castle. Later you have the opportunity to ride on the footplate of the steam locomotive.
Day 5 - The Great Hungarian Plain
The Royal Hungarian Express arrives in Kistelek. A short coach transfer takes us to Opusztaszer and the spectacular Cyclorama, a 120-metre-long painting depicting historical events of 1,100 years ago. We continue to Szeged for sightseeing then re-join the train for Kecskemét. Tonight we travel by horse-drawn buggy to a fantastic 'puszta' show demonstrating the thrills and skills of horsemanship, followed by a traditional dinner.
Day 6 - Rural Hungary - northern mountains
This morning we visit the Aggtelek National Park for a tour of the Baradla cave network, filled with spectacular stalagmites and stalagtites. We rejoin the train and enjoy lunch as we travel to Szilvasvarad for a ride on the narrow-gauge steam-hauled Szilvasvarad Forest Railway. Our journey continues to our final destination, Eger, famous for its Bull's Blood wine. Here we leave the Royal Hungarian Express and transfer to our hotel for two nights, the Hotel Eger (3 star), situated in the centre of this picturesque town.
Day 7 - Sightseeing in Eger
A morning walking tour through Eger's narrow streets includes the town's cathedral and castle. The afternoon is your own to explore the old town and perhaps sample some of the local wines.
Day 8 Wednesday - Budapest to Vienna
We travel by coach to the small town of Gödöllö for a tour of the beautiful Royal Palace, the former summer residence of Emperor Francis Joseph and his wife Elizabeth. After a farewell lunch (included) we continue to Budapest for our flight back to London, arriving mid evening.
The Royal Hungarian Express
The Royal Hungarian Express
The train comprises sleeping cars from the former Hungarian Government's private train, with historic dining cars and locomotives. As well as Hungarian heads of state the train has hosted many leaders including President Nixon and the Queen of Denmark. All these vehicles are now preserved as part of the Hungarian National Railway Museum collection.
Accommodation on board is in two-berth sleeping compartments, finished in panelled mahogany with a washbasin. Showers are available in each sleeping car. Each car has its own attendant who will make up your bed and bring that essential early morning cup of tea. A number of Presidential suites are available offering a small double bed, shower and WC.
All meals are freshly prepared and served in the historic dining car. Wine with meals are included as are drinks whilst on board (excluding spirits). There is also a bar and lounge car, the ideal place to relax while being entertained by Apollo on the piano.
The train is steam hauled on the first day. On subsequent days the engine is an historic diesel from the fifties.
Please note
A Great Rail Journeys representative will be at Heathrow Airport to assist you with the check-in process and to see you off. You will be met at Budapest Airport by our local Hungarian guide, who will escort you for the duration of your holiday in Hungary, until you return to London.
