Boat Trips on the Danube River

Boat companies provide boat trips along the Danube in the Summer season. Here are some short regular boat trips for you to try:

Duna Bella - daytime boat cruise by Legenda

This one-hour Danube Cruise starts from Vigadó tér on the Pest bank in the city center. A pleasant sailing between the splendid vision of Buda and Pest. The tour heads north around Margaret Island, showing many of Budapest’s great sites along the Danube. You can get off at Margaret Island, have a 30 minute guided walk on the Island and another 30 minutes of free time. The total trip takes two hours. Legenda website

How to get there
Legenda Pier is located in the heart of historic city center right at Vigadó Square (tér). Take tram 2 (along the Danube) to Vigadó tér, or Metro 2 or 3 to Deák tér and walk to the river, or take the Yellow Metro Line (Földalatti, Line 1) to terminal Vörösmarty tér and walk towards the river. Once you reach Vigadó tér walk down the stairs and cross at the traffic lights. Take a left turn and walk another 50 meters. You will see Legenda signs at Pier 7. [printable map]

Open all year. November to February only one trip daily at 2:30. March to October: see time table for departures at the website.

Danube Corso boat cruise by Mahart

Another pleasant and short daytime sightseeing cruise on the Danube provided by Mahart, and it also takes off at the Pier on Vigadó tér. The airconditioned boat is cruising from the Vigadó Square north to the Margaret bridge, then to Hotel Gellért, and back again to the Vigadó Square, showing you all the highlights including the parliament, the Buda Castle and Gellért Hill.

Budapest - Szentendre or Budapest - Visegrád boat an hydrofoil cruises

Several boats go north from Budapest to Szentendre, Visegrád, or even to Esztergom. Most usual cruises probably take too long for young children to stay aboard. Going just to Szentendre (1,5 hrs) may be a nice option.

Visegrád (highly recommended for a visit with children with its castle and bob sled track) can be reached in 1 hr by fast hydrofoils. Mahart sets out hydrofoils to the Danube Bend every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 am between May and September.

Duna crossing by boat

From May to October Mahart runs a ferry-type service between Vigadó tér in Pest, Batthyány tér in Buda and Margaret Island. Nice boat and not expensive.

How to get there
Follow guidelines for Legend, except Mahart is at Pier 6. Check Mahart website for departure dates.

Ferry boat service by BKV

During the summer months (May through August) a pleasant ferry boat runs frequent services on the Danube river between Boráros tér in the south to Római part in the north. The stops provide great daytrip opportunities to the two islands: Margit and Hajógyári sziget, and to the recreation area along the Danube: Római part. It runs approximately every 10 minutes. Check the BKV website for schedule and step-up points to plan your trip.

main source: Benjamin Guides - Budapest for Children

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