WHILE Budapest is known for its bargain beer prices and thermal baths, the European capital is also home to a forest railway line manned by kids.
Set in the Buda Hills, northwest of the Hungarian capital, the Gyermekvasút Rail Line has been staffed by kids since 1947.
The Gyermekvasút Rail Line has been staffed by kids since 1947[/caption]
Kids act as members of train station staff or ticket collectors[/caption]
The 1940s scheme was introduced to give kids the chance to learn important skills and to take pride in their work.
Its three passenger lines were an instant hit until foreign holidays lured visitors away from the brightly coloured steam locomotive.
Thankfully, the Gyermekvasút Rail Line (Children’s Railway) increased in popularity in the 1990s after communist rule came to an end in the country.
As part of its revival, the lines and cars were refurbished.
Nowadays, the Gyermekvasút is the world’s largest children’s railway.
Running from Széchenyihegy Station to Hűvösvölgy Station, the train stops at six stations on its route, including Normafa, Csillebérc, Virágvölgy, Jánoshegy, Szépjuhászné and Hárshegy.
While qualified adult drivers man the train, the kids act as ticket collectors or station staff.
Passengers can disembark the white, red and blue trains at each stop, with lookout towers and forest playgrounds en route.
Tickets are free for children aged six and under, with one-way fares from £1 for children under the age of 18.
Meanwhile, tickets for full-paying adults start from £2 per person.
Passengers can also rent out saloon coaches for those who want to travel in extra comfort.
Seasonal events run throughout the year, including Christmas-themed trains as well as performances on Children’s Railway Day.
There’s also an onsite museum where visitors can learn about the history of the miniature railway.
The little train runs throughout the year with the exception of Mondays and public holidays.
One-way journeys on the steam locomotive take between 40-50 minutes.
The forest railway line is located northwest of Budapest[/caption]
Holidaymakers heading to Budapest on a city break can reach the forest railway from the city centre by taking a bus and a tram.
Visitors have raved about the Gyermekvasút Rail Line on TripAdvisor where it has a 4/5 star rating.
One person wrote: “We went the whole route through snow-covered scenery, it was very delightful.
“The children’s side is limited to the ticket collectors and station staff but still charming to watch and hear.”
Another person added: “It was absolutely fabulous – the children working on this railway line are the stars”.
A third person commented: “A very pleasant tourist attraction, all the kids were wonderful
“They all take their task seriously, but still inject a little youthful delight into the job.”
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“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
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Passengers can even rent out saloon-style cabins, for those who want to travel in extra comfort[/caption]
One-way adult tickets start from £2 per person[/caption]
