Budapest’s Keleti Railway Station Closure: Essential Guide for International Travelers

If you’re planning to visit Budapest between August 25th and September 20th, 2025, there’s crucial information you need to know. Hungary’s busiest railway station, Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station), will be completely closed for an entire month due to major renovation work. But don’t worry – Budapest’s public transport authority has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure your journey remains smooth and convenient.

What the Closure Means for Visitors

During the closure period, no trains will arrive at or depart from Keleti Railway Station. Instead, they’ll be rerouted to other major stations throughout the city, including Nyugati pályaudvar (Western Railway Station), Kelenföld, Kőbánya felső, and Kőbánya-Kispest.

If you’re arriving by train from Vienna, Prague, Bratislava, or other European cities, you’ll likely arrive at one of these alternative stations. While this might seem inconvenient, Budapest’s excellent public transportation network ensures you can still reach your destination efficiently.

The Express Tram Solution: Your Fast Track to the City

The most exciting development during this period is BKK’s introduction of the 37E express tram service. This specially designed express service connects Blaha Lujza Square with Kőbánya felső railway station, where many trains that would normally terminate at Keleti will now stop.

Unlike regular tram services that stop everywhere, this express service only calls at major interchange points, reducing journey time by 3-4 minutes. The express tram operates incredibly frequently – you can expect a tram every 3-5 minutes during peak hours when combined with regular 37 and 37A services.

The 37E stops at key locations including Blaha Lujza Square (with metro connections), II. János Pál pápa tér metro station, Teleki László Square, and several other strategic points before reaching Kőbánya felső railway station. This route provides quick access to Budapest’s city center, the Grand Boulevard, and connections to both the M2 and M4 metro lines.

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Metro System: Your Underground Lifeline

Budapest’s metro system becomes even more crucial during the closure. The four metro lines provide excellent connections between alternative railway stations and major tourist areas.

The M4 metro line (green) offers direct routes to Kelenföld railway station and connects to major tourist areas with modern, air-conditioned trains. The M3 metro line (blue) is essential for reaching Nyugati Railway Station and passes through the city center, connecting to numerous tourist attractions.

Recognizing increased demand, BKK has enhanced M2 metro frequency from September 1st during weekday morning rush hours, providing more frequent services to help accommodate displaced passengers.

Railway Ticket Acceptance: A Tourist-Friendly Feature

One of the most visitor-friendly measures is BKK’s acceptance of railway tickets and passes on designated public transport services. If you have a valid train ticket or railway pass, you can use it on specific routes without purchasing additional transport tickets.

This includes the entire M4 metro line, M2 metro between Örs vezér tere and Keleti station, M3 metro between Nyugati station and Kőbánya-Kispest, all tram services (37, 37A, 37E) between Blaha Lujza Square and Kőbánya felső, and several bus routes including the number 10 bus along its entire route.

Enhanced Services Across the Network

Beyond the express tram, BKK has implemented numerous service improvements. Buses traveling toward Örs vezér tere will all stop at Rákos railway station, providing additional connectivity options. The 202E bus service has been temporarily extended to include a stop at Kozma Street.

The Hungarian State Railway (MÁV) operates frequent replacement buses between Puskás Ferenc Stadium and Kőbánya felső railway station, ensuring minimal waiting times for connecting passengers. These buses coordinate closely with BKK’s enhanced services, creating a comprehensive network that maintains connectivity.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

Before traveling, download the BudapestGO mobile app for real-time updates on all public transport services, including temporary changes. The MÁV website’s dedicated section (mavcsoport.hu/keleti) offers current information about train diversions and replacement services.

Consider purchasing a Budapest public transport day pass or longer-term pass, which provides unlimited access to all BKK services and can be more economical than individual tickets. These passes also provide peace of mind when using different transport modes during the closure period.

Tourist Attractions Remain Accessible

All of Budapest’s major tourist attractions remain easily accessible through the enhanced transport network. The Parliament Building, Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Buda Castle, and the Central Market Hall are all reachable using the improved services and alternative routes.

The express tram service actually provides faster access to some eastern Budapest attractions, while enhanced metro frequencies ensure that popular destinations in both Pest and Buda remain well-connected with minimal journey time increases.

Looking Ahead: Permanent Improvements

The 37E express tram represents more than just a temporary solution – it’s the first real-world test of BKK’s ambitious tram acceleration program designed to make Budapest’s tram network faster and more reliable. Many of the enhanced services introduced during the closure period may become permanent improvements.

The closure represents part of Hungary’s broader commitment to modernizing transport infrastructure, ultimately benefiting all visitors by creating more reliable and efficient travel experiences throughout the country.

Digital Resources and Support

Modern Budapest offers excellent digital resources to help navigate the changes. The BudapestGO app provides real-time departures, route planning, and service alerts in multiple languages. QR codes at major stations provide instant access to current timetables and service information.

Social media channels and official websites provide regular updates about service changes or improvements to the temporary arrangements, ensuring you have the latest information for your journey.

The month-long closure of Keleti Railway Station might seem challenging, but Budapest’s comprehensive response demonstrates why the city remains one of Europe’s most visitor-friendly destinations. The combination of innovative express services, enhanced frequencies, integrated ticketing, and clear communication ensures that your Budapest experience remains exceptional.

Whether you’re arriving for a weekend city break or an extended exploration of Hungary, these alternative arrangements provide opportunities to experience different aspects of Budapest’s excellent public transport system while still accessing all the attractions that make the city so special. The temporary changes are designed with visitors in mind, ensuring your journey through this beautiful city remains smooth and enjoyable.