Dent, Bob: Budapest for Children - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)

3. Going for a Ride - Enjoying some transport

3. GOING FOR A RIDE

Children who are not familiar with underground systems may simply like to ride the metro and even those who are will probably be fascinated by the “little underground”, an almost toy-town, but real line (no. 1) which runs from Vörösmarty tér and then under Andrássy út to the City Park. This underground was constructed in 1896 and was the second to be opened in Europe after London’s. (See also Underground museum in section 8.)

Even fewer visiting children are likely to be familiar with trams. A good tram ride with superb views of the river, the Buda skyline (Castle Hill, Royal Palace, Gellért Hill, etc.) and of the bridges is on the no. 2, which runs from Jászai Mari tér by the Pest end of Margaret Bridge, weaves around the parliament building and then runs along the length of the Danube embankment to Boráros tér at the Pest end of Petőfi Bridge.

For a good city ride, trams no. 4 and 6 circle the centre of Pest along the entire length of the Great Boulevard. You can change to the no. 2, mentioned above, at either Margaret Bridge or Petőfi Bridge, and thus make a complete circular tour by tram. Total time—less than one hour. But avoid the rush hours!