Steam Rides, Castle Picnic, and Victorians on Smartphones – A Day Trip to Gödöllő, Hungary in Style

The iconic 424 "Bivaly" steam engine at Gödollő Station, moments before departure

Steam Rides, Castle Picnic and Victorians on Smartphones – A Day Trip to Gödöllő in Style

My intro to steam trains, a royal castle picnic, and Victorian characters with smartphones — all wrapped into one spring day near Budapest. Family-friendly, camera-ready, and full of unexpected contrasts.

One of the best things about living in Budapest, Hungary is the endless stream of local events and family-friendly activities to choose from. Recently, the Hungarian National Train Company (MÁV Rail Tours) ran its nostalgic steam train ride — a beautifully preserved steam locomotive with authentic old-fashioned wagons offering short trips a few times a year. This wasn’t just the ideal trip for history lovers but the perfect way to blow steam – pun intended – after a long work week. I love slow travel, when I have time to process where I’m heading to as well as chat, ponder and relax on the way. This day trip near Budapest delivered exactly this.

I took this trip with a few friends, and it was my first time riding a steam train. Environmental concerns aside — because let’s be honest, my wish to preserve history and my desire to save the planet don’t exactly go hand in hand (pumping burning particles into the atmosphere for fun comes with a strong dose of dissonance) — something magical happened the moment I stepped onto the platform.

Seeing a real steam train huffing and puffing, just like in the movies, felt surreal. But then I spotted people in full Victorian-era costumes! Their presence made the whole experience of riding this historic steam locomotive absolutely fantastic. These enthusiastic locals brought the scene to life through their dedication and love for the period. There was a variety of beautiful costumes but spotting the Victorian-era characters standing by the steam train with their smartphone in hand was the most entertaining image of the trip – a perfect clash of historical and modern Budapest.

Looking at my fellow passengers, there weren’t many foreigners on board, even though this steam train ride is a fantastic tourist attraction right in the heart of Budapest. Instead, we were surrounded by Hungarian families and smiling children, who made the journey even more joyful. Everyone was cheerful, respectful, and the overall atmosphere was really chill.

We decided to hop off at Gödöllő, a charming town known for its beautiful royal castle. The castle grounds were alive with spring festivities — blooming gardens, lively market stalls, and plenty of random, funny entertainment like geese shepherding and puppet shows. The castle can be visited, but we decided to stay in the garden and chill in the grass. After a sun-soaked picnic and a nice walk through a foresty bit back to the station, we made the nostalgic journey back to Budapest through the countryside.

🤑 Sum-Up – So, what’s the budget for this day trip?

Per person (adult), the trip was about 10,000–12,000 HUF and here’s the breakdown:

• Train ticket (round trip: Nyugati – Gödöllő – Hatvan – Gödöllő – Nyugati):

  • Adult: 5,990–7,990 HUF

  • Child (4–14 years): 4,490–6,490 HUF

  • Children under 4: Free (no seat provided)

• Castle grounds entrance: 1,000 HUF per person
  (Normally free, but there was a fee this time due to the Easter festivities.)

• Food: On the expensive side at the event, but we brought a full picnic instead — which was a lovely alternative. We spent around 3,000 HUF on food each.

🎥 Wanna see the actual ride?

We recorded it!
👉 Watch the steam train ride on YouTube

🚂 Curious about future train rides?

Check out MÁV Rail Tours for more cool themed trips:

https://www.mavcsoport.hu/…/retro-es-tematikus-esemenyek

https://www.mavrailtours.hu/hu/…

A special thank you to all the wonderful people in these photos, who put so much effort into their beautiful period outfits and were kind enough to pose for us. They did an incredible job, and their presence made the day truly unforgettable.

’Til next time!
Cheers,
Melì