Budapest Keleti railway station

Budapest Keleti railway station is one of the three main railway stations in Budapest, Hungary, along with Budapest Nyugati railway station and Budapest Déli railway station. It is located in the VIII. district of Budapest, near the Hungarian State Opera House and St. Stephen's Basilica. The station is a major transportation hub, with connections to Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), Czech Railways (ČD), Polish State Railways (PKP), and Slovak Railways (ŽSR). It is also a key stop on the Budapest Metro network, with M2 and M4 lines intersecting at the station.

● Introduction

Budapest Keleti railway station is a significant landmark in Budapest, with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. The station has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, with the most recent reconstruction completed in 2014. It is a major hub for Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) and Győr–Sopron–Ebenfurt Railway (GySEV), with trains connecting to Vienna, Prague, Warsaw, and Bratislava. The station is also close to several major hotels in Budapest, including the Hotel Hungaria City Center and the Hotel Ibis Budapest Heroes Square.

● History

The history of Budapest Keleti railway station dates back to 1884, when it was opened as the Eastern Railway Station of Budapest. The station was designed by Gyula Rochlitz and János Feketeházy, and it was built in the Neoclassical style. During World War II, the station suffered significant damage, and it was rebuilt in the 1950s. In the 1970s and 1980s, the station underwent several renovations, including the addition of new platforms and the installation of electrification systems. The station has also been a key stop on the Orient Express route, which connected Paris to Istanbul.

● Architecture

The architecture of Budapest Keleti railway station is a mix of Neoclassical and Art Nouveau styles, with a large clock tower and a grand entrance hall. The station's design was influenced by the works of Eiffel Tower architect Gustave Eiffel and Hungarian architect Miklós Ybl. The station's interior features a large waiting room with a stained glass ceiling, as well as several shops and restaurants. The station is also home to a railway museum, which showcases the history of rail transport in Hungary.

● Services

Budapest Keleti railway station offers a range of services, including domestic trains to Debrecen, Szeged, and Pécs, as well as international trains to Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia. The station is also a key stop on the Budapest Metro network, with M2 and M4 lines intersecting at the station. The station is also served by several bus lines, including the Budapest Bus network and the Volánbusz network.

● Facilities

Budapest Keleti railway station offers a range of facilities, including ticket offices, waiting rooms, and restaurants. The station also features a left luggage office, a currency exchange office, and a tourist information office. The station is also home to several shops, including a newsstand, a bookstore, and a souvenir shop. The station is also equipped with Wi-Fi and ATM machines.

● Reconstruction

In 2012, the Hungarian government announced plans to reconstruct Budapest Keleti railway station, with a budget of HUF 70 billion. The reconstruction project included the renovation of the station's platforms, the installation of new electrification systems, and the construction of a new underpass. The project was completed in 2014, and it has significantly improved the station's facilities and services. The reconstruction project was carried out by a consortium of companies, including Strabag, Vinci, and Bouygues. The project was also supported by the European Union's Cohesion Fund and the Hungarian Development Bank.