Keleti is Budapest's grand main railway station and Hungary's principal gateway for international trains, a soaring 1884 landmark that still handles around four hundred trains a day. If your itinerary shows Keleti, or the station code XXQ, this is where you will likely arrive in or depart from Budapest by rail.
Book an airport transfer to Keleti Railway Station
Fixed-price private transfers with English-speaking drivers. Meet-and-greet included.
Getting to and from Keleti Railway Station
## Getting oriented at Keleti
Keleti's monumental main hall opens onto thirteen platforms arranged in three groups: platforms 6 to 9 are straight ahead from the main entrance, while platforms 1 to 5 and 10 to 13 sit off to the sides, up to a five-minute walk along the central platforms, so allow a few extra minutes if your train leaves from the outer groups. The station has ticket offices, an information centre, shops including a supermarket, and a spread of cafes, restaurants, and fast food, so it is easy to stock up before a long journey.
Nearby hotels in Keleti Railway Station
## International trains and the lounge
Keleti is Hungary's main international rail hub. Railjet services run to Vienna, Munich, and Zurich, InterCity trains head for Prague and Warsaw, and further services connect Bucharest, Belgrade, and Zagreb, making the station a natural node on any central European rail trip. Travellers with first-class international tickets can use the business lounge near platform 9, open from early morning to mid-evening with complimentary drinks and snacks.
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Practical info & when to visit
## Luggage, transport, and tips
For luggage, Keleti has both a staffed left-luggage office in the main hall, charging by the hour or day, and coin-operated lockers of various sizes beneath platform 7, which typically take forint or euro coins. The station connects directly to the Budapest metro, making the city centre a few stops away. Arrive with margin for international departures, since finding the right platform group in the large station takes longer than at a small stop, and keep some coins handy if you plan to use the lockers.