Gödöllő

Gödöllő  is a city of 32,000 people (2017) in Pest County, about 30 km east of Budapest. It is often visited as a daytrip from Budapest, or as a stop off while travelling to Eastern Hungary. It is among the most popular destinations for Austrians visiting Hungary, largely due to the royal palace, former home of Emperor Franz Josef and Queen Elizabeth.

By rail
Budapest has two suburban rail systems: the HÉV operated by BKV (the transport company in Budapest), and regular személy trains operated by MÁV (the national rail operator). Both serve Gödöllő, but not the same parts. However, if coming from central Budapest MÁV is almost always the better option, although HÉV is more practical if you are arriving directly from the Franz Liszt Airport (first take #200E from the airport to Kőbánya-Kispest, and from there on take #85 to Örs vezér tere, its final stop; both of these are bus lines with quite frequent departures, even on Sundays).

HÉV
The Gödöllő HÉV originates at Örs Vezér tere in Budapest, the eastern terminus of the metro line 2. Be sure to take a train towards Gödöllő and not Csömör or Cinkota. Gödöllő has four HÉV stops. Service pattern is 4 trains/hour during peak hours and 2 trains/hour at other times, and the trip from Örs Vezér tere takes 51 min.

Tickets can be bought at Örs Vezér tere or from the inspector on board, and the fare is Ft720, consisting of two tickets: a regular one for Ft350 that you should stamp inside the train, and an extension ticket for Ft370 that an inspector will come over to check (though if you have a Budapest period travelcard, this is reduced to Ft365).

MÁV suburban rail
Gödöllő is also served by MÁV suburban trains on the Budapest - Gödöllő - Hatvan line, which originates at Keleti pályaudvar (metro line 2) in Budapest. Service pattern is generally 2 trains/hr Budapest - Gödöllő with 1 train/hr running onwards to Hatvan. Gödöllő has three MÁV stops: Gödöllő-Állami telepek, Gödöllő, and Máriabesnyő. The Hatvan trains will stop in all three, the Gödöllő trains only at Állami telepek and Gödöllő station. The ride takes 38 minutes and costs Ft745 (though if you have a Budapest period travelcard, this is reduced to Ft365).

By car
Gödöllő is accessible by the M3 motorway out of Budapest.

Get around
Most of the main sights are within walking distance of Szabadság tér. The HÉV can be used within Gödöllő, at a cost of Ft155 a ticket. If travelling to Máriabesnyő suburban trains bound for Hatvan leave every hour from the main station. There is also a free bus that runs from the train station to downtown and then on to Tesco that runs roughly every hour. A complete local bus schedule can be found at Volánbusz's website.

Town Centre

 * In the court of the Town Market there is the Pelikános Kút, Gödöllő's symbolic pelican crest.
 * In the court of the Town Market there is the Pelikános Kút, Gödöllő's symbolic pelican crest.
 * In the court of the Town Market there is the Pelikános Kút, Gödöllő's symbolic pelican crest.
 * In the court of the Town Market there is the Pelikános Kút, Gödöllő's symbolic pelican crest.
 * In the court of the Town Market there is the Pelikános Kút, Gödöllő's symbolic pelican crest.



Parks
City Parks Gödöllő is considered a city of parks. The three main parks are all located around the palace: Alsó park (lower palace park), Felső park (upper palace park), and Erzsébet park, named after Queen Elizabeth.



Gyros
In an around Szabadság tér are a few places to get gyros or hamburgers.


 * Special Gyros at Állomás tér, on the Gödöllő HÉV stop and near the train station serves up the best gyros in town. They're definitely worth grabbing while waiting for the train or HÉV.

Cukrászda

 * Sulyán Cukrászda on Szabadság tér 8. offers Hungarian cakes, Somlói galuska, and gelato. During the spring and summer they set up tables outside so you can people watch on the square.

Ice cream
From Spring to Autumn, home-made ice cream, cakes, and soft drinks can be purchased at the main entrance to Erzsébet Park.

Sleep
Gödöllő is close enough to Budapest that you probably won't need to look for accommodation here. If you plan on staying, however, here are some options.

Go next

 * Debrecen, the "capital city of the Great Hungarian Plain"
 * Eger, historical Castle
 * Hatvan, visit an other Grassalkovich Palace
 * Salgótarján, the city boasts two excellent castle ruins and several hiking opportunities through the forested Cserhát hills.