Keleti station goes step-free: Budapest’s iconic railway hub to get its first accessible platform

An accessible, step-free platform is set to be built at Budapest’s Keleti Railway Station, according to a video shared on Facebook on Saturday by the CEO of the MÁV Group.

Zsolt Hegyi explained that the station has been welcoming trains since 1884, while the first accessible train sets only arrived some 120 years later. However, until now, level boarding had not been possible at Keleti. This, he said, made it high time for the construction of the station’s first fully accessible platform.

Why the project can move forward now

The development has become possible because fewer trains are currently using Keleti due to the construction of the Southern Railway Ring (Déli Körvasút). As a result, one platform between tracks 12 and 13 has temporarily become redundant, allowing it to be converted without disrupting rail traffic.

At the same time, MÁV’s development funds for this year have been opened, enabling construction work to begin. The project is expected to run until February.

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Level boarding from March on key routes

From March onwards, passengers will be able to board low-floor suburban trains at platform level, as well as the Serbian low-floor motor train operating on the Budapest–Belgrade line, directly from the two tracks served by the renovated platform.

According to Hegyi, this represents a significant improvement for passengers with reduced mobility, parents with prams, travellers with luggage, and elderly passengers.

Protecting the station’s historic character

The CEO stressed that special care is being taken to preserve Keleti’s listed, historic environment during the works. As part of the project, the base of the station’s heritage wrought-iron platform canopy will also be renovated.

He added that this development is another step towards bringing the 19th-century railway station closer to the expectations of the 21st century.

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Preparing Keleti for modern international trains

In his accompanying Facebook post, Hegyi noted that the investment will not only make everyday travel more comfortable but will also prepare Keleti to receive step-free, low-floor international trains on the Budapest–Belgrade route.

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Key figures behind the upgrade

As part of the project, around 1,800 square metres of platform area will be renewed, including the complete structural layers. The works also involve raising 34 cable and utility chambers and installing approximately 500 square metres of new tactile paving on the platform and the adjoining pavement sections.

Once completed, the upgrade will mark a milestone in making one of Budapest’s busiest and most iconic railway stations more accessible for all passengers.