Today, one headed over the Hungarian border from Vienna to Budapest. As predicted, it was the same type of train as we caught to Vienna with the ingenious lift system. Although this journey takes around 2.5 hours, one had the additional issue of getting to the hotel in a city where the public transportation isn’t exactly accessible.
Prior to this trip to Europe, one did some research into the accessible of the Budapest public transport system and discovered that there is only one fully accessible metro line as of 2015 (M4) hence one booked the hotel around that. For ease, rather than staying on the train to Budapest Keleti (one of the main stations), one disembarked at Budapest-Kelenföld located in the suburbs. The reason for doing this (in addition to the station being quieter) was that said station is the terminus for the M4. This made for a smooth run to our hotel.
The M4 reminded one a little of the Docklands Light Railway in London except this one had a driver. The trains and the platforms are flush enabling level boarding.
Again, we checked into our hotel without any problems (this is going so well so far regarding the hotels!) but again it seems that the Hungarian version of an accessible room consists of a bath rather than a shower.
After dropping ones bags off at the hotel, one decided to take a roll along the River Danube to Balna which is a marvellous piece of modern architecture and is, essentially, a shopping centre. However, as of 2015, it seems that it is rather empty inside but still a pleasant walk around if you like empty shopping centres!
Said building also contains a ‘fake’ football pitch making for a perfect way to let off some steam after a days travelling…
Tomorrow, we plan to visit the famous Széchenyi Thermal Bath and attempt to inflate ones ‘inflatable horseshoe buoyancy rescue system’ with its own whistle and flag!