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Kékes might not rival the Alps in altitude, but at 1,014 meters it’s Hungary’s highest peak — and it makes for one of the best day trips from Budapest whether you’re driving or taking public transport. The summit offers panoramic views, fresh mountain air, and a mix of hiking trails, ski slopes, and cozy eateries that make it a year-round escape.
As someone traveling with a partner who has summited most of the Balkans and loves hiking, this day trip was a central part of our recent 5-day trip to Budapest.
Also check out: The Ultimate List of 45+ Things to Do in Budapest
Getting There
By Car
If you’re driving, the trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours from Budapest. The fastest route is via the M3 motorway towards Gyöngyös, then following signs to Mátrafüred and Mátraháza. The final stretch winds through forest roads, so take it slow and enjoy the views.
For rentals, Discover Cars is a good option to compare prices and book in advance. I both use them and promote them.
I use and compare prices for car rentals, with Discovercars.com. It is a giant rental and comparison site on the market and it has a lot of perks that make sense if you travel often.
Once you head to Discover Cars, you’ll find an easy search engine to filter by location, dates and pick up location.
Tip: Always check a few different pick up locations when booking a rental car.
By Public Transport
Public transport is the most affordable and surprisingly easy way to get to Kékes. Since we were staying near Andrássy Avenue, we followed Google Maps’ suggestion: take a local bus to Kecskon Pongrác út where it connects to the M3 and wait for bus 1040.
There is another route “1045” departing a bit further away from there, but you need another bus/transfer.
Information on the route was a bit tricky to find — especially whether the bus accepted cash or card, or if we needed to book in advance. We even asked some locals, who suggested we play it safe and head to the main central bus station to wait for another bus instead.
Still, we persisted, and when our bus rolled in, it accepted card payments without a problem. The driver confirmed that’s usually the case.
The bus is more like a coach than a city bus, with comfortable seats for the 2.5-hour trip and a few stops along the way. The final stretch is windy and narrow, so if you get motion sickness, pack some medicine.
The bus drops you off near the hotel at the summit, from where a small marked path leads to the highest point and the observation tower. We asked the driver directly about return times — buses run early in the morning towards Kékes, then a few more departures until about 4 p.m.
All we had to do was be back at the departure spot before the agreed time, and we paid by card again then.
Bus tickets for 1040 are about $9 per person each way.
What to Do at Kékes
We were mostly interested in walking up to the tower and relaxing in the surrounding park and nature. There’s a large stone marker for photos, a few souvenir stalls, and an observation tower to get the best views.
If you have time, you can explore several hiking trails or visit the small ski area in winter.
You can also go up the observation tower which has a very affordable ticket and is open between 9:00 – 16:00 in the off season or 18:00 during summer.
More information on that can be found here.
If you want to make Kékes more than just a day trip, the surrounding area has plenty of places to stay — mostly cozy guesthouses. The one that really caught my attention was Hotel Ózon & Luxury Villas. It’s definitely on the pricey side, but it comes with spa facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, and full dinner service as part of the experience. If I could splurge, this would be a great spot.
Where to Eat
While we didn’t stop for food, there are a few restaurants nearby serving classic Hungarian dishes with mountain views. These are especially convenient if you’re on a road trip and don’t mind driving a short distance from the summit. But there are also canteens and a restaurant there as well.
Tips for Visiting
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring was perfect — the landscape was lush and green, and temperatures were mild.
- Motion Sickness: The final stretch of road is narrow and winding.
- Extra Stop: If you have a car and more time, add Parádfürdő to your route. It’s famous for its mineral springs but will add another 30 minutes to your drive.
Overall this can be quite a short visit, or a part of a longer “destress and relax” trip soaking in the countryside and mountains.
