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A narrow-gauge train is approaching Imremajor from BalatonfenyvesPhoto: Vörös Attila, Hungarian Hiking Association
The area south of Lake Balaton used to be part of the lake, until the water’s waves formed a dam from sandy sediments that separated the southern bay from the lake’s deeper basin. This created a marshy area that began to be drained in the early 20th century, and in August 1950, the Balatonnagyberek State Farm was established on this land, which was only partly suitable for cultivation due to these conditions. Stables and farming estates were built, and the decision was made to construct a narrow-gauge railway to serve these sites.
Construction of the narrow-gauge railway began in October 1950 and took about five years. Gradually, generally perpendicular railway lines were built that initially served the farming estates and then connected local settlements (Somogyszentpál, Táska, Csiszta) to the network. The last section was laid in 1956 toward Csisztapuszta, where oil exploration drilling resulted in 42°C mineral-rich, hydrocarbon-containing, sulfurous medicinal warm water breaking the surface, which soon led to the building of a spa.
At first, the trains were horse-drawn, soon replaced by motor locomotives, and later steam engines were introduced as well. Naturally, like all Hungarian narrow-gauge railways, the line had draft horses, and a few C50 locomotives also found a home on the southern shore of Lake Balaton. At its peak, the railway network was nearly 50 kilometers long with a track gauge of 760 millimeters, primarily transporting agricultural products, peat, and marl from the estates to the Balatonfenyves railway station, but scheduled passenger services started soon after.
From 1956, the railway developed into a local means of transport for the residents.
By the late 1960s—despite significant traffic—the railway was planned for complete dismantling, but the decision or execution was repeatedly postponed. While freight traffic decreased (as marl extraction gradually ceased), passenger traffic on the Csiszta branch grew, and from 1985 nostalgic steam trains ran to the spa.
While the track to Csiszta was extended by 600 meters in 1987, the last freight train ran on the Balatonfenyves GV in 1990. Gradually, some lines were abandoned and eventually dismantled. Traffic ceased on the Csiszta and Táska lines in 2002, and several times the shadow of closure loomed over the only remaining Somogyszentpál line (in 2009 railway staff even prepared a farewell party but in the last moment, the railway was saved). However, the line toward Csisztafűrdő was fully rebuilt by July 2021 and scheduled trains now run every day to the spa.
Today, trains powered generally by C50-type locomotives run 14 kilometers toward Somogyszentpál and an additional 8 kilometers toward Csisztafűrdő in the Nagy-Berek marsh (larger Mk48 locomotives usually appear in the summer season at the front of longer trains). From 2013, passenger cars suitable for transporting bicycles have been in use.
In 2019 the tracks between Balatonfenyves and Somogyszentpál were partly renovated; by 2021 the Csiszta line refurbishment was completed, making it possible again to reach the spa by narrow-gauge railway from the shore of Lake Balaton.
Stations:
At the Imremajor, Pálmajor, and Somogyszentpál felső stops, trains only stop if there are passengers to get on or off. Accordingly, the intention to disembark must be signaled in time to the train crew, and before boarding, one must position themselves on the platform so that the driver can see the passengers in time.
Prices:
According to the fare of MÁV-Start Zrt., which can be accessed here. Based on this, the full-price ticket for the 15 km ride between the two termini is 450 HUF.
Timetable:
Trains operate year-round, and the timetable is available by clicking here.
The data is for informational purposes and reflects the status as of March 2025. Always check the provider's website before your arrival, and if you find any discrepancies, please let us know!
Author’s recommendation
- The Nagy-Berek narrow-gauge railway is worth visiting year-round, as the landscape shows a different face in every season.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
- Walking between the railway tracks, keep in mind that special trains or maintenance vehicles can arrive at any time, and the forest is surprisingly good at soundproofing. Always keep a safe distance: the widest vehicles can be up to 2.5 meters wide, which means 70 cm on each side from the rail, and this can increase with any protruding load or an open door.
- Do not walk between tracks, switch points, and within ten meters of them: these areas are usually oily, the sleepers are slippery, and the switches contain many tripping hazards, which are especially hidden at night or under snow.
- Never operate switches: the weight lever can fall on your foot, and the movable rails can pinch your limbs, while a train approaching a wrongly set switch can cause an accident even at very low speeds.
- Keep a few meters distance in front of or behind stationary vehicles when crossing tracks, as the train or its locomotive can start moving at any time without a special signal.
- The track surface is slippery in wet weather even when covered with thin rust.
Roadbook
The Balatonfenyves GV station still recalls its era of construction, the 1950s—which we can thankfully say as it is part of the narrow-gauge railway's atmosphere. Trains depart from the curved tracks in front of the station, while the traction depot serving the narrow-gauge railway is located a little further away near the standard railway tracks. From the well-maintained, gravel-covered platform at the station, one can board the familiar four-axle carriages, heated by stoves in winter, known from other narrow-gauge railways.
Balatonfenyves is the only narrow-gauge railway in Hungary that also handles commuter traffic (used by people for work and school trips), and the train crew count here is not large either, creating a family-like atmosphere where everyone knows each other. Visitors from further away are also welcomed warmly; when I was there, after the driver learned I wanted to photograph the train, he diligently wiped the small locomotive before departure to present its best face to the camera.
The small trainset first crosses road 7, then travels a few hundred meters among houses in Balatonfenyves, before turning onto a canal side to continue toward Nagy-Berek. After passing under the highway overpass, the train moves under huge trees on a track renovated in 2019 over the first two kilometers, almost losing the typical narrow-gauge railway noise.
After Imremajor stop, we reach the split to the Csiszta line, which ceased operation in the early 2000s but saw trains resume after a major renovation in 2021.
The track curves westward around the former state farm's area. No special excitement is to be expected; the wheels clatter predictably, and endless calm envelops the small trainset. However, it's always worth looking out the window, as the fauna of the Nagy-Berek, presented with photos and a few sentences on the carriage’s wall, reveal themselves to lucky observers during the ride. (During our visit, deer, foxes, and pheasants appeared in the repertoire near the tracks.) The train seemingly makes pointless curves here and there—the original network map is best imagined to understand the current routing logically.
The landscape, despite being flat, is varied: arable fields and groves alternate, the railway crosses canals, and looking northeast, the massif of Badacsony frequently appears on the far side of Lake Balaton. Outside the summer period, one can gaze peacefully; some morning and midday trains carry more passengers traveling from Imremajor or Somogyszentpál toward Balatonfenyves and back. (“I'm going to Majorka,” was a sentence heard on the train from a lady heading toward Imremajor.)
Pálmajor lost its only permanent passenger early in 2020, but trains still stop on request at this stop as well.
Upon arrival at Somogyszentpál, the small locomotive quickly detaches from the front of the train, circles around it, and after a mere five-minute stop, it departs back toward the shore of Lake Balaton.
Balatonfenyvesi kisvasút (Imremajor megállóhely)
Balatonfenyvesi kisvasút (Pálmajor megállóhely)
Balatonfenyvesi kisvasút (Somogyszentpál felső megállóhely)
Balatonfenyvesi kisvasút (Somogyszentpál állomás)
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
- You need to get off at the Balatonfenyves station on the Budapest-Székesfehérvár-Nagykanizsa line.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
- After getting off the train, exiting the station building, turn left and head westwards along Kölcsey Ferenc Street, then cross the railway crossing to reach the narrow-gauge railway station, or cross the pedestrian overpass and turn right onto Vörösmarty Street, heading west (about a 250-meter walk).
Parking
- You can park by car directly in front of the row of booths beside the narrow-gauge railway station or in the nearby supermarket parking lot.
Coordinates
Equipment
- To travel the narrow-gauge railway, you don't need any special equipment, and since all carriages are covered, you can undertake the trip without a raincoat or umbrella. In winter, passengers are welcomed with heating, so you won't be cold during the journey, while in summer there are also partly open, so-called observation carriages for a greater experience.
- If you plan a walk along the railway tracks, you definitely need strong, closed shoes because of the crushed stone ballast.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions