MTSZ
MTSZ térképportál
Turista Magazin
TuristaShop
Kéktúra
Gerecse50
A kéktúrázás napja
recommended route
Long Distance Hiking
· Central Transdanubia
ST3 Sultans Trail section 3: Budapest - Belgrade
-
Cycling path along the Sárviz near TácPhoto: Max Smits, Sultans Trail - a European Cultural Route
This section passes through two countries, Hungary and Serbia. In Hungary, the trail passes by Ërd-Ofalu, Százhalombatta, Martonvásár, Szekesfehérvár, Dunaföldvár, Kalocsa, Gemenc National Forest, Báta, Dunaszekcsö, Moh'scs and Hercegszanto. In Serbia is passes by Sombor, Apatin, Bač, Bačka Palanka, Ilok (Croatia), Fruška Gora, Novi Sad, Petrovardin, Sremski Karlovci and Stari Slankamen befor entering Belgrade.
Leaving Budapest, the route follows the Danube southward through Nagytétény, an area known for its baroque mansion and long history as a riverside settlement on the edge of the capital. At Érd‑Ófalu, the trail climbs the ancient river terrace, a high bank shaped by Ice Age waters, before crossing the plateau toward Százhalombatta, famous for its Bronze Age tumuli and open‑air archaeological park, which preserves one of Central Europe’s most important prehistoric landscapes. From here, the path turns inland across the rolling countryside toward Martonvásár, where the Brunszvik estate recalls Beethoven’s visits, and continues through the gentle hills around Pázmánd and Nadap, the latter known for its geodetic benchmark marking Hungary’s elevation reference point. Approaching Székesfehérvár, the trail enters one of Hungary’s oldest royal cities, once the coronation and burial place of medieval kings, where the remains of the early Christian cathedral and the old town’s baroque streets reveal centuries of political and religious significance.
South of Székesfehérvár, the route crosses the wide agricultural plains toward Tác, home to the Roman city of Gorsium, one of the most extensive archaeological sites in Hungary and a major centre of the province of Pannonia. Continuing through the open fields toward Sárbogárd and Mezőfalva, the landscape reflects the vast 18th‑century reorganisation of the region under the Habsburgs, when planned settlements and large estates reshaped the countryside. The trail returns to the Danube at Dunaföldvár, marked by its medieval fortress overlooking the river, and follows the left bank southward through Harta, a village with strong Swabian heritage, and on to Kalocsa, one of Hungary’s oldest archbishoprics, renowned for its cathedral, paprika traditions, and centuries of ecclesiastical influence. From here, the path continues to Bónifok and enters the Gemenc forest, the largest floodplain woodland in Europe, where wildlife, backwaters, and dense forests create a unique natural corridor. Emerging near Pörböly and Báta, the trail crosses fields to Dunaszekcső, a site of strategic importance in Roman and medieval times, before following the riverbank to Mohács, forever marked by the 1526 battle that reshaped Hungarian history and opened the way to Ottoman rule.
Serbia.
Crossing into Serbia at Hercegszántó / Bački Breg, the route enters Vojvodina, a region shaped by centuries of shifting borders, diverse communities, and the legacy of the Habsburg Military Frontier. The trail passes through Bezdan, near the historic Franz Joseph Canal, and continues to Bački Monoštor and Sombor, the latter known for its elegant Austro‑Hungarian architecture and long role as a regional administrative centre. Following the Danube southward, the path reaches Apatin, once a major Danube Swabian town, and continues through Bač, home to one of Serbia’s most important medieval fortresses, before arriving in Bačka Palanka. Crossing briefly into Croatia at Ilok, the trail touches a town famed for its medieval castle and wine traditions, then re‑enters Serbia to climb into the Fruška Gora, a mountain rich in Orthodox monasteries and cultural heritage. Descending toward the Danube, the route passes Sremska Kamenica and Petrovaradin, whose vast fortress dominates the river, before entering Novi Sad, the vibrant cultural capital of Vojvodina. The final stretch follows the riverbank through historic Danube villages such as Stari Slankamen and Belegiš, before reaching Zemun and ultimately Belgrade, where the confluence of the Sava and Danube has shaped one of the Balkans’ most storied cities.
Author’s recommendation
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
Be aware that water levels in the Danube and its tributaries may vary considerably. At high water, the shoreline passages may be flooded.Tips and suggestions
Bronze and Iron Age settlements at SzázhalombattaBeethovens favourate holliday destination at Martonvásár
The city of Szekesfehérvár
The Roman settlement Gorsium-Herculia at Tác
The wetlands along the Sárvíz canal
The medieval fortress of Dunaföldvár
The magnificent Episcopal Library in Kalocsa
Floodplain forest of Gemenc National Park
The Budvár museum in Mohács
The battle of Mohács memorial in Mohács
The hidden monasteries in the Fruška Gora
Kalemegdan fortress in Belgrade
Roadbook
This landscape also reflects quieter continuities. Trade along the Danube endured political change: Hungarian cattle still moved west toward Austrian markets, and riverside communities adapted to life between empires. Floating mills once lined the river in great numbers, turning its current into livelihood.
Between Budapest and Belgrade, the trail connects fortresses, river crossings, and historic towns that reveal how geography shaped frontier, empire, and everyday life along the Danube.
Mátyás-templom, Budapest
Budaer Burg Budapest
Déli Rondella, Budapest
Ottoman tombstones (Akıncılar Mezarlığı), Budapest
Filozófusok kertje
BÖLCS FA: a perzsa varázsfa a Budai Arborétumban
Gellért Hill
Gellért Hill (Gellért-hegy)
Szabadság-szobor
BÖLCS FA: a szomorú bükk a Budai Arborétumban
BÖLCS FA: a keserű hikoridió a Budai Arborétumban
Beliczay-szigeti Duna-part
Kilátóhely
Attila vára
Brunsvik Castle (Martonvásár)
Likas-kő (Nadap)
Balancing rocks of Pákozd
Bory-vár
Víztorony, Bodajk Aba
Csonka-torony
Vajndlerov Dvorac, Sonta
Crveni Čot
Душков видиковац
Public transport
BudapestFlying (Fastest & Easiest). Budapest's major airport, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), is served by Wizz Air, Ryanair, and major European airlines, offering direct flights to almost every European capital and many regional cities.
Train. Budapest is a major Central European rail hub. Main international train routes are from: Vienna (very frequent Railjet service), Bratislava, Prague (longer; flying is often faster), Munich (via Austria), Zagreb, Belgrade (frequent transfers). Budapest’s main stations
- Keleti (international trains)
- Nyugati
- Déli
Bus. Budapest is well‑connected by long‑distance buses. Major operators:
- FlixBus
- RegioJet
- Eurolines (some routes)
The Main bus station is Budapest Népliget Bus Station (international arrivals)
Belgrade
Flying is the simplest and most dependable way to reach Belgrade from almost anywhere. Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport has frequent connections to major European hubs, and flights operate consistently year‑round. This avoids the fragmented rail and bus networks in the Balkans and is the method most travellers use.
Train. Serbia’s international rail network is extremely limited. Despite what many websites claim, there are no direct trains from Austria, Croatia, or most neighbouring countries. The only functioning rail entry into Serbia is: from any city → Budapest → Szeged → Subotica → Novi Sad → Belgrade. This is the only all‑train route that actually works today.
Bus. If you’re coming from Central Europe or the Balkans, buses are often the easiest option. Serbia has a dense network of regional and international bus routes.
You can reach Belgrade directly from: Hungary, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands (long‑distance operators).
Buses are reliable, frequent, and usually cheaper than trains.
What does not exist:
- No Vienna–Belgrade train
- No Zagreb–Belgrade train
- No Croatia ↔ Serbia passenger rail
- No direct Budapest–Belgrade train (until officially launched)
Directions
BudapestWhen flying to Budapest, you arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), located about 16 km southeast of the city centre. From there, people typically continue by bus or airport shuttle.
Bus 100E — the most popular option. This is the direct airport shuttle bus to the city centre. This bus runs every 7–10 minutes. It follows a route via Kálvin tér → Astoria → Deák Ferenc tér (city centre). This is a direct option without transfers and drops you right in the heart of Budapest. You can buy and validate tickets directly on the bus using your bank card in the Budapest Pay&GO App.
Bus 200E to M3 Metro Station — the cheapest option. This is the budget traveller’s route. Bus line 200E operates day and night between Terminal 2 and Kőbánya-Kispest metro station. This bus drops you off at the edge of Budapest. Hence, you will need to transfer to Metro M3 to reach the city centre. Tickets for the E200 bus are available from the airport vending machines, on board, or via the mobile app. Practical tips: buy a 24‑hour or 72‑hour pass to cover time in the city.
Belgrade
When flying to Belgrade, you land at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG), Serbia’s main international airport, located in the Surčin district about 18 km west of the city centre. From there, travellers typically continue into town by official taxi, airport bus (A1 or 72), or private transfer, all of which operate directly from the arrivals area.
The facilities at the airport include ATMs, currency exchange offices, SIM card kiosks, cafés, and a taxi desk. Your options to travel to the city are::
- Official Airport Taxi (Easiest & Most Comfortable). Go to the Taxi Info Desk in the arrivals hall and tell them your destination. You receive a fixed‑price voucher (no negotiation, no scams). Pay the driver at the end.
- A1 Minibus (Fastest Public Transport). Route: Airport → Slavija Square (central Belgrade) Travel time: ~30 minutes Good for: Quick access to the city centre. The ticket can be bought from the driver. Payment is only in cash (RSD).
- City Bus 72 (free). Route: Airport → Zeleni Venac (downtown) Travel time: 30–40 minutes. This bus runs frequently and is good if you’re staying near Republic Square or the old town. This bus is free of charge.
- City Bus 600 (free) connects the airport with Beograd Centar railway station (Prokop). Useful if you continue your journey by train. This bus is free of charge.
- Note: all public transport inside Belgrade is free of charge. However, special express services, such as the A1 Airport Express bus and E Express lines, are available. require a paid ticket and are not part of the free system.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Martin Zinggl. Das ist kein Spaziergang. Auf dem Sultans Trail zu Fuß von Wien nach Istanbul. (München: Knesebeck Verlag, ISBN 978-3-95728-857-8)."Schneller als der Sultan – zu Fuß von Wien nach Istanbul. Martin Zinggl sucht einen Ausweg aus der Krise – und macht sich zu Fuß auf den Weg von Wien nach Istanbul. 2400 Kilometer, acht Länder, alte Pfade, neue Begegnungen. Der Balkan empfängt ihn mit berührender Gastfreundschaft und skeptischen Blicken; die Straßen erzählen Geschichten von Flucht. Hoffnung und Alltag. Eine Reiseerzählung mit Tempo und Tiefgang – über das Gehen, das Staunen und das Fremdsein."
Ivo Andrić. The Bridge over the River Drina (ISBN 978-1-860-46058-6). A sweeping historical novel tracing four centuries of life in the Bosnian town of Višegrad, centred on the iconic Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge. The novel uses the bridge as a powerful symbol—of connection, division, endurance, and the passage of time—while portraying the intertwined destinies of Christians, Muslims, Jews, and others living in the region.
Robert Dankoff & Sooyong Kim. An Ottoman Traveller. Selections from the Book of Travels of Evliya Çelebi. (ISBN 978-1906-07758-1). An Ottoman Traveller is a curated English-language selection from the Seyahatname, the vast ten‑volume travel narrative of Evliya Çelebi (1611–c.1685), the most celebrated traveller of the Ottoman Empire. Dankoff and Kim’s edition distils thousands of pages of lively, humorous, and richly detailed observations into an accessible volume that captures the spirit of a man who spent over forty years journeying across the empire and beyond.
Patrick Leigh Fermor trilogy. A Time of Gifts (ISBN 1-59017-165-9), Between the Woods and the Waters. (ISBN 0-14-009430-X). The Broken Road. From the Iron Gates to Mount Athos (ISBN 978-1-84854-754-4). Patrick Leigh Fermor’s trilogy is one of the great achievements of 20th‑century travel literature—a luminous reconstruction of the 18‑year‑old author’s 1933–34 walk across Europe toward Constantinople. Each volume captures a different stretch of the journey, blending youthful immediacy with the older Fermor’s erudition, humour, and reflective depth.
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
This stage of the Sultans Trail requires standard long-distance hiking equipment. Weather protection is essential, including rain and cold gear, depending on the season. In late spring and early summer, mosquito deterrents are strongly recommended, while during the hot season, sun protection and a sufficient water supply are essential. Reliable offline navigation tools should be carried at all times.Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions