budapest caving tour

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Budapest Caving Tours You NEED to Try in 2024!

Did you know that beneath Budapest lies a whole other world? A labyrinth-style cave system, carved into the limestone rock underneath the city. The perfect experience for thrill seekers visiting the Hungarian capital. These Budapest Caving Tours offer a unique and adventurous way to experience the hidden depths of this beautiful European city.

And, don’t worry there is something for everyone from the thrilling caving experience to the walk-through style tour. I opted to do the extreme caving option, and it is something I will never forget! That is why I have put together this guide. To help you decide which caving tour in Budapest is best for you!

Don’t Have Time to Read the FULL Post? This is the tour I recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STAR RATING!! • Thrill Seeking • Adventurous • Unique • Fun

1. Adventure Caving Tours Budapest Experience

⭐️  Rating : 5 Star Rating | ⏳  Tour Length : 3 Hours | ⛰️  Check Rates and Availability  | 💰 €€€

Having personally experienced this tour, I promise you it’s an adventure you don’t want to miss while visiting Budapest. And what makes it extra special is it is a true lesser known activity in Budapest . Spend three hours exploring the ground beneath the city, crawling through narrow passages, sitting still in dark chambers and feeling your heart tump as you navigate the complex cave system.

Now, I don’t want that to scare you, this is a small group tour, alongside a professional caving guide. They walk you through all the safety measures to ensure everyone in the group has a great time.

Some elements of the trail can be difficult for some, but in this case, there is typically an alternative route to take which is much easier.

You will hear every echo in the cavern, feel every cool touch of the cave walls, and see every crystal formation. This tour will leave you with a sense of awe and wonder and a lasting memory.

Trust me, it’s an experience you will never forget! So, why wait? Book this tour and get ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Laszlo made the entire experience memorable. He was an awesome guide in everyday. Our group got to go through the sandwich which was an amazing experience as well. Thank you Laszlo for the great experience. Read More Reviews Here

2. Private Cave Walking Tour in Budapest

⭐️  Rating : 5 Star Rating | ⏳  Tour Length : 3 Hours | ⛰️  Check Rates and Availability  | 💰 €€

If squeezing through tight gaps of limestone rock sounds like your worst nightmare, then perhaps the adventure caving experience is not for you. However, I may have found the perfect tour for those looking for a less thrilling venture through Palvolgyi caves.

This tour offers a private, unique experience of exploring the longest cave system in Budapest without the fear of claustrophobia, and it’s for any age, meaning it’s the ideal activity for families.

The tour brings you through the “underground flower garden” adorned with stunning mineral concretions, cave corals, calcite plates, and gypsum crystals. Lasting around 2.5/3 hours.

Everything is well-lit and safe, so you can appreciate the beauty of calcite and barite crystals, stalactites, and stalagmites. Without feeling nervous or scared.

An added bonus about this tour is its private which means you can walk and explore at your own pace.

Fantastic experience made even better by the guide Attilla. He was very informative and knowledgable whilst also keeping things light and fun. A must do experience whilst in Budapest! Read More Reviews Here

3. Budapest: Underground Cave Walking Tour

Here is another fantastic tour for those looking for a less thrilling experience exploring Budapest’s Cave System. What really makes this tour a standout is that it lets you explore not just one, but two amazing caves – Szemlő-hegyi and Pál-völgyi – double the underground wonders for the price of a single ticket.

It also takes you off the tourist trails and delves into Budapest’s subterranean wonders. The caves’ rare mineral springs and geology lessons made the tour educational and interesting for those of all ages.

While this tour is not private, it does operate in small groups, which ensures people don’t feel too overwhelmed while walking beneath Budapest.

Great tour of two separate cave systems! The guide was very knowledgeable and actually a professional “caver”, so he really was focused on the cultural and environmental aspects of the caves and their relationship to Budapest. The walking was very easy but a few times did we have to climb up some steep steps bending down low and almost crawling up them and then one section we had to ascend a steep ladder. Not a problem, but anybody with mobility issues would not be able to do this. Read More Reviews Here

4. Budapest: Buda Castle Cave Walking Tour

⭐️  Rating : 4.7 Star Rating | ⏳  Tour Length : 1.30 Hours | ⛰️  Check Rates and Availability  | 💰 €

If you are visiting Budapest on a Budget and/or are a little bit stuck for time then this cave tour is the one for you! Spend a little over an hour exploring the underground tunnels under Buda Castle. Learn more about the role of these caves throughout Budapest’s history.

The tunnels are almost labyrinth-like, and they once served as wine cellars, bomb shelters, and even a medieval prison. The 800-year-old man-made cellars in one of the most unique caves in Hungary.

This particular tour differs greatly from others on the list as it is located in the city centre which means you do not need to travel far to take part.

Great tour with a lovely and humorous guide. We learnt a lot. I only wish we moved through the caves slightly slower to give us a bit more time to take in our surroundings and the caves that came off of the main walking path. Overall would recommend if you’re looking for something to do in the Castle District. Read More Reviews Here

Cave Tours in Budapest: My Top Pick

#1 TOP PICK

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Adventure Caving Experience in Budapest ✔️ Thrilling ✔️Unique ✔️ Memorable Experience

Caving in Budapest: FAQ

As someone who has experienced the Adventure Caving in Budapest , I wanted to do a little Q&A section from my experience.

I know before I tried it I had so many questions, I was a little nervous. Although, I must admit 19 years me was A LOT braver than I am now.

So, below, are some questions that you may have before booking. Hopefully you can use this as a little guide/review before taking part in the activity for the first time.

All I can say is it is 110% worth adding to your Budapest itinerary . I can’t wait to try it again on my next trip!

PLEASE NOTE: This FAQ is for the ADVENTURE tour only!

How to get to the entrance of the Budapest cave tours?

The easiest way of getting to the caves is by bus , I have created a google maps link to show you how to best get there from Buda Castle.

To be honest, we decided to hike up to the caves , it can be steep at times but overall dooable for most fitness levels. If you are visiting in the summer months just be ware it can get HOT.

Here’s a google maps walking directions from the parliament (1 hour walk) for those of you looking to walk to the caves.

Alternatively, you could opt to get a taxi. Unfortunately, they do not have Uber in Budapest but Bolt is a great alternative. Generally, they are rather affordable in Budapest and takes away the stress of working out the bus system or following maps.

How much is the Budapest cave tour?

Prices start at 26,000 HUF per person, which is about 70 euros per person (at the time of writing). I’m not going to lie the price has gone up significantly since I did it. Although, I’d happily pay this rate as it is such a unique experience. And Budapest tends to be quite an affordable city to visit so spending a little extra on a fun and exciting activity is 100% worth it!

What is included in the price of the Budapest caving tours?

The price includes all equipment, so overalls, helmet, and torch. A guide for the whole duration of the tour. And well a whole lot of fun and adventure.

What do I need to bring on t he Cave tour Budapest?

First off, don’t bring anything valuable on the tour. Last thing you want is it getting lost in a dark cave system. If you want to bring a camera, I’d recommend bring a action camera like a Go Pro, one you can attach to you body so it doesn’t get lost.

I’d advise bringing old shoes if you have them. If not wear sneakers. Mine got really dirty, however, I did manage to get most of the dirt off with a wipe.

Wear comfortable clothes, that are easy to move about in. I would not recommend jeans, as they will be rather restricting.

Do I need to pre-book my Budapest caving tour?

Yes, I would advise pre booking the caving activity to avoid disappointment.

How long is the adventure caving tour in Budapest?

The tour lasts a little over 3 hours but the time flies, I had no idea we where in the cave for that long. I was having way too much fun.

Will I get wet and/or dirty?

No, the tour does not go by any water, it does however, get very dusty, on the bright side, the overalls will protect your clothes from all the dirt.

I’m claustrophobic, will I be ok to take part in the tour?

If you have a fear of tight spaces, I’d sit this one out. It can get very tight and your are required to squeeze through tight holes and tunnels. There are alternative open space tours for those who don’t want to crawl through the cave.

More information can be found on the official website here.

Are the tours in English?

Yes, the caving tours are carried out in English, while Hungarian is the native language in Budapest most of those working in the tourism industry have a high level of English. Of course, it is always nice to learn a few key phrases in Hungarian as a way of being polite.

Can you tell me a little bit of what to expect on the tour?

Are you ready to go sliding through a 30km cave system? Do you want to experience something that is out of this world? Are looking to take part in an activity that gets your heart pumping? If you answered yes to all of the above, look no further, this is the activity for you. And personally, I think this experience alone makes a trip to Budapest 100% worth it !

The tour starts, with all members of the group getting fitted for overalls. Once everyone is briefed on all the safety information, the descent into complete darkness begins. However, There is no need to let this scare you, head torches are supplied alongside a helmet for safety. The experience lasts a little over two and a half hours and involves some crawling, climbing and sliding. At times the route contains some tight enclosed spaces, therefore I would not recommend this activity for those who suffer from extreme claustrophobia.

This truly is a phenomenal experience one you will never forget. There is one moment in particular that I really enjoyed. At one point we came large open space, well as open as it can get when surrounded by a cave. We all sat down and our guide asked us to turn off all our lights. As a group, we sat there in complete darkness. It was a strange experience, I remember becoming extremely aware of each breath I took, I could feel my heartbeat, I also remember constantly thinking one of my friends was going to try to scare me.

As the tour ended, we approached the opening of the cave. I remember the sense of pride and excitement I felt. I was overwhelmed by the experience. It was something I had never tried before, something that scared me slightly, something I found challenging. I would recommend this activity to anyone who has a strong sense of adventure and fun. It was a truly unforgettable experience, one I’d definitely take part in again.

My visit trip to Budapest was part 3-week week interrail journey through Europe, Caving was one of the highlights on the trip.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope it helps with your Budapest caving adventure if you have any other questions feel free to ask in the comment section below.

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Buda Castle Buda Castle, Budapest

Labyrinth under the Buda Castle Hill – Budapest Cave Tour

Highlights of tour.

45/ 90 min tour Unique Budapest Site Private Tours available Child/Senior Discount Available Top rated and one of the most popular tours in Budapest city

Labyrinth under the Castle Hill

After ascending the stairs leading into the underground maze of the Buda Castle Hills you will be walking in the darkness and coolness of the tunnels of the Castle Maze. The staging of the modern day Buda Castle turns into a mixture of historical layers of medieval musty, chilly underground maze (with skulls and bones) as well as Cold War remnants: the Buda Castle Caves are a place of historical mystery and intrigue. For most of the adults and teens the maze does not come through as a scary experience, but for some kids it may need a bit of bravery to venture through the spooky underground hike. Note: there are no scary effects, smokes or vampires jumping at you along the path, it is an actual historical guided tour with genuinely interesting stories and archeological finds.

The mostly well lit Labyrinth is more like an underground city with its own narrow streets right underneath the Buda Castle District, and as such a peculiarity in Budapest. That said, there might be several dark routes in the Labyrinth, badly lit, where your mobile phone torch light may come in handy if you are bothered by walking through a darkish maze (even if you cannot get any cell phone reception 15 metres/ 49 ft underground).

Tours – Labyrinth under the Castle Hill

Although the Labyrinth can be visited on your own as well, there are guided tours in the Buda Castle Caves every day.

• Explore the centuries old Labyrinth/ Cave system in the Buda Castle Hills, under the Buda Castle District and the Palace complex
• Get a guided tour about the History & Geology of the Buda Castle Caves/ Labyrinth
• Visit approx. 800-year-old man-made cellars and learn about their function in each historical era
• Participate in an underground time travel in one of the most exquisite caves of Central Eastern Europe, one of a kind in Hungary.

The tour is suitable for most tourists, including families and senior visitors (Kindly note that it is not suitable for children under 5, wheelchair users or people who suffer from claustrophobic mental pressure). Kindly note that the Buda Castle Caves can only be visited as part of a guided tour which needs to be pre-booked with an English (or Spanish) guide. Daily tours are subject to availability. The starting hours of the tour change from day to day (some start at 11.30 am, others at 2pm or 4pm). Please use the booking calendar to pick an available day/ hour for your Labyrinth cave tour. The tour is not demanding as there is practically very little elevation (apart from the initial descent into the caves and coming up after the round tour ends).

Cave Tour Hours

11.30am, 2pm, 4pm depending on the day – please see the booking calendar

Opening Hours of Caves

Daily from Monday to Sunday. Tour hours depend on daily schedule.

Prices of Cave Tour

Adults: approx. €17 Student/ Senior: approx €14- €15

Duration of Tour

Duration: from 40 min to 1.5h

Length of Tour:

approx. 800 m (short tour) up to 1500 metre (1.5km/ 1 mile) on the longer tour

Address :  The meeting point depends on which cave tour you book.

• Short Tour meeting Point: 2 Darda Street, Budapest 1014, District I
• Long Tour Meeting Point: Szentharomsag Square at Holy Trinity Statue

Although the Labyrinth cannot be visited on your own, there are several guided tours in the Buda Castle Caves every day (tours are very popular so pre-booking is essential).

• Choose the tour of your preference: short (45 minute) or long (90 minute)
• Flexible Booking and Cancellation (free cancellation 24h before tour date)
• Student / Child discount available
• In summer heat and on rainy days, the caves are much recommended
• No caving skills are required : the route is fully paved and the paths are illuminated on both sides

The tour is suitable for most tourists, including families and senior visitors (Kindly note that it is not suitable for children under 5, wheelchair users or people who suffer from claustrophobic mental pressure). No show or late arrival means that a refund cannot be issued.

Meeting Point for English Guided Labyrinth Tours

There are two meeting points for the cave tours. While the shorter tours start from 2 Darda Street in the Buda Castle, the longer tours start from the Holy Trinity Statue on Szentharomsag Square.

The shorter tours are approx. 45 minutes. These tours leave from 2 Darda Street, which opens from Orszaghaz Street. The concise tour is suitable for families with younger kids (from about age 6) as long as the kids feel comfortable to walk in caves (and can resist touching the walls).

The longer tours are approx. 1.5 hour: these tours are more elaborate, starting from Szentharomsag Square (Holy Trinity Statue as in the photo). The Labyrinth Tour Guide will have a big sign displaying “CAVE TOUR”. Kindly be aware that there are multiple tours leaving from the Statue, so make sure to approach the right guide at the exact time when the Tour starts (late comers will not be able to contact the guides, as there is no mobile phone reception 15 metres underground). No show or late arrival means that a refund cannot be issued. We suggest arriving at the location 15 min earlier to make sure that you explore the vicinity and locate the right statue and right guide (‘Cave Tour’ sign) in due time. The guide is at the meeting place 1-2 min before the tour is scheduled.

Buda Castle Cave System

The Buda Castle Caves and its tours are managed by the Duna Ipoly Nature Park (National Reserves preserving special habitats along the river Danube by and in Budapest, aka ‘Duna’ River in Hungarian). During the Labyrinth Tour you will see a fraction of the amazingly complicated underground cave system, which boasts approx. 2,000 cave rooms interconnected with wide and narrow corridors. 300 (three hundred!) houses of the Castle Hill District had cellars as part of the caves boasting 285 wells, much needed during castle sieges.

Kindly note that this tour does not feature vampires or oil lamps.

History of the Labyrinth

Today’s underground maze of the Castle Hill of Budapest was in use in the Middle Ages as a shelter, a prison and even as Turkish harem in the 16th century. The underground tunnel system also served as a hospital during WWII.

The Labyrinth under Castle Hill – as a tourist attraction – opened its gates in 1984 with guided tours and film screenings. The Cave Tours are under the management of Duna Ipoly Nature Reserve, as part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

More Caves and Caving in Budapest

Hospital in the rock.

The cave system has been used as an emergency hospital during WWII, the Hospital in the Rock is open for visitors with a very unique, historical atmosphere. 1h tours can be booked in advance.

Adventure Caving in Nature Parks in Budapest

A real caving experience is also available in Hungary’s longest cave system, the Pal-Volgyi and Matyas- Hegyi caves, the whole underground system is said to be more than 200km long. This Adventure Caving Tour offers an insight into Budapest’s thermal springs and hydrothermal caves with a professional cave guide (member of the Hungarian Caving Association).

The Adventure Caving Tour Budapest is suitable for children above the age of 12, for families, friends, students or as a corporate incentive and adventurous team building activity. The half-day caving in the nature park area does not require caving experience, however be ready to climb walls and crawl in narrower passages.

Last updated Feb 1, 2024

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76 comments.

Dear Editor!

Please remove this page because trademark or author violates our rights. Even the photos here are from our previous cues. The Panopticum lost all the lawsuits in this case. Judgments are final. Corrections have already been completed or are in progress. Sincerely, Team Labyrinth of Buda Castle

(For example: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g274887-d7372844-Reviews-Labyrinth-Budapest_Central_Hungary.html etc.)

Website: https://www.labirintus.com/en/ Email: [email protected]

Dear former management of the Labyrinth, thank you for the update about your lawsuit with the current owners.

We have removed all photographs for now, as we were unaware that they belonged to you. We will make sure that the new photos do not belong to the former management (you). Please check the rewritten article for your trademark – we hope that the new version complies with your preferences. If there is any legally based request for further changes, please let us know and send your basis of request (trademark) to [email protected] , and we will remove phrases that may still violate the trademark of the former business.

That said, like Tripadvisor, we can not remove the page, as the attraction exists, and visitors of Buda Castle have a right to be informed about the Labyrinth, the museum / exhibition place under the Castle Hill, under the current management.

Thank you for your kind cooperation.

Nagyon zavaró hogy Magyarországon ahol a forint a fizető eszköz a turista részen minden euróban van megjelenítve! Amikor mi kimegyünk tőlünk elvárt a kinti nyelv és pénz és nem is akarnak forinttal foglalkozni de bezzeg ha bárki ide utazik nekünk kell tudni idegen nyelvet és nekik nem kötelező ahogy a forint se! Mit kezdjek azzal hogy x euró??? mennyi az a 12 euró ilyenkor? Komolyan ki kell a magyarnak fizetnie 4-6000 forintot 45 percért hogy egy alagútban mások által szabott idő alatt megnézzen ezt azt? Azért ennyire irritáló mert az árak 2-3 szorosára nőttek de a fizetés még mindig zömében nettó 235-260.000 ft és ebből örül a magyar ha telik a számlára és ételre. saját országunk csodáit nem ilyen horror áron kellene nekünk kínálni. Biztos nincs akkora költségük hogy ilyen irreális árakat lássunk.

Üdv: egy magyar a sok közül

Kedves Adrienn! Köszönjük a Budai Várral kapcsolatos kommentjét.

Jelenleg a Budai Várban működő intézmények valamint a várkerületi múzeumok hivatalos oldalain a magyar látogatók gyorsan és könnyen tudnak tájékozódni, mivel számukra könnyen hozzáférhetőek, magyar nyelven számos oldalon megtalálhatók a releváns információk. Mivel a várról valamint az kerületben található egyéb érdekességekről viszonylag kevés tájékoztatás érhető el angol nyelven, egyelőre a jelenlegi oldalunk angol nyelvű útmutatú a külföldi látogatók részére, de természetesen a jövőben magyar nyelven is elérhetővé tesszük az információkat. Addig is, elnézést kérünk a kellemetlenség miatt és reméljük, hogy jövőre már mindkét nyelvi, vagy több is, elérhető lesz.

A Budai Várban a népszerű barlang túra nemcsak angol nyelvű 45 perces és 1.5 órás verziója foglalható a Nemzeti Park szervezésében eurós áron. Ugyanígy, ugyanezen túrák magyar látogatókat is várnak. Itt azzal a jó hírrel szolgálhatunk, hogy a barlangtúra elérhető magyar nyelvű idegenvezetéssel is, és a hazai pénztárcákhoz igazítva, az eurós árhoz képest kedvezőbb áron. Foglalását a Duna Ipoly Nemzeti Park honlapján, a dinpi pont hu oldalon tudja véglegesíteni. Kérjük, hogy itt nézzék meg a további lehetőségeket. Ha további kérdése merülne fel, lépjen újra kapcsolatba velünk. Várjuk szeretettel az érdeklődőket.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I was wondering if Labyrinth is now available for visiting? It has been noted by some other websites that it’s currently closed. Could you please clarify this for all interested people?

Hi I was just there today! (I’m writing this in case someone else is looking for concrete information like I was before we got there today)

It is open for visitors, however the 18:00 guided tour with oil lanterns hasn’t happened in the last 5 years according to the man at the ticket desk.

Does the Oil Lamp Tour require a reservation?

Hello Margaret, we have emailed you.

Hello, I would also like to book the oil lamp tour for next week. Is it still possible to do so?

Hi Shaun, we have emailed you!

Hi there Just wondering will the cave be open in November. I would love to go inside when we are visiting Budapest Thanks Linzie

Hello Linzie, we have contacted you via email! Yes, the Cave – Labyrinth is open in the Buda Castle District in November and December too. The tours are varying lengths and are often fully sold out before the date of the Castle Cave tour. If you wish to make sure that you can participate in the tour, you can reserve the Cave tour with a flexible cancellation option to have a peace of mind in case you need to cancel for any reason later on.

Hope your trip in November will be lovely in Budapest.

Hello are the oil lamp tour aviable for mid april?

Hello Sandra, we have send you more details via email!

I am trying to book a Buda Castle cave tour on September 22 or 23. Thes dates are completely blocked out on GET YOUR GUIDE and TRIP ADVISOR . Are the labyrinths closed on these dates? Is there some other way to book a tour?

Hello Nadia, Thank you for contacting us. Please check the availability in August as the booking system is not opened yet for September. Have a lovely time in Budapest!

Hi, is it possible to book a tour in line. We are there 9-12 May?

So, is the oil lamp tour happening or not? Do I need reservation?

Hello Gabi, We have emailed you! Enjoy your stay in Budapest!

hello would likebto know if visiting the caves with lantern or oil lamp is still possible andvwhere to book it thank you

Thank you for contacting us. We have sent you an email about the oil lantern tour. This was formerly an option, but it is no longer a characteristic of the Castle cave tours, which are immensely popular nevertheless as one of the best tours in Budapest – thanks to the lovely team of the National Park managing the tours with passionate and knowledgeable tour guides. For a bit of a Gothic atmosphere during a tour you may wish to consider booking the Castle Tour with Vampires and Legends in the Buda Castle.

Have a nice time at Buda Royal Palace and the Buda Hills!

Bonjour, Nous serons à Budapest à la fin du mois. Nous aimerions réserver pour le labyrinthe. Merci

Hello Stéphane, we have sent you an email!

I am wondering if you are offering tours in June 2023. I will be there on the 24th of June and history of the caves interest me.

Thanks very much

Hello Rachael, we have emailed you: yes, there will be tours during the summer season and as June is usually hot you may wish to bring along something warmer as the temperature in the Castle Cave is around 15 degrees Celsius, so a light coat or jumper will be useful.

Enjoy your holiday in June in Budapest!

Visited the Labyrinth in 2999 and hope to do it again this year. Pease send details.

Hello Norm, We have emailed you! Enjoy your stay in Budapest!

We are looking to book a Labyrinth tour in December (12/8 or 12/9). There are no dates open in December. Are tours offered during the winter?

Hello Jenny,

There will be multiple tours in December too, but the booking calendar usually opens up for the next 30 days, each month allowing visitors to book ahead as the year is approaching a given date. For tours in early and mid December in the Castle Caves, please check the calendar early November. Wishing you a beautiful winter holiday in Budapest!

Hello, can you please email me information on how make a reservation for Oil Lamp Tour – Labyrinth under the Castle Hill? Thank you!

Hello Raiza, we have contacted you via email!

Hello. How do I book the evening guided tour for the Buda castle labyrinth please? Many thanks

Hello Beccy,

Currently the tour is to be booked ahead for the labyrinth visit. Kindly prepare with a digital ticket or printed.

Have a lovely time in the Buda Castle district in Budapest.

Hi! Are the Oil Lamp Tours available? If so, can you please email me info about making a reservation? Thank you!

Hello Beth,

Currently this particular underground tour is to be booked on the spot, at the labyrinth. Kindly prepare with cash payment at the cashier.

Have a great time in the Buda Castle Hill in Budapest.

Hello, Is it possible to buy tickets in advance or reserve a time/book a tour? If not, what are the usual wait-times on Saturdays (mid-April)/best time to come?.. We have younger kids so not great in lines and want to be prepared :) Thanks!

Hi Rachelle,

Currently it is possible to book tours on the day for mid April dates at the labyrinth itself (no pre booking) The best time is when the kids are less tired / hungry (perhaps in the morning hours around 10am). As you will go at your own pace mostly (on a self guided tour) it is perhaps the most flexible option for families. At any rate, if you should have to go through some waiting time, we suggest bringing some paper and felt tip pens (there is no wifi underground) or let them play a mirror game (copying your/ or each other’s movement), or other ‘queue’ games

Hello, can you please email me information about Oil Lamp Tour – Labyrinth under the Castle Hill (maybe 28. or 29. 4.)? Thank you!

Dear Bozena, Thank you for contacting us. We have emailed you. Have a lovely time at Buda Castle!

Hello, mi is èrdeklődnènk az olaj làmpàs tùra irànt. Màjus 22-ère szeretnèk foglalni, ha van mèg időpont. Köszönjük!

Kedves Viktória, köszönjük kérdését, emailben kontaktáltuk Önt a Buda vári Labirintus olajlámpás túra foglalás kapcsán.

Can you contact me for the oil lamp tour? Is the oil lamp tour available for May 5th?

Hello Suzy, Thank you for contacting our tourism team. We have emailed you regarding the oil lamp tour in the Buda Castle Hills.

Have a nice time in Budapest!

Hello, I would like to reserve 2 spot for for the oil lamp tour on May 23. Please contact me.

Hi James, we have emailed you with further details!

Hi, we are arriving early July and would love to do a tour of the Buda Caves. I can’t find anywhere on your page to book this. Is it still available? Thank you.

Hi Jackie, we have emailed you! Have a lovely holiday in Budapest!

hi is it possible to reserve spaces on the oil lamp tour for the night of 19 June 2023 please?

Hi, I am coming to Budapest at the end of July and want to visit the Buda Castle and Labyrinth. Am I able to book this? We don’t want a tour but we also don’t want to turn up and have lots of waiting time/get turned away if we don’t have tickets. Many thanks

Dear Karolina, we have contacted you via email.

Hi! I am coming to Budapest next week and want to book tickets for the Labyrinth. How do i reserve tickets? Is the oil lamp tour still happening, if so how to book that one?

Dear Samskrithi, Thank you for your inquiry. We have sent you an email with further details. Have a lovely holiday in Budapest!

Hi, could you send me some details on the oil lamp tours for the buda labyrinth. thank you

Dear Alex, Thank you for getting in touch with us. We have emailed you.

Hello, we want to visit the Labyrinth. Is it gonna be open in October? How can I book a visit? Thanks

Hello Estefany, Thank you for your inquiry. Yes, is is open all year round. Booking for the tours is available appr. 1 month in advance, therefore we recommend you book in September. Have a nice time in Budapest!

Are the oil lamp tours running on the 13 or 14 October?

Dear Josephine, The Castle Cave tours are available on both days, however, the programme does not feature oil lamps. That said, it is still one of the most popular tours in Budapest among travellers: https://budacastlebudapest.com/labyrinth-under-the-castle-hill/

Please let me know if I can help more.

What is the historical significance of Buda Castle in Budapest?

Hi, Is the Labyrinth your all booked out? It shows no availability on GetYiurGuide – is there any other way we can book a tour this week?

Dear Naoko, Thank you for getting in touch. Cave tours are extremely popular at Buda Castle. Unfortunately, this week is already booked up, therefore we recommend the advance bookings at least 10 days before the program. We have contacted you via email with different cave tour options.

Have a nice holiday in Budapest!

My family will be visiting on Sunday December 24. The previous website seemed to indicate that the Labyrinth would be open at that time, but the tours are not available on Get Your Guide. Will we be able to visit the Labyrinth on December 24th, 2023? Thank you

Dear Rachel, Thank you for your comment. While the Labyrinth / Buda Castle Caves (as a standalone cave tour in the general cave system, or as a museum tour in the cave system giving home to the Hospital in the Rock nuclear shelter / hospital) is open most of the days during the year, some days it is closed. That said, some of the tours and activities are also available during the holiday season, or on the nearby dates.

We have sent you more details via email! Have a wonderful Christmas holiday in Budapest!

Hello there, I would like to receive more information about the oil lamp tour on December 28. Thank you.

Dear Thomas, Thank you for your inquiry. We have contacted you via email.

The Castle Cave tours are available, however, the programme no longer features oil lamps during the tour. That said, it is still one of the most popular tours in Budapest among travellers so you may wish to check this option or the night tour with Vampires and Myths.

Please let me know if I can help more. Hope we can welcome you at Buda Castle!

I have a group that i’d like to book in with you for the caves under castle hill tour as per the below please:

Group: Arts University Bournemouth Date: Thu 08/02/2024 Time: 14:00 approx. Group size: 35

I’ll look forward to hearing back from you and thank you so much!

Kind regards Paula

Dear Paula, Thank you for contacting us. We will soon send you our offers. Have a lovely winter holiday in Budapest!

We’ll be in Budapest Thu 28th March to Tue 2nd April. I know that it is the Easter period but, on your calendar there doesn’t seem to be any availability for the whole of April.

Are the tours not running between the 28th to the 2nd? Or already booked out?

Dear Adrian, Thank you for your inquiry. Booking calendars are open until the end of March at the moment. We recommend you check the availability at the end of February for the Cave Tour. Since there are only a few guides at the cave system, the tour schedule is finalised 3 months in advance. Thank you for your patience. Please let me know if I can be of further help in the meantime.

We downloaded the app in hopes of contacting someone. We want to book the Labyrinth under the Buda Castle tour in May and every date is crossed out. Are all those tour sold out or have you not opened those dates yet?

Dear Caryn, Thank you for your comment. We have sent you an email with more details. Have a lovely holiday in Budapest!

Hi! We would like to do a cave tour with 23 people on Tuesday morning, April 9th 2024, if this is not possible, otherwise Wednesday morning. Is this still possible and how can we book this?

Dear Marit, Thank you for your comment. We have contacted you via email. Enjoy your Spring holiday in Budapest!

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Palvolgyi Caves

Top ways to experience Palvolgyi Caves and nearby attractions

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Palvolgyi Caves - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Budapestbylocals.com

Caving in budapest, natural adventures under the ground.

Do you want to do something more adventurous than the usual sightseeing? Go caving in Budapest and discover its underground natural beauties.

Budapest is the only capital that has natural caves in the middle of the city. The Hungarian capital is not just the city of spas but the city of caves too.

Would you think that it has about 170 smaller and bigger caves? The same thermal springs formed them that supply water for the thermal baths in Budapest .

The air in some of these caves has medicinal qualities.

Ancient Magyars named the place after the caves they found in the area where Budapest is located.

When they conquered the area in the 9th century AD they found a hill full of holes (today’s Gellért Hill ).

Hungarian language didn’t have a word for cave so they borrowed the Slavic word ” pest” from the people who lived here. They named the present Gellért Hill Pest Hill .

Most Budapest caves were discovered at the beginning of the 20th century, during major housing and drainage works. There are 9 strictly protected caves in Budapest, 3 are open to visitors.

Table of Contents

Caves that can be visited, cave tours.

Not all parts of the 30 km long cave system is open for tourist. Here are the ones that can be visited without much exertion.

Castle Cave (Várbarlang)

Guided tours in English and German: from 10.00 to 18.00 Tue-Sun, May-Sep Entrance: Országház u. 16, District I.

Can you imagine that another world lies under your feet when you stroll on the old cobblestoned streets in Buda Castle District? The Castle Caves stretch several kilometers long.

Only part of it was formed naturally, inhabitants of the Castle District also excavated labyrinths, and cellars in the hill for protection purposes during the many wars.

Labyrinth in Buda Castle – Recommended for Kids

Address/Entrances: Úri utca 9., and Lovas utca 4/a., district I. Getting there: by castle bus No. 16, 16A or 116 (from Deák Ferenc tér where all three metro lines stop – or from Széll Kálmán tér: M2 metro and trams 4, 6 have a stop there) Open: every day from 10.00 to 19.00, tours by lantern after 18.00 Tickets: full price: 2 000 HUF, 25 % discount with Budapest Tourist Card

The Labyrinth is part of the cave system of the Castle Hill. It is conveniently located in the centre of the Castle area so you can include it in your sightseeing program there.

The 1 200 m long cave system is around 10-15 m below ground level with spacious corridors and exhibition rooms.

The caverns were already inhabited by Paleolithic men a couple of hundred thousands years ago, then locals used the caves for various purposes in the Middle Ages: shelter, storage room, wine cellar.

Legends are abound from long-ago times: about buried treasures of the Ottoman rulers, lovers walled up by the pasha of Buda, a restless ghost called “Dark Count” etc. The rich hid their valuables here from tax gatherers in medieval times.

It can be easily toured because there are no tight tunnels, or ladders to climb – an exciting program for families with children.

The Labyrinth houses some great exhibits :

• stone monuments from Gothic and Renaissance Era, Turkish tomb relics
• a photo exhibit about the most stunning caves of the world

Pálvölgyi Cave

Address: Szépvölgyi út 162., district II. Getting there: take bus 65 form Kolosy tér in Óbuda, get off at the 5th stop Tel: +36 1 325 9505 Opening hours: Tue-Sun: 10.00-16.00 Website: Pálvölgyi cave

Admission: full price: 1 200 HUF, students, pensioners: 960 HUF, combined ticket: (valid to the Pálvölgyi cave): full price: 1 650 HUF, discount: 1 170 HUF

The most beautiful and the longest cave in the Buda Hills with its 29 km length (and the second longest in Hungary).

Only 500 m can be explored with a guide, but it’s rather demanding because of the great differences of height.

The stunning dripstone formations , like the “Organ Pipes” or “Beehive” will make up you for the effort. Ladders and steep stairs help you to move forward but the tour is not recommended for children and for physically challenged.

Guided Tours: every day except Monday, from 10.00 – 16.15., from June 1st till August 31st: on weekends from 10.00 to 17.00, tours start at every quarter past the hour.

The tour lasts 50 – 60 minutes. Children under 5 years of age cannot visit the cave.

Temperature is around 8 – 10 °C (46 – 50 °F) in the cave so put on warm, comfortable clothes and shoes.

Szemlőhegyi Cave – Great program for Older Kids (from age 7 and up)

Address: Pusztaszeri út 35., district II. Tel: +36 1 325 6001 Opening hours: every day except Tuesday: 10.00-16.00 Admission: full price 1 000 HUF, students, pensioners: 800 HUF Getting to Szemlőhegyi Cave: By bus 29 from Kolosy tér in Óbuda, get off at 4th stop

If you still have strength after Pálvölgyi cave hurry to catch the hourly tour in the Szemlőhegyi cave. It is only 800 km far.

250 km can be visited out of the 2 200 km fully explored cave that consists of several wide corridors. You can admire the unique mineral formations, the so-called peastones and the aragonite crytals resembling bunches of grapes.

In the entrance hall you can see an exhibition about caves of Budapest. The cave’s cool, damp air is beneficial for respiratory diseases.

The temperature is around 12 °C (54 °F) all through the year down there so make sure your dress accordingly. There is a playground and a geological educational trail for children.

The tour is around 40 minutes long and recommended for all ages.

Both the Pálvögyi, and the Szemlőhegyi Caves are under natural protection .

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About the author.

Lizzy is a Budapest native who lives in one of the suburban districts with her husband, their two boys and 2 dogs. Besides exploring Budapest, in her freetime she loves baking and biking in the Buda Hills.

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Adventure Caving Tour under Budapest

Overview of the tour in Budapest

2,5-3 hours long, English guided adventurous tour into a cave in its untouched, natural state. The tour goes to Hungary's longest cave, a multi-level labyrinth system with no pavement, and no artificial lighting. You don't need any previous caving experience to participate. During the tour, you will often have to climb on walls and crawl through narrow passages, so you must be in a good physical health to participate. Caving equipment (overalls, helmets and headlamp) is provided. Age limit: 10-55 yrs. The temperature in the cave is 10 °C (50 °F) all year round, the experience doesn't depend on the weather. If you are an adventurous person who loves the outdoors or a casual tourist who prefers off-the-beaten-path experiences, you will love Caving Under Budapest! If you're looking for something active and less touristy, this experience is definitely for you! And if you are a solo traveller, it's a good place to meet interesting and new people too!

This activity includes:

• Palvolgyi Cave
• Unbuilt part of Pál-völgyi Cave

Meeting point

Budapest 1025 Szepvolgyi ut 162

From the city center the cave is accessible by common transport by a 30-40 minutes journey, or by taxi by a 15-20 minutes journey. From the city center take bus Nr. 9 (this bus-line has a stop at the main junctions in the inner town) and change at Kolosy tér to bus Nr. 65 or 65A. Go 5 stops with bus Nr. 65 or 56A and get off at “Pálvölgyi Csepköbarlang” (Pálvölgyi Cave) bus stop.

Things to note

- Age limit is 10-55 years - No caving experience needed - Participants must be is a good physical health as it is a very active tour - Equipment is provided, but participants wear their own shoes (any kind of sport shoes or hiking boots are okay, no sandals, high heels or flip-flops are adequate). Under the overall, a comfortable thin under layer is recommended. - The tour is 2,5-3 hours long - The guide will exclude participants under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. Late cancellation or your non-arrival is not refundable.

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Things to do » Adventure

8 Ways You Can Get Explore Budapest’s Caves

Budapest is a city full of caves, cellars, and underground tunnels. here are the 8 best ways you can explore them..

There are over 80 geothermal springs and some 200 caves running under Budapest. The city lies on a geological faultline, where the thermal water rising up to the surface carved out many cave passages over the millennia. 

These caves are a little different from your standard caves, as these came from thermal water below the ground, so many did not have a natural entrance to the surface and lay hidden for a long time. Some had been used since Medieval times as cellars and dungeons, while others were discovered as late as the 20 th century (and who knows how many uncovered caves there are). 

If you want to get below the surface of Budapest, quite literally, and go beyond the routes covered by the Hop On Hop Off Bus , then read on to learn more about Budapest’s subterranean world. 

1. Admire the stalactites and stalagmites in the Pálvölgyi Caves 

The Pálvölgyi Caves are the most classic kind of cave you’ll find in Budapest. This paved show cave is home to some stunning stalactites and stalagmites. You can only visit the caves on a tour, and while the tours are mostly in Hungarian, English-speaking visitors will get a little laminated card with all the accompanying information on it. You’ll be scaling up and down ladders, so come prepared. 

2. Marvel at the “underground garden” in the Szemlőhegyi Caves 

Close to the Pálvölgyi Caves, you’ll find the Szemlőhegyi Caves. These caves are also show caves, but you’ll find they are a little different from the former, as this is a good example of a cave carved out by thermal water. 

In place of stalagmites and stalactites, you’ll find floral-looking mineral deposits, which is why this cave gets its nickname “Underground Flower Garden.” 

The path through this cave is more gentle than the Pálvölgyi Caves, so it’s a little more friendly to those who don’t fancy climbing ladders. You can get a combined ticket for the two caves, should you want to do both, as they’re easily done in a day together. 

3. Go spelunking under Mátyáshegy 

If you find show caves too vanilla for you, then get your hard hats on and go on a subterranean adventure. Opposite the entrance to the Pálvölgyi Caves, there is another cave system, the Mátyáshegy cave network, which is vast. 

You can join a spelunking tour—no experience required, and kids can join too—for 3 hours of intense, underground fun. This is a physically demanding excursion, though, as you will wriggle through tight passages, climb underground boulders, and go deep underground with nothing but a jumpsuit, hat with a torch, and a guide. 

Make sure you wear sensible footwear (think sturdy hiking shoes) and comfortable light clothes. There are changing rooms and lockers at the Pálvölgyi Caves information center (where you will start) and enjoy the tour! 

4. Try cave diving in the Molnár János Cave

Looking for something even more extreme? If you’ve got a cave diving license then you can visit the largest known thermal water cave in the world, which lies here right under the center of Budapest! The Molnár János Cave runs for some 7 kilometers (that we know of) and is filled with thermal water. 

In fact, the water from this cave is what supplies the nearby Lukács Baths , which is just across the road from the entrance. Experienced cave divers have the chance to explore this curious underground and underwater part of Budapest, which is something truly unique.  

5. Visit the Cave Church under Gellért Hill

Gellért Hill is home to many interesting places, like the Cave Church, also known as St Ivan’s Cave, after the hermit who once resided there. The Pauline monks turned the cave into a church, although under the communist regime, the cave entrance was sealed up. Today the church is still in use, but it’s open for tourists outside of mass times. 

6. Get lost in the labyrinth under Buda Castle 

Buda Castle has a network of caves running below it. There are a few different tours and sections, but Labirintus is perhaps the most popular. It’s a surreal subterranean exhibition and immersive experience, complete with a wax museum of figures dressed in costumes once belonging to the Hungarian State Opera and even fog-machined filled chambers that legend has it imprisoned Vlad the Impaler, the man who inspired the Dracula legend. Sometimes, if you come an hour before closing time, you can explore the caves with nothing but a gas lantern (all the lights get shut off), if you dare!  

7. Travel back in time in the Hospital in the Rock 

This part of the cave network was used as a hospital during the Siege of Budapest and during the uprising in 1956. During the Cold War, it also became a nuclear bunker. Today you can visit the old hospital with a guide, as you’ll see rooms with original hospital equipment, and eerie waxworks reenacting hospital life underground. You’ll also see the decontamination chambers and other curiosities left behind from its life as a bunker.

8. Discover Budapest’s extensive wine cellars in Budafok 

If you want something truly off the beaten track, then take the tram 47 to the end of the line, to Budafok. This suburban neighborhood in southern Buda is home to some 120 kilometers of tunnels, many of which are used for wine cellars. The interesting thing about this wine district is that winemakers from all over Hungary bring their wine here to store and age. You have the sparkling wine cellars of Törley and Hungaria here, as well as smaller cellars from winemakers from Balaton, Szekszárd, and Villány, among others. The most interesting cellars are the Törley cellars and museum, and the Zaborniszky cellars, where you’ll find an underground ethnographic museum depicting cellar styles from across Hungary in one long and colorful passage. The district hosts open days for cellars on the first weekend of the month. 

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Budapest Tickets Online Tickets for Budapest Tours & Activities

Budapest cave tour – tickets.

Budapest Tours Leave a comment 1,195 Views

Explore 2 Caves of Budapest book your tickets for the unique Budapest Cave Tour to visit cave routes most visitors will never see. Budapest and Gellert Hills are filled with historical attractions and natural caves and springs. Millions of years ago, thermal waters carved a deep and intricate cave system under Budapest and in the nearby hills. Nowadays, the medicinal waters are used in the Baths of Budapest and some caves are open for the public such as the Cave Church .

Visit 2 Caves during the tour, get to know the geological history of the region and see Budapest from a different perspective.

• 2.5h- 3 h Guided Cave Tour
• Professional Expert Guide
• Visiting 2 Caves
• Paved Caves
• Small-Group Tours
• Excellent photo Opportunities
• Explorer’s Routes
• Print-free E-Ticket
• Student Discount
• €48/ Adult, €46/ Student

The Budapest Cave Tour is available on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10.15 am at all weather conditions. Please book in advance to secure your places, drop-ins are not accepted. Please note that this tour is available only in English.

Bring warm, casual clothes as the temperature in the caves remains at a constant 12 °C (54 °F) all year. Participants must be able to walk up and down several flights of steep stairs without difficulty, please wear comfortable closed-toe shoes , flip-flops or high heels are not suitable. Both caves are stone-paved and equipped with lightning.

Guests must sign a waiver form to participate on this tour. (Parents/guardians must sign liability and wavier forms for any participants under the age of 18 years.)

Budapest Guided Cave Tour

Let the expert guides (who are all members of the Hungarian Caving Association) take you along the caves and show you the most interesting formations underground. The tour starts at the “the underground flower garden of Budapest” Szemlo Hegyi Cave with pisolite and gypsum crystals, get to know the ‘popcorn’ and ‘cauliflower’ forms and enter an enchanted world.

Next, the guides will take you to Pal-Volgyi Cave, the impressive cave system is the longest known in Hungary with a total length of 31km. Check out the level differences and visit the Theatre Hall with its impressive acoustics and enjoy the calm atmosphere down there.

Public transport tickets are included during the tour but not for the way back.

Ticket Information on Budapest Tickets

At Budapest Tickets we respect our Customers, so we have created a user-friendly ticket policy:

• Ticket prices show the actual and final price, there is no extra charge for payments. Likewise, if you wish to update a ticket (subject to availability), we do not charge extra costs for handling the date change.
• Tickets are no print: you can show your e-ticket on your phone to check-in.
• Tickets are sent to the email address that you provide when filling in the booking form for the program of your choice. Please double check your email before sending the form, or contact us via email if you feel that your email address may have been misspelt, and the digital ticket will be sent to your correct address. If you have not received your ticket, please always check your junk mail folder before contacting us at info [at] budapesttickets [dot] com. We are happy to assist with re-sending the ticket or providing information if you should have further questions.
• Tickets are sent and managed in our online system to follow all details / changes as accurately as possible. We do not accept phone reservations or requests of change over the phone to minimise misunderstandings.
• All tickets clearly show the name, program, payment ID, address / meeting point  the hour of start and end. In addition, each e-ticket includes a last-minute phone number, if you should have difficulties with navigation / time. Please note that programmes start at the hours as advertised. Late arrival for the programme is not accepted, although we will try our best to help you join the tour, we need to take into consideration other guests’ programmes and schedules in Budapest.

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Caving In Budapest Adventure – ALL You Need To Know About The Cave Tour!

Did you know you could go caving in Budapest ? Well, neither did I until I read travel blog on a cave tour exploring the dark side of Budapest. If you love trying adventurous activities then this is the tour for you. I always get stuck into anything adventurous in a new destination from kayaking in Spreewald, Germany to hiking a glacier in Iceland ! And the cave tour was certainly a unique thing to do in Budapest.

If you’re reading this and not sure whether the Budapest cave tour is for you, I will tell you all you need to know about my caving in Budapest experience. Here I answer all your questions on how to get to the caves, what to wear, can you take a camera on the tour, how physically fit you need to be? And more!  Get ready to go deep underground for an epic adventure !

Caving in Budapest

Do you need to book the cave tour.

I booked the ‘Adventure’ caving tour when I visited Budapest in January, known to be the quieter season. The tour was completely full (20 people in total with two guides).

I’d actually taken the last spot on the day when travelling on my own as I can often squeeze into last-minute tours. But if you’re in a group make sure you book a tour in advance.

There are cave tours in the morning and afternoon.

Check availability for the cave tours here now .

Read more things to see and do in Budapest here

How to get to the caves?

The caves in Budapest and meeting point for the tour are on the Buda side of the Danube. The address is 2nd district, 162 Szepvolgyi Street, Budapest.

You have two options (well three actually if you want to walk!)

Jump in a taxi (15 minutes)

The recommendation that I read was to book taxis through your accommodation (although I didn’t catch any whilst I was in Budapest).

Take public transport (30-45 minutes)

Catch the No. 9 bus. The main stops in the city are from Deak Ferenc ter (same place as the airport bus stop) or further down the road outside St Stephen’s Basilica. Get off at Kolosy ter (about 20 minutes).

Then catch the No. 65 bus from the Bus Station (2-minute walk from bus stop). This is only 5 minutes.

Becky’s Tip – Search the route on Google Maps and this will give you live times for the buses to the caves.

What happens when you arrive to start the cave tour?

Firstly, I should mention I was running late, because I couldn’t find the No. 9 bus stop and missed the bus haha (See my instructions above so you don’t do this). My cave tour started at 15.30, I arrived at nearer 15.45, but luckily everyone was still there!

There’s a small communal changing room with large lockers to put your belongings in, these weren’t locked. My bag had my SLR camera in it, plus Budapest pics from the morning and I felt completely safe leaving it there but I’m giving you the option if you wish to leave your valuables at your accommodation .

Next door, there’s a room with shelves filled with some designer overalls (ah sorry actually they aren’t designer but they will protect your clothes ) and lots of helmets.

You’re given a helmet, which you can adjust the size (good job as my head is the size of a small child haha) and a pair of red overalls to try on. Apparently, the first pair didn’t fit, even though I thought they were fine.

But I reckon it’s good to always listen to the experts, especially as you’re going to be crawling about in the cave.

What should you wear for the caving tour?

Although you have overalls I would still recommend wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty . The overalls are dusty from previous people wearing. And you’ll see what I mean when you get in the caves, the dust gets everywhere!

One thing that is important to know is that the temperatures in the caves don’t change throughout the year . It remains at a warm at about 10 C/ 50 F degrees. I was visiting in the winter and outside the  weather was pretty cold , so ended up taking off some clothes before entering the cave.

This is what I wore:

• Hiking trousers/pants (leggings would be suitable too)
• Long-sleeved top
• Hiking socks
• Trail shoes (trainers/pumps)

And ladies don’t forget a hair tie!

Overalls, helmet and head torches are all provided by the cave tour company.

Can you take a camera on the caving tour?

My honest answer if you have a nice/expensive camera is ‘No’ . Why?

Because the cave was so dusty the chances are that the dust particles can get inside your camera and damage it.

Even with a protective cover, it would still be risky. But, it’s your decision, you can probably tell from my photos how much dust was floating around!

All my photos in the cave were taken on my Samsung A5 phone, which is dust and water-resistant. Very handy as it’s been on some tough trips!

There’s a pocket in your overall which you can carry it in as you’ll need both hands free when moving through the cave.

How long are you in the cave?

The entrance to the cave is a short 3-4 minute walk across the road. It was a good job as it was freezing out and I had taken my thermals off!

Our tour group entered the cave around 16.00 and didn’t see daylight again until 18.00. So two hours with your head torches for light .

You might like to read my 3-day itinerary in Budapest  or if you’re short on time check out this 24-hour guide to Budapest

Can everyone do the Cave tour?

Surprisingly there is an upper and lower age limit for this tour 10-55 years. I’m not sure what happens when you over 55, I hope I’m still fit enough to do adventurous activities at that age.  I’d suggest contacting the company if you still want to do.

Also, the caving tour is not recommended for very overweight people. I can understand this as there were a few tight squeezes on our tour. But there were a few different routes through the caves so maybe there are a few that weren’t so small!

What happens when you are in the cave?

Our group was split into two smaller groups on the tour, so there are between 8-12 people per guide. Some sections we were able to gather as a group and listen to our guide’s instructions. Other times he passed the information down in a chain through the cave channels.

This was one of the rules at the beginning. You give directions to the person behind you regarding how to get through smaller sections. Normally, it was something like, ‘go through sideways’ or ‘go head first for this bit’ (yes sounds a bit scary) but once you’re down there it’s 100% the easiest way sometimes!

Stay with your group at all times. I have no idea why you wouldn’t when you’re exploring an unknown cave system. And of course, remember to leave no trace. The next cave tour doesn’t want to see pieces of rubbish in the cave! The same rule as if you were hiking in Budapest .

What else do you need to know before the cave tour?

If you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs then you can be refused on the tour . I know I wouldn’t want to be exploring a pitch-black cave with someone who’d had a few drinks so makes sense to me.

And you take part in the tour at your own risk!

Becky’s Tip – The dust particles make you very thirsty whilst you’re in the cave so make sure you are fully hydrated before you go in! Although not too much, as there are no toilets!!

Click here for more information or to book your caving tour now

Please ask me any questions about the cave tour or my experience caving in Budapest in the comments below or send me a message on Facebook – Becky the Traveller

More Budapest Tours here

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*Becky the Traveller participates in the Amazon Services Associates Programme, as well as other affiliate programmes. If you make a purchase through these, I earn from the qualifying links. This is at no extra cost to you. Read more here .

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Budapest: Adventure Caving Tour with Guide

About the activity

Climb and crawl through Budapest’s longest cave system on a caving experience in the Danube-Ipoly National Park. Discover the source of Budapest’s hot springs, and marvel at the limestone rock formations left behind by geological activity.

• Free cancellation Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
• Instant confirmation & Mobile tickets Receive your ticket right away. Use your phone or print your voucher.
• Live guiding English
• Start time - Available today 2:00 PM
• Duration 3 hours
• Cave entry fee
• Caving guide
• Helmet and lamp
• Protective overalls
• Explore the longest cave of Hungary, the Pál-völgyi-Mátyás-hegyi cave system
• Scramble over rocks and crawl through passages in a nature-made playground
• Take on an adventurous tour for those who are ready to go off the beaten track
• Travel alongside guides who are members of the Hungarian Caving Association
• Learn about the geology of Budapest's thermal springs and hydrothermal caves

Description

Experience the natural splendors of the Danube-Ipoly National Park, and climb and crawl your way through Hungary’s longest cave system on a half-day caving expedition. No prior experience of caving is needed to get the most out of this adventure. Famous for its hot springs, Budapest is visited by many people who want to experience the thermal baths. But only a few know that the hot water rushing up from deep underground created something even more extraordinary. In the limestone mountains under Budapest, the heated water formed a huge cave system that is thought to be more than 200 kilometers long. The longest cave of Budapest is the 32 kilometers long Pál-völgyi-Mátyás-hegyi cave system in the Duna-Ipoly National Park. It’s a multi-level labyrinth system where most of the chambers lie under the residential districts of Budapest. The scheduled cave tours are guided by qualified caving guides. During the adventure, you will climb on walls and crawl through narrow passages. Marvel at the natural parts of the cave under the supervision of a professional caving guide (all guides are qualified members of the Hungarian Caving Association). Enjoy the perfect activity for groups, families, or solo travelers looking to make some new friends. Bond through an interactive adventure, where cooperation can definitely make your way easier.

• This tour is not suitable for those under the age of 8 and over the age of 55
• You must be physically fit and able to climb and crawl for 2.5 hours
• If needed, you can change clothes in the changing room
• This is not an outdoor experience; it doesn't depend on the weather. The temperature is permanently 10°C (50°F) in the cave
• No prior caving experience needed

Reviews & Ratings

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Singaporean man injured in Hungary cave rescued in 2 hours

A 32-year-old Singaporean man was rescued by a 29-strong team after injuring his leg during a guided cave exploration tour in Hungary on March 22.

In response to The Straits Times’ queries, Hungarian Cave Rescue Service (BMSz) president Miklos Nyerges said on March 25 that the non-governmental organisation had received an alert at noon on March 22 that a caver had hurt his ankle in the Matyas-hegyi cave.

Dr Nyerges said the first BMSz rescuer arrived at the cave, which is close to Budapest’s city centre, at 12.26pm.

At 1.20pm, three BMSz members – a doctor, a paramedic and an assistant – descended into the cave first.

They found that the Singaporean man was at a depth of about 40m from an exit of the cave, said Dr Nyerges. However, because the man had to be carried on a stretcher, the rescue team took a route of 400m to 500m to “avoid difficult points” to reach the exit, he explained.

A post on BMSz’s website dated March 22 said that the injured man “was found to be in good condition and the cave tour guide had provided him with thermal protection against (the) cold”, adding that the temperature in the cave was 12 deg C.

The injured man’s vital readings – including blood pressure, blood oxygen level and body temperature – were normal, it added.

“The injured ankle was fixed in a splint and we made him transportable. The patient’s pain was also minimised by proper limb fixation,” said BMSz.

More rescuers had arrived in the meantime, and they constructed ropeways and pulley systems to lift the injured man to the surface – an operation that took 1½ hours.

The injured man reached the surface at 3.22pm, and an ambulance took him to the nearby Hungarian Army Medical Centre.

The Singaporean man, whom Dr Nyerges declined to name, had joined an adventure caving trip, but it was unclear whether on March 22 he had been part of a group.

Dr Nyerges said that such trips usually feature groups of between five and 10 people plus a guide.

In response to ST’s queries, Singapore’s consulate in Hungary on March 25 said that the Singaporean, who had written a note to thank the people who had helped him, is now in Glasgow, Scotland. His note on March 24 said that he was awaiting surgery.

BMSz, established in 1961, rescues tourists and advanced-level explorers from caves in Hungary and abroad.

The Matyas-hegyi cave was formed by the thermal waters beneath Matyas Hill on the edge of the capital of Budapest. The cave is part of the longest cave system in Hungary that is more than 32km long.

It attracts 4,000 to 5,000 visitors each year, said Dr Nyerges.

(English below) Az idei Március a barlangok hónapja. A DINPI Barlangok Hónapja című rendezvénysorozatának részeként a... Posted by Magyar Barlangi Mentőszolgálat on  Friday, March 22, 2024

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