Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Budapest - all you need to know

The Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd) is not just one of Budapest’s landmarks. For visitors, it is also the most picturesque pedestrian link between the centre of Pest and Buda Castle.

Crossing the bridge is free and takes about 8–10 minutes without stopping. In reality, however, allow at least 20 minutes: from one side of the bridge you can see the Parliament, from the other Buda Castle, and from the middle of the bridge you can take a panoramic photo of both banks.

Hotel right next to the Chain Bridge

Crossing the bridge: price and opening hours

Admission: free
Opening hours: 24 hours a day
Bridge length: 375 metres
Crossing time: about 8–10 minutes without stopping; 15–20 minutes if you stop to take photos
Best time to visit: early in the morning before the crowds arrive, or in the evening after the bridge is lit up

Footpaths run along both sides of the bridge. Private cars are not permitted on the bridge; the carriageway is used by public transport buses, taxis, motorbikes, bicycles, scooters and emergency services vehicles. As a result, the bridge is now much more pleasant for pedestrians than it was before the renovation.

Which footpath to take and where to photograph the bridge

When travelling from Pest to Buda, choose which side to take depending on what you want to see:

The right-hand, northern footpath offers a better view towards the Parliament.
The left-hand, southern footpath is better for views of Buda Castle, the Várkert Bazár and Gellért Hill.

If you want both views, cross the bridge on one side and return on the other. For photographing the entire bridge, we’ve found the following spots work best:

The Pest embankment south of the bridge – a classic side view of the bridge with Buda in the background.
The terrace above the entrance to the Buda Tunnel – a lesser-known spot from which the bridge is perfectly centred. From Clark Ádám tér, climb the steps or ramp next to the tunnel.
The terraces of Buda Castle – a view of the entire bridge, the Danube and the centre of Pest from above.

The most striking light is usually shortly after sunset, when the sky is still blue and the bridge is already lit up. If you want photos with almost no people in them, come after sunrise.

The first permanent bridge between Buda and Pest

The Chain Bridge was opened on 20 November 1849 as the first permanent link between Buda and Pest across the Danube. A unified Budapest was not formed until 1873, following the merger of Buda, Pest and Óbuda.

The construction was championed by Count István Széchenyi. The bridge was designed by the English engineer William Tierney Clark, and the construction in Budapest itself was supervised by the Scottish engineer Adam Clark. Despite sharing the same surname, they were not related.

The name ‘Chain Bridge’ is not merely a poetic designation. The deck is indeed supported by massive chains composed of flat iron links. The central span measures 202 metres and, at the time of its opening, was one of the largest in the world.

At the end of the Second World War, the bridge was blown up by the retreating German army. The restored bridge reopened on 20 November 1949, exactly one hundred years after it first opened. The most recent major renovation was completed in 2023.

The lions really do have tongues

Four stone lions by the sculptor János Marschalkó have guarded both ends of the bridge since 1852. A well-known legend claims that the artist forgot to sculpt their tongues and, upon realising his mistake, jumped into the Danube.

Neither of these is true. The lions do have tongues; they simply cannot be seen from the road, and the sculptor lived for decades after their completion.

The Buda Tunnel

On the Buda side, the bridge’s axis leads straight into a 350-metre-long tunnel beneath Castle Hill, which was opened in 1857. Right next to the tunnel entrance stands the lower station of the funicular railway to Buda Castle.

Although there is a narrow footpath through the tunnel, it is not particularly appealing to tourists due to the noise and exhaust fumes. It is more interesting to climb up to a small terrace above its eastern portal and look back at the bridge from there.

Location and transport

The Chain Bridge connects Széchenyi István tér in Pest with Clark Ádám tér in Buda.

Buses 16, 105, 178, 210B and 216 cross the bridge.
On the Pest side, the nearest underground station is Vörösmarty tér on line M1, about a 7-minute walk away.
Deák Ferenc tér station, served by lines M1, M2 and M3, is about a 10-minute walk away.
On the Buda side, trams 19 and 41 stop at Clark Ádám tér.

Bus 16 is particularly handy if you want to travel directly from the centre of Pest to the Castle District. You can find information on tickets, fares and tips in the article on transport in Budapest.

You cannot drive across the Chain Bridge in a private car. To cross the Danube, use another bridge and bear in mind that parking in the historic centre itself is expensive and limited.

Hotels near the Chain Bridge

The area around the bridge is one of the best places for your first stay in Budapest: you can walk to both the centre of Pest and Castle Hill. However, you’ll pay a premium for the location and the view of the Danube. We’ve selected cheaper alternatives in other parts of the city in the article ‘Where to stay in Budapest’.

Hotel Clark Budapest – Adults Only – is situated right by the Buda approach to the bridge and is the best choice if you want the bridge literally on your doorstep. Selected rooms offer views of the Danube and the bridge.
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest – An iconic luxury hotel directly opposite the Pest side of the bridge. Only certain room categories offer views of the bridge.
InterContinental Budapest by IHG – Situated on the embankment about 300 metres south of the bridge; rooms facing the Danube offer views of Buda Castle and, at an angle, the Chain Bridge too.
voco Budapest D8 by IHG – A practical choice about 400 metres from the bridge if you want an excellent location without paying for a direct view of the river.

For the first three hotels, always check the exact room name. A photo of the bridge on the hotel’s website does not necessarily mean you’ll be able to see it from all rooms; look for a room category with a river view or, specifically, a view of the Chain Bridge.