PHOTOS: Budapest-Balaton, Budapest-Vienna flights – quick and affordable

Hydroplanes used to connect the Austrian capital with Budapest, and you could reach Lake Balaton’s pearl, Siófok, from the Buda Danube embankment in less than half an hour. Travelling by plane was a viable alternative to train rides since it was quicker, not much more expensive, and there were no crowds. The business generated limited profit though, so companies cancelled their operation quickly.

Pestbuda.hu wrote about the heydays of Hungarian hydroplanes connecting Budapest with Lake Balaton and Vienna for an affordable price. The first plane took off from the Danube on 10 July 1923, a bit more than 100 years ago. The passengers were members of the “upper 10,000” due to the relatively high ticket prices, even though the planes then were loud and uncomfortable, and also small, compared to the service a train’s 1st class could offer. Furthermore, planes could fly only hundreds of kilometres without a stop for refuelling. Even though many chose this option to travel to Vienna or visit their families at Lake Balaton.

Hydroplane flights not profitble enough

Balaton was ideal since neither end needed an airport. Planes took off from the Danube River and landed on the calm waters of Balaton. The elite class of Budapest regularly visited Lake Balaton, where three elegant casinos awaited guests. However, the trains could not provide enough 1st class seats for the upper class. Moreover, journalists then complained about the unsatisfying number of cars and fuel. With most roads unpaved, getting to Lake Balaton by car was a challenge. As a result, travelling by plane was a bit expensive but quick, and you always had your seat next to a window.