The Kisfaludy is a working replica of the very first steamship to sail Lake Balaton - a vessel whose 1846 launch was personally organised by Count István Széchenyi, the same reformer behind the Gróf Széchenyi paddle steamer now docked across town. After more than 175 years connected to Balaton, the replica made an unusual move in 2023: she left the lake entirely and sailed down the Sió Canal to the Danube, where she now runs Budapest's most affordable historic cruise alongside her newer sister ship, the Hableány.
Here's what's worth knowing before booking: the real history behind the name, where to find her in Budapest, what the cruise is actually like, and how she compares to the rest of the Duna Cruises fleet.
Table of Contents
- Quick Facts About the Kisfaludy Paddle Steamer
- The Story Behind the Name
- History and Construction of the Kisfaludy
- Where to Find the Kisfaludy — Pier and Boarding Location
- Boat Specifications and Technical Parameters
- Onboard Experience
- Types of Cruises and Events on the Kisfaludy
- Food and Drink Onboard
- Visitor Reviews
- Kisfaludy vs Other Budapest Boats
- Water Tours on the Kisfaludy by Alle Travel
- Explore More Budapest Boats and Cruises
Quick Facts About the Kisfaludy Paddle Steamer
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Hungarian name | Kisfaludy (lapátkerekes gőzhajó) |
| Original ship in service | 1846–1887 (Lake Balaton) |
| Operator | Duna Cruises (Dunai Sétahajózási Kft.) |
| Replica rebuilt | 2014 |
| Relocated to the Danube | Summer 2023 |
| Sister ship | Hableány Paddle Steamer (joined Danube fleet 2024) |
| Capacity | Group size up to 20 (per current Alle Travel listing); up to 85 on private charter |
| Replica dimensions | 26.2 m long, 5.5 m hull width, 9.2 m across the paddle wheels |
| Wheelchair access | Not suitable for wheelchair users (per operator) |
The Story Behind the Name
The name honours one of the great figures of early 19th-century Hungarian poetry - though sources differ on exactly which Kisfaludy. Most accounts say she was named for Kisfaludy Sándor, who wrote evocatively about Lake Balaton's beauty in his poetry, making him a fitting namesake for the lake's first steamship. A few historical sources note the name was also meant to honour his younger brother Károly, also a poet, who died young - so the ship may have carried something of a double tribute. Either way, the choice reflected the same pattern of naming vessels after Hungarian cultural figures that later produced the Gróf Széchenyi.
The launch itself wasn't an accident of timing: Count István Széchenyi - already known for founding the first Danube Steamship Company and pushing for the construction of the Chain Bridge - chose his own 55th birthday, 21 September 1846, as the date to put the Kisfaludy into the water at Balatonfüred. The reception was apparently enthusiastic enough that Viennese secret police observers reportedly mistook the celebration for a political demonstration.
History and Construction of the Kisfaludy
The original Kisfaludy was Lake Balaton's first steamship, built on the initiative of Count István Széchenyi together with Zala county nobleman Károly Hertelendy. The two founded the Balaton Steamship Company on 5 April 1846, with shares also bought by reformers Lajos Kossuth and Ferenc Deák. The wooden hull was built at the Óbuda Shipyard in Budapest and hauled overland by horse to Balatonfüred, while the 40-horsepower steam engine was ordered from the Penn works in England and shipped over by sea. Final assembly took place at Balatonfüred, and her first trial run - from Balatonfüred to Balatonkenese - took about an hour. The original ship carried around 300 passengers and remained in service until 1887.
The current Kisfaludy is a faithful reconstruction, rebuilt in 2014 and, for years afterward, the only paddle-wheel vessel operating on Lake Balaton, running sightseeing cruises out of Balatonfüred alongside the steamship Jókai. In 2023, after harbour fees on the lake rose significantly, the operator floated her down the Sió Canal to the Danube, relocating her permanently to Budapest, where she became the founding vessel of Duna Cruises' historical fleet - joined a year later by her sister ship, the Hableány.
Where to Find the Kisfaludy — Pier and Boarding Location
The Kisfaludy departs from Dock 10 on the Pest side of the Danube, near Elizabeth Bridge (the distinctive white suspension bridge).
- By tram: Take tram 2 and get off at Március 15 tér, then walk to Dock 10.
- On foot: Look for the Duna Cruises sign near the Pest-side foot of Elizabeth Bridge.
Nearest Landmarks
- Elizabeth Bridge — directly next to the pier
- Central Market Hall and Bálna Budapest — passed early in the route
- Liberty Bridge and Gellért Baths — on the southern leg
- Chain Bridge, Parliament, and Margaret Bridge — on the northern leg
Boat Specifications and Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 26.2 m |
| Hull width | 5.5 m |
| Width across paddle wheels | 9.2 m |
| Height (to masts) | 13 m |
| Propulsion | Side paddle wheels (replica) |
| Onboard exhibit | Small historical display about the original ship |
| Amenities | Heated mid-deck area, blankets, free Wi-Fi, restrooms |
| Accessibility | Not suitable for wheelchair users |
The original Kisfaludy was a genuinely large vessel for her era - around 50 metres long according to archival records held at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences - while the 2014 replica is considerably more compact at 26.2 metres, scaled to suit her role as a sightseeing boat rather than a 300-passenger lake ferry.
Onboard Experience
Interior and Atmosphere
Guests consistently describe the Kisfaludy as small, cozy, and distinctly less crowded than the larger dinner-cruise boats elsewhere on the Danube - reviewers frequently mention wooden tables and chairs, a vintage feel, and the option to sit in the glazed, heated mid-deck or move outside for photos. Seating isn't assigned, but the operator guarantees a seat for every booking, and the relatively small group size (capped around 20 per the current Alle Travel listing) keeps the experience noticeably more intimate than the bigger paddle steamers and catamarans nearby.
Audio Guide
Commentary is delivered via a QR-code audio guide accessed on guests' own smartphones, available in 30 languages as both audio and text. Guests are advised to bring their own headphones, with crew assistance available for anyone who needs it.
Accessibility
The operator states the Kisfaludy is not suitable for wheelchair users - worth checking directly with Duna Cruises if mobility access is a requirement, since this differs from some of the larger modern boats in Budapest's fleet.
Types of Cruises and Events on the Kisfaludy
- 1-hour historic cruise with welcome drink — the standard public sightseeing format, with a choice of Tokaj Frizzante sparkling wine or orange juice on boarding
- Private charters — up to 85 guests for private events
The route runs along both banks of the Danube, passing the Liberty Statue, Liberty Bridge, Gellért Baths, the Central Market Hall, Elizabeth Bridge, Chain Bridge, the Hungarian Parliament, Margaret Bridge, Fisherman's Bastion, and Buda Castle. Worth noting for booking purposes: Duna Cruises currently operates this specific product with two boats - the Kisfaludy or her sister ship the Hableány - and which one you board depends on the number of bookings for that sailing, not on which one you select at checkout.
Food and Drink Onboard
This is a lighter format than Budapest's dinner cruises - there's no full meal service, but the welcome drink (premium Tokaj Frizzante sparkling wine, or orange juice for non-drinkers) is a consistent highlight in guest reviews, several of whom specifically mention being welcomed aboard with a glass of "bubbly" before settling in for the hour-long sailing.
Visitor Reviews
Feedback on the Kisfaludy/Hableány cruise is strongly positive and unusually consistent across reviews. The most frequently repeated themes are the boat's small size and lack of crowding compared to larger cruise boats, the vintage wooden interior, friendly staff, and the value relative to price - several reviewers explicitly mention choosing this cruise over a dinner cruise specifically because of the smaller group and more personal feel. The audio guide is generally described as informative without being intrusive, and evening sailings get extra praise for the lit-up skyline views.
The main practical note from reviews, rather than a complaint, is that guests should bring their own phone and headphones to use the audio guide properly, and that the boat is genuinely small - a plus for atmosphere, but worth knowing if you're expecting a large vessel.
Kisfaludy vs Other Budapest Boats
| Boat | Capacity | Year | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kisfaludy | ~20 per sailing; 85 private charter | 2014 replica (1846 original) | Paddle steamer replica | Small-group, budget-friendly historic cruises |
| Hableány | ~20 per sailing; 45 private charter | 2007 replica (1867 original) | Paddle steamer replica | Same format, sister ship |
| Citadella | Not published | Modern | Contemporary sightseeing boat | Premium sightseeing, same operator |
| Gróf Széchenyi | 400 cocktail / 220 seated | 1940 | Paddle steamer | Large-group folklore dinner cruises |
Within Duna Cruises' own fleet, the Kisfaludy and Hableány occupy the entry-level, small-group niche, while Citadella covers the more premium modern sightseeing slot. Compared to the much larger Gróf Széchenyi across town, the Kisfaludy trades scale and a full dinner format for intimacy, price, and a noticeably more personal pace - it's the boat to pick if you want the vintage paddle-wheel atmosphere without committing to a multi-hour dinner cruise.
Water Tours on the Kisfaludy by Alle Travel
You can book a cruise on the Kisfaludy through alle.travel:
Note: this listing operates with two boats - the Kisfaludy and the Hableány - and the specific vessel used depends on the number of bookings for that sailing rather than being guaranteed at the time of booking.
Explore More Budapest Boats and Cruises
The Kisfaludy is one of only two genuine paddle-wheel replicas on the Danube, but Budapest's river fleet covers a lot more ground - from the much larger Gróf Széchenyi to fully modern catamarans and even a public hop-on-hop-off service.
- Boats in Budapest — Popular Fleet for River Cruises — the full hub article covering every boat operating on the Danube
- Gróf Széchenyi Boat — Full Guide — Budapest's larger heritage paddle steamer
- MS Stadt Wien Boat — Full Guide — the Akadémia dock's other paddle steamer, used for boat parties and drinks cruises
- Budapest Boat Tours — All Cruises — the full listings page with every available cruise across all operators and boat types