Journey to Balatonfüred: A Long Day of Transfers and the Best Ramen of My Life

The Long Road to the "Hungarian Sea"

My journey to Balatonfüred, a charming town on the shores of Lake Balaton, was anything but simple. It started with a 5:30 AM alarm and a double helping of my favorite yogurt in Vienna.

 

However, travel has a way of testing your patience. My train to Budapest was delayed, which meant missing my connecting train to the lake.

One thing I've learned about traveling in Hungary: almost every path leads back to Budapest. To get to Balaton, I had to navigate the Budapest Metro from one end to the other, dragging my heavy suitcase through stations with broken elevators. It was exhausting, but the curiosity of what lay ahead kept me going.

The Mystery of the Airbnb Key

By the time I reached Balatonfüred, the sun was already setting, casting a quiet, slightly eerie glow over the town. My Airbnb host wasn't there to meet me, leaving only a cryptic message about a key in a postbox.

There I was, in a dark and freezing foreign town, fumbling with an old gate and a phone battery that was dying by the second. After some frantic searching, I found an envelope with my name on it! But the mystery continued—the key wouldn't lock the door from the inside. In that moment of vulnerability, I realized that while Airbnb offers a local feel, nothing beats the security and comfort of a hotel for a solo traveler.

A Taste of Heaven: Export-Edition Ramen

Exhausted, cold, and a bit nervous about the unlocked door, I decided to focus on the one thing I could control: my hunger. I had packed a couple of bags of Korean "Shin Ramyun," and tonight was the night to open one.

As the water boiled on the small induction stove, I opened the packet and was shocked. The export version of this ramen had massive chunks of vegetables and mushrooms—way more than back home! That bowl of spicy, hot noodles was more than just a meal; it was comfort, warmth, and home all in one. I found myself wishing I had packed five bags instead of two. It was, without a doubt, the most delicious meal of my entire trip.

Resting for the Lake

Though the radiator was a bit weak and the shower felt too cold to brave, the belly full of warm ramen made everything okay. Tomorrow, I plan to explore the Tihany Peninsula and the vastness of Lake Balaton. Traveling solo is a series of small battles, but moments like tonight remind me that I can handle whatever comes my way—as long as I have a good bowl of ramen.

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💡 Traveler’s Note (Summary)

Category	Throwback Insight (2017)
Transport	Most Hungarian train routes center around Budapest. Be prepared for multiple transfers.
Solo Travel Tip	Always pack a few "emergency" comfort foods from home. They are literal lifesavers.
Accommodation	If you prefer security and ease of check-in, stick to hotels over Airbnbs in smaller towns.
Winter Gear	Keep a power bank in your pocket—the cold will kill your phone battery just when you need it most.