The RepTár Szolnoki Repülőmúzeum is one of the most modern and impressive aviation museums in Hungary. Located in the town of Szolnok, not far from Budapest, it tells the story of flight from its beginnings to the most recent technologies. Inside the museum, you can see historic aircraft and contemporary prototypes. There is also a spectacular outdoor exhibition featuring MiG jets, decorated helicopters and air defence systems. A railway carriage recalls the building’s former life as a railway station. Everything is carefully curated, with captions also in English and spaces designed for both families and aviation enthusiasts.
Table of Contents
What to see at the RepTár Aviation Museum in Szolnok
The Szolnok Aviation Museum was founded in 1973 as the technical collection of the Kilián György Flight Technical College. Over the years, it has evolved into a modern exhibition space that narrates the history of Hungarian aviation, with a strong focus on military aviation. In total, RepTár displays more than 50 aircraft and helicopters, including both civilian and military models.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO BUDAPEST
For a road trip in Hungary, choose a Holafly eSIM: you will have unlimited internet to use Google Maps or any other GPS app, and you can share photos and videos in real time on WhatsApp and social media without any worries.
To travel with complete peace of mind, don’t forget to also take out Heymondo travel insurance, which protects you from unexpected events and ensures a worry-free holiday.
The exhibition is divided into two main areas, an indoor section and an outdoor one. Inside the hangar, you mainly find smaller aircraft, along with the remains of planes shot down during the Second World War. The upper floor hosts both permanent and temporary exhibitions. One section is dedicated to the history of Hungarian military aviation, with weapons, uniforms and historical documents.
Among the most engaging experiences for both adults and children are the flight simulators, which allow you to experience what it feels like to pilot a military aircraft. You can also climb inside some of the aircraft on display.
In the large outdoor area, you can admire an impressive collection of MiG aircraft, air defence systems and military helicopters painted with colourful designs, a feature that is virtually unique among aviation museums in Europe.
Inside the RepTár hangar: historic aircraft, electric planes and wartime wrecks
As soon as you step inside the RepTár hangar, you are surrounded by an impressive collection of aircraft.
The displays tell the story of both military and civilian aviation through carefully restored models. The variety of planes shows how flight developed in parallel in civil and military contexts. Among the most surprising exhibits are several experimental electric aircraft, a rarity I had previously seen only at the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace in Le Bourget, near Paris.
Inside the hangar you can also see the remains of several aircraft shot down during the Second World War. Among them, there are a B-24G bomber and the famous American B-17G that crashed into the Danube in 1944 during a mission by the 483rd Bomb Group. Each piece tells a story of war, survival and recovery, not just of engineering. The captions describe the recovery operations in detail. They also tell the stories of those who were captured, transforming the exhibition into a deeply human experience.
Beside the wreckage you will find period photographs, images from underwater recoveries and traditional navigation instruments, some of which are still used today in private pilot training! Past and present naturally meet through tools that are still part of a pilot’s daily reality. All these elements help you understand how certain basic principles of aviation have changed very little over time.
Helicopters, MiGs and air defence systems in the outdoor collection
In the outdoor area of RepTár you will find a police aircraft and some of the most iconic planes from the Cold War era. The highlights are the MiG-21 and MiG-23 jets used by the Hungarian Air Force.
They immediately catch your eye as you walk through the site. Alongside the aircraft, you can see military helicopters decorated with colourful designs. This feature is extremely rare in Europe and gives the museum an original and unexpected character.
The outdoor exhibition also includes a real air defence missile system, complete with radar units and anti-aircraft missiles once used by the Hungarian Army. One of the most fascinating exhibits is the SZ-75 Dvina system. It was designed in the 1950s to destroy high-altitude bombers, including American aircraft during the Cold War. It entered service in Hungary at the end of the 1950s and was widely used across the Warsaw Pact countries.
The collection is completed by the P-37 Bar Lock radar. It’s a Soviet-designed locator developed in the 1970s and still used today in a modernised version. Despite its age, this radar continues to play an active role in defending national airspace. Walking among these machines gives you a clear sense of how military technology has evolved. At the same time, certain engineering solutions remain surprisingly relevant.
The permanent exhibition on Hungarian military aviation and the temporary displays
On the upper floor of the hangar, you will find the permanent exhibition dedicated to Hungarian military aviation. It tells more than a century of flight and air defence through original uniforms, archival documents, photographs and personal memorabilia. The layout is clear and easy to follow, allowing you to move naturally through different historical periods.
I found it particularly fascinating to learn about the birth of Hungary’s first air forces and to follow their role through the two World Wars and the Cold War years. The English captions make the exhibition accessible even if you do not speak Hungarian fluently. Each section helps you understand how aviation reflected political change and technological progress.
During my visit, RepTár was also hosting two powerful temporary exhibitions. One was dedicated to Japanese kamikaze pilots, and another to the atomic attack on Hiroshima. An installation of 1,000 origami paper cranes, folded by students from Szolnok, symbolised peace, hope and unity. These exhibitions add a strong emotional layer to the visit and invite reflection alongside historical discovery.
Flight simulators and interactive activities for children and families
At RepTár you do not just look at aircraft. You experience them first-hand. Among the most popular attractions are the flight simulators. They recreate what it feels like to fly a MiG-29 and engage enemy aircraft. One of the staff members we met was a former Hungarian military pilot, who shared stories from a real reconnaissance mission flown on the same MiG models.
Next to the simulators, you will find old aircraft and space modules. You can climb inside and sit in the pilot’s seat. For extra experiences, such as boarding certain aircraft or accessing special attractions, you can buy credits at the museum shop. The visitor route is clear and well organised, with explanations almost always available in English.
Some attractions, such as the gyroscope and some simulators, are reserved for older children and teenagers. Height and safety rules apply. The main simulator may not be suitable for very young children because of the video effects used during the experience.
My son had already tried similar activities in other museums and events. For him, the simulator was not a problem. He could not just use the gyroscope because of the height limit. Overall, the Szolnok Aviation Museum still offers activities for every age, from the outdoor playground to the obstacle course in the external training area.
From railway station to aviation museum: RepTár’s hidden history
One of the most fascinating aspects of RepTár is its location. The museum stands on the site of Szolnok’s former railway station, an area deeply connected to transport history. You do not enter just a museum, but a place shaped by movement and travel for more than a century.
The main building is called the Indóház and dates back to 1847. It is a fine example of 19th-century railway architecture built on an Austrian model. The architect was Wilhelm Paul Edward Sprenger, the same man who designed Budapest’s Nyugati railway station.
In the courtyard of the Szolnok Aviation Museum, you can see a small original water tower. It was once used to supply steam locomotives with water. It consisted of an underground well, a ground-floor pump and an upper water tank.
On the western side of the area stands the old salt warehouse, a long building from the second half of the 19th century. Salt transported along the Tisza River was transferred here onto trains. Walking among these buildings feels like stepping into a railway past rather than an aviation present.
Practical tips for planning your visit to RepTár in Szolnok
The Szolnok Aviation Museum is spacious, well organised and full of interesting details, so your visit deserves time and attention. Allow at least half a day to explore everything properly, especially if you enjoy reading, observing and taking photos.
We had planned our visit for the morning as part of our road trip through Hungary. Given more time, we would have happily stayed much longer, because there is so much to see and absorb.
Most information panels are bilingual, in Hungarian and English, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Where English captions are missing, a translation app is useful and well worth using. Every descriptions beside each aircraft reveal fascinating facts about Hungarian aviation history.
For lunch or a coffee break, you can stop at the RepTár Bistró. The museum’s restaurant, decorated with aviation-themed details, overlooks the outdoor area. The food is good, and the relaxed atmosphere made lunch feel like part of the visit rather than just a practical stop.
When is the best time to visit the Szolnok Aviation Museum
The best time to visit RepTár is in late spring or early autumn, when the outdoor areas are more pleasant. In summer, temperatures can become intense, especially in the open-air sections with aircraft and helicopters. When we visited in August, the playground was totally empty at midday because of the heat.
If you’ll arrive at the museum as soon as it opens in the morning, you’ll have more time to explore at a relaxed pace. In summer, bring water, a hat and sunglasses, while in winter a warm jacket is essential if you plan to spend time outdoors.
If you prefer a quieter visit, weekdays are your best option, when visitor numbers are lower. Weekends and school holidays are usually much busier, with many families and organised groups around the museum.
Ticket prices for the Szolnok Aviation Museum
The full ticket costs 4,000 HUF, around €10, and includes access to the exhibitions and some interactive installations. Children under six enter for free, while the reduced ticket costs 2,000 HUF, about €5. Discounts and special rates are also available for large families.
At the time of writing, tickets are not sold online. You must buy them at the ticket office at the museum entrance. The basic ticket gives access to all exhibition areas inside the museum.
For interactive activities, such as climbing into aircraft or using certain simulators, you need to buy extra credits from the museum shop. I really recommend doing this, as these experiences make the visit far more engaging, especially for children. My son loved both the simulator and boarding the aircraft.
Opening hours at the RepTár Szolnoki Repülőmúzeum
Opening times change depending on the season. In spring, summer and autumn the Szolnok Aviation Museum is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, while in winter it opens from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
When planning your visit, remember that the museum is always closed on Mondays. The official RepTár website is the best place to check public holiday hours, special events, seasonal closures and extraordinary openings.
How to get to the Szolnok Aviation Museum from Budapest and beyond
Reaching the Szolnok Aviation Museum from Budapest or other Hungarian cities is easy, both by public transport and by car. You can also combine your visit with Budapest’s Aeropark Aviation Museum, located next to the capital’s airport, if you are planning an aviation-themed itinerary.
Szolnok has direct train connections with Budapest and Debrecen. From other cities you may need to change once along the way. From Budapest, there are two direct options to reach Szolnok without changing trains. The InterCity train from Budapest Keleti station towards Békéscsaba takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Alternatively, the faster InterRegio train from Budapest Ferihegy station towards Debrecen takes about 1 hour. Choosing the station closest to your accommodation helps save time.
From Szolnok railway station, the museum is about 1.6 km away, around a 20-minute walk. A short taxi ride takes about five minutes, and costs roughly 2,000 HUF (about €5). You can book a taxi through Főtaxi via their app or website.
There are also several bus routes starting from the railway station that stop near the Szolnok Aviation Museum. Tickets can be bought at the bus station, from kiosks, directly on the bus, or paid by card on board.
If you are travelling by car, as we did, driving is pretty easy from Budapest and from other parts of Hungary. We stopped at RepTár during a road trip before continuing to Mezőkövesd and had no trouble finding it. A large car park is available directly in front of the entrance.
RepTár Szolnoki Repülőmúzeum
Indóház u. 4-6, 5000 Szolnok, Hungary
Why RepTár is one of Hungary’s most fascinating aviation museums
Visiting the Szolnok Aviation Museum means stepping into the story of Hungarian military aviation. You’ll see rows of MiGs, helicopters, historic aircraft and defence systems. This is not just a collection of aircraft, but a series of human stories about pilots, missions and political changes that shaped the twentieth century.
What makes the museum even more special are the unexpected details, such as the railway carriage that recalls when this site was still a station, and the historic buildings now turned into exhibition spaces. The courtyard also features a play area for children, designed to combine learning and fun in a simple and engaging way.
RepTár is an ideal stop if you want to see something original outside Budapest. It works just as well for a family day out as for anyone passionate about aviation. Leave a comment and share your experience, whether you have already visited the museum or are planning to add it to your next trip to Hungary.
