Budapest’s festive nostalgia returns: glittering Santa Bus and light trains roll out for Advent
As Hungary eases into the Advent season, Budapest and several regional cities are lighting up (quite literally!) with a fleet of festive vehicles ranging from glittering trains to a fully decorated, vintage Ikarus 280 Mikulásbusz. Both MÁV and BKV have launched their Christmas-themed services, offering a nostalgic and atmospheric way to travel throughout December.
MÁV launches the Mikulásbusz between Budapest and Gödöllő
Following the debut of MÁV’s illuminated trains last weekend, the nostalgia “Mikulásbusz” (Santa Bus) began operating on 6 December, running from Budapest Népliget to Gödöllő Szabadság tér (Szabadság Square). The star of the service is a beautifully refurbished Ikarus 280, originally built in 1993 as the 200,000th unit of the iconic Hungarian bus family.
The bus departs Budapest at 16:00 on 6, 7, 13, 14, and 20–23 December, with tickets priced at HUF 3,000 (EUR 8) per person, available via jegy.mav.hu, the MÁV apps, or at ticket offices. The ticket is valid for a return journey.
Upon arrival in Gödöllő, passengers can also enjoy two half-hour nostalgia loops at 17:15 and 18:15, with on-site tickets available from the driver for HUF 1,500 (EUR 4). The return journey to Budapest leaves at 19:00, including a scenic stop at Heroes’ Square for photos.
The bus is decorated inside and out with festive lighting, designed to evoke the charm of Hungary’s classic Ikarus era.
Light trains brighten Hungary’s rail network
MÁV’s popular light trains (“fényvonatok”) have also returned. Highlights this year include:
- FényHÉV: The beautifully illuminated MIX/A set runs on the H8/9 line on 6–7 December, the H6 line on 13–14 December, and the H7 line on 20–21 December.
- Fény Szili: A V43 electric locomotive decorated with LED lights travels across several main lines.
- Fény Bz: A diesel Bzmot railcar brings festive lights to regional routes until early January.
- Balatonfenyves Light Train: From 6 December to 6 January, the narrow-gauge train to Nagy-Berek and Csisztafürdő operates in full holiday illumination.
MÁV also ran a special Mikulás train for kindergarten children in Balatonfenyves on 5 December, including a meet-and-greet with Santa.
BKV celebrates 10 years of the Budapest Mikulásbusz with a retro surprise
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Budapest’s first Mikulásbusz, and BKV is celebrating by swapping its usual Van Hool CNG bus for something far more nostalgic: a fully decorated Ikarus 280 from its heritage fleet, last in regular service in 2022.
The bus (sporting 130 m² of festive exterior graphics, extensive interior decorations and the original BPI-829 licence plate) will run until 23 December on regular routes:
Weekdays: 5, 7, 133E
Weekends: 30, 34, 85, 139, 224, 276E
Passengers can ride the festive bus with normal tickets or passes. Each route is one where the Ikarus 280 type historically operated, offering a unique retro experience for transport enthusiasts and families alike. Route information is available on BKK’s website and in the BudapestGO app, marked with a snowflake icon.
Budapest’s full festive fleet: trams, trolleybuses, the cogwheel railway and even a light boat
Beyond the Mikulásbusz, BKV’s broader nine-vehicle festive fleet is now running across the city, featuring:
- Six illuminated trams, including the classic UV Fényvillamos
- A glowing cogwheel railway, returning from 10 December
- A festive boat service on the Danube until 30 December
- Approximately 140,000 LED lights and 5 km of light strings in total
The light trams will operate until 6 January 2026.
Festive vehicles nationwide
According to MagyarBusz.info, similar Christmas-themed vehicles are operating across Hungary:
- Kaposvár: CNG MAN light bus
- Miskolc: a decorated Tatra KT8D5 tram and a Mikulás train from Diósgyőr
- Debrecen: illuminated Trollino 12D trolleybus and several decorated trams
- Szeged: multiple festive trams
- Nyíregyháza: a classic Ikarus 280 and a modern Solaris with holiday decorations
- MÁV nationwide: light locomotives and Bzmot railcars bringing festive cheer to regional lines