Hop on Budapest’s nostalgia vehicles this summer!
Every weekend from late April to October, Budapest transforms its public transport into a moving museum, inviting locals and visitors alike to experience the city’s rich transport heritage through a series of nostalgic rides.
Organised by the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) in cooperation with BKV, these special services feature historic trams, trolleybuses, and buses that once formed an integral part of the city’s daily life, now lovingly restored and put back into service for leisure travel.
The nostalgic fleet includes iconic vehicles spanning over a century of Budapest’s modern transport history, showcasing both wooden-framed and steel-framed trams, as well as open-top cabrio buses.
These vehicles traverse some of the city’s most picturesque routes, offering passengers not only a unique travel experience but also stunning views of Budapest’s landmarks and natural beauty.
Among the highlights is the N2 tram, running along the Pest side of the Danube, where passengers can admire sights such as the Hungarian Parliament, the Chain Bridge, and the panoramic vistas of Buda Castle and Gellért Hill.
On Saturdays, this route offers a charming glimpse of the city’s riverside. The N19 tram operates on Sundays along the Buda riverbank, passing by famous baths, historic buildings, and green parks, culminating near the Clark Ádám Square, close to the Buda Castle funicular.
For those seeking an open-air experience, the N109 cabrio bus allows exploration of Budapest’s attractions under the sky, while the special N4 bus, running on weekends, connects Erzsébet királyné útja through Andrássy Avenue to the Zugliget Chairlift, offering a scenic route across the city.
Additional special services in July
July brings additional special services, including the operation of the N60 cogwheel railway, a historic line over 150 years old, which runs between Városmajor and Széchenyi Hill.
This unique vehicle provides an authentic mountain railway experience and will also be available in August. Retro trolleybuses such as the Ikarus 280T and the Soviet-made ZiU model will also be in service on specific dates, reviving memories of Budapest’s past urban transport.
On 12 July, during the “Night of the Chairlifts” festival, a special retro bus (R158) will shuttle non-stop between Széll Kálmán Square and the Zugliget Chairlift, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
Tickets for these nostalgic journeys can be purchased via the BudapestGO app, at any BKK customer centre or ticket office, and directly from the staff on board.
Nostalgia line tickets cost HUF 600 (EUR 1.5) per journey, with a day pass available for 2400 forints, allowing unlimited travel on all nostalgic lines on the day of purchase. Children under 14 travel free, and school students can benefit from discounts upon showing a valid student ID.
These nostalgic rides have become a beloved symbol of Budapest’s cultural heritage and provide an internationally recognised leisure activity, blending the charm of historic vehicles with the city’s architectural and natural splendour.
Whether you are a transport enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable way to see Budapest, the nostalgic transport services offer an enchanting journey through time on wheels.
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