Budapest’s iconic tram hit by summer shutdown – Here’s what you need to know
From Saturday, 5 July until Thursday, 24 July, Budapest’s busy tram 1 will operate on a shortened route between Kelenföld railway station and Szentlélek Square due to essential renovation work on the Flórián Square overpasses. The nearly 40-year-old structures are undergoing long-overdue refurbishment, and the works will directly affect tram operations in the area.
What to expect during the disruption
During the renovation period, a replacement bus service marked “1” will run between Bécsi út / Vörösvári út and Szentlélek tér, stopping near the 134 bus terminus at Szentlélek tér. The Budapest transport company BKK also recommends using alternative routes, such as the 137, 218, and 237 buses running along Vörösvári Road, which remain unaffected.
To help ease congestion during peak hours, the 34 and 106 buses will run more frequently on weekdays.
Travellers heading from Óbuda to the Pest side can consider switching from trams 17, 19, or 41 to the M2 metro line, or opt for bus 9, depending on their destination.
Advice for travellers and tourists
Passengers are advised to allow extra travel time, especially during busy hours, as buses on mixed-traffic roads are generally slower than trams running on dedicated tracks. Using the BudapestGO app is highly recommended, as it provides real-time traffic updates, journey planning tools, and mobile ticket options to make navigating the disruption smoother.
The weekends are expected to see lighter traffic, but travellers should still check BKK Info or florianter.hu (click for English-language site) for any last-minute changes or updates throughout the construction period.
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