Budapest’s nostalgia transport services will continue operating throughout June, giving residents and visitors another opportunity to travel aboard some of the city’s most iconic historic vehicles.
According to a joint announcement from the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) and the Budapest Transport Company (BKV), the programme will feature vintage trams, trolleybuses, buses and historic Cogwheel Railway vehicles, showcasing more than a century of public transport history.
One of the most distinctive attractions will be the open-top Ikarus cabrio bus, which will run on the N109 route on Saturday. The vehicle, originally built more than 50 years ago for use in the former East Germany, was converted into a cabrio bus in 2017.
The same day, passengers will be able to ride the historic BVVV L-type tram on the N2 route along the Pest embankment. The first examples of this model entered service in 1913. Other Saturday highlights include the bidirectional Bengáli tram and the legendary tramcar No 1820, which served Budapest’s regular transport network from the early 20th century until the 1970s.
On Sunday, the N19 route along the Buda riverside will feature a restored 1908 tram, while the ivory-and-cherry-red Bengáli tram will operate on the N18 line between Szent János Hospital and Csóka Street. The N4 nostalgia bus service will also continue, using a classic Ikarus model that was once a familiar sight across Budapest.
Additional historic vehicles will appear throughout the month. On 20 June tram No 1522, built in 1939, will return to service on the N2 route. The vehicle is notable for lacking an air-brake system, instead relying on electric braking and a traditional ratchet handbrake.
The Night of the Museums will bring a special programme of nostalgia services, including the N36 tram between Keleti Railway Station and Kápolna Street, serving the temporary exhibition of the Hungarian Transport Museum at the Eiffel Workshop. Vintage buses and trolleybuses will also take part, including the historic Ikarus 60 bus operating on the N1 route through central Budapest.
Due to limited capacity, only 21 seated passengers will be allowed on the Ikarus 60 bus and the Ikarus 60T trolleybus at any one time. Tickets for these special services will be available directly from coordinators at the departure point.
On 24 June the Cogwheel Railway will celebrate its 152nd anniversary with a historic green trailer car built in Vienna operating between Városmajor and Széchenyi Hill. Over its long history, the vehicle has carried countless passengers, including renowned Hungarian author Jókai Mór.
The month will conclude with further nostalgia services, including the classic Bengáli articulated tram on 28 June and the 119-year-old S-type tram No 1820 on the N19 route on 29 June. The N4 nostalgia bus will continue operating during the final weekend, providing a unique way to reach the Zugliget Chairlift.
Tickets for all nostalgia services are available through the BudapestGO mobile application, at BKK customer service centres and ticket offices, or directly from onboard staff, with card payments also accepted.
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