Budapest Christmas would not be complete without some of the popular trams, buses and nostalgia vehicles of the Budapest Public Transport decorated with festive lights to put the city in a Xmas mood. The most awaited is the Christmas tram / streetcar, especially on the most scenic routes.
One of the loveliest Budapest Christmas sights is the Christmas Streetcar number 2, which runs parallel with the river Danube and its festive riverside attractions lit up with warm gold glitters after the sunset (largely at 4 pm). The river reflects and doubles the sights of the dozens of historical sights in the heart of Budapest on both sides, Buda and Pest, while the many evening ships, the Budapest Christmas Cruises seem to lazily float away the river while the tram chugs away at a youthful speed.
Budapest Christmas Streetcar – Mark Mervai Photography
Trams, known as the Light Tram (Fenyvillamos) and some more Budapest vehicles, buses, trolleys etc. turn into a festive sight with many thousands of lights (approx. 39,200 white and blue LED lights).
Dates: Dec 1, 2024 – Jan 3, 2025 (detailed schedule – to be confirmed)
Christmas Tram in Budapest – Gabor Hajdufi Photo
There is no surcharge to travel on the Budapest Christmas Streetcar, you can use your tourist pass, regular ticket or Budapest Card or public transport travel pass, as on any vehicles of the public transport, BKV, company in Budapest. However, there will be special Christmas tram rides too (see details below). The trams are not well heated, so do get dressed well for the rides!
2024/25 Schedule of Christmas Trams in Budapest
The complete schedule of the Budapest Christmas trams has not been issued yet by the official Budapest public transportation company (BKK for short). The number 2 Tram – the scenic, award winning tram along the river Danube – will run daily during the Christmas holiday, beautifully lit.
Number 2 Tram – occasional Christmas Trams
Number 4 Tram – occasional Christmas Trams
Number 14 Tram – occasional Christmas Trams
Number 47 Tram – occasional Christmas Trams
Trolleys lit up for Christmas are also scheduled for 2024!
Please take a look at the schedule below to get a rough idea of what to expect this year.
Budapest Christmas Streetcars
2 Streetcar in Budapest at Christmas
There are streetcars bearing number 2 or 2A on their cars. Some of the trams 2A have been dressed up for Christmas. Tram 2A is running along the river Danube as if it was a land based Budapest river cruise.
Tram 2A leaves from Boraros square (Boráros tér) by Petofi Bridge (on the Pest side), which is the terminal of the 2A streetcar line. The other terminal of the 2A tram is Jaszai Mari Square (Jászai Mari tér) by the Margaret Bridge, where the Christmas streetcars await those waiting for a special journey.
Days in 2024 (schedule – to be confirmed):
December 2, from 5 pm until late evening
December 3, from 5 pm until late evening
December 4, from 5 pm until late evening
December 10, from 5 pm until late evening
December 11, from 5 pm until late evening
December 16, from 5 pm until late evening
December 17, from 5 pm until late evening
December 18, from 5 pm until late evening
December 23, from 5 pm until late evening
December 25, from 5 pm until late evening
December 30, from 5 pm until late evening
January 1, from 5 pm until late evening
January 3, from 5 pm until late evening
47 Streetcar in Budapest at Christmas
The route of streetcar number 47 is from Deak Square, calling at Astoria stop, Kalvin Square stop (National Museum), Fovam Square (Budapest Market Hall: Central Market Hall), St Gellert Square (Gellert Bath, Gellert Hill), Bartok Bela Way (Cafe Hadik), Moricz Square. Tram number 47 leaves Deak Square (Deák Ferenc tér), while the trams will also run from the southern termainl in Budafok – in the south of Budapest (Torley Champagne Museum)
19 Streetcar in Budapest at Christmas
In addition to the Pest side ‘sightseeing streetcar’number 2A – 2A and 2 trams chosen as the most beautiful scenic streetcar routes in Europe by National Geographic magazine – you can also get a Christmassy ride on the Buda side, parallel with the river Danube promenade. The tram is number 19, whose scenic route starts from the Liberty Bridge (by Gellert Baths and Hotel Gellert), up until Batthyany Square, which is just opposite the Hungarian Parliament. Although the full route of tram 19 in Budapest is much longer, the most scenic part is between the Danube bridges.
You can take a festive tram trip 19 in December from the two terminals or at any of the tram stops. The Christmas trams will leave Batthyany Square (Batthyány tér) and the other terminal Kelenfold Train Station (Kelenföldi pályaudvar)
Special Budapest Christmas Tram Rides
The special rides are longer and special fees are charged for them by Budapest BKV company.
Two festive Christmas Light Trams will leave Boraros Square (Petofi Bridge) on certain days in December with a special fare. For instance, the Christmas Light Tram will take a ride to the Buda hills on a designated day (Huvosvolgy, Farkasret, Kamaraerdo), and another to the outskirts of Pest side of Budapest (Pesterzsebet, Kispest and Pestlorinc). Both night Light Trams leave at 9 pm and will wander about in the night (tram fans in Hungary love these night rides).
Please note that there are no Christmas trams on Dec 24 (Szenteste / Holy Night), and on New Year’s Eve in Budapest (Dec 31).
Related:
Budapest Christmas Cruises (Dec 24, 25, 26)
Budapest New Year Cruise (Dec 31)
Mark Mervai Photography (beautiful Budapest photos)
Source for 2024: Budapest BKK Facebook page
general information waited to be published by Source: BKV.hu Christmas news. BKV is the official public transport company in Budapest, Hungary.
Last updated Oct 21, 2024
Is there timetable for year 2015? I will be at Budapest between the 5th – 8th December and I really hope to have ride with this kind of tram.
Hello Magdallenne, from Dec 5 to 8th there should be daily Christmas Trams in Budapest, running several times a day. The official schedule has not been published yet for 2015. We will, as soon as it is done.