The public transport company of the city, BKV, is running brightly lit Budapest Xmas trams (streetcars) at Christmas time in Budapest, Hungary. The Christmas trams may change from year to year but typically run in the busiest parts of the city, like the classic Number 2 Tram, voted as one of the most scenic tram routes in the world (Lonely Planet). The iconic Tram number 4 and 6 are also occasionally decorated with fairy lights.
If you are taking a winter stroll in Budapest by the river Danube on the beautiful promenade in the Advent period, throughout December, you have a chance to make wonderfully festive Christmas Sctreetcar photos of Tram 2 or 2A on the Pest side, and Tram 19 on the Buda side, along the embankment of Budapest.
The Christmas trams are wrapped in lights, so they are called Budapest Xmas lights Streetcars, and are some of the lovely festive sights in Budapest at Christmas time.
The Christmas trams run usually between 5 pm and 9 pm in the evenings, from Dec 1 to Jan 7. The nostalgia tram is enlightened with approx. 40,000 LED lights.
Budapest Christmas Tram – Mark Mervai Photography
The tram is free to ride for under 6 children, and standard tram tickets are valid on the Christmas Lights Trams for over 6 children, and adults.
Budapest Christmas Streetcar Schedule
Tram Number 2 Budapest – the Great Boulevard Streetcar
Tram number 2 (and 2 A, its twin) is, undoubtedly, one of the Most Scenic Trams in Europe: Tram 2 is famous for its route along the Danube, offering stunning views of Budapest’s landmarks, like the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle, and Chain Bridge.
Not only is it popular with tourists, but also among locals, so you can easily mingle with Budapesters. Locals and tourists alike love this tram because it’s like a sightseeing tour—just at the price of a regular tram ticket!
Tram number 2 (like tram number 19 on the Buda side) runs along the river Danube, right next to the Danube River on the Pest side, giving riders a unique perspective of both the river and the city’s most iconic buildings. Tram 2 stops at major attractions, including Parliament, the Great Market Hall, and the Liberty Bridge, making it easy to hop on and off as you explore.
No wonder, it is a perfect location to take photos from and photos of! It’s a favourite for photographers, travel bloggers, influencers, and anyone contemplating the city’s beauty, because the tram just keeps going relentlessly among all these historical beauties and the beautiful people carrying on with their lives or, as – maybe first time – visitors, feeling excited about the sights as the tram passes by the Hungarian Parliament, the Buda Castle on the opposite side, and the many sights of the riverside, giving picture-perfect shots of both during the day and at night. At night, the ride is extra magical as you see the bridges and buildings along the Danube beautifully lit up—especially breathtaking during the holiday season. The combination of the historical scenic ride alongside locals who use Tram 2 in their daily routines, can give you a real sense of life in Budapest, so it won’t feel touristy. Travelling on tram 2 feels festive, not in your face festive, but warm and brilliant:
Tram 2 has been operating for decades on its historic, and historically busy, route, making it part of Budapest’s history and a great way to experience the city as locals have for generations. Although it runs on the Pest side, Tram 2 offers convenient access points to cross over to Buda: you can easily take the red M2 metro line from Kossuth Square (where the Parliament is), or simply walk over the Chain Bridge at the Academy stop or over Margaret Bridge at Jaszai Mari Square.
Tram 49 – Like tram 2 runs along lovely sights! Here’s a video of the Number 49 Light Tram crossing over the Danube.
Tram Number 4 – 6 Budapest – the Great Boulevard Streetcar
The big ring road in Budapest, aka the grand boulevard (nagykörút) is one of the most important and central routes in the city, which runs in a semi circle from Buda through Pest then back to Buda, connecting the Margaret Bridge by Margaret Island, the octagonally shaped Oktogon Square crossing Andrassy Avenue, Blaha Lujza Square (nearby the luxurious New York Palace), Petofi Bridge the only bridge in Budapest lacking character among the many fascinating Budapest bridges, Moricz Zsigmond korter Square, among others.
This is another lovely Budapest Christmas Streetcar video, we love the way how children and passengers get smiley on the brightly lit, glowing Xmas streetcar of Budapest, Hungary.
Featured photo: Christmas Number 2 Tram in Budapest – Gabor Hajdufi Photo
