All posts tagged Budapest Christmas Vehicles

Santa Claus Train Budapest

The Santa Claus Train is a lovely nostalgia train up in the Buda Hills run by the Hungarian Children’s Railway in early December. The Children’s Railway was by the way the former Hungarian Pioneer Railway, which was a huge success during Communism, and managed to survive the change of regime, an absolute family favorite! Now, if you wonder why the Santa Claus comes so early in Hungary, at the beginning of December, rather than as Father Christmas should, at Christmas, the fact is that in Hungary, Santa Claus has a special day, Dec 6 (St Nikolaus’s day), while the Christmas presents in Hungary are brought by the Baby Jesus (or the Little Angel). Don’t ask how kids believe that a baby should be so strong. They do.

Santa Claus Train Budapest

Santa Claus Train Budapest

Santa Claus Train Budapest

Event date: Saturday and Sunday, 1 & 2 December 2018 (changes with the weekend dates yearly).

Hours of Departure of the Santa Claus trains:

Huvosvolgy Train Station at 8:20, 9:20, 10:20, 11:20, 12:20, 13:20, 14:20, 15:20, 16:20, 17:20 hrs

On Saturday, 1st December and Sunday, 2nd December 2018 you can ride the Children’s Railway in the company of Santa Claus again. This is the Advent period, and you can feel that this event for children and parents will be worth every minute.
Tickets can only be purchased in advance!
Santa Claus Specials are going to be operated on both days of the first weekend of December where children and parents can ride the Children’s Railway with Santa Claus and his bogeymen.

The young passengers and Santa’s helpers will be expecting the arrival of Santa Claus together. They will spend the time with signing and reciting poetry until he shows up on the train.

Santa Claus is going to chat away with every child individually before presenting them with the traditional small bag of sweets and fruits.

Santa Claus Specials are going to depart Huvosvolgy Station at 8:20, 9:20, 10:20, 11:20, 12:20, 13:20, 14:20, 15:20, 16:20 and 17:20 hrs. They are not scheduled to call at any station or halting along the route so they can be boarded only at the first station.

Some of Santa Claus’s helpers are going to entertain the children in Huvosvolgy just outside the station with dancing and singing before the departure or after the arrival of the special service.

Santa Claus in Budapest Railway Museum

Santa Claus Train? Yes, another great train program to welcome Santa Claus with the kids, this time in the Hungarian Railway Museum, one of the best museums with children (and train enthusiasts!) in Budapest. Event dates: Dec 7, Dec 8 and Dec 9 in 2018 (early December weekend)

Santa Claus in Budapest Railway Museum

Santa Claus in Budapest Railway Museum

Santa Claus Express Train – Father Christmas is Coming to Town! Right to the cool Train History Park of Hungary.
All Abourd the Santa Claus train in Budapest, Hungary!

Santa Claus Show in Budapest Train Museum

Santa Claus Show in Budapest Train Museum

The steam engine express train will take the children and parents from Nyugati Train Station to the Railway Museum in Budapest. The Orient Hall of the Train Museum turns into a festive party and stage to warmly welcome Santa and his helpers who bring lots of goodies and gifts for the kids. There is usually a show, goodie bags from Santa, etc.
Booking the tickets for the Santa Claus train is from mid October
More info about the special children train, and booking tickets:

Magyar Vasúttörténeti Park (Address: 95 Tatai Way, District XIV, postcode 1142 / Budapest, Tatai út 95.)
Tel./fax: (06-1) 450-1497
Email and booking the Santa Claus train seats: info@vasuttortenetipark.hu

Santa is Coming to Budapest

Santa is Coming to Budapest

And if you should be wondering why the Santa Claus comes so early in Hungary, at the beginning of December (??), rather than as Father Christmas should, at Christmas (!!), the fact is that in Hungary, Santa Claus has a special day, Dec 6 (St Nikolaus’s day), while the Christmas presents in Hungary are brought by the Baby Jesus (or the Little Angel). Don’t ask how kids believe that a baby should be so strong. They do. So a proper Hungarian Santa Claus (Telapo aka Mikulas) should come around Dec 6.

For your Budapest Christmas holiday you can use the 2018 Christmas Streetcar Schedule to plan ahead your tram ride on the festive, illuminated Xmas Streetcar of the city of Budapest. You can save the timetables for your mobile or tablet, and choose from several routes.

Budapest Christmas Streetcar

Budapest Christmas Streetcar – Mark Mervai Photography

Without a doubt, the most popular of all Christmas Streetcars in Budapest is Tram number 2, which is running along the river Danube, offering beautiful views of the cityscape and the UNESCO attractions along the Pearl of the Danube, one of the longest rivers of the European continent. Tram 2 stops include several highlights of the city, mostly from the 19th century, like the Margaret Bridge, the Hungarian Parliament, the Hungarian Academy, the Gresham Palace, the Pesti Vigado Concert Hall, or the contemporary futuristic building of the Whale.

Tram 2 Christmas Streetcar Schedule in Budapest

Route of Tram stops: Jaszai Mari Square – House of Parliament, Visitor Centre – Kossuth Lajos Square – Szechenyi István Square – Eotvos Square – Vigado Square – Marcius 15. Square – Fovam Square – Zsil Street – Boraros Square – Haller Street / Soroksari Street – Millenniumi Cultural Centre

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 6, from 5 pm until late evening

Tram 19 Christmas Streetcar Schedule in Budapest

Christmas Streetcar Tram Fenyvillamos Budapest 2015

Christmas Tram Budapest Tibor Illyes / MTI Photo

Route of stops: Becsi Street / Vorosvari Street – Varadi Street – Szent Margit Hospital – Selmeci Street – Katinyi Martirok’s Park – Kolosy Square – Zsigmond Square – Komjadi Bela Street – Szent Lukacs Gyogyfurdo – Margit bridge, Budai hidfo – Bem Jozsef Square – Batthyany Square – Halasz Street – Clark Adam Square – Varkert Bazar – Rudas Gyogyfurdo – Szent Gellert Square – Gardonyi Square – Moricz Zsigmond Square – Kosztolanyi Dezso Square – Karolina Street – Csoka Street – Szent Gellert Church – Kelenfold Railway Station

December 5, from 5 pm until late evening
December 6, from 5 pm until late evening
December 12, from 5 pm until late evening
December 13, from 5 pm until late evening
December 19, from 5 pm until late evening
December 20, from 5 pm until late evening
December 26, from 5 pm until late evening
December 27, from 5 pm until late evening
January 2, from 5 pm until late evening
January 3, from 5 pm until late evening

Tram 50 Christmas Streetcar Schedule in Budapest

Route of stops: Corvin Boulevard – Lehel Sreet – Kossuth Square – Fo Street – Arpad Street –
Villanytelep – Lajosmizsei sorompo – Tinodi Street – Margo Tivadar Street – Kemeny Zsigmond Street – Baross Street – Thokoly Sreet – Szarvas csarda square – Madarasz Street- Iparvasut- Honved Street – Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street – Ungvar Street – Pestszentlorinc, Beke Square

Budapest Christmas Streetcar

Budapest Christmas Streetcar (Photo: BartokBelaUt.hu)

December 1, from 5 pm until late evening
December 15, from 5 pm until late evening

Tram 59 Christmas Streetcar Schedule in Budapest

Route of stops: Szent Janos Hospital – Varosmajor – Nyul Street – Szell Kalman Square – Deli palyaudvar – Kek Golyo Street – Kiralyhago Square – Kiss Janos altabornagy street – Apor Vilmos – Square – Zolyomi Stairs – Vas Gereben Street – Lipto Street – Farkasreti Cemetery – Suveg Street – Marton Aron Square

December 22, from 5 pm until late evening

Tram 49 Christmas Streetcar Schedule in Budapest

Route of stops: Kelenfold Train Station – St. Gellert Church – Csoka Street – Karolina Road – Kosztolanyi Dezso Square – Moricz Zsigmond Korter – Gardonyi Square – St. Gellert Square – Fovam Square – Kalvin Square – Astoria – Deak Ferenc Square.

December 7, from 5 pm until late evening
December 14, from 5 pm until late evening
December 21, from 5 pm until late evening
December 28, from 5 pm until late evening
January 4, from 5 pm until late evening

Tram 47 Christmas Streetcar Schedule in Budapest

Christmas Streetcar Budapest

Christmas Streetcar Budapest (Photo: BartokBelaUt.hu)

Route of stops: Deak Ferenc Square    – Astoria – Kalvin Square – Fovam Square – Szent Gellert Square – Gardonyi Square – Moricz Zsigmond Square – Ujbuda-Center – Csonka Janos Square – Hauszmann Alajos Street – Etele Street / Fehervari Street – Kalotaszeg Street – Andor Street
– Albertfalva kitero – Albertfalva Street – Fonyod Street – Budafok kocsiszin – Budafoki elagazas
Leanyka utcai lakotelep – Savoyai Jeno Square – Varoshaz Square

Not scheduled for 2018

Tram 56A Christmas Streetcar Schedule in Budapest

Route of stops: Huvosvolgy – Heinrich Istvan Street – Volgy Street – Vadaskerti Street – Nagyhid – Zuhatag sor – Kelemen Laszlo Street – Akademia – Budagyongye – Nagyajtai Street – Szent Janos Hospital – Varosmajor – Nyul Street – Szell Kalman Square – Deli Railway Station – Miko Street – Krisztina Square – Dozsa Gyorgy Square – Dobrentei Square – Rudas Thermal Bath – Szent Gellert Square – Gardonyi Square – Moricz Zsigmond Square

Not scheduled for 2018

Free Travel with Budapest Card

There is no surcharge to travel on the Budapest Christmas Streetcar, you can use your Budapest Card or public transport travel pass, tickets as on any vehicles of the BKV company in Budapest.

See the Budapest Card prices below:

  • 24H Budapest Card
  • €22
  • Free Public Transport
  • Entry to Buda Castle
  • Free Guided Tours
  • 6 Top Museum Entries
  • Thermal Bath Discounts
  • Many more Benefits
  • Buy Card
  • 48H Budapest Card
  • €33
  • Free Public Transport
  • Entry to Buda Castle
  • Free Guided Tours
  • 6 Top Museum Entries
  • Thermal Bath Discounts
  • Many more Benefits
  • Buy Card
  • 72H Budapest Card
  • €44
  • Free Public Transport
  • Entry to Buda Castle
  • Free Guided Tours
  • 6 Top Museum Entries
  • Thermal Bath Discounts
  • Many more Benefits
  • Buy Card
Budapest Christmas Tram (photo by MTI : Zoltan Balogh)

Budapest Christmas would not be complete without a bit of public transport in a Xmas mood: the Christmas streetcar / tram. One of the loveliest Budapest Christmas sights is the Budapest Christmas Streetcar number 2, and some more Budapest trams turned into a festive sight with many thousands of lights (approx. 39,200 white and blue LED lights).

Schedule in 2018

Dates: Nov 29, 2018 – Jan 6, 2019 (exceptions Dec 24, 31)

Budapest Christmas Streetcar

Budapest Christmas Streetcar – Mark Mervai Photography

There is no surcharge to travel on the Budapest Christmas Streetcar, you can use your Budapest Card or public transport travel pass, tickets as on any vehicles of the 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!

Buy Budapest Card

2018 Schedule of Christmas Trams in Budapest

The complete 2018 schedule of the Budapest Christmas trams has already been issued 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 2018!

Please take a look at the schedule below to get a rough idea of what to expect in 2018.

Schedule in 2018

Budapest Christmas Streetcars

2 Streetcar in Budapest at Christmas

Christmas Tram and Trolley Duo Budapest hamster

Christmas Tram & Trolley Duo Budapest – Photo from hamster.blog.hu

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 2018:

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 6, from 5 pm until late evening

47 Streetcar in Budapest at Christmas

Budapest Christmas Tram

Budapest Christmas Tram – Mark Mervai Photography

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)

Schedule in 2018

Christmas Streetcar Tram Fenyvillamos Budapest 2015

Christmas Tram Budapest Tibor Illyes / MTI Photo

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).

Schedule in 2018

Related:

Budapest Christmas Cruises (Dec 24, 25, 26)

Budapest New Year Cruise (Dec 31)

Mark Mervai Photography (beautiful Budapest photos)

Source for 2018: 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.