Ride Retro Buses & More During Summer in Budapest

  • 1 Jul 2026 5:39 AM
Ride Retro Buses & More During Summer in Budapest
Summer is in full swing, and Budapest’s popular heritage transit services are out in full force. The 2026 nostalgia season kicked off earlier this spring, and the city's iconic vintage vehicles are now regularly emerging from their depots and garages. Throughout the summer months, these beautifully restored classics will continue to take passengers on special journeys back in time during weekends and on select holidays.

Announcement from the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) and the Budapest Transport Company (BKV):

Even by European standards, Budapest is in a unique position. Thanks to the diverse history of Hungarian vehicle manufacturing, the capital's rich rail transit heritage, and the dedicated care of restoration experts, a large fleet of fully operational, authentic, and beautifully restored vintage vehicles remains available today.

Alongside classic wooden- and steel-framed trams, iconic Ikarus buses, heritage trolleybuses, and vintage cogwheel railway cars will all take to the streets in 2026.

Time Travel Begins: The 2026 Lineup

The backbone of the 2026 nostalgia season features a familiar and well-loved lineup of routes:

N41 Tram: The season opens on Friday, May 1st, with this heritage tram running between Móricz Zsigmond körtér and the Kamaraerdő Youth Park (Kamaraerdei Ifjúsági Park).

N2 Tram: Starting Saturday, May 2nd, this heritage line will operate every weekend along the Pest Danube promenade—widely considered one of the most scenic tram routes in the world.

N18 Tram: Beginning Sunday, May 10th, and running once a month, this route between Csóka utca and Szent János Hospital (Szent János kórház) will feature rare unidirectional trams and vintage tramcars towing trailers.

N109 Bus: Launching in June, this downtown loop line features a unique open-top (cabriolet) Ikarus bus, offering an authentic summer sightseeing experience.

N4 Bus: Operating on Sundays from late May until the end of September, this route will showcase classic Ikarus buses from yesteryear.
 

Exciting New Addition: This year, passengers can ride not only the historic Ikarus 60 bus but also its trolleybus counterpart, the Ikarus 60T.

Heritage Trolleybuses: Vintage trolleybuses will also hit the capital’s streets. At the end of May, as part of Children’s Day events centered around City Park (Városliget), three heritage routes will launch simultaneously: the N70, N74, and N75.

Cogwheel Railway: Regular heritage rides are also planned to launch on the scenic Cogwheel Railway line this summer.

Season Schedule and Ticketing

Budapest Transport Center (BKK) and Budapest Transport Company (BKV Zrt.) aim to coordinate these heritage services with public transit open days, major city events, and holiday weekends.

The season won't end when summer does, as the nostalgia lines will continue to operate on Budapest’s streets until the end of October.

Tickets for the heritage services can be purchased in advance via the BudapestGO mobile app, at any BKK Customer Service Center, or at ticket offices.

Alternatively, tickets can be bought directly from the conductor on board the vehicle, where contactless bank card payments are now accepted.

 More: 
BKK.hu

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