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Step aboard for a magnificent journey back to the atmosphere of the early 20th century

At weekends until October, vintage vehicles operate in Budapest along the Danube Promenade, in the vicinity of the thermal baths in Buda, in the city centre of Pest as well as on the river Danube. Travel back in time and enjoy a unique experience by exploring the Hungarian capital’s landmarks by old-timer trams, heritage Ikarus buses and on board of a vintage boat, built originally in 1895. All vehicles have been restored to mint condition and operate for this limited time only.

Let’s take a closer look at the historic vehicles and the details of their beautiful design!

The 436 wooden-framed, two-axle vintage tram was built in Budapest in 1913 and was in service until its 1980’s retirement. It has been refurbished to its original condition by 1987. Until the middle of 2000s, it was exhibited at the Urban Public Transport Museum in Szentendre. Since then it has been serving history and transport enthusiasts as a member of the heritage fleet.

The 611 wooden-framed vintage tram was produced by the Schlick factory in 1908. Until the end of World War II only very little refurbishment was carried out on the tram: the seats at and opposite the dividing wall were removed but mounted back later. One of the most beautiful vintage trams serves several lines from time to time, delighting passengers.

The 2624 steel-framed, two-axle vintage tram was produced with a wooden frame and a steel-frame bodywork in 1906, the oldest vehicle in the fleet. It got a steel frame in 1959 and in 1984 it was transferred to Amsterdam, where it operated as a privately owned vehicle. After returning to Hungary in 2004, the vehicle was renovated the following year for the 125th anniversary of Budapest Tram Transport. It started carrying passengers again in November 2012 to the pleasure of heritage and transport lovers.


DUNA HERITAGE TRAM

Ride aboard one of the 10 most beautiful tramlines of the world, tramline 2 running on the left bank of the Danube. Admire famous landmarks and spectacular sights along the way such as the Parliament building, the bridges of Budapest and the view of Buda Castle along with Gellért Hill.

Schedule: From May to October every Saturday

Route: Közvágóhíd H (surburban railway station)–Jászai Mari tér

Sights: The Hungarian Parliament, National Theatre, Central Market Hall, Pest Concert Hall (known as Vigadó in Hungarian)


THERMAL HERITAGE TRAM

Budapest is the city of baths with many medicinal hot-springs. The Thermal Heritage Tram takes you to the Rudas, Király, Szent Lukács and Szent Gellért thermal baths.

Schedule: From May to October every Sunday

Route: Szent János Kórház–Szent Gellért tér M–Rudas Gyógyfürdő–Szent Lukács Gyógyfürdő–Szent János Kórház (circle route)

Sights: The Castle Garden Bazaar, Szent Lukács Gyógyfürdő (Saint Luke’s Thermal Bath), Buda Castle, Rudas Gyógyfürdő (Rudas Thermal Bath)


The Ikarus 180 was the legendary Hungarian manufacturer’s first mass-produced articulated bus model. The prototype was introduced at the Budapest International Fair in 1961 and became a staple of public transport not just in the Hungarian capital but also across cities in the Soviet Union, East Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Egypt, Iraq, Tunisia and Mongolia. Serial production ended in 1974 and the last bus retired from service in Budapest in 1980. Nowadays, the Ikarus 180, which features a separate seat for the conductor, is a permanent member of the Budapest heritage transport fleet.

You can find the world’s last remaining (!) 38-seater cabrio Ikarus 630 bus in Hungary. The model was manufactured between 1959 and 1971. Our vintage bus was built in 1971 and served in the former German Democratic Republic. A Hungarian collector found it in the East German city of Cottbus, then during complete restoration, it was turned into an open-topper and received period paintwork. The engine and gearbox are the original ones. After its return to Hungary, the bus was privately owned for a long time until the Budapest Transport Company (BKV Zrt.) purchased it in 2017 as a nostalgic addition to its heritage transport fleet.


HERITAGE BUS

You also have the option of exploring the most beautiful parts of Budapest by heritage bus. Travel along the Bem rakpart embankment and take in spectacular views of the Parliament and the Danube Promenade, and via Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út to see the most exciting parts of the inner city area.

Schedule: From May to October every second Sunday of each month

Route: Deák Ferenc tér M–The Bank of the Danube on the Buda side of the city (circle route)

Sights: Dohány Street Synagogue, Clark Ádám Square, Gellért Hill, Saint Stephen’s Basilica


The Snow White vintage boat was built in 1895, at the Schoenichen-Hartmann Shipyard in Újpest. The motorised boat was originally christened Margitsziget. The first reconstruction took place in 1920, others followed in 1957-58 and 1977 as well, but over time it has undergone many minor developments: most recently in 2003, it received a new, modern engine. The vessel had several small companions and a sister boat as well, but over time these were scrapped. The name Snow White was given during the reconstruction period 1957-58 and the boat still proudly wears this name.


HERITAGE BOAT

Enjoy a romantic ride aboard the Snow White vintage boat, while the full splendour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed panorama of the Danube unfolds in front of your eyes from a unique angle.

Schedule: From May to October every Saturday

Route: Jászai Mari tér (Margit híd) Pier 4–Margitsziget, szállodák–it goes around Margitsziget (island)–Szabadság híd (from where it turns back)–Petőfi tér (Erzsébet híd)–Batthyány tér M+H–Jászai Mari tér (Margit híd) Pier 4.

Sights: Margaret Bridge, Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge, Liberty Bridge

For more information, visit: https://bkk.hu/heritage

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