At weekends until October, vintage vehicles operate in Budapest along the Danube Corso promenade, in the vicinity of the thermal baths in Buda as well as in the city centre of Pest. Travel back in time and enjoy a unique experience by exploring the Hungarian capital’s landmarks by old-timer trams or heritage Ikarus buses. 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! 1/6 × 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. 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. The 1820 S-type heritage tram was produced in the Schlick–Nicholson Factory in 1907 and entered passenger service with plate number 571. The tram was renovated in 2018 for the 50th anniversary of BKV with the usual livery of the BSzKRt era and it got back its plate number of 1820. Budapest Urban Electric Railway commissioned the Schlick–Nicholson Factory of Budapest to build the K-type tram in 1911 and it received plate number 2806. This tram type was superseded by steel-framed and UV trams on the Grand Boulevard, but it became a regular sight in Újpest. Volunteers of the Urban Public Transport History Association (VTTE) helped with the renovation of the tram in 2018 to reflect its last operational condition for BKV’s 50th anniversary. The first “Bengáli” tram was manufactured in Budapest by the main workshop of Electric Railways of the Capital (FVV) in 1961 based on their own design and concept. This type of tram, which was built with either one or two driver’s cabins and had 3, 5, 6 or 10 doors, disappeared from Budapest in 1983; however, it has continued to operate in the cities of Debrecen, Miskolc and Szeged up until recently. The Ikarus 180 was the Hungarian manufacturer’s first mass-produced articulated bus model. The vehicle’s prototype was introduced at the Budapest International Fair in 1961, although the exhibited vehicle was not yet operational in the absence of an adequate drivetrain. Ikarus 630 Cabrio vintage bus is the world’s last remaining 38-seater cabrio Ikarus 630 bus. The Ikarus 630 model was manufactured between 1959 and 1971. This bus was built in 1971 and operated in the former German Democratic Republic. A Hungarian collector found it in the East German city of Cottbus, then it was turned into an open-topper during complete restoration. HERITAGE TRAM LINE N2 Ride aboard one of the 10 most beautiful tram lines of the world, tram line 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. The heritage tram operates on Saturdays between Jászai Mari tér and Közvágóhíd H stops. HERITAGE TRAM LINE N19 Budapest is the city of baths with many medicinal hot springs on its territory. Board Heritage Tram line N19, visit Rudas and Király baths, relax in the healing waters of Szent Lukács or Szent Gellért thermal baths and immerse yourself in the alluring atmosphere of the baths of Buda. The heritage tram operates on Sundays on the following route: Deák Ferenc tér–Szent Gellért tér–Bank of the Danube in Buda–Katinyi mártírok parkja. HERITAGE BUS LINE N109 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. The heritage bus operates on Sundays on the following route: Deák Ferenc tér–Szent Gellért tér–Bank of the Danube in Buda–Katinyi mártírok parkja. The Heritage Tram lines and the Heritage Bus are accessible with a heritage service single ticket, heritage service daily travelcard or annual heritage service pass, all of which are purchasable in advance at BKK Customer Service Centres or they can also be obtained from heritage transport staff on board. For more information about the heritage services, routes and vehicles please visit bkk.hu/heritage. Credit: BKK