Beginning this month in Budapest, two antique trams and a ferryboat provide regularly scheduled journeys that take passengers around town and back in time. The aim of the three new nostalgia rides is to raise awareness of Budapest’s history and culture, while adding some retro flair to daily travels across the Magyar metropolis. We were happy to be among the first passengers on a cenutry-old tram.
"The way a city treats its past and cultural heritage always defines its image and tourism appeal. Generally, when we talk about heritage, what comes into most people’s mind is old buildings; however, the vehicle behind me also falls into this category,” said Budapest vice-mayor Alexandra Szalay-Bobrovniczky at last week’s press conference to announce the launch of these retro rides, while announcing that Budapest will put three retro conveyances in service. The special vehicles will be in service from the spring through the autumn.
One of the trams, named the Duna villamos (“Danube Tram”), will ride on the Pest side, on the route of one of the world’s most picturesque public-transport lines, tram 2; the other vehicle, called Termál villamos (“Thermal Tram”) will service the Castle Hill/Víziváros area, as well as to many other thermal baths in Budapest; meanwhile, the good ship Hófehérke (“Snow White”) will zigzag back and forth between Petőfi Square and Jászai Mari Square on Saturdays. The boat was built in 1895, while the two trams were constructed between 1906 and 1913.
The vintage conveyances will crisscross the city on a regular schedule, and they will be available for everyone interested in a nostalgic experience. According to the plans for the near future, an app will also be created to function as a virtual “tour guide”, showing passengers the picturesque sights along the rides. More details are available here, while you can find the schedules below.
Duna villamos (Danube Tram) Route: Between Jászai Mari Square and Közvágóhíd Schedule: Every SaturdayDeparture times from Jászai Mari Square: 14:50,15:50, 17:10, 18:10, 19:10, 20:12, 21:12Departure times from Közvágóhíd: 14:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:35, 18:36, 19:37, 20:37 Termál villamos (Thermal Tram) Route: Szent János Hospital – Rudas Bath – Lukács bath – Szent János HospitalSchedule: Every SundayDeparture times from Szent János Hospital: 14:12, 15:12, 16:27, 17:27, 18:27, 19:27, 20:27Departure times from Rudas Bath: 14:28, 15:28, 16:43, 17:43, 18:43, 19:43, 20:43Nostalgia boat Route: Jászai Mari Square – Margaret Island Fountain – Batthyány Square – Kossuth Square – Várkert Bazaar – Petőfi SquareSchedule: Every SaturdayDeparture times from Jászai Mari Square: 14:00, 15:30, 17:00Departure times from Petőfi Square: 14:45, 16:15, 17:45Prices:Nostalgia ticket: 500/300 HUFNostalgia Day pass: 2,000/1,200 HUF Yearly pass: 15,000 HUF
