How much do you know about the history and diversity of Budapest's trams? The first horse-drawn tram launched in 1866 and since then, the city-wide network has been transporting locals and tourists from one end of Budapest to the other in those iconic yellow carriages! But we can’t sum up 154 years of history into one sentence – and that’s why streetcar enthusiast Christoph-Lucas Hütter has created a nine-minute video on the trams of Budapest.
On his YouTube channel TRAMAGIC, Christoph-Lucas provides viewers with high-quality videos of trams and trolleys from around the world, created with all the passion of a real enthusiast. From Germany to Tenerife to right here in Budapest, he provides an insider look to what makes a tram unique.
Christoph-Lucas is a cameraman living in Berlin. “Since childhood, I’ve been a fan of trams,” he says, “especially the Czech Tatra models. Three years ago, I started with this YouTube channel – the idea is to show the beauty of each city and its different types of trams. They’re not only practical, but also interesting in terms of technology and design.”
In his most recent video, you can discover all the types of trams in Budapest, starting from the oldest lines and working your way forward. The scenic 2 is a highlight of any Budapest bucket list, snaking its way past Parliament and along the Danube Promenade. But lesser-known routes are just as interesting, such as the 48 which crosses Liberty Bridge and calls at the famed Gellért Hotel and Spa.
Interspersed with tram trivia are interior shots of the famous buildings which the trams pass by, such as the Great Market Hall, as well as other major Budapest landmarks.
Some trams were brought in from Hannover after 2001, and nicknamed hannoveri. Shown side-by-side with their German counterparts, you can see their distinguishing features. Other carriages were especially designed for Budapest, and are larger with double-wide doors to allow for busy urban traffic.
The full video, which was shot in 4K, can be found on Christoph-Lucas’ YouTube channel, along with trams filmed in other famous cities. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’re bound to learn something new about Budapest’s public transport system!
