Budapest Light Tram
Fényvillamos47°30′ N 19°06′ EBudapestfrom Nov 27Dates projectedSeasonal
Budapest's Light Tram (Fényvillamos) and the rest of the BKV Light Fleet run as ordinary public transport covered in Christmas lights from late November to 6 January, and they suit anyone who wants a warm ride through the city on a December evening. Each vehicle works a different line on different days, so you need the timetable to catch one, and the 2026 launch date is not out yet.
Photo Martin Bernardi · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Budapest Light Tram runs November 27, 2026 to January 6, 2027 · projected from past years
Advent SundaysGaudete, 13 DecemberChristmas Eve
BKV, the city's transport operator, wraps one tram of almost every type it runs in lights, from the classic Light Tram to a modern Combino. The Cogwheel Railway and one of its Danube boats get lights too, and in 2025 an Ikarus 280 articulated bus ran as the Santa bus. That year the fleet rolled out of the Hungária tram depot at 17:00 on 28 November in a public launch, and six trams ran together along the Grand Boulevard before working two laps of tram line 4. For the rest of Advent each vehicle served a different line each day until 6 January, while the light boat stopped on 30 December and the Santa bus on 23 December.
Worth knowing
- Look for trips marked with a snowflake icon in the BKK journey planner or the BudapestGO app; that is how the light vehicles show up in the timetable.
- The launch evening at the Hungária depot is the one night you see all the light trams together, and anyone can come and watch.
- In 2025 passengers could give to Caritas Hungary's Advent aid programme through QR codes on board.
Quick answers about Budapest Light Tram
When does the Budapest Light Tram run?
The Budapest Light Tram runs from its launch in late November or early December until 6 January. In 2025 it launched on 28 November, and the 2026 date had not been announced on 10 October 2026.
How do I find the Light Tram in Budapest?
Check the BudapestGO app or the BKK timetable for trips marked with a snowflake. The Light Tram and the other light vehicles work different lines on different days.