Open Day at Szépilona Tram Depot: A Rare Peek Behind the Scenes in Budapest
If you’re visiting Budapest on Saturday, April 18, 2026, here’s a chance to experience the city like most tourists never do — step inside a working tram depot and get up close with the iconic vehicles that have been rolling through Budapest’s streets for decades.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Venue: Szépilona Tram Depot (Szépilona kocsiszín)
- Address: Budakeszi út 9-11., Budapest, District II
- Admission: To be confirmed — check the official Facebook event for updates
- Note: Pre-registration is recommended via the official Facebook event page
What Is the Szépilona Tram Depot?
Hidden away in Budapest’s leafy District II, the Szépilona Tram Depot is one of the city’s most storied transport landmarks. The depot itself is 130 years old, making it a living piece of Budapest’s urban history. While most visitors only ever see trams gliding past on the street, this open day gives you the rare opportunity to walk right into the heart of where they live, rest, and are maintained.
Tram enthusiasts and curious travellers alike will find plenty to discover here — from the architecture of the historic depot building to the fascinating machinery and vehicles housed inside.
The Stars of the Show: The Tatra Trams
The main attraction of this open day is the chance to meet Budapest’s beloved Tatra trams up close. These rugged, retro vehicles have been serving the city for nearly 50 years, and while the arrival of the new low-floor CAF trams means they are gradually being phased out, they remain firm favourites among Budapestians. Visitors will get to explore both the classic Tatra and the modern CAF tram types side by side, making this a wonderful opportunity to see Budapest’s tram evolution in one place.
Meet Muki: Budapest’s Most Beloved Tram
No visit to Szépilona would be complete without meeting Muki — arguably the most famous tram in all of Budapest. Muki is a beloved Tatra tram that has achieved something rather remarkable for a piece of public transport: genuine celebrity status. Over the decades, this cheerful vehicle has earned a special place in the hearts of Budapest locals, becoming a symbol of the city’s charm and its deep affection for its old-school tram network.
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For many Budapestians, spotting Muki on the tracks is a moment that brings an instant smile — a nostalgic reminder of a slower, simpler time when these sturdy Czech-built trams were the backbone of the city’s public transport. With the newer CAF low-floor trams gradually taking over more and more routes, Muki and his fellow Tatras are becoming an increasingly rare sight on the streets. The open day at Szépilona is a rare opportunity to meet Muki in person, explore the tram up close, and snap a photo with one of Budapest’s most iconic residents before this era of the city’s transport history comes to a close.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
Budapest has one of the oldest and most extensive tram networks in Europe, and the trams are as much a part of the city’s identity as the Danube or the Chain Bridge. The Szépilona depot open day is not just an event for rail fans — it’s a window into the everyday life of a city that takes quiet pride in keeping its historic transport running.
With the Tatra trams slowly approaching the end of their service life, this could be one of the last chances to see them in their home environment. That alone makes this open day a truly special occasion.
Getting There
The depot is located in District II on Budakeszi út, easily reachable by public transport. You can take tram line 56 or 61 from the city centre, or several bus lines serving the Buda hills area. The neighbourhood itself is a pleasant, residential part of the city, well away from the tourist crowds — a great excuse to explore a quieter, more authentic side of Budapest.
Good to Know
The organizers plan to share interesting facts and historical tidbits about the 130-year history of the depot in the run-up to the event, so it’s worth following the official Facebook event page in advance. The full programme will also be published closer to the date. Pre-registering your attendance through the event page is recommended so you don’t miss any updates.
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