Budapest, 22nd District — Ever wondered how an average family hit the road for a weekend escape under communism? Climb into a decades-old East German paper jaguar and find out. The unmistakable rumble, a veil of bluish smoke, that unforgettable smell, and the famously cramped non-comfort: the Trabant experience is here for a limited time, running February 9–15 and again February 16–22. The meeting point is at the corner of Balatoni Road and Szabadkai Street (1223 Budapest, Budafok-Tétény), but the cars will pick you up anywhere within city limits if you book a transfer. And yes, they joke one car was “half-eaten by a horse.” You’ll arrive at Memento Park in era-perfect style—before the last Trabant finally gives up.
Trabant Transfer: Arrive Loud, Leave Grinning
Order a private or group Trabant transfer any day during regular opening hours and roll up to Memento Park like it’s 1978. Price: 88,800 HUF (about 243 USD) per Trabant, for up to three people. Included: door-to-door Budapest transfer, Memento Park admission, one drink at the Red Star Store buffet, and a guided tour at the park. More than three? You’ll need additional cars; only the transfer fee applies to extra vehicles, while the first booking covers the guide cost.
Combo Tours: Daylight, Dusk, or Deep Into Retro
Build out the transfer with guided visits during or outside regular hours—even at dusk or after dark. Add other thematically linked stops: treasure-hunt retro browsing at the Ecseri Market, or key sites of the 1956 Revolution. Special requests welcome; they’ll customize.
1956 Revolution Route
This route hits the movement’s defining places: Kossuth Square, where the deadly volley was fired; Corvin Passage (Corvin köz), the battleground of the Soviet Red Army’s first defeat; and the New Public Cemetery, the resting place of martyrs. Price: 88,800 HUF (about 243 USD) per Trabant, 2.5–3 hours, up to three people. What’s included: citywide door-to-door transfer, freeform conversation with a trained driver-guide, on-site guiding at sights and memorials, and any necessary admissions. Over three guests requires more cars; again, only the transfer cost is charged on extras, with guiding included in the first.
Workers’ Movement Tour
Stroll Fiumei Road Cemetery, visit the Workers’ Movement Pantheon, and stop at the graves of party boss János Kádár and his wife Mária Tamáska, as well as László Rajk, the communist interior minister executed by fellow communists. Then head to a classic socialist-realist housing estate—shadows and charm included. Pricing, duration, and inclusions match the 1956 tour. Add-on: Memento Park visit surcharge 22,860 HUF (about 63 USD) per Trabant, applied to every car if you’ve got more than three people. Combine with Memento Park for a total 3.5–4 hour program, including park admission, guided tour, a drink per person at the gift shop, and snacks if requested.
Pöfögés: Put-Put Through Statues and Stalin’s Boots
A slow, smoky loop among the massive monuments—yes, including Stalin’s boots—delivers the true two-stroke vibe. Perfect as a family add-on, school outing, or team-building extra. Advance booking required. Pricing: 55,000 HUF (about 150 USD) call-out fee per Trabant, plus 4,500 HUF (about 12 USD) per person. Includes Memento Park ticket, guided tour, and a drink at the Red Star Store.
Hands-On Trabant Fun
Pick from a playful set of challenges:
– Trabant push slalom
– Engine-bay memory game
– Pöfögés among the statues and nearby streets
– Test drive for licensed drivers only
Great for birthdays, graduations, or anniversaries. Order the cake and setup through them for a 25,000 HUF (about 68 USD) surcharge, covering:
– Cake up to 16 slices
– Candles
– Homemade lemonade
– Tray, cutlery, cups
Prices apply up to 15 people; for larger groups, a second Trabant is recommended. Program length runs 60–90 minutes, depending on group size and extras.
Team Building With a Wink
Where’s Vladimir, the Soviet double agent, hiding? How many propagandists wear glasses? Does Lenin have a cap on his head when he’s gripping one in his hand? Which statue towers above the rest? How many humans can squeeze into a Trabant? Who can drive one with eyes closed? What message does Stalin send to the future? Expect an hour to 90 minutes of tongue-in-cheek challenges in an outdoor setting made for playful competition. Memento Park supplies space, inspiration, and on-demand support.
Dates and Where to Find It
– February 9–15, Budapest
– February 16–22, Budapest
The rendezvous is the Balatoni Road–Szabadkai Street corner in the 22nd District, but the real destination is time travel—in a rattling two-stroke capsule. Book before the last survivor coughs to a stop.
