You’ve been wandering around the Crossroads for hours. Maybe you’ve even survived the pitch-black claustrophobia of Deepnest. Then you see it: a sleek, metal carriage sitting on a track, mocking you. It asks for a pass. You don’t have one.
The hollow knight tram pass is one of those items that feels like a myth until it isn't. Honestly, it's the ultimate "vibe check" for a new player. It is tucked away in a corner of the map that most people describe as "actual hell." But once you get it? The game opens up in a way that makes those long treks back to the City of Tears feel like a distant, painful memory.
Where is the Tram Pass anyway?
Getting your hands on this thing isn't about solving a puzzle. It's about endurance. You need to head to the Failed Tramway, which is nestled in the upper-northeast corner of Deepnest.
If you haven't bought the Lumafly Lantern from Sly in Dirtmouth for 1,800 Geo yet, don't even bother. Seriously. You’ll be stumbling into spikes and Garpedes every three seconds. Deepnest is built on the concept of making you feel unwelcome, and the path to the Failed Tramway is no exception.
Once you’re in Deepnest, look for the area above the hot springs. You’ll eventually find a long, horizontal stretch filled with Dirtcarvers—those annoying little things that pop out of the ground—and Carver Hatchers. You’ll know you’re in the right place when the background starts looking like an industrial graveyard. There are half-finished tram cars everywhere.
At the very end of this gauntlet, inside the last ruined tram car, is the pass. Just sitting there. Pick it up, and suddenly you’re a VIP in a dead kingdom.
Why the Tram Pass matters more than you think
Most people think of the tram as just a shortcut. It’s way more than that. In Hallownest, travel is the biggest hurdle. The Stag Stations are great, sure, but they don't go everywhere.
The tram system operates on two different levels:
- The Upper Tram: Connects the Forgotten Crossroads to the Resting Grounds.
- The Lower Tram: This is the big one. It connects Deepnest, the Ancient Basin, and Kingdom’s Edge.
If you’re trying to reach The Hive or get to the Cast-Off Shell for the King’s Brand, the lower tram is your lifeline. Without it, you’re looking at a massive, multi-zone hike through some of the most dangerous platforming sections in the game. Using the tram to skip between the Ancient Basin and Kingdom’s Edge saves you roughly twenty minutes of frustration.
The lore most players skip over
Did you actually read the item description? It says these passes were incredibly expensive and required personal authorization from the Pale King. That's a huge detail.
It tells us that while the Stagways were the "public" transport for the common bug, the Trams were the high-tech, elitist alternative. The Pale King was obsessed with modernization. He wanted to replace the ancient, biological Stag system with something mechanical and controlled.
The fact that the Failed Tramway is located in Deepnest is a silent narrative. The Pale King tried to force his "civilization" into a territory that fundamentally rejected him. The spiders of Deepnest didn't want his machines. They tore the project apart. When you pick up that hollow knight tram pass, you’re literally holding a relic of the King’s failed expansionism.
Quick Tips for the Trip
- Don't fight everything: In the Failed Tramway, the enemies respawn fast. Just keep moving.
- Bench Check: There is a bench right at the start of the Failed Tramway area. Use it. If you die at the end of the hall, the run back is a nightmare.
- Hidden Lifeblood: There’s a Lifeblood Cocoon hidden in the ceiling of one of the ruined cars. Keep your eyes up.
Is it worth the trouble?
Look, some players try to beat the game without ever touching the tram. They stick to the Stags. They wall-jump through the Acid in the Fungal Wastes. They suffer.
🔗 Read more: The Omega Boy Roblox Avatar: Why This Aesthetic Is Taking Over 2026
Don't be that person.
The tram isn't just a convenience; it's a key to the mid-to-late game flow. It makes the Ancient Basin—an area you’ll visit a dozen times for the Monarch Wings and the White Palace—actually accessible.
Basically, the hollow knight tram pass turns the map from a series of isolated tunnels into a connected world. It makes Hallownest feel like a kingdom again, even if it’s a decaying one.
Your next steps in Hallownest
Now that you know where the pass is hiding, your first priority should be making sure you have the Mantis Claw. You can't even navigate the vertical shafts leading to the Failed Tramway without it.
After you grab the pass, take the lower tram from Deepnest over to the Ancient Basin. It's the fastest way to find the hidden bench there and start your trek toward the broken vessel. Just remember: once the doors close and the tram starts moving, there's no getting off until you hit the next station. Enjoy the ride.