All Saints’ Day and clock change: Changes to Budapest transport timetables

In preparation for All Saints’ Day, the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) is adjusting schedules to facilitate easier access to cemeteries and mitigate anticipated road congestion. From Saturday, 26 October, until the following Sunday, 3 November, BKK will increase bus and tram services to accommodate the heightened demand around the city’s cemeteries. Officials advise using public transportation during this period, as both traffic levels and parking availability are likely to pose challenges.

Travellers are encouraged to plan journeys using the BudapestGO app or the BKK Info website for live updates. Additionally, specific cemetery-related information is available on the Budapest Funeral Institute’s website.

Significant changes will affect the Budapest transport network in the coming days. Photo: FB

Transport adjustments during school break and All Saints’ Day

With the autumn school break extending from Monday to Thursday, the Budapest Transport Centre will operate its school-break schedule on these days, shifting to a holiday or Sunday timetable on 1 November. This shift ensures optimised service levels for families and visitors travelling to cemeteries, Világgazdaság reports.

Impacts of winter time on the Budapest transport network

On Sunday, 27 October, clocks will be turned back by one hour at 3 AM, transitioning to winter time.

Although many will appreciate the extra hour of sleep, the time shift can cause disruptions to Budapest transportation schedules. BKK’s announcement clarifies that while most nighttime services will continue unaffected, some adjustments are necessary for a few routes during the transition. Typically, routes operating hourly or more frequently will maintain their schedules between 2 AM and 3 AM, ensuring minimal inconvenience for passengers.

Changes in MÁV timetables

Photo: MÁV

MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) also reports changes impacting certain national and international trains. For instance, on the Budapest–Esztergom line, the S72 train departing Nyugati Station at 2:25 AM will run according to winter time. Meanwhile, the Budapest–Székesfehérvár line will see adjustments for trains departing at 1:40 AM and 2:40 AM, with some trains awaiting the clock change to avoid schedule overlaps.

Other MÁV routes, including the Budapest–Miskolc–Sátoraljaújhely line and the Kaposvár–Siófok line, will also see minor modifications. Volánbusz has similarly announced that bus schedules in areas like Érd and Kiskunhalas will adapt to the time change. Full details of MÁV’s updated schedules are accessible on their official website, ensuring passengers are informed about any deviations.

Daylight saving time debate and its impact on health

Though discussions have persisted for years, the European Union continues to enforce the biannual time change. Notably, Ukraine recently abolished daylight saving time, making this October the last time Ukrainian citizens will reset their clocks, Világgazdaság writes in another article.

Critics argue that the disruption to natural circadian rhythms brings various downsides, from sleep disturbances to potential spikes in road accidents following the shift. Studies show that adjusting to the time change may take weeks for some, causing difficulties with falling asleep and disrupting sleep cycles.

While approximately two-thirds of Hungarians prefer sticking to summer time, enabling longer daylight hours during winter months, the yearly shift continues to spark debate. For now, residents will adapt to the upcoming changes, with updated transport schedules to ease the transition.

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