Long weekend ahead in Hungary, multiple stores to close – here is the list

Today still feels like an ordinary working day, but from tomorrow we enter a four-day long weekend. Friday was already worked off last Saturday. The long weekend will begin with the national holiday on 23rd October, when Hungary commemorates the 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight (’56-os forradalom és szabadságharc). Nearly all shops will be closed on this day. Public services are also preparing for the holiday and extended weekend.

Numerous stores will be closed tomorrow

Pénzcentrum has gathered information about which stores will close nationwide. According to their list, the following chains will be closed:

• Tesco
• Lidl
• Aldi
• Auchan
• Penny
• CBA/Príma
• Spar/Interspar
• Reál
• Coop

It is important to note that some outlets from these retail chains will remain open during the holiday, including Spar and Tesco branches located at petrol stations. From 24th to 26th October, all shops will reopen according to their regular opening hours. Therefore, only one day will see limited shopping opportunities. However, smaller shops, corner stores, and convenience stores — including 24-hour outlets — are likely to stay open on Thursday, as these are usually run by their owners rather than employed staff.

Pharmacies to operate according to on-duty schedule

According to the National Public Health and Medical Officer Service (NNGYK), on Thursday, 23rd October, pharmacies operating on an on-duty basis will be available, alongside 24-hour pharmacies and others that remain open on public holidays.

They added that on Friday, 24th October, pharmacies that normally open on rest days will provide medication services following their regular Saturday or rest-day schedule. However, it is advisable to check the NNGYK website for any variations, as schedules may differ.

Autumn break, roadworks and lorry ban

Good news for schoolchildren: the autumn break also begins on Thursday and lasts until Sunday, 2nd November. According to previous experience shared by the specialist website autopalyamatrica.hu, particularly heavy traffic is expected across the country on both weekends.

It is worth noting that several motorway sections are currently undergoing refurbishment, leading to lane reductions, temporary speed limits, and diversions. Major autumn works include resurfacing on the M7 and a large-scale expansion project on the M1. Contrary to earlier plans, the long-closed section of the M30 will not be completed by the end of October.

There will be a lorry ban from 10 p.m. on 22nd October to 10 p.m. on 23rd October, running from Wednesday evening to Thursday evening. The usual Sunday ban will apply from 10 p.m. on Saturday, 25th October, to 10 p.m. on Sunday, 26th October. As All Saints’ Day falls on a Saturday this year, the lorry ban will not begin on Friday night but from 8 a.m. on Saturday, lasting until 10 p.m. on Sunday.

MÁV Group also preparing for the long weekend

The MÁV railway group is preparing for the national holiday and the long weekend with longer trains, additional services, and reinforced emergency staffing, the railway company told MTI. MÁV will provide more seats than usual for those travelling to events on 23rd October and for passengers heading to popular tourist destinations in the following days. If necessary, the National Emergency Centre, operating with extra staff, will assist with rapid-response buses (MÁVBUSZ) to help with passenger transport.

Trains will operate according to the Friday schedule on 22nd October, the Saturday schedule on the 23rd, holiday timetables on the 24th and 25th, and return to the usual Sunday timetable on the 26th.

Volánbusz services will run on a holiday timetable on 23rd and 26th October, and on a rest-day timetable on the 24th and 25th. After the long weekend, from 27th to 31st October, buses will follow a special timetable reflecting school-free days during the autumn break.

The H5 and H6 suburban train lines (HÉV) will operate according to Saturday and public holiday timetables from 23rd to 26th October. On the H7 line, public holiday schedules will apply on the 23rd and 26th, and Saturday schedules on the 24th and 25th. Between 24th and 26th October, sections of the H8 and H9 lines will be served by replacement buses.

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Click and read more of our articles concerning the Hungarian revolution and freedom fight of 1956.