Budapest traffic shake-up this weekend as Tisza Party hosts major election night event

Budapest’s Batthyány Square and the surrounding Danube embankments will see significant traffic restrictions and public transport diversions this weekend as the Tisza Party holds its central election night results event opposite the Parliament building. With road closures lasting from Friday night until Monday morning and major tram and bus changes on Sunday evening, BKK is urging passengers to use Metro Line M2 where possible.

Batthyány Square becomes one of election night’s focal points

The opposition Tisza Party has chosen Batthyány Square and the nearby riverfront on the Buda side for its main results-watching event, creating what is expected to be one of the capital’s busiest political gatherings of the weekend. The location, directly facing the Hungarian Parliament across the Danube, adds both symbolic and practical weight to the event.

The party previously held a major election night gathering during the 2024 European Parliament elections, but this year’s venue appears designed for a much larger public turnout, with organisers saying everyone is welcome. Fidesz’s election night gathering will be held at the Bálna.

Road closures from Friday night to Monday

According to BKK, the Bem rakpart between Batthyány Square and Vitéz Street will be closed from 00:01 on Saturday until Monday morning, while the lower Buda embankment between Halász Street and Margaret Bridge will shut from 22:00 on Saturday until Monday morning.

For drivers heading north from southern Buda towards Óbuda, the recommended diversion route is via Széll Kálmán Square.

Major public transport changes on Sunday

Sunday will bring the most visible disruptions for public transport users.

Buses

Throughout the day on Sunday, Batthyány Square will be skipped by daytime buses:

• Bus 11 will be diverted to Széll Kálmán Square
• Bus 39 will run only as far as Széna Square
• The 990 night bus will follow a modified route on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

Trams

From approximately 17:30 until the end of service on Sunday, trams will also avoid Batthyány Square:

• Tram 19 will run only between Kelenföld railway station and Halász Street
• Tram 41 will be diverted via Széll Kálmán Square, using parts of tram lines 56 and 17

BKK says live updates will continue to appear on its BKK Info channels, but travellers heading to the event are strongly advised to use the M2 metro, which offers the easiest access to Batthyány Square.

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