Motorists and public transport users in Budapest should prepare for significant disruptions on Saturday as the annual Budapest Pride march takes place in the city centre. Police say they are fully prepared to ensure the event proceeds safely, while the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) has issued details of the expected traffic restrictions.
Major route affected from late morning
According to BKK, traffic restrictions will begin at 11:30 AM on Saturday and affect several of Budapest’s busiest roads. The march will follow this route:
- Andrássy Avenue
- Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road
- Deák Ferenc Square
- Károly Boulevard
- Astoria
- Kossuth Lajos Street
- Szabad Sajtó Road
- Elisabeth Bridge
- Döbrentei Square
- Attila Road
- Mikó Street
- Vérmező Road
Drivers are advised to expect delays throughout the day.
Temporary closures throughout the afternoon
In addition to the main route, police will introduce intermittent road closures between 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM along the section between Kodály Körönd and Kossuth Square, covering Andrássy Avenue, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road and Alkotmány Street.
These closures are expected to last between 15 and 30 minutes at a time.
Several BKK bus and tram services will operate on modified routes during the demonstration, and passengers are encouraged to check live updates before travelling.
Police say they are fully prepared
Budapest Police Chief Norbert Tamás Baricska told the Budapest Metropolitan Assembly on Friday that the force is entering Saturday’s event with “maximum preparedness”.
He said officers have taken every necessary step to ensure the Pride march can proceed smoothly and safely. Police resources will be deployed not only along the procession route but also at other related event locations across the capital.
Baricska also stressed that police decisions would continue to be based on professional considerations and existing legislation.
Pride follows last year’s legal controversy
This year’s Budapest Pride was officially notified to the police at the end of May, in accordance with Hungary’s Assembly Act.
The event comes after a turbulent period for Pride in Hungary. In March 2025, under the former Orbán government, Parliament approved legislation banning Pride and similar events. Despite the ban, last year’s Budapest Pride went ahead and became the largest in the event’s history.
Following the 2025 march, criminal proceedings were launched against Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony under the legislation. However, the court later suspended the case.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar recently said that the current legal situation is clear and that nobody intends to prevent the assembly from taking place. He added that if legal clarification becomes necessary, the government would be prepared to amend the legislation.
Real-time travel updates available
BKK said travellers can follow live service changes through its BKK Info platform, while motorists can monitor road closures via the BKK Info Road service throughout the day.
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