Temporary traffic restrictions will be in place from 20 to 23 October in several districts of Budapest (I., II., V., IX., XI., and XII.) due to events and public gatherings marking the anniversary of the 1956 Revolution, according to the Budapest Police Headquarters.
Traffic restrictions in Budapest due to 23 October events
Starting on Sunday, 20 October, restrictions will begin in preparation for the commemorative events. Parking will be prohibited from Sunday evening around Bem József Square and along Műegyetem Quay. By Monday evening, additional no-parking zones will extend to parts of districts I, II, and XI, with further restrictions rolling out from Tuesday evening, police.hu reports.
The most significant road closures—both full and partial—will take effect on Tuesday and will be especially extensive on Wednesday, 23 October, affecting several key areas in districts I, II, XI, and XII due to large-scale events.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will deliver a speech at Millenáris Park on 23 October, with the official ceremony starting at 10:30 AM. At 3 PM, the Tisza Party will host a gathering at the Bem Statue, followed by a procession to Széna Square, where the event will continue at 4:30 PM, Pénzcentrum writes. Other political events and commemorations are also expected throughout the day.
The Budapest Police urge drivers to be extra cautious and follow the revised traffic rules during this period.
To view the map below, open it in full display mode, move and zoom to the desired detail, then click on the road section or area highlighted in colour. For the duration of the restriction and further information on the section concerned, see the legend. Unfortunately, it is only available in Hungarian, but the markings in colour will hint at some of the most important restrictions.
The Hungarian Astronautical Society (MANT) organised a conference on space and climate change in Budapest on Friday, the Day of Hungarian Space Research.
Space conference held in Budapest
Balázs Bartóki-Gönczy during the conference. Photo: MTI/Lakatos Péter
Kálmán Kovács, who heads MANT, said the conference was a companion event to World Space Week. Szabolcs Szolnoki, the deputy state secretary for technology at the National Economy Ministry, said new space industry legislation was being drafted with the aim of supporting the development of local suppliers and nurturing “national champions”, initiating missions with the European Space Agency and making full use of the agency’s geographical return system ensuring investments in space programmes are returned in the form of contracts with local industry players.
Krisztián Bodzsár, of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH), pointed to challenges posed by the growing number of satellites and said the NMHH planned to upgrade its measurement and monitoring capacity.
Balázs Bartóki-Gönczy, the director of the Institute of Space Law and Politics at the Ludovika University of Public Service, noted that the Draghi report on European competitiveness had recommended a unified European space act and the rollback of favourable procurement regulations for smaller member states.
During the ongoing restoration of Buda Castle by the National Hauszmann Programme, new relics from the era of renowned architect Alajos Hauszmann have been uncovered. Workers stumbled upon remnants of the original flooring from the late 19th and early 20th centuries on the ground floor of the castle’s northern wing. These beautifully crafted tiles were produced in the workshop of József Walla, a prominent manufacturer based in Budapest. The geometric patterns and vibrant colours, featuring motifs such as meanders and running dogs, were found in the kitchen areas of the porter’s and parish clerk’s apartments, located on the riverside of the building. Similar tiles were also discovered in nearby corridors and restrooms.
Walla József’s legacy
József Walla, originally from Moravia, was a leading figure in Hungary’s cement-based building materials industry, the National Hauszmann Programme wrote on Facebook. His decorative flooring was used not only in Buda Castle but also in Budapest’s grand apartment buildings, private mansions, railway stations, markets, and even the Hungarian Parliament. His work gained national recognition at the 1896 Millennium Exhibition, and in 1904, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Franz Joseph for his contributions to industry.
Rediscovering historic walls
Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
In addition to the flooring, three unique wall sections were found at the excavation site. These walls were created by the company of Antal Detoma, a master stucco worker who applied a specialised sand-lime mortar technique in 1901. These original walls once adorned the vestibule and the covered courtyard behind the northern wing’s main entrance from Szent György Square. The recent discovery of these walls is particularly significant as it offers a rare glimpse into the original colour, material, and texture of the palace’s interior walls—information that was previously impossible to confirm due to the lack of colour photography. Like Walla, Detoma was a distinguished craftsman of his time, contributing exquisite faux-marble work to the palace’s grandest and most important halls.
Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Preservation and restoration progress
The historic restoration of Buda Castle is progressing as planned. The sections of the northern wing that were modified during the communist era have now been removed, allowing for a faithful reconstruction of the palace as designed by Hauszmann. Special care is being taken to preserve and collect valuable architectural elements and structures that have survived.
Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
The National Hauszmann Program aims to restore Buda Castle to its former glory, reflecting its appearance during its golden age at the turn of the 20th century. As part of the project, the castle will regain its original façade, roof, and portions of its interior. Following the reopening of St. Stephen’s Hall in August 2021, the restoration continues with work focused on the area near Szent György Square.
The Budapest Transport Center (BKK) has launched a multi-phase renovation program for taxi stands, aiming to refresh nearly 120 of the city’s approximately 300 taxi stations by the end of this year.
Budapest taxi stands to be renovated
According to a statement sent to MTI on Friday, the renovation work has already commenced in the city centre, with plans to extend to the outer districts by the year’s end as part of a collaborative effort between BKK and Budapest Közút, Növekedés.hu reports. The program is being carried out in several phases, with about 100 stands already receiving fresh road markings.
Photo: Főtaxi/FB
In addition to the new paint, the renovations will encompass all necessary improvements to ensure the taxi stands are safe and comfortable for users. This will result in several stations offering more spacious areas for passengers using taxi services.
Earlier this year, BKK assumed responsibility for taxi administration from Budapest Közút, placing a strong emphasis on enabling residents and visitors to travel and navigate the city with ease. As part of this commitment, BKK is also modernising the passenger information systems at public transport terminals and initiating the reconstruction of taxi stations.
For the next two weeks, motorists using the M0 motorway, the ring road around Budapest should expect lane closures due to warranty road surface and expansion joint repairs. The works will affect the stretch leading toward the M1 motorway, particularly on the Deák Ferenc Hárosi Duna Bridge, according to a statement from Magyar Közút Nonprofit Plc.
M0 motorway to see lane closures for 2 weeks
Drivers are advised to plan for potential delays, as the road is heavily trafficked, and longer travel times are likely during this period, Portfolio reports.
In addition to the repairs on the Deák Ferenc Bridge, further maintenance work is ongoing on other parts of the M0 motorway. On the section leading toward the M5 motorway, between kilometres 1 and 3 before the M7 junction, lane closures are in place due to a malfunction in the expansion joint structure, which may cause significant daytime traffic congestion.
Photo: MTI/Kovács Tamás
Repairs are also being carried out in the eastern sector of the M0 motorway, between Vecsés and Gyál. Here, on the side heading toward the M5 motorway, the outer and emergency lanes are closed, with traffic moving on the inner lanes of both directions. Meanwhile, in the direction of the M3 motorway, only the outer and emergency lanes are available.
Magyar Közút encourages motorists, especially during peak hours, to check the latest traffic updates on their official Útinform website before setting out. Navigation apps or community-based driving tools can also help drivers find the best routes and avoid delays.
The Hungarian government promised to raise the number of officers on patrol and establish an independent police station in Budapest’s famous party district. Meanwhile, Budapest prosecutors are seeking prison sentences for four security guards who assaulted a group of Brazilian nationals at a party district club. One of the Brazilians was almost killed in the assault.
Elevated security level in Budapest party district
According to infostart.hu, Márton Nagy, Hungary’s National Economy Minister, talked about a new police station in Elizabethtown, Budapest’s 7th district, in a press conference of the Hungarian Tourism Agency this Monday. According to him, the government will increase the police presence in Budapest’s “party district”, raising the number of officers on patrol from 48 to 58.
Furthermore, they would like to establish an independent police station there. The aim is to guarantee the safety of the tourists and the locals in the so-called party district, a small area of Budapest’s 6th and 7th districts between the Small Ring Road (“Kiskörút”) and the Grand Boulevard (“Nagykörút”).
Photo: FB/Péter Niedermüller
Péter Niedermüller, the district’s mayor, said they did not receive details about how many police officers the government plans to redirect there or where the new station will be.
Foreigner almost killed in Budapest’s party district
Budapest prosecutors are seeking prison sentences for four security guards who assaulted a group of Brazilian nationals at a club last summer.
According to the Budapest Prosecutor’s Office, the three Brazilian men entered the 7th district club on the night of 4 June 2023. The security guards hired by the club told them to leave, but after they continued talking, one of the defendants assaulted them with a gas spray at around 3 AM.
Two of the Brazilian men left the scene, but one stayed and made a rude gesture at the security guards, after which one of the other guards sprayed him in the face.
Source: Prt Sc/YouTube/ PoliceHungary
After the victim continued to make gestures at the guards, they surrounded him, one of them put him in a chokehold from behind and slammed his head into the wall of a building before dropping him on the ground. One of the other victims tried to intervene but was sprayed again and hit in the back of the head with a telescopic stun baton.
Prosecutors say the man beaten by the security guards sustained life-threatening injuries. Three of the guards have been charged with causing bodily harm resulting in life-threatening injuries and one with attempted grievous bodily harm. Prosecutors are seeking prison sentences for them and asking the court to ban them from working as security guards in the future.
Read also:
Major raid in Budapest’s party district: increased police presence and focus – read more HERE
Budapest has several Christmas fairs, some regularly selected among the world’s most beautiful. This week, Vörösmarty Classic Xmas announced when their unique 2024 fair will open.
One of the world’s most beautiful Christmas Fairs opens in Budapest soon
According to their Facebook post, Vörösmarty Classic Xmas is waiting for you in 2024, as well! They are preparing lots of programs, delicacies and countless surprises. The Christmas Fair is planned to open on 15 November on Budapest’s emblematic Vörösmarty Square, close to the Danube and at the entrance of the famous shopping street, Váci Street. They promised more details about the fair soon. The motto of the Christmas fair will be “Classic rebranded”.
Photo: www.facebook.com/budapestchristmasfair
Based on the plans, the Vörösmarty Square Christmas Fair will remain open until 31 December.
According to index.hu, the Christmas Fair on Vörösmarty Square has been organised for more than two decades in the heart of the city, the 5th district. Its popularity is growing year by year, and it’s attended by hundreds of thousands of visitors. This makes it the greatest Christmas fair in the capital, with unique products for sale, gastronomic wonders to taste and a genuine Christmas atmosphere from mid-November.
Good salaries at the Budapest Christmas Fair
According to Pénzcentrum, the first Advent fair in the Christmas period will open in Vienna on 11 November. The last one will open on 30 November in Prague but will remain accessible until 6 January.
Photo: www.facebook.com/budapestchristmasfair
Pénzcentrum wrote that organisers of the Vörösmarty Square Christmas Fair began recruiting. Based on an ad, employees must work 4-6 days a week and will receive weekly payment every Monday. Furthermore, they get meals twice a day. English language knowledge is required, and Italian is an advantage. According to Pénzcentrum, the possible salary is attractive. You may get EUR 1500 in a month, but you must work 12 hours a day and five days a week.
In Zagreb, the Christmas fair will open on 30 November, in Cracow, on 24 November, and in Craiova (Romania), on 15 November.
Read also:
Congratulations! ThisHungarian Christmas fair is Europe’s most beautiful
Budapest’s world-famous Christmas fair opens with horrific prices – PHOTOS and more in THISarticle
Both the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, Gergely Gulyás, and National Economy Minister Márton Nagy, talked about stricter rules concerning Airbnb and accommodation rentals in Budapest. They said there was a housing crisis in the capital, so the government had to intervene to solve it. Therefore, they want to introduce an Airbnb moratorium, stricter rules and higher taxes. Is that the end of the Airbnb sector and a painful blow to the flourishing Hungarian tourism?
Total Airbnb ban in Budapest district
Budapest’s 6th district banned Airbnb-type short-term flat rentals in a referendum in September. We wrote then that experts agreed tourists coming to spend their holiday in an Airbnb-type accommodation in the Hungarian capital will not choose to stay in a hotel instead. They will go to another Central European city like Cracow or Prague, where prices are similar, but Airbnb is not restricted.
Total Airbnb ban in the 6th district. Photo: FB/Soproni
Housing crisis in Hungary
In response to the referendum’s shocking result (of course, some were probably not shocked since even the district’s mayor said he would vote for the ban), the Hungarian government decided to rewrite the rules concerning the sector. They said there was a housing crisis in Hungary, so Budapest needed immediate intervention.
National Economy Minister Márton Nagy said short-term, Airbnb-type rentals would be regulated only in the capital, adding that the government was in agreement with the industry insiders on applying a moratorium on the issue of new homestay permits while raising taxes on the activity.
Mr Nagy added further details while presenting a 16-point deregulation package concerning tourism. First, he stated that the tourism sector was “performing very well”, generating 12pc of GDP and over 10pc of tax revenue.
Moratorium, higher taxes and stricter rules on Airbnb in Budapest
However, he said young people had to pay over 50% or 60% of their income for rent, so there was a housing crisis. He added that the government had to intervene because local councils had not resolved the issue. In reality, local councils in Hungary neither had the means nor did they obtain the money to solve such problems generated mostly by the Hungarian government’s policies. Instead, they warned the government about the situation, which the Orbán cabinet neglected until now.
Nagy said the government planned to announce a two-year moratorium on licences for short-term rentals in the capital while raising the tax on Airbnb-type activity by a factor of “four or five”.
Higher taxes or closed Airbnb. Illustration. Source: Pixabay
Gergely Gulyás, the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, said the government would assess the extent to which Airbnb contributed to growing rents in the capital before making their final decision about the sector. And whereas flat rentals and related contracts were also in the government’s sights, there was no desire to follow “communist practices” seen in some Western European countries, and the government fully respected property rights, he added. That may mean they will not modify rules concerning long-term rentals in the capital.
Family association happy for stricter regulations on Airbnb
Young family association Ficsak has welcomed the national economy ministry’s plans to tighten regulations on short-term, Airbnb-type rentals. Ficsaktold MTI on Friday that the ministry’s planned regulations were an important step in making housing more affordable for Hungarian families. They said that in recent years a significant number of homes in Hungary had been put on the short-term rental market, which had driven up rent and reduced the number of properties available for the long term.
Ficsak said the new regulations could lead to investment properties being placed on the long-term rental market, thereby easing the housing crisis. Rising housing costs have made life difficult for young people and large families in recent years, the association said, adding that the new regulations aimed to give families the chance to find affordable, stable housing. They pointed out that several major cities in Europe have introduced restrictions on short-term rentals, and “these examples show that these kinds of measures have a positive effect on the housing market”.
“Ficsak is convinced that tightening regulations on Airbnb and other platforms like it will contribute to easing housing problems in Hungary and give families a chance to find affordable and secure homes,” the statement said.
Opposition Jobbik also wanted new rules
Dániel Z Kárpát, a lawmaker of Jobbik, said they would provide rent subsidies of 50,000-100,000 forints per month until the housing problems in Hungary were resolved. They would also re-regulate Airbnb-type flat rentals and restore earlier home savings schemes to solve the housing crisis.
UPDATE: Fidesz’s Szentkirályi asks economy minister to address housing crisis
Alexandra Szentkirályi, the Budapest group leader of the ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrats, said on Friday that she had asked Economy Minister Marton Nagy to discuss plans for reducing the housing crisis in Budapest. Szentkirályi said on Facebook that despite promises by Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony to deal with the problem, nothing had happened in the past five years. A housing crisis has developed in Budapest, she added.
“I have contacted Economy Minister Marton Nagy in a letter. I am initiating coordination talks on preparing an action plan for housing in the capital in order to address the accommodation difficulties affecting Budapest residents,” she said. Szentkirályi said that she had proposed giving special focus to home purchase options for young people, expanding student accommodation capacity, short-term home rental, Airbnb, the situation of rental homes in the capital, and rents.
Read also:
How would an Airbnb ban affect Budapest’s rental market? – read more HERE
The Forestay Group held the groundbreaking ceremony for Marriott Moxy Budapest, a brand-new hotel in Budapest’s downtown, the heart of the 7th district, where the famous party district is. Their aim is to create a quality and comfortable alternative with a fresh and modern perspective and a unique character for tourists. Additionally, the hotel will be within walking distance of Budapest’s main attractions.
New hotel in the heart of Budapest
According to realista.ingatlan.com, the construction started on 10 October in Elizabethtown, Budapest’s 7th district, where the party district and the Jewish Quarter of the city are located among many other spectacular destinations. Since the new hotel is on Kazinczy Street, it will be within walking distance from most of the tourist hotspots of the Pest side.
According to the plans, the new hotel will harmonise with its neighbourhood and create 2,000 sqm of green space with a line of trees in Central Elizabethtown. Moxy is a brand created by the Marriott hotel chain. They offer chic, brave and affordable accommodation, which their guests long for and deserve.
Photo: FB/Forestay
A special time capsule was placed in the foundation
The Forestay Groupsaid they were committed to considering local challenges and respecting the environment of the new building. The new hotel will open its gates for the guests in spring 2026, offering 280 rooms.
According to a Facebook post of the group, they placed a special time capsule into the foundation of the hotel, honouring the hard work that has brought them to that point and symbolising their commitment to the exciting journey ahead.
Photo: FB/Forestay
“Known for its vibrant, playful atmosphere and stylish communal spaces, Moxy is designed to deliver an experience that blends seamlessly with its surroundings—right in the heart of a bustling, tourist-friendly district of Budapest. Our approach ensures that the hotel not only embraces ESG principles and efficiency but also respects the local architecture, integrating naturally into the cityscape”, they said.
Here are some additional photos of the groundbreaking ceremony:
Four of Hungary’s mesmerising tourism destinations, Veszprém, Sárvár, Esztergom, and Tokaj-Hegyalja have received prestigious awards recently. Green Destinations has once again compiled its list of the top 100 sustainable tourism destinations for the year, and Hungary performed well on the list.
This year, 170 tourism destinations, including 65 from Europe, competed to have their sustainability projects showcased on the Green Destinations TOP 100 Stories list, Világgazdaság reports. At the award ceremony held on 15 October, it was revealed that only 32 countries, including Hungary with four projects, made it onto the list, according to a statement from Innotime Hungary.
Annual Green Destinations recognition
The international organisation Green Destinations annually recognises destinations around the world that have implemented high-level sustainable tourism initiatives. These projects serve as inspiring examples for both the industry and travellers.
Every year, tourism destinations are given the opportunity to present how they address key challenges such as environmental protection, social equality, cultural heritage preservation, and economic sustainability.
By publishing these exemplary practices, destination management organisations receive recognition for their innovative solutions to the challenges of sustainable development.
Veszprém made it onto the TOP 100 list for the second time this year, along with award-winning projects from Sárvár, Esztergom, and Tokaj-Hegyalja.
Veszprém’s project, linked to its designation as the European Capital of Culture in 2023, earned a spot on the list. The city transformed a neglected 2.3-hectare industrial area—the former site of the Balatoni Furniture Factory—into a vibrant cultural centre known as Gyárkert KultúrPark.
Originally planned as a temporary project, its success led to the extension of the lease for an additional three years. However, this time, the project operates without external funding, relying solely on partial city support and a new business plan.
Tokaj-Hegyalja
In Tokaj-Hegyalja, a model project centred around the village of Bodrogkeresztúr received recognition. It all began when a local stork named Fülöp, who stayed in the village year-round, tragically died after flying into a power line. This event spurred the town to bury its overhead power lines and create a stork-themed visitor centre.
Fülöp, the stork:
Today, the area features an active tourism site offering camping, sports programs, birdwatching, and other conservation-related activities that draw attention to the region’s stork population. Several tourism programs have since been developed, showcasing the unique natural and cultural assets of Bodrogzug and the surrounding area.
Sárvár
Sárvár’s GoGreen project, available via the website gogreen.sarvar.hu, provides an easy-to-use web app. Visitors to the site simply click a button to receive environmentally friendly travel tips. Users can also share these suggestions on social media or access additional information on environmental protection through related blog posts. The app even indicates whether the suggested actions require any preparation or are simple to implement.
Esztergom
One of the best tourism destinations in Hungary: Esztergom. Photo: depositphotos.com
Esztergom’s good practice is tied to its local farmers’ market, operated by the city’s tourism organisation. The market not only offers local producers a platform to sell their goods but also serves both residents and tourists. A city shuttle service, primarily aimed at helping elderly locals access the market, is provided regularly. The market also hosts thematic events for tourists, focusing on local ingredients, products, short supply chains, and showcasing the uniqueness of local businesses.
Tottenham Hotspur fans came to Hungary last week to face Ferencváros in the UEFA Europa League. Hungarian media agreed that Ferencváros fought valiantly but could not defeat the English club. Interestingly, English fans were not outraged by the work of the referees or how the players of the Hungarian club played. They were annoyed because of the food offered in the beautifully renewed stadium of Ferencváros. Daily Mail writes that our “zsíros deszka” should compete for the title of the worst food in football. Do you agree with them?
Tottenham Hotspur shocked in Budapest
According to Daily Mail, modern soccer fans are no longer satisfied with beer and some bread or meat. They would like to enjoy culinary pleasures after occupying their seats and starting chatting with a neighbour about what happens on the pitch. Reportedly, in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, you can even order pumpkin and pine nut ravioli with vine tomato sauce and basil pesto. The contrast could not be bigger with the food offered at the Ferencváros stadium in Budapest.
The British magazine said fans were shocked to see that in Hungary, they could buy “traditional pub food” in the stadium: bread and dripping (“zsíros kenyér” or “zsíros deszka” in Hungarian). We wrote about that “dish” in THIS article, along with other Hungarian foods that make foreigners go nuts.
Worst food in football? Photo: Creative Commons
The worst food in football is Hungarian?
What is bread and dripping? In short, a slice of bread with lard and some slices of onions as topping. The price is HUF 380, almost EUR 1. A photo and the price were shared on Sports Scran, an X-page posting about “the best and worst food from sports venues around the world”. The page has more than 586,000 followers. The tweet already has more than 4.8 million views.
English soccer fans and readers were outraged. One wrote that such food would be overpriced even in England. “Is this a meal or something from a fraternity hazing ritual?”, added another. A third asked whether a 5-year-old made that. However, some defended our pub food writing that it can save one’s life after several beers, a Spurs fan wrote he enjoyed eating it.
Even so, the Daily Mail said our “zsíros deszka” deserves the title of the worst food in football.
Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, rehashed the original photo from the depths of the internet. The photo was used by Footy Scran for the first time, another thematic X page, on 19 November 2023. Then, it had “only” 1.2 million views, and Daily Mail’s competitor, Daily Star, wroteabout it. The reactions were the same. For example, one comment writer said he would go hungry if he had to eat that, so he does not wonder why the country’s name is Hung(a)ry.
But the photo had to be taken earlier because, on 19 November 2023, nobody bought ‘fatty bread’ in the Ferenváros stadium’s guest sector. Moreover, the stadium sold square-shaped bread at that time for HUF 350 instead of 380.
Of course, some English fans can think that our “national bar food” is the worst in the world, but sometimes it can be very handy if you plan a long night with friends and some beers.
Read also:
Mouth-watering: Thisis the tastiest Hungarian food according to foreigners
The 10 most popular Hungarian foods according to foreigners HERE
Top 10 worst Hungarian dishes according to foreigners – details in THISarticle
The Hungarian budget airline, Wizz Air, is expected to announce new flights after they decided to halt their Tel Aviv flights until next January. Furthermore, TUI will launch a new flight connecting Birmingham with the Hungarian capital.
Wizz Air no longer flies to Tel Aviv
According to okosutas.hu, a Hungarian air travel news outlet, Wizz Air will announce new flights in days to utilise free capacities after their decision to halt flights to Tel Aviv due to the violent conflict in the Middle East. Wizz Air was the last budget airline to end service to the Israeli capital. Other low-cost competitors announced similar decisions months ago.
Wizz Air did not make a final decision for days. They postponed many of their flights one after the other because of the security situation. Some planes arrived in Israel, others landed somewhere else. The management of the Hungarian company decided about the halt this week and said no Wizz Air flights would go to Tel Aviv until 14 January.
The Hungarian low-cost airline will continue to serve Jordan with two flights weekly. However, okosutas.hu believes there is a chance that they will cancel them just before departure, as they did in the case of their Tel Aviv flights. In the last few weeks, Wizz Air cancelled all their flights, but they plan to depart on Friday.
CEO József Váradi said in Warsaw before the Israel decision that provided they had to abandon the country, they would shift extra capacities to other routes. Wizz Air needs to utilise its seats as much as possible during the end-of-the-year peak, which lasts 2.5 weeks.
CEO József Váradi. Photo: Wizz Air
As a result, okosutas.hu expects Wizz Air to launch new flights and increase frequencies on popular routes. They added the changes might rewrite the airline’s winter schedule.
New TUI flight to Budapest
From 11 May 2025, TUI Airways plans to launch a new flight between Birmingham and Budapest. The planes will commute once a week on Mondays. TUIlaunched two new routes between Hungary and the United Kingdom this year. They carry passengers from Manchester and London Gatwick for the Danube boat cruises to Budapest. The two services will restart next April.
Photo: facebook.com/budflyer
Read also:
All Wizz Air flights cancelled to busy airport, new airlines may come to Budapest – read more HERE
Dominik Szoboszlai, the 23-year-old Hungarian star footballer and midfielder of Liverpool FC, proposed to his gorgeous girlfriend, Hungarian model and influencer Borka Buzsik, in the illustrious Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. Since then, celebrities and star footballers have congratulated the happy couple.
Hungarian star footballer proposes to gorgeous model
According to origo.hu, the two have known each other since childhood. Both were born in Székesfehérvár. They have only been together for one year, although the internet gossiped about a rendezvous last April.
Source: Instagram/Borka Buzsik
Borka Buzsik, envied by women all around the world, graduated from the Budapest Corvinus University and started working for Hungarian entrepreneur Szabina Tomán as a PR professional at Tomán Diet. Before, she did artistic swimming. She regularly travels to exotic places as a model and influencer.
Interestingly, Borka’s previous boyfriend was in a relationship with Fanni Gécsek, who used to form a couple with Szoboszlai.
Source: Instagram/Borka Buzsik
Source: Instagram/Borka Buzsik
Source: Instagram/Borka Buzsik
Source: Instagram/Borka Buzsik
Celebrities and star footballers congratulated
Business for Borka started to flourish after they announced they were together. The number of her Instagram followers grew from 8 thousand to 40 thousand.
Borka’s father has a vegetable grocery in Aba and adores football. He plays in the village’s team.
Borka and Dominik shared a laconic Instagram post about the successful engagement in the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. “She said Yes”, Dominik wrote. The hotel is popular among Hollywood film stars.
Source: Instagram/Borka Buzsik
Source: Instagram/Borka Buzsik
Source: Instagram/Borka Buzsik
Several celebrities and footballers congratulated the happy couple with Marco Rossi, the head coach of the Hungarian national team, Italian star soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Caoimhín Kelleher, both footballers of Liverpool, among them. Dani Olmo (Barcelona), and Noah Okafor (AC Milan) also congratulated them.
Szoboszlai can become the captain of Liverpool next summer
Goal.com wrote that next summer, Dominik Szoboszlai has a chance to become a member of the captain ‘trio’ of Liverpool. Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are rumoured to continue their careers at other clubs, and Saudi clubs would like to buy Szalah. Last week, Fabrizio Romano wrote that Liverpool keeps searching for Szalah’s successor.
If that happens – goal.com believes – Szoboszlai will become the third member of the captain trio of Liverpool with Robertson and Alisson. Szoboszlai has been the captain of the Hungarian national team since 2022.
The Szoboszlai-Buzsik couple spent their summer holiday together at the Amalfi Coast:
For years, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has claimed that safety is a hallmark of Hungary, positioning it as one of the safest, if not the safest, countries in Europe. In a recent speech in Italy, Orbán again claimed that “Hungary is the safest country in Europe”. However, a closer look at available statistics paints a more nuanced picture.
For years, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has claimed that safety is a hallmark of Hungary. Photo: FB/Orbán
Orbán has made similar statements before, including in 2022, when he referred to Hungary as “one of the safest countries in Europe” and Budapest as “one of the safest capitals”. Yet, he has never provided specific data to back these claims. When approached by Lakmusz, his press chief, Havasi Bertalan, did not respond to requests for clarification.
Hungary’s safety: A look at the numbers
To evaluate Orbán’s claim, Lakmusz turned to Eurostat data, which tracks 21 types of crimes across Europe. These include serious offences such as homicide, robbery, sexual violence, and corruption. The most recent data from 2022 show that Hungary performs well in only one category: robbery. The country recorded the lowest rate of robberies in Europe, with just 5.5 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants.
However, Hungary’s performance in other crime categories is far less impressive. In terms of intentional homicides, Hungary is in the middle of the pack with 0.88 homicides per 100,000 people. Regarding attempted homicides, Hungary ranks eighth, behind countries like Poland and Ireland.
When it comes to crimes such as human trafficking and sexual exploitation, Hungary again does not rank at the top. For instance, in 2022, Hungary reported 4.77 sexual exploitation cases per 100,000 people, placing it 10th in Europe.
Sexual violence: A complex picture
The situation with sexual crimes is complicated by differences in definitions and reporting between Hungary and other European countries. While Eurostat distinguishes between sexual assault, rape, and sexual violence, Hungary’s penal code refers only to “sexual violence”. As a result, it is difficult to make a direct comparison between Hungary and its European counterparts.
Nevertheless, Hungary’s reported rate of sexual violence (6.06 per 100,000) in 2022 is far from the lowest in Europe. This discrepancy highlights the challenges of comparing crime rates across countries with differing legal systems and reporting practices.
Perception vs. reality
The subjective sense of safety among Hungarians also tells a different story. In a survey by Hungary’s Central Statistical Office (KSH), residents were asked how safe they felt walking alone in their neighbourhoods after dark. While many respondents reported feeling safe, Hungary’s ranking in broader European studies has slipped in recent years.
For example, Hungary has dropped four places on an EU-wide list measuring public perceptions of crime, vandalism, and violence, falling from 5th place in 2020 to 9th in 2023. The percentage of people reporting security concerns rose from 5.3% to 6.1% during the same period.
The global picture
Adding further complexity, Hungary ranked 14th on the 2024 Global Peace Index (GPI), which measures safety and security on a global scale. While this seems positive, it should be noted that several European countries outperform Hungary. On the European list, Hungary ranks only 10th, not the highest as Orbán’s statements might suggest.
Conclusion
Although Hungary has made progress in reducing certain types of crime, particularly robberies, it is far from being the safest country in Europe as Viktor Orbán frequently claims. Whether intentional or not, these statements overlook key data points that paint a more balanced, if less glowing, picture of the country’s safety.
Wizz Air announced that they would not launch flights to Tel-Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport until next January because of the security situation in the Middle East. Meanwhile, a Kazakh airline may come to Budapest with additional routes to Munich, Riga, and Vienna.
According to airportal.hu, Wizz Air prolonged the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until 14 January 2025, due to the security situation in the Middle East. The Hungarian budget airline offers 100% refund for its passengers in credits or cash. Another option for passengers affected is to book a flight to a different destination. However, if passengers bought their tickets via a third party, they should enquire about compensation or rebooking at the seller.
No flights to Tel Aviv until January. Photo: FB/Wizz Air
Kazakh airlines may fly to Budapest
Meanwhile, a Kazakh airline is keen to come to Budapest Airport. According to Budflyer, a Hungarian travel news media outlet, the aviation authorities of Kazakhstan and the European Union are working to increase the number of flights between the EU and the Central Asian country in the medium term. The Kazakh civic aviation authority (CAC) talked about the negotiations and plans to press.
According to their statement, the new flights would commute from Kazakhstan to Budapest, Riga, Munich, and Vienna. However, they did not share an exact date or the name of the airlines interested in the project. In the region, SCAT Airlines returned to Prague with flights to and from Astana.
Astana, Kazakhstan. Source: Pixabay
Previously, a direct Wizz Air flight carried passengers between Astana and Budapest. However, it had to be closed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war following it.
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German Lufthansa denied 128 Jewish passengers boarding a plane from Frankfurt to Budapest because they treated them as a single group and some were allegedly misbehaving. Now, they will pay USD 4 million, the largest penalty ever issued against an airline for civil rights violations.
Lufthansa denied boarding Jewish passengers
According to Reuters, the incident happened in May 2022. The German airline denied 128 Jewish passengers wearing traditional Orthodox Jewish garments to board their connecting flight from Frankfurt to Budapest. The passengers came from New York, and some of them allegedly behaved inappropriately. Since Lufthansa treated them as a group, all were denied boarding the plane. However, most passengers did not know each other, and only a few did not follow crew instructions.
Now, Lufthansa will have to pay the highest penalty imposed on an airline for breaching civil rights in the United States. They will pay USD 2 million to the country’s transport ministry and another USD 2 million to compensate the passengers.
Lufthansa aircraft in Budapest. Photo: FB
“Unfortunate series of inaccurate communications”
Interestingly, Lufthansa did not admit any discrimination or violations and insisted that more than 60 Jewish men were disregarding crew instructions. However, they apologised for treating the individuals as a group. They said the incident “resulted from an unfortunate series of inaccurate communications, misinterpretations, and misjudgments throughout the decision-making process.”
Lufthansa said they cooperated with the Department of Transportation (USDOT) after 2022, partnered with the American Jewish Committee and began “a first-of-its-kind training program in the airline industry for our managers and employees to address antisemitism and discrimination.”
Photo: Creative Commons
Why do Orthodox Jews come to Hungary?
Reuters did not write about why 128 Orthodox Jewish men decided to come to Hungary. We only assume they came because of an annual pilgrimage, so their final destination was not Budapest but Bodrogkeresztúr. The tiny Hungarian village is located near the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region and hosts the tomb of a so-called “miracle Rabbi”, Shaya’la, or Yeshaya Steiner, who died there in 1925.
In 2023, more than 70,000 Hasidic Jewish pilgrims visited the village. We wrotebefore that locals are concerned about the many tourists who drive up real estate prices in the settlement. Furthermore, Rabbi Rubin, the grandson of the “miracle Rabbi” thinks many Jews are considering moving back to Bodrogkeresztúr.
“It will be like going back to the past, going back to the days before the Holocaust when many Jews were living in the villages in the area. I think I’m too old to see that, but my sons will be here soon to take my place,” said Rabbi Rubin.
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Russian politicians and military leaders regularly threaten NATO with war. As a result, Washington decided to expand their military base in Kecskemét to accommodate nuclear-capable fighter jets. Will there be nuclear weapons stored in Hungary? It happened before during the Soviet occupation of our country, but can Hungary store nuclear warheads again for a great power?
Helló Magyar wrote about the secret nuclear weapons store in the Bakony Mountains in Hungary where the Soviet leadership placed atomic bombs in the 1960s. The so-called Little Moscow was like a separate Soviet state inside Hungary until the fall of communism. Even Hungarian officers were not allowed to enter. The Soviet crew there had their shops, stores, healthcare units, schools, daycare, etc.
The Soviet Union stored more than 100 nuclear warheads in Hungary
As a result, the base remained secret, and nobody knows even today how many nuclear warheads Moscow kept there. In addition, we do not know what types were stored in the Bakony Mountains. We only know that the Hungarian militarydid not have access to those weapons of mass destruction. In case of a world war, the Soviet Union would have used them.
A B-52H Stratofortress in Hungary. Photo: Facebook
In 1989-1990, the Soviet army smuggled out the nuclear weapons in secret. The last Soviet soldier left the country on 19 June 1991. Interestingly, the last Soviet officer leaving Hungary was a Ukrainian national, Lieutenant General Silov.
In 1997, Hungary joined NATO, and several NATObases were created where, for example, the United States stores weapons, aircraft, etc. One of them is near Kecskemét, Central Hungary.
Will Washington send nuclear weapons to Hungary?
The Telegraph wrotethat – due to the threats of Russia – they plan to expand their Kecskemét base and would like to store nuclear-capable jets. According to the British magazine, the immediate cause is that Washington believes Russia will be ready for war by the end of this decade. Therefore, America would like to enhance their deterrence forces in the area. According to 24.hu, Washington plans to place tactical fighters and strategic military transport planes in Kecskemét.
The Hungarian media outlet asked the Ministry of Defence whether they authorised the United States to place and store nuclear weapons in Hungary. The ministry’s answer was clear: no such bid came from Washington. They added that delivering, placing or storing nuclear weapons in Hungary is forbidden without the authorisation of the Hungarian government and the National Assembly. The Hungarian government has not issued such a permit and does not plan to do so.
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A 41-year-old Hungarian national was critically injured after a physical altercation in front of a club in Altötting, South Germany, last Sunday. Unfortunately, the doctors in the local hospital could not save his life.
Hungarian man died in Germany
According to a statement from the Bavarian police, the public prosecutor’s office and the criminal police are now investigating what happened. They accuse two people of manslaughter and another one of attempted manslaughter and aggravated assault. The local police are searching for witnesses to clear the exact circumstances. All three suspects are in custody.
What happened in front of the Altöttinger Club?
Two groups were involved in a brawl in front of the Altöttinger Club on Marien Street at 2 AM on Sunday. Policebelieve that three Hungarian nationals took part in the fight with the club’s security crew. The ultimate reason was that the club banned all three Hungarians before, and the security forces did not let them in.
Members of the two groups of people attacked each other during the brawl. A 33-year-old Hungarian citizen was seriously injured by violent kicks to the head. Furthermore, a 38-year-old German citizen was wounded by a knife stab in the upper body area. Meanwhile, a 41-year-old Hungarian citizen suffered life-threatening injuries from numerous violent kicks on the upper body and head area. Unfortunately, his life could not be saved in the local hospital.
German police in search for witnesses
The local police arrested a 22-year-old Hungarian national for stabbing a German citizen with a knife. Two Germans were also arrested for beating, kicking the Hungarians and causing the death of one of them. The three main suspects are in different facilities.
To clarify the exact circumstances of the crime, the police are now searching for eye-witnesses, particularly, among the club guests and people living in the vicinity.
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