Festival prices skyrocketing in Hungary

SZIN last year. Photo: FB/ Szegedi Ifjúsági Napok – SZIN

The price increase rate in Hungary concerning festivals is between 30 and 60 percent. However, you will not only have to pay much more for the tickets but also for food and drinks. That is one of the side effects of one of Europe’s highest inflation rates. The government hopes that number will be one-digit again by this year’s end, but that will not help festival goers in the summer. Of course, for foreigners getting their salaries in euro, it will be worth it to come to Hungary. For them, even the most expensive festival, Budapest’s Sziget, will be cheap.

According to Blikk, there are festivals in Hungary where passes became 57 percent more expensive compared to their 2022 price. There is only one exception. Only Strand Festival (Zamárdi, Lake Balaton) kept its HUF 36,990 (EUR 100) price, but this year, it will be only 3 days long instead of four.

Sziget Festival

In 2022, daily tickets started from HUF 28,000. In 2023, they will begin at HUF 34,000 (EUR 92). Interestingly, prices change on each festival day. For example, when Billie Eilish or the Imagine Dragons come, the entrance fee is HUF 42,000 (EUR 113.5). Thankfully, price reductions are regular, so you should check out THEIR WEBSITE. Currently, the 6-day full festival pass costs EUR 365.

The festival’s press chief, Viktória Vető, told Blikk that every sector raised prices. All contractors, suppliers and energy providers need more money for their services. She added that Sziget Festival prices are not higher than other similar international festivals. Furthermore, they offer reductions for Hungarian students. Moreover, from 11 PM to 6 AM, you can enter for half price. That is when the so-called “tent programs” take place.

Food and drink prices were shocking last year at the Sziget. Hamburger prices began at HUF 4,500 (EUR 12.1), and a slice of pizza at HUF 1,990 (EUR 5.4). A cocktail will cost at least HUF 4,000 (EUR 11). This year, the organisers prescribed that there has to be at least one budget food at each place for no more than HUF 2,500 (EUR 6.76). One of the popular Hungarian supermarket chains will also be at the festival with a shop. Sziget developed some services, established new flush toilets, and created new designs, sound and light techniques. The festival will take place between 10-15 August.

Balaton Sound

Balaton Sound will be held between 28 June and 1 July. Entrance ticket prices started from HUF 21,900 in 2022, but this year they will begin from HUF 34,000 (EUR 91.9). Pass prices went up by 40 percent, from HUF 70,900 to HUF 99,000 (EUR 267). HERE you can find every information.

Meanwhile, all prices at Lake Balaton skyrocketed. Hotels are 15 percent more expensive, and you must pay 10 percent more for food.

FEZEN, Campus

In the case of FEZEN (Székesfehérvár), pass prices went up by 57 percent. In 2022, the pass cost HUF 23,490. This year it will be HUF 36,990 (EUR 100). Daily tickets started at HUF 11,490 in 2022, but this year, they are HUF 15,990. In the case of Debrecen’s Campus Festival, prices increased by 47 percent. No daily tickets are available below HUF 17,990 (EUR 48.6).

Fishing on Orfű, cultural festivals, Bánkitó, food, drinks

Interestingly, small festivals are also very popular in Hungary. Tickets for Fishing on Orfű (near the Northern slopes of the Mecsek mountains) were bought up in the first months of 2023. HERE is the price list. In the case of the daily tickets, the price rise was almost 100 percent compared to 2022. In the case of the Bánkitó Festival, last year’s HUF 28,500 pass price increased to HUF 37,500 (EUR 101).

Cultural festivals like the Valley of Arts (Művészetek Völgye), close to Veszprém, and the Ördögkatlan will also be more expensive than in 2022. You can find a price comparison chart in Blikk’s article.

Dr Róbert Richárd Kiss, a tourist expert, said the price rise of drinks and foods would be between 15 and 25 percent on the festivals. That means Sziget’s pizza slice will cost HUF 2,500 (EUR 6.76), while a can of beer will be around EUR 4.60 this summer.