With Hungary’s national holiday on 23 October commemorating the 1956 Revolution, most shops across the country will be closed. However, for the rest of the week, normal opening hours will resume. While many larger retail chains will shut their doors on this day, some stores will still be open for those in need of essentials. Here’s what you need to know.
Closed stores on 23 October
Major supermarket chains such as Lidl, Aldi, Tesco, Auchan, Penny, SPAR, INTERSPAR, and Metro will remain closed on 23 October. However, these chains will operate as usual on 22 October, and from 24 to 27 October, according to their standard hours.
For stores under the CBA, Coop, and Real banners, opening hours may vary depending on location. It is recommended to check with individual outlets for details regarding their schedule on 23 October, Világgazdaság reports.
Which stores will be open?
Photo: Facebook/MOL
Despite the closures, some businesses will remain open, ensuring that essential services are still available during the holiday. You can expect the following to stay open on 23 October:
Gas stations
Pharmacies operating on duty rosters
Independent flower shops
Newsstands
Sweet shops
Restaurants and entertainment venues
Small family-owned stores and tobacco shops, where the owner or a family member is working.
Additionally, shops located at gas stations, such as SPAR, Tesco, and Fresh Corner, will be open, and many 24/7 convenience stores will also continue to operate.
Upcoming daylight saving time change
As Mindemegette writes in its article, shortly, we will be switching to winter time. On the night of 26 to 27 October, we will set our clocks back one hour, from 3 AM to 2 AM.
Public transportation – train, HÉV and bus schedules – in Hungary will be modified on 23 October due to the national holiday. On this day, trains will operate on a special holiday timetable, while regional bus services will follow Sunday and public holiday schedules, according to a statement by MÁV, the national railway company.
Trains
For train routes such as Budapest to Debrecen, Nyíregyháza, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Keszthely, Békéscsaba, Szeged, Veszprém, Zalaegerszeg, and Pécs, MÁV plans to add extra train cars based on pre-sales of seat reservations, MÁV reports. The company also stated that additional carriages may be deployed as needed, depending on passenger demand and the availability of vehicles.
HÉV and bus schedules
Source: Volánbusz/FB
Regarding buses, services will follow holiday timetables on 23 October, and travellers should note that shops and shopping centres will be closed, meaning buses serving these destinations will also operate on their holiday bus schedules.
In addition, travellers should be aware of potential traffic disruptions in certain towns and cities due to holiday events.
HÉV suburban trains will also run according to the holiday schedule on all lines. Detailed information on bus services can be found on the Volánbusz website, while HÉV timetables are available on the BKK website.
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.
This weekend, the Keleti railway station will be the backdrop for a film shoot, leading to several temporary closures. Passengers are assigned diversion routes, which are indicated by signs.
Filming at Keleti railway station
As announced by MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) late Friday evening via MTI, the iconic Lotz Hall will be off-limits to passengers from 6 AM on Saturday, 19 October, until 8 PM on Sunday. Additionally, the platform for Track 6, from its end to the postal corridor, will be closed from 6 PM on Saturday until 4 AM on Sunday, Economx reports.
Passengers will need to follow clearly marked detour routes. The first five tracks can be accessed from Thököly Road through the hallway adjacent to the post office, according to the announcement. Tracks 6-9 in the main hall will remain accessible via the main entrance or through a passageway leading near the end of Track 6 from Thököly Road.
The Passenger Service Center will continue to operate as usual, reachable from the main entrance, the metro, and Kerepesi Road.
Detourst at Keleti railway station this weekend. Photo: MÁV
Due to extensive flood damage, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) has announced that international rail travel is changing crucially due to the rail line between Vienna and Salzburg requiring months of repairs, significantly altering international train schedules starting from 10 October, according to Mávinform.
Rail travel beyond Vienna impossible
Trains that typically run beyond Vienna to destinations such as Salzburg, Munich, and Zurich will now terminate in Vienna. As a result, direct rail travel beyond the Austrian capital is no longer possible, and passengers will need to transfer to other trains to reach their final destinations., Mávinform reports. Due to flood-related damage in the area between Vienna and Sankt Pölten, restrictions have been imposed, and the timetable has undergone substantial modifications.
Flood disrupts international rail travel significantly. Photo: FB/MÁV
Travellers from Budapest should expect changes
From Budapest, all Railjet trains will operate only as far as Vienna, and Railjets from destinations beyond Vienna will depart from there when heading towards Budapest. Despite this, hourly Railjet services will continue between Vienna and Salzburg, but travellers can expect an additional travel time of 30–60 minutes due to transfers and schedule changes.
The Kálmán Imre EuroNight train will continue to operate its full route without requiring transfers (except on 12th and 19th October). The train departs Keleti station at 19:40, one hour earlier than usual, en route to Salzburg. Meanwhile, the Railjet service, which normally departs Keleti at 19:40 for Vienna, will depart one hour later, at 20:40. For the return journey, the Kálmán Imre EuroNight will depart Salzburg at 7:40 instead of the usual 6:40, arriving at Keleti station at 10:19 (except on 13th and 20th October). The morning Railjet from Vienna will leave one hour earlier, at 6:40, and arrive at Keleti station at 9:19.
Temporary timetable to remain for quite a while
The temporary ÖBB schedule, which includes these restrictions, will remain in place from 10th October until 14th December. On certain days, international train services may operate with additional schedule or route changes. Detailed timetable changes for Hungarian-Austrian long-distance trains can be accessed via this PDF file, and ÖBB provides further information about the modified service on its website.
Budapest is set to introduce a new type of bus service, responding directly to passenger needs by offering flexible routes. The Budapest Transport Company (BKK) will be the first in Hungary to create and test a demand-driven, dynamic transit system.
BKK to introduce a flexible bus service
The innovation behind the proposed Telebus service lies in its lack of a fixed route. Instead, passengers will specify their pick-up and drop-off locations when booking, and the bus’s route will be optimised in real-time using software to meet these requests.
BKK will be the first in Hungary to create and test a demand-driven, dynamic transit system. Photo: depositphotos.com
According to BKK, this new Telebus line is expected to launch in 2025 under the number 274, Pénzcentrum writes. It will follow a scheduled departure from Cinkota HÉV station, continuing along Ostoros Street and Bóbitás Street, before transitioning into a flexible-route area. If a request is made, the bus will pass through Menyhért Street, Monoki Street, and Muzsika Street, stopping at the Muzsika Street bus stop, served by the 31 bus. Within the flexible area, the bus won’t follow a predetermined route but will instead adjust to demand, serving key streets based on requests for pick-up or drop-off.
First of its kind
The first year of operation will serve as a test phase, with buses running at approximately 30-minute intervals. The service will connect to the H8 and H9 HÉV trains at Cinkota and to the 31 bus at Muzsika Street.
The 274 bus will not travel along a fixed route within the designated area but will instead navigate the streets pre-selected for potential stops, based on passenger demand. These pick-up and drop-off points won’t be traditional bus stops but will be marked locations along streets or at intersections, allowing passengers to board or alight from buses arriving from any direction.
BKK has initiated a public consultation process regarding the proposed 274 bus route and is seeking feedback from local residents and stakeholders through an online survey, available on their public consultation website.
Drivers and public transport users should brace for significant disruptions in Budapest this weekend due to two major events: the 39th SPAR Budapest Marathon and the UEFA Nations League football match between Hungary and the Netherlands at Puskás Arena.
The Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) has issued warnings about extensive road closures and public transport adjustments from Friday to Sunday.
Marathon-related closures
The SPAR Budapest Marathon will lead to restrictions on Saturday near the Buda lower and upper embankments, as well as the Chain Bridge. On Sunday morning and early afternoon, closures will extend along the Danube between the Rákóczi and Árpád Bridges. Starting from 9 AM on Friday, 11 October, Pázmány Péter Promenade in the 11th district will be closed until Sunday. During the races on Saturday and Sunday, from approximately 9 AM to 4 PM, various streets, squares, and bridges will be inaccessible, Economx reports.
Key areas affected include Bem Embankment, Buda Lower Embankment, Műegyetem Embankment, sections of the Pest Lower Embankment, as well as Clark Ádám Square, Fővám Square, and Szent Gellért Square.
Public transport routes will also be adjusted throughout the weekend, with details available on the BKK website and the BudapestGO app. Additionally, the BKK mobile customer service point will be open on Pázmány Péter Promenade from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM on both Saturday and Sunday for ticket and pass purchases and customer assistance.
Spar Budapest Marathon in 2023. Photo: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert
Football match-related closures
Adding to the weekend’s traffic chaos, the Hungary-Netherlands UEFA Nations League football match at Puskás Arena will bring further road closures. The match kicks off at 8:45 PM on Friday, 11 October, but road restrictions around the stadium will begin as early as 6 PM, Economx writes in another article.
Access to the stadium will be from Dózsa György Road and Stefánia Road. Fans are encouraged to use public transport, especially the more frequent services on Metro lines 2 and 4, and tram line 1, as parking options around the arena are very limited.
From 6 PM to 11:30 PM, Dózsa György Road will be closed between Thököly Road and Kerepesi Road, along with Verseny Street and Istvánmezei Road. Additionally, from 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM, Stefánia Road will be closed between Thököly Road and Hungária Boulevard, and Ifjúság Road will be inaccessible between Kerepesi and Stefánia Roads.
Public transport changes during the match
Photo: BKK/Facebook
Several bus and trolleybus routes will also be affected:
The 30 bus will detour via Thököly Road and Dózsa György Road, bypassing the Verseny Street stop.
Trolleybus lines 75 and 75A will run to Keleti Station instead of Puskás Ferenc Stadium and Kőbánya alsó Station, bypassing stops between Ötvenhatosok Square and Kőbánya alsó.
The 77 trolleybus will run along Hungária Boulevard instead of Stefánia Road, with stops near Puskás Arena relocated to Hungária Boulevard.
Buses 95, 130, and 195 will not stop at their usual terminus near Puskás Arena and Kerepesi Road.
Due to resurfacing works, drivers should expect new lane closures on the Hungarian motorway M0 between the M3 motorway and the Megyeri Bridge, starting the evening of Friday, 11 October 2024. The works, set to continue until 18 October 2024, will be marked by advance warning signs. Travellers in the area should prepare for speed limits and longer travel times due to the restrictions.
Key Hungarian motorway M0 sees lane closures
During the next phase of the M0 motorway resurfacing project, from Friday evening, 11 October, until Sunday evening, 13 October, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in the direction of the M5 motorway over the M3 section of the M0 motorway. From Sunday evening, 13 October, until the following Friday evening, 18 October, traffic heading towards the Megyeri Bridge will also be reduced to one lane near the M2 motorway junction, Pénzcentrum reports.
Additionally, between Monday evening, 14 October, and Thursday evening, 17 October, the outer lane will be closed on the M0 motorway heading toward the M5 motorway, just before the Dunakeszi South junction (exit 73). Importantly, these lane closures will not affect the on-ramps or exits on the M0 motorway.
Drivers are advised to check the latest traffic updates related to the works and restrictions before setting out. Information is available from the Hungarian Public Roads Company’s Útinformservice, and using navigation or traffic apps can help drivers find the best routes during the disruptions.
The car-free weekend in Budapest was postponed due to the historic flood following the raging of Cyclone Boris in Central Europe. The new date is 5 and 6 October, which means lots of traffic restrictions for drivers in the downtown. Furthermore, due to the disarmament of a WWII explosive, half of South Pest will also be closed to public transport and cars. Be careful on the roads!
Budapest traffic in the downtown will be challenging this weekend
According to Telex, the car-free weekend in Budapest will start today and last until tomorrow since it had to be postponed due to the Danube flood. As a result, the Szabadság Bridge, the Vámház Promenade until Lónyay Street and the Pest lower embankment between the Margaret Bridge and the Közraktár Street will be closed to car traffic.
In addition, trams nr 47, 48, and 49 will not commute this weekend. You may use trams 61 or 56A instead of them. BKKalso recommends the use of M4 metro line, bus lines 7 and 133E, metro line M3 and bus lines 9 and 15 this weekend.
Tram nr 47 will not commute this weekend. Photo: depositphotos.com
BKK welcomes guests with numerous open-air programmes in connection to the European Mobility Week and the car-free weekend. For example, there will be a Food Truck Show until 10 PM on Saturday and 8 PM on Sunday. You can try some historic trams in front of Budapest’s Great Market Hall. Below, you may find a map showing the program venues. Unfortunately, it is in Hungarian, just like the detailed programme, which you can check out HERE.
Photo: bkk.hu
WWII bomb disarmament paralyses traffic in South Pest, changes train traffic to Vienna
Authorities found a WWII bomb near the Southern railway bridge in Budapest, close to the Hungarian National Theatre. Experts decided to disarm it on Saturday afternoon, which seriously affects traffic since police will close the area and evacuate all residents. Moreover, you will not be able to use the Rákóczi Bridge, some bus lines commuting on Soroksári Street, and suburban railway line H6, Világgazdaság wrote.
The Southern Connecting Railway Bridge will be closed for traffic. Photo: www.facebook.com/vitezydavid
Furthermore, trains will not commute on that line between noon and 4 PM. As a result, trains via Győr to Vienna or Pécs will begin the journey from Kelenföld station in Buda. The same goes for passenger trains G43 and S36. The suburban railway line will carry passengers between Ráckeve and Kén Street between 10 AM and 4 PM. The Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) recommends that passengers access Kelenföld railway station with the M4 metro line. BKK will accept valid train tickets between 10 AM and 5 PM on metro line M3 between Kőbánya-Kispest and Kálvin Square stations on metro line M4 and tram line 1 between Népliget and Kelenföld stations.
Read also:
Brand-new Spanish trams come to Budapest, public bike system to be renewed, extended – read more HERE
Concrete repair work is set to begin on the M31 motorway heading towards Gödöllő, just before the M31-M3 junction. The project, announced by Hungarian Public Roads Nonprofit Plc. (Magyar Közút), will see traffic disruptions lasting for approximately two weeks, with diversions being put in place starting today.
From Monday until the completion of the repairs, expected by 15 October, the deceleration lane leading from the M31 to the M3 motorway will be closed, and traffic will be reduced to a single lane, Portfolio reports.
Despite the lane closure, access to the M3 and the exit towards Gödöllő will remain open, according to Magyar Közút.
Drivers are advised to expect speed limits and longer travel times on the M31 during the construction period, the announcement added.
Summer weather keeps shrinking to smaller and smaller areas in Hungary. On Saturday, the Hungarian Meteorological Service issued a first-level, yellow alert across the country.
“In the affected regions, the primary threat is lightning, though strong winds and hailstorms may also occur in some cases. If HungaroMet withdraws the first-level alert or escalates it to a second-level warning, we will issue a new announcement,” HungaroMet stated.
The service also shared a post on Facebook. It explained that after the massive rainfall across Central Europe, the summer-like weather in Hungary is now limited to smaller areas as a rain zone gradually takes over most of the country. On Saturday, temperatures in the eastern border region still reached 28-29°C, but rain and cooler weather are expected to arrive there soon as well.
Budapest tram line nr 2, one the world’s most spectacular public transport lines, has become fully operational again since today dawn. Almost all restrictions have been abolished this week after the peaking of the Danube flood, but some popular Budapest parks will remain closed to the public until next week.
Budapest tram line nr 2 is back in service on the entire line
According to index.hu, trams 2, 2B and 23 commute again on their entire line, since authorities could pump the floodwater from the tunnels yesterday. Consequently, tram nr 2 carries passengers again between the Jászai Mari Square and the Közvágóhíd suburban railway (HÉV) stations. Tram line 2B operates again between Jászai Mari Square and Pesterzsébet, Pacsirtatelep, while you can use tram nr 23 between Jászai Mari Square and the Keleti railway station.
Earlier this week, authorities reopened the M2 metro station of Batthyány Square, suburban railway H5 begins its journey to Szentendre from Batthyány Square, and the Danube embankments were reopened yesterday. Moreover, bikers can use the lanes near the River Danube on the Buda sides, including the underpasses at Clark Ádám Square and the Margaret Bridge.
As Mayor Gergely Karácsony wrote before, the reopenings were preceded by thorough cleaning since the floodwater carried bacteria potentially causing life-threatening diseases like diarrhoea and sepsis.
Driftwood cleaning in Budapest. Photo: FB/Karácsony
Some restrictions concerning popular parks remain in effect
However, some traffic restrictions remain in effect. For example, trams 4 and 6 will not stop at Margaret Island station. Furthermore, buses nr 26 and 226 will not commute because the island is closed to traffic. Buses 34 and 934 will not touch several stations on Emőd Street, Királyok Street and Pünkösdfürdő Street, BKK wrote.
The Margaret Island, the Hajógyári Island, and the Népsziget, all north of the Margaret Bridge, will remain closed to passengers and pedestrians, as well. MOL Bubi public bikes cannot be used at Margaret Island, Hajós Alfréd Swimming Pool, Palatinus Beach, and the Music Fountain stations. Of course, Palatinus Beach also remains closed.
PHOTOS: No more sandbags needed on Margaret Island but the place remains closed to the public this week:
Margaret Island, Budapest. Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
According to infostart.hu, Margaret Island, Óbuda Island and Római Beach will reopen to the public next week. The reason is that the ground is too wet and there is a risk that some trees out of the more than 7,000 (weighing 10-20-30 tonnes each) may come down. Therefore, we have to wait until it dries out completely. According to meteorologists, strong winds are expected in the next few days when the canopies of the trees act like sails.
Margaret Island, a green oasis in the downtown. Photo: Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sándor Bardóczi, the Chief Landscape Architect of Budapest, said no trees have come down yet on Margaret Island, but that is not true for Római Beach, so we should be careful. Authorities will not open the beach and the Óbuda Island to the public until the ground gets dry enough. Mr Bardóczi said the islands might reopen next week, but the experts of Főkert will decide on the issue.
Read also:
Hungary’s busiest motorways to Austria, Lake Balaton to become 4-lane – read more HERE
Good news for drivers: Danube embankments reopenedin Budapest – PHOTOS
On Saturday, the Danube reached its highest level in Budapest at 5 AM with 830 centimetres, according to the latest data from 8 AM. It has been receding since then.
Danube peaks in Budapest at dawn
The water management authority’s freshest figures indicate that between 7 and 8 AM, the river dropped by 2 centimeters in the capital. The river peaked around 5 AM at 830 centimeters, with 827 centimeters measured by 8 AM, Infostart reports. This marks the fourth-highest flood level ever recorded in Budapest, surpassing the 2010 flood by a few centimeters on its final day.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán inspects flood protection work on the Danube from a motorboat in Budapest on 21 September 2024. Photo: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Fischer Zoltán
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán mentioned in his flood briefing that riverbanks could reopen as early as next week, but the water level decline is expected to be slow.
According to the water management website, the water level could drop to 620 centimeters by 25 September, at which point traffic along the riverbanks may resume, greatly improving the city’s transportation flow.
Further up the river, near Göd, the Danube is also receding. As local reports mentioned, by 9 AM, the water had dropped by 4 centimeters from its 2 AM peak, though the recession there remains sluggish as well.
Budapest is bracing for a chaotic weekend as two major events collide: rising water levels from the Danube are already impacting several parts of the city, and Ricky Martin’s much-anticipated concert at Heroes’ Square on Saturday will bring additional traffic disruptions and public transport changes. These combined factors are expected to significantly affect mobility across the capital, especially in areas near the event.
Budapest to face major traffic and public transport changes
According to the Budapest Transport Center (BKK), extensive road closures and detours will be in place around Heroes’ Square in preparation for the event. BKK advises concertgoers and locals to use public transportation where possible and specifically recommends the M1 metro line, which will be operating with increased frequency throughout the weekend to help manage the crowds, SzeretlekMagyarország writes.
Starting on Thursday at 6 PM, road closures will begin along the service roads of Andrássy Avenue, between Bajza Street and Dózsa György Road. These closures will remain in effect until Sunday at 4:30 AM. However, the most significant disruptions will occur between Saturday at 10 AM and Sunday at noon, when traffic will be completely halted in the vicinity of Heroes’ Square. This will include the closure of Kós Károly Promenade, Olof Palme Promenade, and large portions of Dózsa György Road between Városligeti Fasor and Podmaniczky Street.
In addition, Andrássy Avenue itself, from Bajza Street to Dózsa György Road, will be off-limits to all traffic during this period. These closures are expected to create severe delays, especially for those who rely on these routes for their daily commute or for accessing popular areas like Városliget.
Public transport will also see widespread changes during the weekend. From Saturday at 10 AM to Sunday at noon, several bus and trolleybus routes will operate on a detour, with temporary stops replacing the usual ones in the affected areas. The 105 and 210B buses, which normally travel down Andrássy Avenue, will be rerouted to Podmaniczky Street, bypassing Bajza Street and Heroes’ Square entirely. Instead, they will stop at temporary stations along Podmaniczky Street after the Lendvay Street intersection and near Szondi Street in the direction of Buda.
Similarly, bus 20E will be rerouted via Hungária Boulevard, avoiding Heroes’ Square altogether, and buses 30, 30A, 79, and 230 will travel along alternative routes through Zichy Mihály Street, Hermina Road, and Gundel Károly Road. Passengers on these buses will need to use the stops usually served by trolleybus 72 between Dvorák Promenade and Gundel Károly Road near Heroes’ Square.
Trolleybus services will be affected as well. Both the 75 and 75A trolleybuses will detour onto Hermina Road and Gundel Károly Road, using trolleybus 72’s stops between Ajtósi Dürer Row and Heroes’ Square. In the late evening, additional detours will be in place for night buses. Bus 979, for instance, will be diverted through Városliget via Bajza Street and Damjanich Street, temporarily stopping at the usual stations served by trolleybus 70.
On Sunday, the 979 bus will operate on a shortened route, only running between Csepel, Csillagtelep, and Oktogon, meaning passengers will need to adjust their travel plans accordingly.
Given the extent of these disruptions, the BKK urges passengers to plan their journeys in advance. The BudapestGO app is highly recommended for real-time public transport updates and route planning. Not only does the app provide live information on route changes and delays, but it also allows users to purchase tickets and passes directly from their phones, streamlining the process for those navigating the city during this busy weekend.
For those travelling by car, the BKK Info website will continuously update information on road closures and detours, helping drivers find the best alternative routes to their destinations. Additionally, the BKK Info – Közút platform will offer updated road traffic information throughout the weekend to assist drivers in managing the heavy traffic conditions expected across the city.
This weekend’s disruptions serve as a reminder to travellers to allow extra time for their journeys, whether attending the Ricky Martin concert or just navigating the city. With the combination of flood-related issues and event-related closures, Budapest will likely experience significant congestion and delays throughout the weekend.
The Budapest Transport Centre announced multiple changes concerning the Hungarian capital’s public transport system due to the peaking Danube. The authorities will close a busy metro station, and modify tram routes nr 1, 4, and 6. PM Viktor Orbán said at a today press briefing that the situation is “serious”, but Hungary is safe. The capital’s mayor, Gergely Karácsony, wrote in a Facebook post that they prepared Budapest for a 9-metre-high peaking.
According to Szeretlek Magyarország, BKK closed the passenger underpass on Clark Ádám Square yesterday. Such closures would continue in the next few days as the water level rises. Trams nr. 4 and 6 will commute more frequently, like trams on line 1. However, from today, tram nr 2 will carry passengers on a shorter route: it will commute only between the Kossuth Lajos Square (where the Hungarian Parliament is) and the Jászai Mari Square.
Photo: FB/Gergely Karácsony
BKKsaid they would probably close the Battyány Square metro station on Friday. Metro trains will touch the station but will not stop there. Furthermore, authorities will place sandbags at the stairs of the H5 suburban railway underpass of the Batthyány Square and Margaret Bridge stations, so people will not be able to use them. Click HEREfor additional traffic restrictions introduced because of the flood.
Photo: FB/Gergely Karácsony
Photo: FB/Gergely Karácsony
Photo: FB/Gergely Karácsony
Photo: FB/Gergely Karácsony
Mayor Karácsony warned potential ‘disaster tourists’
Gergely Karácsony, Budapest’s mayor, wrotein a Facebook post that they had prepared the city for a 9-metre-high peaking. He added that authorities finished 90% of the temporary dams and placed more than 500 thousand sandbags. Therefore, Budapest is ready for the peak.
Karácsony said they would like to protect the capital not only from the water but also from infections. Therefore, they increased the concentration of free chloride in the drinking water. It may happen that a further increase will be necessary later. Authorities began to operate a pump at the Buda side of the Chain Bridge. He also asked everybody not to get too close to the Danube. “No photo exists that is worth more than the people’s and Budapest’s safety”, he concluded.
Photo: FB/Gergely Karácsony
Photo: FB/Gergely Karácsony
Photo: FB/Gergely Karácsony
According to infostart.hu, the Danube will peak in Budapest on Saturday at 850 cm, 41 cm lower than the 2013 level. However, the flood will only leave the country a week later. Thus, the dams will be under pressure for long. The peaking of the Danube already started in Nagybajcs at 850-855 cm. In 2013, that level was 908 cm. Gabriella Siklós, a spokeswoman for the General Directorate of Water Management, saida lot depends on how swiftly the snow would melt in Austria. For example, in Pozsony, the Danube is peaking for the second time.
Despite the seriousness of the flood, Hungary is safe, with sufficient equipment and manpower assigned to protection, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told a press conference on Thursday. Defence lines have been raised to 9m on the full length of the protection area in Budapest, above the highest ever flood levels in the city, Orbán said. The weakest points, Margaret Island in the city centre and the neighbourhood of Batthyány Square on the Buda side, have also been fortified successfully, he said. Meanwhile, defence lines have been finished north of the capital in Dunabogdány and Tahitótfalu, and almost done at Leányfalu, Orbán said.
Sections of Road 2, leading north from Budapest along the Danube, will probably have to be closed on Friday, Orbán said. Kismaros, north of Budapest, was in a critical situation on Wednesday, but protection levels were on 100 percent there too, thanks to a deployment of the Armed Forces, he added. Barring unexpected events, the flood will leave Hungary with the Danube confined and kept between its barriers, Orbán said.
Stretch of areas under flood defence extended
The stretch of areas put under flood defence operations had to be extended, PM Orbán told a press conference on Thursday morning, on the seventh day of flood prevention in Hungary. The Danube is expected to recede slowly, he said, adding that no rain was in the forecast for the Austrian section of the river over the next seven days. The Danube is expected to peak on Thursday in the Dunaremete region, at Mosonmagyaróvár, in north-western Hungary, Orbán added.
Szentendre. Source: MTI
The Lajta (Leitha) river is expected to peak at Mosonmagyarovar on Thursday morning at a record water level, Orbán said. He said monitoring of the flood situation in Austria was continuous where the rivers were receding slowly. “It is important to keep an eye on slow receding because most flood damage occur during those periods,” he said. The stretch of areas put under flood defence operations has been extended by 70 kilometres, the prime minister said.
Peak flood expected to leave Hungary by mid-next week
The flood of the Danube is expected to peak in Budapest on Saturday night, and the brunt of the wave will pass Hungary by the middle of next week, PM Orbán told a press conference on Thursday. The river’s Budapest embankments could be open to traffic around the middle of next week, he said.
The number of professionals working in flood prevention in Budapest was raised to 5,828, along with 4,012 volunteers. The number of registered volunteers is 15,353,
Orbán said. “Hungary has learned flood protection during the previous floods, and professionals and volunteers know exactly what to do,” Orbán said.
Photo: DNH/Alpár Kató
Photo: DNH/Alpár Kató
Fidesz and KNDP parliamentary group meeting postponed due to the flood
The joint meeting of the parliamentary groups of the allied ruling Fidesz and Christian Democratic parties scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday has been postponed due to the flood situation, Fidesz’s group leader said. “The most important task for Hungary is to successfully defend against the floods, and government members and MPs have the obligation lend a hand,” Máté Kocsis said on Facebook on Thursday. “Everything else can wait until later,” he added.
PM Orbán: no extra flood spending was planned
Asked about EU assistance, the prime minister said that Hungary had activated the relevant mechanisms and Brussels had started to looking into possible ways to help. He said there was no time to wait for such assistance, adding that the task now was “to finish the job and earmark in advance the funds to cover flood defence expenses”. “And once the complicated procedures are concluded by Brussels and Hungary is not getting punished by not getting the help the country is due — because that is always a question in Brussels — then we will receive assistance.”
Asked about flood defence expenses, Orbán said no extra spending was planned, noting that the annual budget always contains allocations for unexpected situations. “Therefore,
there is no financial ceiling for flood defences, because the necessary resources are available for immediate payment,”
he said. Private companies employed by local authorities to help the defence efforts would also be paid through the usual channels, he said.
Asked about compensation payment for damage caused by the flood, he said its amount was to be assessed afterwards. The emergency reservoirs by the Leitha are privately owned farmlands, and the damage may include lost crops and damage to irrigation and other equipment, he said. Concerning wages in the water management sector, Orbán said those were extremely low compared with the tasks performed and pledged to regulate their wages in 2025 or 2026, over a period of 1-3 years.
Answering a question, he noted that since the great flood in 2013, the country’s flood defence system had been significantly improved with 150 billion forints (EUR 380.4m) worth of development projects completed. Calling each flood “a load test”, the prime minister said those always revealed missing components, noting that a mobile dam was most likely needed to be built at Kismaros in the Danube Bend.
Read also:
Hungarian town cut off, free calls, mobile internet and motorway: flood news round-up with VIDEO HERE
End of danger? Train service between Budapest and Vienna restarted!
Despite the ongoing flood situation, train services on the MÁV and Volánbusz networks remain operational, with one key exception: the Esztergom–Komárom line. Due to the flooding, buses are currently replacing trains on this section until the waters recede and necessary repairs are completed, according to the official announcement.
Bus routes affected
Bus routes have been more significantly affected by the flooding, particularly due to the closure of the stretch of Route 11 between Tát and Esztergom. Many bus services are being rerouted, and passengers should expect additional disruptions across the region. Further changes will be implemented from Wednesday. The company is providing continuous updates on these adjustments through its information channels, Pénzcentrum writes.
The tunnel between Margaret Bridge (Margitsziget) and Batthyány Square on the H5 suburban railway line will also close from Wednesday due to the rising Danube. Passengers are advised not to rely on their usual routes and to check the latest updates from MÁVINFORM, Volánbusz, and MÁV-HÉV before travelling.
MÁV committed to maintaining public transport services
The MÁV-Volán group has outlined three main priorities during the flood response: maintaining public transportation services, protecting transport infrastructure from the floodwaters, and keeping passengers informed about both domestic and international travel conditions as well as expected changes.
At present, the Esztergom–Komárom railway is the only line directly impacted by the flood defence efforts, as part of the track serves as a flood barrier. Starting Monday, buses have replaced S74 trains on this line. These replacement buses will run until the water recedes and, if any damage occurs to the tracks, until repairs are completed. Due to road configurations, the buses may stop at alternative Volánbusz stops instead of railway stations. Additionally, the closure of Route 10 between Neszmély and Süttő from Wednesday will prompt further changes, with buses only running between Süttő and Esztergom.
To protect the railway infrastructure on the Esztergom–Komárom line, flood defence efforts include raising the railway embankment at Tát by placing stones on the tracks to match the height of the flood levee. Three railway bridges have also been weighed down with stone-filled wagons to prevent the rising floodwaters from lifting them. Since Monday, the railway between Lábatlan and Nyergesújfalu has been reinforced with foil and around 1,600 sandbags over a 1.5 km stretch to prevent erosion. Hundreds of MÁV employees are actively involved in the ongoing flood defence operations.
Győr’s Rába bridge, HÉV tunnel
The temporary surface terminus of the Szentendre (H5) HÉV near the Buda end of the Margaret Bridge on 18 September 2024. The tunnel section of the H5 HÉV is closed due to flooding. Photo: MTI/Máthé Zoltán
In the coming days, additional technical interventions will be required to protect the railway infrastructure at other locations. Preparations are underway to weigh down the Rába railway bridge in Győr with stone-filled wagons, preventing the floodwaters from displacing it. According to current information, even if this is necessary, train traffic between Győr and Öttevény will still be able to continue on one track. If the water levels rise higher than expected, MÁVINFORM will issue updates on further railway restrictions on Wednesday.
As part of the flood defence efforts, starting Wednesday afternoon, the tunnel of the H5 suburban railway between Margit Bridge and Batthyány Square will be closed and reinforced with sandbags to prevent it from floating due to the floodwaters. As a result, from 18 September, the H5 line will only operate to Margaret Bridge (Buda side). It will no longer serve Batthyány Square or the underground station at Margaret Bridge. Passengers heading toward Békásmegyer or Szentendre will need to board the trains at the surface platform near the HÉV tunnel exit, located next to the 960 bus stop heading toward Békásmegyer. The HÉV will also run less frequently due to these changes.
Changes in Győr-Moson-Sopron and Komárom-Esztergom counties
Drone image of the flooded Moson-Danube in Győr on 17 September 2024. Photo: MTI/Krizsán Csaba
The flooding of the country’s rivers has led to several changes in the timetables and routes of Volánbusz services, with more changes expected. The flood-related road closures and traffic restrictions have forced some buses to operate on detoured or shortened routes. In the coming days, traffic restrictions will affect settlements along the Danube in Győr-Moson-Sopron and Komárom-Esztergom counties, as well as the Danube Bend region.
Currently, bus routes along the Móricz Zsigmond embankment in Győr are being diverted, and the closure of Route 11 between Tát and Esztergom has resulted in further detours. Neither the Pócsmegyer nor Szigetmonostor ferries are in operation, with buses now providing alternative connections. From Wednesday morning, additional closures are in place in the Danube Bend, particularly between Süttő and Neszmély, and bus services will be suspended in Dömös and Pilismarót. From early Wednesday, buses 803 and 804 operate in split sections: Neszmély–Tata–Tatabánya, Neszmély–Komárom, and Süttő–Esztergom.
Read the latest news about floods in Hungary HERE.
Shareholders of Vodafone Hungary have cleared the spin-off of its infrastructure activities, owner 4iG said on Tuesday.
From January 1, 2025, the mobile telecommunications infrastructure will operate in the company V-Hálózat, while commercial operations will take place in ONE Hungary.
4iG had announced the launch of a programme to split its commercial activities and infrastructure into separate companies in November 2023.
Source: Martin Pettitt/Flickr
Additional economic news from today:
AKK sells HUF 20bn of three-month T-bills at auction, as planned
The Government Debt Management Agency (AKK) sold HUF 20.0bn of discount three-month T-bills at auction on Tuesday, in line with the original offer. Primary dealers bid for HUF 42.1bn of the securities.
Average yield was 5.51pc, 5bp over the secondary market benchmark yield, but 4bp under the yield at the previous auction of the bills one week earlier.
AKKO Invest board advises against accepting buyout offer
The board of listed asset management company AKKO Invest recommended shareholders not accept a buyout offer as they could miss out on a higher return than that provided by the bid price in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The board noted that the parties acting in concert to make the offer — Mevinvest, Wingholding, Dayton-Invest and the investor Tibor Veres — planned to further develop AKKO’s portfolio which could financially benefit shareholders. Shareholders who accept the buyout offer could miss out on “upside potential”, the board said.
AKKO announced that it had received the mandatory buyout offer — at HUF 266/share, the statutory minimum — a week earlier.
Read also:
Hungary targets foreign retailers: Government aims to curb Temu’s market domination – read more HERE
The National Toll Payment Services Plc (NÚSZ) shared the official motorway vignette prices for 2025 in an announcement. According to the rule, the price increase rate follows January-August inflation.
Tolls in the e-vignette system are regulated in Decree 45/2020. (XI. 28.) of the Minister for Innovation and Technology on motorways, speedways and main roads subject to toll payment, NÚSZ said.
Comparingthe 2025 prices with the 2024 ones, we can state that the rise Will be 3.4%. Concerning the 10-day D1 vignette, we Will have to pay HUF 6,620 (EUR 16.7) instead of HUF 6,400. The annual price will grow from HUF 57,260 to HUF 59,210. The annual regional vignette for motorways in Hungary will cost HUF 6,890 (EUR 17.4) instead of HUF 6,600.
M7 motorway from Lake Balaton to Budapest. Travelling on highways will be more expensive. Source: Wikimedia Commons
The surcharge increase rate will be the same. From 1 January, 2025, you will have to pay HUF 26,640 (EUR 67.3) (if paid within 60 days) and HUF 91,780 (EUR 231.8).
Read also:
A loophole to avoid motorway vignette fines: tens of thousands benefited last year – read more HERE
