Warning: Traffic and public transport disruptions expected in Budapest this weekend due to marathon and football match

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.

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