Expect traffic chaos in Budapest today due to Budapest Pride – Here’s how public transport will change

BKK Budapest Pride changes
Photo: BKK

On Saturday, 28 June, the Budapest Pride March will take place, bringing significant traffic changes and road closures to the city centre. The event, which follows a route from Városháza Park through Kiskörút, Szabadság Bridge, and Műegyetem Embankment, will prompt Budapest’s public transport company (BKK) to reroute or shorten many services. Drivers should also expect major delays.

Closures and restrictions: What to expect

Preparations for the event already began on Friday, with the closure of Műegyetem Embankment between Szent Gellért Square and Bertalan Lajos Street. On Saturday, from 12:00 to 17:00, there will be rolling and periodic closures along the entire route of the march. BKK strongly recommends using the metro in the city centre, as many above-ground public transport lines will be diverted or shortened.

How major public transport lines will operate on 28 June

  • 100E Airport Bus: Runs only to Kálvin Square between 12:00 and 16:00, with longer travel times.
  • Bus 9 and Trolleybus 72: From around 13:30, these will be rerouted along the Grand Boulevard, skipping stops between Szentkirályi Street and Nyugati Railway Station.
  • Trolleybus 83: From 14:00, will not serve Fővám Square, Ráday Street, Közraktár Street, or Czuczor Street stops.
  • Trams 47, 48, 49, and 19: From 13:30, will only run to Batthyány Square, skipping Deák Ferenc Square, Astoria, Kálvin Square, and Fővám Square stops.
  • Tram 41: Will operate on the Villányi Road–Alkotás Street route.
  • Tram 56A: Will only run from Hűvösvölgy to Rudas Baths.
  • Buses 5, 8E, 110, and 112: Between 12:00 and 16:00, these will only run between their Pest terminuses and Blaha Lujza Square. Bus 5 in Buda will only run from Pasaréti Square to Dózsa György Road.
  • Buses 7 and 133E: Will operate from Blaha Lujza Square via József Boulevard–Ferenc Boulevard–Petőfi Bridge–Karinthy Frigyes Road–Móricz Zsigmond Square.
  • Bus 15: Will only run between Gyöngyösi Street and Ferenciek Square.
  • Bus 107: Will not serve Szent Gellért Square–Műegyetem and Petőfi Bridge, Buda bridgehead stops towards Infopark and BudaPart.

Alternative routes and travel planning

Budapest M3 metro line
The use of metro lines is strongly recommended. Photo: BKK

BKK recommends using the BudapestGO app to plan your journey. The app provides real-time updates on public transport and allows you to purchase tickets and passes directly from your phone.

Why are there so many changes this weekend?

The Budapest Pride event, organised this year by the city municipality and the Rainbow Mission Foundation, celebrates freedom, acceptance, and diversity. The event attracts increasing attention each year. This year, it is especially significant, as authorities previously attempted to ban it, but it will now go ahead as a municipal event.

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