Weekend Chaos in Budapest: Ricky Martin Concert and Flooding Cause Traffic Jams
Budapest is gearing up for a tumultuous weekend as it braces for the convergence of two major events: rising water levels from the Danube that are already affecting several parts of the city, and Ricky Martin’s highly anticipated concert at Heroes’ Square on Saturday, which will bring additional traffic disruptions and changes to public transport. These dual factors are expected to have a substantial impact on mobility throughout the capital, especially in areas near the event.
The Budapest Transport Center (BKK) has announced that extensive road closures and detours will be implemented around Heroes’ Square in preparation for the concert. BKK is advising concert attendees and local residents to utilize public transportation whenever possible, with a specific recommendation to use the M1 metro line, which will be operating at an increased frequency over the weekend to help manage the influx of people.
Starting from Thursday at 6 PM, road closures will commence along the service roads of Andrássy Avenue, between Bajza Street and Dózsa György Road, and will remain in effect until Sunday at 4:30 AM. However, the most significant disruptions are expected to occur between Saturday at 10 AM and Sunday at noon when traffic in the vicinity of Heroes’ Square will be completely halted. This will include the closure of Kós Károly Promenade, Olof Palme Promenade, and large sections of Dózsa György Road between Városligeti Fasor and Podmaniczky Street.
Furthermore, Andrássy Avenue itself, from Bajza Street to Dózsa György Road, will be inaccessible to all traffic during this period. These closures are anticipated to cause major delays, particularly for individuals who rely on these routes for their daily commutes or accessing popular locations like Városliget.
Public transportation will also be significantly impacted during the weekend. From Saturday at 10 AM to Sunday at noon, several bus and trolleybus routes will operate on detours, with temporary stops replacing the usual ones in the affected areas. Bus 105 and 210B, which typically travel along Andrássy Avenue, will be rerouted to Podmaniczky Street, bypassing Bajza Street and Heroes’ Square entirely. They will make stops at temporary stations along Podmaniczky Street after the Lendvay Street intersection and near Szondi Street towards Buda.
Similarly, bus 20E will avoid Heroes’ Square by taking an alternative route via Hungária Boulevard, while buses 30, 30A, 79, and 230 will travel along different paths through Zichy Mihály Street, Hermina Road, and Gundel Károly Road. Passengers on these buses will need to use the stops typically serviced by trolleybus 72 between Dvorák Promenade and Gundel Károly Road near Heroes’ Square.
Trolleybus services will also be impacted, with the 75 and 75A trolleybuses diverting onto Hermina Road and Gundel Károly Road and using trolleybus 72’s stops between Ajtósi Dürer Row and Heroes’ Square. Night buses will also have additional detours in place, such as bus 979, which will be redirected through Városliget via Bajza Street and Damjanich Street, stopping temporarily 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. Passengers are advised to adjust their travel plans accordingly.
Given the extensive disruptions, the BKK recommends that passengers plan their journeys in advance. The BudapestGO app is highly recommended for real-time updates on public transport and route planning. The app not only offers live information on route changes and delays but also allows users to purchase tickets and passes directly from their smartphones, streamlining the process for navigating the city during this busy weekend.
For those traveling 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 – Road platform will provide updated road traffic information throughout the weekend to assist drivers in navigating the expected heavy traffic conditions across the city.
This weekend’s disruptions serve as a reminder to travelers to allocate extra time for their journeys, whether attending the Ricky Martin concert or simply navigating the city. With the combination of flood-related issues and event-related closures, Budapest is likely to experience significant congestion and delays throughout the weekend.
