Major traffic and transit changes in Budapest for 20 August national holiday

Budapest will host a range of events for this year’s 20 August national holiday, leading to significant changes starting Friday, 15 August. Some of these adjustments will affect public transportation: the Széchenyi Chain Bridge will be handed over to pedestrians, and buses 105, 210, and 216 will be rerouted via Elizabeth Bridge during this time.

Traffic changes in Budapest for 20 August

There will also be restrictions in the Buda Castle area affecting the 16-series buses, and on Várkert Embankment, impacting trams 19 and 41 starting Sunday. Due to the closures and expected crowds, the Budapest Transport Center (BKK) recommends using public transportation, especially the metro. Real-time transit updates can be found at bkk.hu/nemzetiunnep.

Preparations for the festivities in Budapest begin 15 August with road closures on the Chain Bridge and changes in pedestrian flow across several bridges. Major traffic restrictions will also go into effect in Buda Castle, Műegyetem Embankment, Lánchíd Street, and Várkert Embankment. The full traffic plan is detailed below.

Pedestrian access changes on bridges

Pedestrian access in Budapest will be restricted as follows:

• Chain Bridge:
  • From 12:01 AM on 15 August to noon 21 August, the bridge’s main road will be pedestrian-only; sidewalks will be closed. On 20 August at 7 PM, pedestrians will be barred completely until after the fireworks, when the bridge reopens to foot traffic.
• Margaret Bridge:
  • From the morning of 16 August, sidewalks close; pedestrians confined to a narrow outer lane. The bridge and the southern tip of Margaret Island will be fully closed from 4 PM on 20 August.
• Elizabeth Bridge:
  • From 6 AM on 18 August to 6 AM 21 August, the north sidewalk nearest the Chain Bridge is closed; from 10 PM on 18 August, the south sidewalk near Liberty Bridge will also be shut until about 6 AM 21 August.
  • From 10 PM 18 August to noon 21 August, the bus lane heading toward Pest will be open to pedestrians.
  • The bridge will be fully closed to all traffic from 7 PM 20 August.
• Liberty Bridge:
  • The north sidewalk (facing Elizabeth Bridge) is closed from 17 August to noon 21 August.
  • The south sidewalk (facing Petőfi Bridge) is closed from the morning of 19 August to noon 21 August.
  • From the morning of 19 August, safety barriers will be installed along both tram tracks. Pedestrian access will be allowed beside tram tracks until noon 21 August.

Road closures in Budapest

Major road closures in Budapest include:

• Pest Lower Embankment between Margaret Bridge and Közraktár Street:
  • Closed 15 August, 10 PM – 16 August, 6 AM
  • Closed 16 August, 10 PM – 21 August, 6 AM
  • Also night closures 21, 22 and 23 August from 10 PM – 6 AM each day
• Buda Lower Embankment from Rákóczi Bridge (Pázmány Péter Promenade) to Margaret Bridge (Üstökös Street):
  • Closed 15 August, 12:01 AM – 21 August, noon
  • Night closures 22-23 August from 10 PM – 6 AM
• Chain Bridge closed to road traffic 15 August, 12:01 AM – 21 August, noon; entire road surface open only to pedestrians due to sidewalk closures
• Buda Castle will experience rolling closures from 15 August, early morning – 23 August, 4:30 AM
• Lánchíd Street closed 16 August, 12:01 AM – 22 August, 4 PM; Várkert Embankment closed 17 August, 12:30 AM – 21 August, noon
• Műegyetem Embankment toward Petőfi Bridge closed 15 August, 1:01 AM – 22 August, midnight; except 19-20 August, one lane remains open to Szent Gellért Square. Full closure 19 August, 12:01 AM – 20 August, midnight; Budafoki Road may also close if needed.
• Liberty Bridge closed to road traffic 19 August, morning – 21 August, noon