Presidential Visit Causes Traffic Disruptions in Budapest

Published: December 16 2023

On Monday, there will be a presidential visit in Budapest that will cause significant disruptions to traffic. This blog post provides an overview of the affected areas and the recommended actions to take.

The visit of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Türkiye's president, will result in road closures and changes to public transport routes in Budapest. The affected areas include Heroes' Square, Andrássy Avenue, Kiskörút, Kossuth Lajos Street, Elizabeth Bridge, and the surrounding streets. Commuters are advised to avoid these areas during the visit.

Several road closures and restrictions will take place during the president's visit. These include closures on Dózsa György Street, Andrássy Avenue, and Heroes' Square between 11.40 AM and 12.40 PM. Additionally, there will be 10-minute road closures on various routes between 12.30 PM and 1.10 PM. Authorities will also block the route between Hunyadi János Street and Dísz Square from 12 PM to 2 PM.

Travel to Budapest Airport will also be affected. Between 11.20 AM and 12.10 PM, there will be a 10-30 minute traffic restriction due to the arrival of the delegation. In the evening, between 8.40 PM and 9.20 PM, expect traffic restrictions on the route from MÜPA (Palace of Arts) to the airport.

Public transport will experience temporary restrictions on the affected routes. However, airport shuttles 100E and 200E will operate normally with no changes to their services, except during the arrival and departure times of the delegation.

To navigate the disruptions, it is advisable to use the underground instead of surface transport vehicles. If your flight is scheduled between 10 AM and 12 PM or between 8 PM and 10 PM, it is recommended to arrive at the airport earlier than usual.

The presidential visit to Budapest will cause significant traffic disruptions. It is important to be aware of the affected areas, road closures, and changes to public transport routes. By following the recommendations and planning accordingly, commuters can minimize the impact of the visit on their daily routines.

Why will traffic be disrupted in Budapest? Traffic in Budapest will be disrupted due to the official visit of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkiye.

Which areas should I avoid during the presidential visit? Officials recommend avoiding the downtown region of Heroes’ Square, Andrássy Avenue, Kiskörút, Kossuth Lajos Street, Elizabeth Bridge, and the crossing streets.

How will the road closures affect public transport? The road closures will affect public transport routes, causing disruptions for a period of 10 to 15 minutes on the affected routes.

Will the Liszt Ferenc International Airport be affected by the traffic restrictions? Yes, the Liszt Ferenc International Airport will be affected. There will be a 10-30 minute traffic restriction at the airport between 11.20 AM and 12.10 PM, as that is when the delegation will arrive in Budapest.

Which routes will be closed during the official reception? Dózsa György Street, Andrássy Avenue, and Heroes’ Square will be closed to the public between 11.40 AM and 12.40 PM due to the official reception.

Are there any other road closures planned during the visit? Yes, between 12.30 PM and 1.10 PM, there will be 10-minute-long road closures on the Andrássy Avenue – Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street – Deák Ferenc Square – Károly Promenade – Kossuth Lajos Street – Elizabeth Bridge – Attila Street – Palota Street – Dísz Square route. Additionally, the Hunyadi János Street – Dísz Square – Palota Street route will be blocked between 12 PM and 2 PM.

How will the Budapest Airport travel be affected? Budapest Airport travel will also be affected during the presidential visit. There will be traffic restrictions on routes leading to and from the airport between 6 PM and 6.40 PM, as well as between 8.50 PM and 9.30 PM.

Will public transport be restricted on the affected routes? Yes, public transport will be restricted on the above-mentioned routes, but only for 10-15 minutes. The only exceptions will be the airport shuttles 100E and 200E, which will not touch the airport between 11.20 AM – 12.10 PM and 8.50 PM – 9.30 PM.

What is the recommendation from the Budapest Transport Company (BKK)? The Budapest Transport Company (BKK) recommends every commuter to use the underground instead of surface transport vehicles during the presidential visit.

What should I consider if my flight takes off during the visit? If your plane takes off between 10 AM and 12 PM or 8 PM and 10 PM on Monday, it is advisable to arrive at the airport much earlier due to the expected traffic disruptions.