Swim Across the Danube in the Heart of Budapest
Few experiences capture the spirit of Budapest quite like swimming across the Danube — and on August 29, 2026, up to 1,000 swimmers will get to do exactly that. The Generali OWT Duna-átúszás (Danube Open Water Swim) is back, inviting both competitive athletes and enthusiastic amateurs to cross one of Europe’s most iconic rivers right in the city center. If you’re in Budapest at the end of August and love open water swimming, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
The Route: From Pest to Buda
Participants start at the embankment in front of Corvinus University on the Pest side and swim approximately 500 meters across to the finish at the race center near the Budapest University of Technology (BME) on the Buda side. Swimmers enter the water from a mobile pontoon pier, making for a dramatic and memorable start. The course runs between two of Budapest’s most iconic university buildings, with the city’s famous skyline as your backdrop.
Safety and Water Quality
Safety is taken seriously here. The Pest County Search and Rescue Service — a volunteer rescue organization with over 20 years of experience — co-organizes the event and handles all water safety. Based on Danube Water Police regulations, 12 motorized rescue boats will secure the swimming corridor, with around 30 rescue professionals monitoring every 20 swimmers in the water at any given time. As for water quality, recent measurements show that the Danube is suitable for swimming on around 100 of the 120 warmer days of the year — so August conditions are typically excellent.
Race Details and Schedule
- Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
- Start time: 10:30
- Start location: Műegyetem rakpart (embankment in front of Corvinus University), Budapest
- Finish: Race center near BME
- Award ceremony: 14:00
- Participant limit: 1,000 swimmers
Timing is chip-based and measures net time, so it doesn’t matter when you cross the start line — your result reflects your actual swim time.
What’s Included in Your Entry
Every registered participant receives a solid package:
- Entry to the event
- Finisher medal
- Race pack
- Chip timing
- Refreshments on course
- Medical supervision throughout
- Swimming cap
Every finisher also receives a unique commemorative swim medal. The top three in each category win a trophy plus a race entry voucher for a future Open Water Tournament event.
Entry Fees and Registration
Registration is through the StafétApp platform, where you’ll need to create a personal profile before signing up. Entry fees are tiered, so registering early saves you money:
- 9,900 HUF – Early Bird (May 13 – May 31, max 250 spots)
- 12,900 HUF – Second tier (June 1 – July 5, max 250 spots)
- 15,900 HUF – Third tier (July 6 – August 29, max 500 spots)
Each tier closes automatically once the spot limit is reached, even before the end date — so don’t wait too long. You can register and buy tickets through the official webiste.
Picking Up Your Race Pack
Race packs can be collected at the race office (Budapest, XIII. district, Tüzér utca 9–11) in the days before the event:
- Wednesday, Aug 26: 10:00–20:00
- Thursday, Aug 27: 10:00–18:00
- Friday, Aug 28: 10:00–20:00
- Saturday, Aug 29 (race day): at the venue, 8:00–10:00
The organizers strongly recommend not leaving your race pack pickup to the last minute. On race day, registration and pack distribution close 30 minutes before the start — no exceptions.
Part of a Bigger Event
The Duna-átúszás is part of the larger Generali Night Run event series, making it a great anchor for a full day of sporting activity in Budapest. The event also counts as a scoring station for the Ötpróba points program — if you’re a registered Ötpróba participant, don’t forget to include your ID number when registering.
A Brief History
The Budapest Danube Swim was first organized in 2016 near the Liberty Bridge, in collaboration with the Pest County Search and Rescue Service. After a few years off — largely due to the significant logistical and financial demands of securing a 500-meter river crossing in a busy capital city — the event returns in 2026 thanks to support from the Generali a Biztonságért Foundation. It’s a genuinely special occasion, and one that connects participants to the city in a way few other events can.