Budapest Public Transport on October 23, 2026: Metro Closures and Route Changes
Visiting Budapest on Friday, October 23? You’ll still be able to get around the city, but national holiday events will bring temporary metro station closures, diverted buses and shorter tram and trolleybus routes. The biggest changes affect the area around Parliament, Andrássy Avenue and the Hungarian State Opera House, so it’s worth checking your journey before heading out.
The good news is that several busy metro and tram lines will run more frequently to help people reach the commemorations and other destinations. A little planning should make it easier to enjoy the day without getting caught out by a closed station or an unexpected final stop. To have access to the latest traffic changes check the BudapestGO app.
Why Transport Is Changing on October 23
October 23 commemorates the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence. Events across Budapest will require road closures and traffic restrictions, particularly in the city centre, with knock-on effects for public transport.
The times below are the expected periods of disruption. Arrangements may change as events unfold, so use them to plan ahead, then check live transport information shortly before travelling.
More Frequent Metros and Trams on Busy Central Routes
Several rail-based services serving central Budapest will run more frequently than usual on the holiday. These include the M1 Millennium Underground, the M2 metro and trams 2, 4 and 6.
That extra service should help with holiday crowds, but it doesn’t mean every station and stop will remain available. The M1 and M2 will both have station-specific restrictions, while tram 2 will operate on a shortened route.
M1 Metro: Opera Station Will Close in the Afternoon
Opera station on the M1 Millennium Underground will be closed from 3 pm to 8 pm on October 23. Trains will continue running through the station without stopping.
If you’re heading to the Opera House or this section of Andrássy Avenue, plan to use another open station and complete the journey on foot, subject to local pedestrian restrictions. The same applies if your accommodation is nearby: don’t rely on being able to board the metro at Opera during the closure.
M2 Metro: Parliament’s Station May Temporarily Close
Kossuth Lajos Square station, displayed on transport maps as Kossuth Lajos tér, may close between 3 pm and 5:30 pm on October 23.
This restriction is conditional rather than a confirmed closure for the entire period. If it is introduced, M2 trains will pass through without stopping.
Anyone travelling to or from the Parliament area during the afternoon should check the station’s status immediately before departure and allow time for an alternative route.
Trams 2, 2B and 23: A Shorter Route from Thursday Evening
The changes begin before the holiday itself. From 8 pm on Thursday, October 22, until the last departures on Friday, October 23, trams 2, 2B and 23 will terminate at Kossuth Lajos tér (Széchenyi rakpart) instead of continuing to Jászai Mari Square.
If you’re using one of these trams to travel north along the Pest side of the Danube, check where you’ll need to continue by another route. In particular, don’t expect a direct journey through to Jászai Mari Square during this period.
Bus 15: Diversions Throughout the Day
Bus 15 will run along Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road instead of Honvéd Street throughout October 23.
There will also be additional restrictions between 3 pm and 6 pm. During this period, buses heading towards Kálvin Square will not serve the stops between Kossuth Lajos Square and József Nádor Square.
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If you normally catch bus 15 near Parliament or along the affected section, check the temporary boarding location rather than waiting at your usual stop.
Trolleybuses 70 and 78: No Service to Parliament in the Late Afternoon
From 4:40 pm to 8 pm on October 23, trolleybuses 70 and 78 will operate on shortened routes, terminating at Akácfa Street instead of Kossuth Lajos Square.
This is particularly relevant if you’re planning to use either service to reach the Parliament area or return from an afternoon event. Check the revised route before walking to a stop on the suspended section.
Andrássy Avenue and Heroes’ Square: Bus and Trolleybus Changes
Buses 105 and 210B will use Podmaniczky Street instead of Andrássy Avenue on October 23. If your sightseeing plans include the avenue, don’t assume these buses will serve their usual stops along it.
Trolleybus 81 will not stop at Heroes’ Square from 9 am on October 23. The notice does not specify an end time for this restriction, so check live information before relying on that stop later in the day.
Together with the afternoon closure of Opera metro station, these changes make it especially important to plan journeys to the Andrássy Avenue area around the time you intend to travel.
Bus 107: A Morning Diversion on the Buda Side
Between 8 am and 1 pm on October 23, bus 107 towards Infopark will run along Bartók Béla Road instead of the University Embankment.
The announced diversion applies to the Infopark-bound direction. If you’re travelling that way during the morning, check the temporary route and boarding stops before setting off.
MOL Bubi Bike Station and Mobi-Point Closures Near the Opera
Cycling won’t entirely avoid the holiday restrictions. For security reasons, the MOL Bubi station at the junction of Andrássy Avenue and Káldy Gyula Street will be closed from midnight until 10 pm on October 23.
Several nearby Mobi-points will also be unavailable during the same period. These are the locations at 19, 24, 28 and 29 Andrássy Avenue, 14 Hajós Street, and 1, 16 and 26 Révay Street.
If you’re cycling into the area, choose an alternative operating location to finish your journey. Before starting a MOL Bubi trip, check the app for available bicycles and an open return station rather than assuming you can leave the bike at your usual destination.
What to Expect If You’re Driving or Taking a Taxi
Holiday events will also bring road closures and traffic restrictions in central Budapest. Detailed road arrangements are due to be announced separately, so the public transport changes should not be treated as a complete guide to which streets will be accessible.
If you’re driving, check a live navigation app such as Google Maps or Waze before departure. If you’re taking a taxi, allow extra time and be prepared for a different drop-off or pickup point where closures prevent access.
How to Keep Your Budapest Sightseeing Plans on Track
The main thing to remember is that these restrictions vary by both location and time. Opera station’s closure is scheduled for the afternoon and evening, bus 107’s diversion is limited to the morning, and the riverside tram changes begin on Thursday night.
Check your outward and return journeys separately, especially if you’ll spend several hours at an event or attraction. A route that works in the morning may look different by late afternoon.
Keep the official Hungarian stop names visible in your journey planner, too. English names help you understand where you’re going, but names such as Kossuth Lajos tér and Akácfa utca are what you’ll see on local transport displays. With your route checked and a little extra travel time built in, the holiday changes should be much easier to navigate.
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