Getting Around Budapest on May 9, 2026: What You Need to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning to explore Budapest this Saturday, May 9th, 2026, there’s something worth knowing before you lace up your walking shoes: Kossuth Square — one of the city’s grandest public spaces, right in front of the Hungarian Parliament — is hosting a major event, and the city’s transport network is reshaping itself around it. Don’t panic, though. Budapest’s public transport authority, BKK, has everything well in hand, and with a little preparation, getting around will be a breeze.
What’s Happening and Where
Starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning and running through 6:00 AM on Sunday, Kossuth Square, Alkotmány Street, and the Antall József Embankment will be fully closed to traffic. That means no cars, no buses cutting through, and a whole lot of people descending on one of Budapest’s most iconic spots. The Parliament building looming in the background will make for incredible photos, so if you’re not attending the event itself, it might still be worth swinging by on foot just to soak up the atmosphere.
Trams 2, 2B, and 23: A Shorter Ride Than Usual
The scenic Danube-side tram lines — numbers 2, 2B, and 23 — are among Budapest’s most beloved routes for tourists, offering jaw-dropping views of the river and Buda Castle as they glide along the Pest embankment. On Saturday from 9:00 AM until Sunday at 2:00 PM, these trams will be running on a shortened route, operating only between Közvágóhíd / Pesterzsébet-Pacsirtatelep on one end and Keleti Railway Station / Kossuth Square (Széchenyi Embankment) on the other. You’ll still get plenty of that gorgeous riverside scenery — just not the full stretch. Plan accordingly if you were counting on them to get you all the way along the waterfront.
Buses 9 and 15: Minor Detours, No Drama
Bus number 15 will be taking a slight detour from 3:00 PM onwards, swinging through Nyugati Square via Kálmán Imre Street, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road, Podmaniczky Street, Teréz Boulevard, and Szent István Boulevard. The Markó Street stop will be skipped entirely on this day, so if that’s your usual hop-off point, you’ll want to adjust. Bus number 9, meanwhile, will be making stops at Báthory Street / Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road and Nyugati Railway Station — handy to know if you’re connecting from the west side of the city.
The Good News: Metro Lines Are Running More Frequently
Here’s where things actually get better than a normal Saturday. BKK is running both the M2 (the red line) and M3 (the blue line) metro services with increased frequency to handle the extra crowds, and both lines will be operating later into the night — with last trains departing around 1:00 AM. So if you’re planning a long evening out, you won’t be scrambling for a taxi at midnight. The M2 line is particularly useful as it stops directly at Kossuth Square station, making it the single most convenient way to reach the event or the Parliament area.
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Trams 4 and 6: Your Reliable Backbone
The mighty 4 and 6 trams — the workhorses of Budapest’s transport network, running 24 hours along the Grand Boulevard — are also getting boosted frequency on Saturday. These articulated giants connect Buda and Pest via Margaret Bridge and loop around the entire Grand Boulevard (Nagykörút), meaning they’re useful whether you’re starting your day in a downtown hotel or making your way back after a late dinner in one of the ruin bar districts.
Trolleybuses 70 and 78: The Overlooked Gems
If you want to reach Kossuth Square from the direction of the city centre, trolleybuses 70 and 78 are also a solid option — and a fun ride, if you’ve never taken a trolleybus before. These articulated electric buses run on overhead wires and quietly glide through the streets in a way that feels pleasantly retro. They’re a Budapest experience in themselves, and on this particular Saturday, they’re one of your direct routes to the action.
Accessible Transport: A Dedicated Minibus Just for You
Budapest scores serious points here. Between 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM, a dedicated accessible minibus will be running on demand between Nyugati Railway Station and Kossuth Square, specifically for passengers who need step-free travel. This isn’t a fixed-schedule service — it runs when you need it. To book your ride, simply call +36-70-390-34-14 in advance, and they’ll dispatch the bus for you. It’s a genuinely thoughtful touch from the city.
Plan Your Journey With BudapestGO
The single best thing you can do before heading out on Saturday is download the BudapestGO app (free on iOS and Android). It calculates optimal routes using real-time transport data, shows live service updates, and — bonus — lets you buy your ticket or travel pass directly in the app. No fumbling for change at the ticket machine, no language barrier at the counter. You can also keep an eye on live traffic and transport updates via the BKK Info website throughout the day.
Budapest’s public transport network is genuinely excellent, and even on a busy event day like this one, the city makes it easy to get where you’re going. Grab your BudapestGO app, pick your metro line, and enjoy the ride.
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