Major Traffic Restrictions in Budapest for EU Summit

Budapest is preparing for significant traffic disruptions as the city hosts a major EU summit on November 7-8, 2024. The event, which will bring together leaders from more than 40 nations, including non-EU countries such as the United Kingdom and Turkey, necessitates extensive security measures and traffic restrictions across multiple districts.

Timeline Overview

The restrictions will be implemented in three phases:

• Initial restrictions begin: November 6
• Main summit days: November 7-8
• All restrictions end: November 8 at midnight

Airport Access and Major Routes

The Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport and its access routes will experience periodic closures throughout the event. On November 6-8, the route from the airport through the M4 highway, M0 ring road, and M3 motorway will face intermittent closures. Airport bus services (100E and 200E) will be affected, and travelers are strongly advised to plan for significant delays.

City Center Restrictions

Major Areas Affected:

• Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere)
• Andrássy Avenue
• József Attila Street
• Jane Heining Embankment
• March 15 Square
• Kossuth Square

The city center will experience the most severe restrictions, particularly around government buildings and major landmarks. These areas will see complete closures during specific time windows, primarily during the morning hours (9-11 AM) and afternoon periods (4-6 PM).

Public Transportation Changes

Metro Services:

• M1 (Yellow Line) will face temporary suspensions
• M2, M3, and M4 lines are recommended alternatives
• Trains will wait at stations during delegation movements

Tram and Bus Routes:

• Trams 4 and 6 will operate on shortened routes
• Multiple bus lines will be rerouted
• Trolleybus services will see significant modifications

Parking Restrictions

Extensive no-parking zones will be implemented across multiple districts, including:

• District V (City Center)
• District VI (Terézváros)
• District VII (Erzsébetváros)
• District XIV (Zugló)
• District XV (Rákospalota)

Alternative Routes and Recommendations

The Budapest Transport Center (BKK) recommends:

• Using metro lines M2, M3, and M4 where possible
• Planning journeys well in advance
• Allowing extra time for all journeys
• Checking real-time updates on the BKK Info platform

Impact on Daily Life

These restrictions will significantly impact daily commutes and business operations in the affected areas. Residents and visitors should expect:

• Longer travel times
• Limited access to certain areas
• Changes to regular public transport routes
• Increased security presence

Information Resources

For the most up-to-date information, travelers can consult:

• police.hu for detailed road closures
• BKK Info for public transport updates
• BudapestGO for real-time traffic information

These comprehensive security measures and traffic restrictions reflect the high-profile nature of the EU summit and the need to ensure safe and efficient movement of diplomatic delegations throughout the city.

Image source: BKK