Where is the Sziget Festival?
Found just north of Budapest’s Margaret Island, Óbuda Island (aka Hajógyári Island) turns into a psychedelic party scene every August when it hosts the annual Sziget Festival. When looking at the city map, the festival venue seems a little far away from downtown, but it’s very easy to get there from central Budapest, with many transport options to and from the “Island of Freedom”. Public transport will run more frequently around the clock during every day of Sziget, making it even more convenient for partygoers to reach and leave the festival location. Similarly to previous years, the main entry point of the festival is the iconic K Bridge, and it’s now enhanced with vibrant welcoming banners – check out this map for the exact location.
Buying Sziget passes
The official website of Sziget offers several types of tickets with varied durations, including the regular daily (75 EUR) and 7-day passes (325 EUR), while the festival organizers also introduced the #HelloHungary 3-day weekend ticket (185 EUR) that allows revelers to stay and camp on the island for three consecutive days between August 10th and 13th. Additionally, a special combined Sziget pass (420 EUR) is offered for those who want to keep the party rocking after the Island of Freedom is over – with this ticket, partygoers can enjoy 7 days of Sziget and then head out for 4 days to let loose again at the B.My.Lake Festival, happening during August 23-26 in Zamárdi on the southern shore of Lake Balaton. Festival tickets are also available for purchase on the spot at Óbuda Island, but we highly recommend securing your passes in advance to avoid long queues at the ticket booth.
Sziget check-in system
As of 2016, a new check-in system has been in place for security reasons at the festival entrance, and wristbands can be collected only after presenting a valid personal-identification document (ID card or passport), alongside the vouchers that festivalgoers receive by e-mail after purchasing their tickets online (those who buy their tickets onsite should present their valid ID card or passport at the Sziget ticket booth). Anyone who appears without their ID is advised to go to the “Problematic Ticket” booth. For more information about the new entry system, visit the official Sziget website.
Sziget CITYPASS
Available for purchase on the festival website, the highly economical Sziget-Budapest CITYPASS (39 EUR for 13 days and 15 EUR for 2 days) offers full use of Budapest’s public-transport system (including trams, buses, metros, and HÉV suburban trains) within the city limits, free use of the Sziget shuttle bus between the Budapest Airport and the festival, and complimentary rides aboard the Sziget Boat that runs every day during August 9-15th between Jászai Mari Square and the Sziget Festival port.
In addition to the aforementioned services that are available for no additional fee, CITYPASS holders enjoy free or discounted entry to many of Budapest’s spas and pool complexes, and reduced ticket prices at several museums, all available besides many other fine discounts. Szitizens can also purchase the Sziget-Budapest CITYPASS at several sales points citywide, including at the tourist information office at Keleti Railway Station, at the Sziget ticket point at Akvárium Klub, at terminal A and B of the Liszt Ferenc International Airport, at the Sziget ticket booths at the festival entrance, and even within the festival area at the Festipay top-up stations.
Shuttle services between the airport and Sziget
Upon arrival at the Budapest Airport,Sziget Festival visitors can pick up their Sziget CITYPASS wristband, which includes free shuttle service to the island. This Sziget shuttle runs every 30 minutes between 8:45am and 12:45am during August 7-11, leaving from Terminal 2 at the airport, while on August 16th buses depart every 10-20 minutes from Sziget’s H-Bridge Gate to the airport between 3am and 2pm.
In addition to this convenient transfer option between the airport and the festival, the miniBUD shuttle company operates special rides from Terminal 2 to Sziget and back during August 6-16th with a schedule that’s adjusted to airplane arrivals (see the Sziget website for detailed timetable). Tickets to use the miniBUD services are available for purchase on the company’s website, and a one-way ticket to Sziget costs 9 euros per person, while a return pass costs 16 euros. Here is a detailed timetable for the miniBUD shuttle service between the Airport and Sziget.
Public transport to Sziget
Those who opt to use public transport upon landing in Budapest can buy transit tickets at the airport and take the direct bus connection to central Budapest. The 100E bus line departs from Terminal 2 of the airport every 30 minutes between 5am and 12:30am, and it stops at Kálvin Square and at Astoria before it reaches its Deák Square terminus; a one-way ticket costs 900 forints per person. For more information about how to get to downtown Budapest from the airport, check out this article. (If you do use public transportation, make sure to buy and properly validate BKK tickets – during the Sziget festival, extra ticket inspectors patrol the entire public-transport system.
Getting to Sziget from the major train stations:
Nyugati Pályaudvar: take Tram 4-6 (outside the station) towards Széll Kálmán tér. Get off at the third stop, called Margit Híd-Budai Hídfő (the first stop after you completely cross Margaret Bridge). Take the stairs down to the regional HÉV train-line station and get on a train towards Szentendre/Békásmegyer. Then disembark at the fourth stop (called Filatorigát) and follow the crowds to Sziget!
Keleti Pályaudvar: find the metro (you’ll see big “M” signs), and get on Metro 2 (the Red Line) towards Déli Pályaudvar. Get off at the Batthyány tér station, and take the HÉV train to exit at the fifth stop (Filatorigát), then follow the crowds to Sziget!
Déli Pályaudvar: find the metro and get on Metro 2 (the Red Line) towards Örs vezér tér. Get off at the Batthyány tér station. Now get on the regional HÉV train to the fifth stop (Filatorigát), then follow the crowds to Sziget!
If you need to get around from elsewhere in Budapest, this BKK route planner will help. During the festival, suburban HÉV trains run more frequently and even overnight every 15 minutes.
Getting to Sziget by boat:
During the festival, Sziget Boats run every 15 minutes between Jászai Mari tér and the Óbuda Island, and CITYPASS holders can use this service free of charge, but tickets are also available for purchase at the dock. During August 9-10th the Sziget Boat service operates between 4pm and 12:30am, while on August 11-15 it runs between 2:30pm and 2:30am. Are you planning a stylish entry at the festival? Then you should jump aboard the Sziget VIP Boat that provides speedy transfer for passengers every day between 5pm and 9pm from Buda’s Batthyány Square and from Pest’s Wiking Yacht Club to Óbuda Island. The boat operates three deluxe services, with ticket prices starting at 6,250 forints per passenger – click on this link for more details.
Meanwhile, as a fresh addition to the festival’s cheerful services, the Sziget 25 – Cruisin party boat provides unique opportunities for “szitizens” who would like to take mini breaks to explore the riverfront sights of the Hungarian capital during the festival without having to entirely leave the party atmosphere behind. Revelers can board the boat on Batthyány Square or directly at the festival’s venue, and when the cruise terminates at Batthány Square, travelers are offered an optional bus transfer back to Óbuda Island for an extra charge. Tickets cost 29 euros per person, while CITYPASS holders get a 10-euro discount from the price.
Parking at Sziget
If you’re driving to Sziget, there are several parking options. For 127 euros you can park right next to the K Bridge in a guarded site, located just a 5-minute walk from the festival entrance – this parking lot is accessible from the north of the island, and the good news is that the ticket that’s valid here is transferable and allows drivers to leave the island and return during the festival.
Another parking location is available on the island for 95 euros, and drivers can leave their cars there during the entire length of the festival and walk or use the shuttle service to the entrance – to access this parking lot, enter through Bridge H from Árpád Bridge (note that the ticket is valid only for one-time entry to the parking area).
Additionally, there’s cheaper parking available in the city’s District III (Budapest 1037, Bojtár utca 51), where we can leave our car for 65 euros during the festival with a free shuttle service provided to Sziget with a one-time return, while every additional transfer costs 5 euros per person – the ticket to this parking lot is also valid for a one-time entry only. For more information about the available parking options, check out the Sziget website.
Riding a bike to Sziget
Anyone who decides to pedal to the festival from downtown Budapest can enjoy stunning sites and tranquil scenes as they cycle along the Buda side of the Danube on a designated bike path, and cyclists can leave their two-wheelers at the free bike-storage facility of Sziget near the H Bridge while they party.
Getting to the island by taxi
City Taxi has been partnering with Sziget for several years, and the company has a special arrangement with the festival organizers once again with exclusive drop-off and pick-up points being set up near the entrance – you can reserve a cab by calling +36 1 211 1111. In addition, Budapest Taxi also has a station on the island and they are available on +36 1 777 7777. Elsewhere, be careful when getting into taxis on the street, as the drivers might try to overcharge foreigners. There is now a flat meter rate for all taxis in Budapest, but you might still run into problems, so it’s advisable to call a taxi company and book ahead instead of just jumping into a cab.
Getting around the festival with limited mobility
Revelers with limited mobility are offered a great option for making the most of the festival! The Hungarian “Mozduljunk ki!” (translates to “Let's go out!” in English) foundation – a non-profit organization to provide assistance to those in need at live concert shows, including at the Sziget Festival – offers personalized packages for “szitizens” in wheelchairs. All you need to do is send an e-mail to hello@mozduljunkki.hu after purchasing your pass, and they will get in touch with you on Skype to discuss the details of your itinerary at the festival, while a personal meeting with your conductor is set up prior to your Sziget day, enabling you to get to know each other before the party and to tie up loose ends.
When you are at Sziget, you will receive assistance in navigating the festival grounds, using the restrooms, ordering food and drinks, and getting help with other basic necessities. Registration to use this service is available for a limited number of applicants, so if this sounds helpful, hurry up to secure your personal guide for the festival.
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