Where is the Sziget Festival?
The Sziget Festival is held on Óbudai Island (aka Hajógyári Island), just north of Margaret Island. It's very easy to get to from downtown Budapest, and there are many transport options to and from the "Island of Freedom". Public transport will run more frequently day and night during every day of Sziget, making it easier for partygoers to go to and from the festival grounds. The main entry point is the iconic K Bridge, now festooned with welcoming banners –
check out this map for the exact location.
Getting to Budapest for SzigetSziget organizers have prepared info on how to get to Budapest from many nearby countries – there are also some special flight deals, bus shuttles, and a car-share portal, so you can still get to Budapest just in time. The Sziget Express train leaves from Utrecht in the Netherlands on August 8, arriving in Budapest on August 11.
On the way home the Sziget Express leaves on August 18, arriving on August 21. This train will arrive at Nyugati train station (see below for how to get to Sziget from there). Ticket prices start at 179 euros, here's more information on Sziget Express in Dutch.
Public transport ticket: Sziget CityPassThe highly economical Sziget-Budapest CityPass, which costs 33 euros for 12 days or 12 euros for 2 days, includes full use of all public transport in Budapest (trams, buses, metros, BKK ferry, and HÉV suburban trains) PLUS discounted entry to some thermal baths, museums, the Budapest Zoo and the Sziget Eye Ferris wheel in the center of the city. A Sziget CityPass can be purchased online, at Keleti Railway Station, at Nyugati Square, at Liszt Ferenc Airport, and at the entrance to the festival itself. If you arrive by plane, the CityPass also includes shuttle services to Sziget (see below). The Sziget CityPass vouchers can be exchanged for a wristband so you won't have to worry about losing transport tickets. The alternative is to buy BKK tickets or passes – check out this article for more details about this.
Public transport to SzigetFrom the airport you can buy a
Sziget CityPass,
which includes a free shuttle to the island. This Sziget shuttle runs every 30 minutes between 8:45am and 12:30am August 9-13. It leaves from the parking lot at Auchan near Liszt Ferenc Airport Terminal 2. Alternatively, BKK bus 200 takes passengers directly from the airport to the Kőbánya-Kispest M3 metro terminus, and the M3 (blue line) takes passengers directly to Nyugati Square; see the Nyugati Pályaudvar information below for continuing directions.
From the major train stations
:
Nyugati Pályaudvar: take Tram 4-6 (outside the station) toward Széll Kálmán Tér. Get off at the 3rd stop, called Margit Híd-Budai Hídfő (the first stop after you cross Margaret Bridge). Take the stairs down to the regional HÉV train line station and get on a train towards Szentende/Békásmegyer. Then disembark at
the 4th stop (called Filatorigát) and follow the crowds to Sziget!
Keleti Pályaudvar: find the Metro (you'll see big "M" signs), get on Metro 2 (the Red Line) towards Déli Pályaudvar. Get off at Batthyány
tér station. Now get on the HÉV train and exit at
the 5th 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 Batthyány tér station. Now get on the regional HÉV train to
the 5th stop (Filatorigát), then follow the crowds to Sziget!
BKK ferry boats run every 30 minutes, taking passengers to a limited number of stops on the Buda and Pest sides of the inner city. The planned route is Sziget > Jászai Mari tér and Sziget > Petőfi tér > Batthyány tér > Sziget, although always double-check because routes can change due to water levels and other factors.
If you need to get around from elsewhere in Budapest, this BKK route planner will help. Trains will run every 10 minutes during the day and 20 minutes at night to the closest public transport stop (suburban railway HÉV line H5) at Filatorigát, so if you ever get stuck, this is the station you need to find.
ParkingIf you're driving to Sziget there are some great parking options. For 85 euros you can park right on the island for the whole 10 days and walk right into the festival. To access this parking lot, enter through Bridge H from Árpád Bridge. There's cheaper parking available at Star Parking (1137 Budapest, Visegrádi Street 116), where it's 50 euros for the whole 10 days, with a free shuttle provided to and from Sziget.Ride a bikeRiding a bike to Sziget is a great option! Not only can you ride along the Buda side of the Danube in on a designated bike path (the junction at the Buda side of Margaret Bridge being an easy access point), seeing the beautiful sights along the river, but Sziget also has a free bike-storage facility on the Island while you party.
TaxisCity Taxi has a special agreement with Sziget, and has exclusive drop-off and pick-up points right near K Bridge. You can make a booking on + 36 1 211 1111. Elsewhere, be careful when getting into taxis on the street as they might try to charge too much. There is now a flat meter rate for all taxis in Budapest, but you might still run into problems. It's best to call a taxi company and make a booking instead of just jumping in a cab.
