Tickets
There are several types of tickets and passes for Sziget. If you do not yet have yours, you can buy it online or even on the spot – in case that particular day is not yet sold out – but we recommend avoiding the long queues. Once you have purchased your ticket, you get a voucher in an e-mail, to be exchanged for a wristband at the entrance. Please do not forget to take a valid ID card or your passport – and the voucher – with you to the festival, as those who arrive without either have to go to a separate booth, best avoided in the festival rush.
Transport
Sziget takes place on the Óbuda Island, north of Margaret Island. As ever, the entrance is the iconic K Bridge enhanced with welcoming banners – where you can snap your first festival picture. If you opt for public transport from the city centre, the easiest way to get there is to jump on the HÉV (suburban train) on the Buda side of Margaret Bridge (Margit-híd) or at Batthyány tér – just across the river from the Parliament – and take it to Filatorigát, a journey of ten minutes. From there, follow the crowd along the fenced-off path. During Sziget, suburban trains run more frequently, so you never have to wait more than 15 minutes. Make sure to buy and properly validate your tickets – during the festival, extra ticket inspectors patrol the entire public-transport system.
Bear in mind that this summer, replacement buses are operating on the main Pest section of Budapest’s main tram line, 4-6. But during Sziget, replacement buses run more frequently.
If you come straight from the airport and use public transport, first you need to get to central Budapest. To do that, check out this article. Otherwise another option is to use Sziget’s official shuttle service, MiniBUD.
If you’re arriving by train, here’s how to get to Sziget from major stations:
Nyugati pályaudvar: Take tram 4-6 from outside the station towards Széll Kálmán tér. Get off at the third stop, Margit Híd-Budai Hídfő (on the Buda side of Margaret Bridge). Take the stairs down to the regional HÉV train station and head towards Szentendre/Békásmegyer. Disembark at Filatorigát and follow the crowds to Sziget.
Keleti pályaudvar: Find the metro, marked with a big M sign, and take red line 2 towards Déli pályaudvar. Alight at Batthyány tér, and take the HÉV train to Filatorigát, then follow the crowds to Sziget.
Déli pályaudvar: Find the metro and take red line 2 towards Örs vezér tere. Alight at Batthyány tér, and take the HÉV train to Filatorigát, then follow the crowds to Sziget.
If you’re coming from elsewhere in Budapest, this BKK route planner will help.
By taxi
If you use a taxi, we recommend calling an official company – for instance City Taxi, the official partner of Sziget (+36 1 211 1111) or Budapest Taxi (+36 1 777 7777 )– or using the Taxify app. Be careful jumping into a free cab outside train stations and major hotels as drivers might attempt to overcharge foreigners.
By boat
During the festival, a boat runs between Jászai Mari tér on the Pest side of Margaret Bridge and the Óbuda island, free for CITYPASS holders, tickets also available for purchase at the dock. Services depart every 15min, on August 8th and 9th, between 4pm and 12:30am, and between August 10th-15th, from 2:20pm and 2:30am.
Meanwhile, the Sziget Cruisin party boat allows Szitizens to take a mini break to explore Budapest’s riverfront sights during the festival without having to leave the party entirely. Revellers can board the boat at Batthyány tér or directly at the festival. When the cruise terminates at Batthány tér, passengers are offered an optional bus transfer back to Óbuda island for an extra charge. Boat tickets are €34, with a €10 discount for CITYPASS holders. More details about the party boat from last year.
CITYPASS
If you wish to see more of Budapest than just the festival grounds, you may want to consider purchasing a CITYPASS online. The Sziget-Budapest CITYPASS offers full use of the city’s public-transport system (trams, buses, metros and HÉV suburban trains) within the city limits, free use of the Sziget shuttle bus between Budapest Airport and the festival, and complimentary rides aboard the Sziget transport boat that runs every 15 minutes during the festival. In addition, 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 discounts. You can buy the Sziget-Budapest CITYPASS at several sales points citywide, including at the tourist information office at Keleti station, at the Sziget ticket point at Akvárium Klub, at terminal A and B of Liszt Ferenc Airport, at Sziget ticket booths at the festival entrance, and even within the festival area at Festipay top-up stations.
Payments
Sziget is a cashless festival, so don’t bother with coins, notes, euros or forints. On the festival site, you can pay by contactless Mastercards or as an innovation this year, with your wristband. You can top up your wristband via your bank through the Sziget application, or at points at the festival. If you ever need your money back from your wristband, you can get it in cash at top-up points.
If you need more information, keep an eye on We Love Budapest and the Sziget website.
