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With the temperature touching 40 and due to stay there until Saturday, August 8, Budapest is having to deal with a heatwave and potential electricity restrictions. The extremely low water levels of the Danube have significantly reduced the production of the Paks nuclear power plant – mandatory electricity restrictions for the public have not yet been introduced, but several service providers have already begun to voluntarily reduce their consumption.
Lighting & transport
The decorative lighting of more than 300 buildings, bridges, monuments and cultural sites has been switched off, along with the Musical Fountain on Margaret Island – although drinking fountains around Budapest can still be used.
While the Chain Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, Parliament, and Buda Castle will be kept dark, public and security lighting will continue to operate.
There are currently no service interruptions expected where public transport is concerned, but travel times may increase slightly. Metros and trams are accelerating more gently, which the City estimates will save around 15 megawatt hours of energy per day. Some trolleybuses may be replaced by modern, air-conditioned diesel buses. Since changes may vary from service to service, it is worth checking the current information in the BudapestGO app before you set off.
Hungarian state railway MÁV is limiting the operation of electric locomotives between 5pm-11pm. Non-essential lighting will be switched off at train stations. According to a company spokesperson, safe, scheduled transport can be maintained despite the measures. MÁV will be distributing free drinking water between 10am-5pm at the main stations of Déli, Keleti and Nyugati, as well as at the Boráros tér HÉV station.
Budapest Transport’s spacious, air-conditioned customer centres can also be used as cooling points, where drinking water is available. In Újbuda, water is also distributed at Bikás Park metro station.
Budapest Airport has reduced its non-critical energy consumption, primarily between 5pm-10pm. Air-conditioning in Terminal 2 will operate at a lower intensity, which may make the building warmer than usual. This will not affect flight departures or the safe operation of the airport.
The extremely low water levels on the Danube have already affected boat services run by MAHART, whose regular trips up the Danube to Szentendre and beyond will not operate until August 9.
Pools and concerts
Lidos are continuing to operate – in fact, one of the more pleasant consequences of the heat emergency is that the Palatinus baths and the Római Strandfürdő are now welcoming visitors for an hour later, until 8pm. The extended opening hours are currently valid until August 4.
In parallel, energy-saving measures have come into effect in all spas and lidos. Electric saunas and steam cabins are expected to be out of service for ten days from August 2. The gas-powered thermal rooms at the Rudas and Lukács are exceptions.
The Sziget Festival should still take place between August 11 and 15. According to the organisers, their own aggregator system can be completely disconnected from the national power grid if necessary, and free water refill points will be set up on the festival grounds. No schedule changes or other restrictions affecting the audience have been announced as yet.
Concerts at Budapest Park will also continue as planned. The venue will primarily reduce energy and water consumption in offices, backstage and production areas, while promising that the safety of guests and the concert experience will not be affected by the changes.
To find out the best ways to beat the heat in Budapest, see our guide here.