Sziget Festival Location: How To Get To Sziget Festival & More Useful Info

Picture this: you’ve just landed in Budapest, got your crew together, all your gear packed up and are ready for some Sziget action. There's only one question in your mind... How on earth will you actually arrive to the Island of Freedom without having to follow complicated directions, getting scammed or even losing your pals along the way?

Luckily, Budapest offers lots of ways to get to the Island of Freedom, including a well-organised public transport system and official taxi companies. We've collected for you everything you need to know about the Sziget Festival location, how to get to Sziget Festival and more transport info that will help you have a great time without getting ripped off or wasting time following complicated directions and travelling around.

So whether you jump on the suburban railway, order a cab, hop on the Sziget boat or take a wild ride to the festival on a badass party bus, it all comes down to your budget, time and how you wanna start the party.

Sziget Festival Location

Starting out as a small festival for University students back in 1993, Sziget Festival has now become Europe’s biggest festival attracting up to half a million visitors every year. It's no wonder why it's called the “Island of Freedom”: here you can totally be yourself, let your true spirit shine and party like no one’s watching.

The Sziget Festival takes place on Óbudai Island, also known as Hajógyári Island, in Budapest. The island is 108 hectares in size and is located just north of the city centre, so it's easy to get to the festival grounds from different areas of the city.

How to Get to Budapest

By plane

If you're coming from a distant location, the most convenient option might be flying into Budapest. Located 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) southeast of the centre of Budapest, Liszt Ferenc airport is well-connected to major cities in Europe and beyond, and serves multiple airlines such as Ryanair, Wizzair, British Airways, Lufthansa and more.

By bus

Budapest is conveniently located in the heart of central Europe, making it easy to get to from several countries by bus. Flixbus bus company has itineraries from most European countries and fares that won't break the bank.

By Sziget Express

If you live in Amsterdam or happen to be around, hop on the Sziget Express festival train that will take you straight to the Island of Freedom on an overnight trip.

How to Get to Sziget Festival from Budapest Airport

By the Sziget airport shuttle bus

The Sziget airport shuttle bus takes you straight from the airport to the Island of Freedom on a 45-minute ride. (You can only use this service if you have purchased a Sziget CityPass by Budapest Card - read below to find out more.)

By miniBUD airport transfer

An official partner of Sziget festival, MiniBUD runs shuttles directly from the airport to the entrance of the festival with frequent schedules and comfy air-conditioned shuttles. You can buy your tickets online or at the airport kiosk and use them whenever you want.

By taxi

You can take a taxi from the airport (there is an official taxi spot right at the exit on the ground floor). The journey to Sziget Festival takes around 45 minutes.

By public transport

Take bus 100E towards Deák Ferenc tér M (City centre), then change at Deák Ferenc tér to Metro 2 (M2) in the direction of Batthyány tér. Once you arrive at Batthyány tér stop, change to HÉV suburban railway (aka H5) in the direction of Békásmegyer or Szentendre. Get off the train at Filatorigát station and enter the festival grounds though the K Bridge (K-híd). The journey takes about 1 and a half hours.

An alternative option: Take bus 200E to Kőbánya Kispest, then change to Metro 3 (M3) line in the direction of Újpest-központ. Get off at Deák Ferenc tér and board Metro 2 (M2) line in the direction of Batthyány tér. Once you arrive at Batthyány tér stop, change to HÉV suburban railway (aka H5) in the direction of Békásmegyer or Szentendre. Get off the train at Filatorigát station and enter the festival grounds though the K Bridge (K-híd). The journey takes about 1 and a half hours.

How to Get to Sziget Festival from Budapest City Centre

By Sziget Boat

Cruise your way to the Island of Freedom on the Sziget Boat! The boat leaves from Jászai Mari Square and it takes around 22-26 minutes to arrive to the festival grounds.

By Let’s Sziget Fucked: Sziget Party Bus + Pre-party

This is arguably the best way to arrive to Sziget festival if you want to start the party early without paying crazy festival prices for drinks. Kick off your island adventure with a drink at the Hoff House meet-up bar,  then hop on the Let’s Sziget Fucked Party Bus: a fully decked out party bus equipped with a state-of-the-art party sound system, vodka-filled water guns and refreshing roadies, that will take you straight to the festival’s express entry point.

At Hoff House there'll be a make-up and glitter station with tons of different eye shadows, glitter and gems to help you glam up your festival look. The kitchen will be serving discounted cheese toasties, plus ice-cold water will be offered for free to anyone who asks for it. And if you're feeling super thirsty, you can come at Hoff House before 1 PM for 90 minutes of unlimited drinks for just 13 EUR extra.

By taxi

Főtaxi, 6x6 Taxi and BOLT Taxi are Sziget festival’s official sponsors. You can order a cab by phone or by downloading the app. We advise that you avoid hailing a random taxi from the street, as there are many unauthorised taxi drivers around, who will try to overcharge you.

By public transport

From Nyugati Railway Station (Nyugati Pályaudvar)

Take tram 4 or 6 in the direction of Széll Kálmán tér. Change at the Margit Híd Budai Hídfő stop to HÉV suburban railway (aka H5) in the direction of Békásmegyer or Szentendre. Get off the train at Filatorigát station and enter the festival grounds though the K Bridge (K-híd). The journey takes about 35 minutes.

From Keleti Railway Station (Keleti Pályaudvar)

Take Metro 2 in the direction of Déli Pályaudvar. Change at the Batthyány tér stop to HÉV suburban railway (aka H5) in the direction of Békásmegyer or Szentendre. Get off the train at Filatorigát station and enter the festival grounds though the K Bridge (K-híd). The journey takes about 45 minutes.

From Déli Railway Station (Déli Pályaudvar)

Take Metro 2 in the direction of Őrs Vezér Tere. Change at the Batthyány tér stop to HÉV suburban railway (aka H5) in the direction of Békásmegyer or Szentendre. Get off the train at Filatorigát station and enter the festival grounds though the K Bridge (K-híd). The journey takes about 40 mins.

From Népliget International Bus Station

Take Tram 1 in the direction of Bécsi út/Vörösvári út. Change at Szentlélek tér to HÉV suburban railway (aka H5) in the direction of Békásmegyer or Szentendre. Get off the train at Filatorigát station and enter the festival grounds though the K Bridge (K-híd). The journey takes about 1 hour.

Pro Tip: Don't forget to grab your Sziget CityPass by Budapest Card!

Sziget festival is a small town in itself with so much to do, but don’t forget that it’s right in the middle of an amazing city! With the Sziget CityPass by Budapest Card you can use for free most of the public transport, the Sziget airport shuttle bus and the Sziget Boat Service. Plus, you get free entry and exclusive discounts to the best spas, restaurants and museums Budapest has to offer.

So, come one, come all, and let yourself be swept away on a wild and unforgettable ride at Sziget festival. Lose yourself in the music, meet your new best friends, and dance like nobody's watching in this buzzing celebration of life, love, and freedom. The memories you make at Sziget will stay with you forever, and your heart will long to return to this one-of-a-kind paradise on the Island of Freedom.

A note from our Sziget experts

As much as Sziget festival is on every festival lover's bucket list, its ever-growing popularity has seen a sharp rise in ticket and drink prices that not everyone can afford. So if you're looking for an alternative option that won't break the bank, these awesome Sziget party events will give you the same thrilling vibes as the festival while costing just a fraction of the festival tickets.