The capital is most beautiful from the river, and the river is most beautiful in the capital.

This year marks the fifth edition of the Budapest River Crossing, when we’ll paddle together in kayaks and canoes from Római to Bert Promenade.

In addition to being a wonderful and rare community experience, by paddling together we demonstrate that it is possible to navigate the Danube safely in rowing boats. We also want to show decision-makers how important an accessible Danube riverbank and a Danube we can interact with are to so many of us, and that there is great demand for river transportation and recreational opportunities within Budapest’s borders as well.

The City and River Association and the FÁK Rómain Group have been working for years to make our relationship with the Danube as close and natural as possible. With this event, our goal is to advocate for the creation of recreational water sections in the branches of the Danube in Budapest, where people could safely kayak, canoe, row, paddleboard, and even swim away from large and motorized boats.

~~~~~~~ Detailed Program ~~~~~~~ 

2:00 PM Meet at Rómain - Indian Water Tour
Registration, briefing, and preparation for launching
3:00 PM Departure
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM PADDLE THROUGH BUDAPEST
5:00 PM Landing at the Bert Outlet, unloading boats, arrival at Dürer Kert
From 5:30 PM Group photo, potluck, and casual party

~~~~~~~ Boats ~~~~~~~

You can participate in the event with any suitable rowing vessel (canoe, sea kayak, keelboat, double scull, SUP), but even in these cases, registration and payment of the 3,000 HUF participation fee are required. This is necessary because the event has many fixed costs in addition to boat rentals—we must obtain permits for the partial navigation closure, and we also need certified tour guides, lifeguards, and motorboat rentals to ensure the safety of the event.

The organizers reserve the right to refuse participation to boats unsuitable for the Danube’s Budapest section. The use of life jackets is mandatory throughout the entire duration of the event, as is compliance with the instructions of the escort boats and the tour guide. The organizers may suspend the program in the event of an incident that threatens navigation safety or if such an incident is expected to occur. The program will only be canceled in the event of extremely stormy weather; the make-up date is May 31, 2026. 

Registration is open via the link below until midnight on Monday, May 4:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefqobQ9SDl3JmETwNO8IHDsGZzXWBmcjcBVlNxLhNHuUKrWw/viewform?usp=dialog

Don’t wait until the last minute to register, as spots have filled up quickly in previous years!

~~~~~~~ Costs ~~~~~~~

The participation fee for the event is 7,000 HUF per person, which covers boat rental, return transport, permits, and the coordination of lifeguards and tour guides. The reduced participation fee is 3,000 HUF per person for children under 14 and for participants with their own boats (1,000 HUF per person for children under 14). With the support of the Óbuda-Békásmegyer Local Government, participation is free for residents of District III!

At the arrival point, we’ll welcome you with a simple snack featuring meat, vegetarian, and vegan options, which is included in the participation fee.

The organizers will arrange for the return transport of rented boats, but the return transport of your own (non-rented) boats and your journey home are your own responsibility; the organizers cannot assist with this.

The organizers do not provide transportation back to the starting point.

~~~~~~~ Organizers ~~~~~~~

City and River Association
FÁK on the Római

~~~~~~~ Partners ~~~~~~~

Külker Rowing Club Óbuda
Indián Water Tour (Óbuda Sports Association)
FOKA River Disaster Management
Dürer Kert

 ~~~~~~~ Sponsors ~~~~~~~

Participation in the event is supported by the Hungarian Water Tour Association and the Local Government of Óbuda-Békásmegyer, District III of Budapest.

Photographs and audio recordings may be taken at the event. By participating in the event, participants consent to the recording and publication of their appearance and statements, provided that they may only be identified with their express consent.