Republic of Hungary
Local time:
(Summer): GMT+2
(Winter): GMT+1
Forint (Ft HUF) divided into 100 fillér (1 USD = cca. 210HUF)
Budapest (Ferihegy) International Airport is ten miles south-east of the city centre.
It has two terminals: Terminal One is reopened for low-cost airlines in September 2005; Terminal Two is divided into two, with Terminal 2A the departure and arrival point for flights of Malév Hungarian Airlines and Terminal 2B hosting all international carriers’ flights, including some of the budget airlines.
Airport information (+36-1) 296-9696,
and flight information (+36-1) 296-7000.
Seats on Malév flights can be booked on (+36-1) 235-3888.
Getting into town:
All major car rental companies have offices in the arrivals hall.
- The Airport minibus is a popular and reasonably priced means of transport between the airport and the city. Airport minibus service: (+36/1) 296-8555
- The public airport bus is the cheapest option. BKV Plussz reptér busz /Number 93 goes to metro station Kőbánya-Kispest (blue line), 20 minutes away.
- Taxi to the centre of Budapest will cost anything between 3.500 Ft and 5.000 Ft.
By train:
Budapest has three large international railway stations: Eastern (Keleti), Western (Nyugati) and Southern (Déli)
Keleti pályaudvar: VIII., Baross tér. Tel: (+36-1) 413 - 4610.
Nyugati pályaudvar: VI., Nyugati tér Tel: (+36-1) 349-8503
Déli pályaudvar I. Krisztina krt. 37. Tel: (+36-1) 375-6593
All three international railway stations are part of the Budapest Underground system, the Metró. The Déli and Keleti are stops on the Red (Number 2) line and the Nyugati is on the Blue (Number 3) line.
www.elvira.hu
For international information call: (36 1) 461-5500
For domestic information call: (36 1) 461-5400
As a visitor you only need a valid driving licence, all the car documents,and your passport with you. Never leave your papers in the car!
All Hungary’s motorways and most of her main roads radiate out from the capital. The M1, M3, M5 and M7 are toll motorways, and you must pay the appropriate toll (either at the border or at larger petrol stations) and display the windscreen sticker before joining the road.
Road signs conform to continental standards.
The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory in both the front and back seats.
The alcohol limit is zero.
Speed limits are 50 km/hour (31 mph) in built-up areas and 90 km/hour (56 mph) elsewhere, except on dual carriageways (110 km/hour, 68 mph) and motorways (130 km/hour, 80 mph).
The horn can only be used in built-up areas in an emergency. 24-hour roadside assistance is available from the Magyar Autóklub (Tel.: (+36-1) 345-1755), and emergency roadside help can also be called for by dialling 188.
By coach:
International services terminate and depart from Népliget Coach Station, which is also the terminus for a number of domestic routes. Its telephone number is (+36-1) 382-0888.
Web: www.volanbusz.huBy boat:
There is a scheduled hydrofoil service on the Danube, calling at Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, between early April and early November.
Voyage time: from Vienna to Budapest 5 hours, from Budapest to Vienna 6 hours.
After the voyage, which takes you through scenic areas, you arrive in the heart of the town.
Information about Mahart PassNave Ltd. services is available on (+36-1) 318-6042.
Web: www.mahartpassnave.hu
Telephone:
Public phones operate with 20,50,100 forint coins and telephone cards.
It is cheaper to phone at the weekend, on public holidays and in the evening.
Mobil numbers are 9-digit, after dialling 06, depending of the telephone company, the first two numbers are 20,30,or 70.
Public Transport:
The BKV (Budapest Public Transport Company) operates metro lines(M1-yellow, M2-red, M3-blue), blue local buses,yellow trams and red trolleybuses.
Public transport generally starts at around 04.30 and until 23.30.
Buy a ticket at the ticet offices in the metro stations and at newsstands.
They are valid for one single journey of any length (without changing) on all routes (including the Cogwheel Railway, but excluding those parts of the HÉV that lie outside the metropolitan boundary of Budapest). Special tickets can be purchased that allow a change of route, and that cover the HÉV outside Budapest. There is also a range of pre-paid books of tickets and value-for-money passes (e.g. 1-day and 3-day) - further details
A new ticket has to be validated at the beginning of each journey, and this is done by inserting it into the slot in the small red box situated at waist height near the doors of buses, trolleybuses, trams and HÉV trains. Please note on the Underground system these boxes are in the stations and the escalator. www.bkv.hu
Budapest’s metro system is incredibly simple, once you know the rules. Comprising just three lines, which all connect at Deak tér, it is possible to go from one side of the city to the other in around 15 minutes. Each metro station has a map covering the city highlighting all public transport connection points.
The HÉV, the overland railway, connects Budapest with its suburban districts. If you are visiting the city as a tourist the most popular journey by HÉV will be to Szentendre from Batthyany tér.
Budapest has more than 200 bus routes covering most of inner city and the suburbs.
The driver announces the name of each stop slighty before pulling up, however they do not automatically stop. In order to let the driver know you wish to disembark you will need to press the stop button in good time.
The yellow trams are a great way to get around. They’re easy, usually a little less crowded than the bus and they offer great views of the bustling city.
Take the 4 or 6 from nyugati pályaudvar to Moszkva tér for a great view of Danube from Margit Híd. The 2, which runs along the Danube bank from Jászai Mari tér, also offers some great views of Buda.
You can also call a taxi by phone: the car will usually get there in 5-10 minutes. Switchboard operators generally speak English.
Taxi companies use different tariffs, but there is one thing which they have in common: a price ceiling is applied.
Budataxi: 233-3333
Budapest Taxi: 433-3333
Citytaxi: 211-1111
Főtaxi: 222-2222
Taxi 2000: 200-0000
Tele 5 Taxi: 355-5555
Rádiótaxi: 377-7777
6x6 Taxi: 266-6666
In general, all companies require that the person renting a vehicle is at least 21 years old, has had at least one year’s driving experience, has a valid driving experience, has a valid driving licence and passport. All the major rent-a-car companies have an office at the airport, and brochures on rent-a-car options are available from hotel reception desks and Tourinform offices.
www.budapestinfo.hu
E-mail:info@budapestinfo.hu
TOURINFORM OFFICE
Hotline: (+36 30)30-30-600 from aboard,
06-80-66-00-44 from Hungary
1. Near Oktogon, VI. Liszt Ferenc square 9-11.
phone.: (+36-1) 322-4098
Fax: (+36-1) 342-9390
9.00-19.00 , 1 April - 31 Oct
10.00-18.00 , 1 Nov - 30 March
E-mail: liszt@budapestinfo.hu
2. Western (Nyugati) Railway Station, Main Hall
phone.: (+36-1) 302-8580
9.00-19.00 , 1 March - 31 Oct
9.00-18.00 , 1 Nov - 28 Febr
E-mail: nyugati@budapestinfo.hu
3. Buda Várinfo in the Buda Castle, I. Szentháromság tér.
phone: (+36-1) 488-0475, (+36-1) 488-0453
Fax: (+36-1) 488-0474
9.00-20.00 , 1 Jun - 30 Sept
9.00-19.00 , 1 Oct - 31 May
E-mail: var@budapestinfo.hu
4. Downtown, V. Sütő u. 2. (Deák square) / Tourinform, and Police-Info Office
phone: (+36-1) 438-8080
8.00-20.00 (whole year)
E-mail: suto@budapestinfo.hu
5. Ferihegy Airport, Terminal 2A, Arrivals / 1185 Budapest, Budapest-Ferihegy 1675
phone: (+36-1) 438-8080
8.00-23.00 h (whole year)
E-mail: ferihegy2A@budapestinfo.hu
6. Ferihegy Airport, Terminal 2B, Departures
phone: (+36-1) 438-8080
8.00-23.00 h (whole year)
E-mail: ferihegy2B@budapestinfo.hu
7. Ferihegy Airport, Terminal 1
phone: (+36-1) 438-8080
9.00-22.00 h (whole year)
"The whole city in your pocket" is the motto of the Budapest Card, introduced by our office in 1997. The Card offers its holder more than a hundred services:
- unlimited travel on public transport
- free or discounted entry to 60 museums and to several sights
- sightseeing tour for half price
- reduced price tickets for cultural and folklore programmes
- discounts in restaurants and spas
- discount for car rental, sports facilities and in many other places
The services of the card are detailed in a 100-paged, coloured publication in Hungarian, English, German and Italian languages. This publication introduces the use of the Budapest Card and the servicing enterprises. (with photo, address, opening hours, entrance fees and discou
Available:
More than 250 places in Budapest: main metro ticket offices, tourist information bureaus, travel agencies, hotels and the airport, and abroad at major tour operators.
Important numbers:
24-hour medical assistance: Falck SOS Hungary. Tel: 200-0100
24-hour dental assistance: Tel: 267-9602
Ambulance: 104
Police: 107
Fire service: 105
Inland enquiries: 198
Universal enquiries: 197
International enquiries: 199
Autó club-help number: 188
Speaking clockk: 180
Emergency service: 112
You should report the loss of your passport to the following authority:
Budapest and Pest County Directorate of the Office for Immigration and Citizenship
Address: 1117 Budapest, Budafoki út 60.
Telephone: 463-9165
463-9181
Open: 24 hours
24-hour pharmacy:
Teréz Patika :VI. Teréz körút 41. Tel: 311-4439
Déli Gyógyszertár: XII. Alkotás ú.1/B. Tel: 355-4691
