Arrival

BY AIRPLANE :

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. The airport’s central telephone number for information is (+36-1) 296-9696, and flight information is available on (+36-1) 296-7000. Luggage services can be contacted on (+36-1) 296-8108 and (+36-1) 296-7217 in connection with flights into and out of Terminal 2A, and (+36-1) 295-3480 and (+36-1) 296-7948 for Terminal 2B. Seats on Malév flights can be booked on (+36-1) 235-3888.

The main car hire firms have offices in the arrivals halls.

If you buy the Budapest Card in one of our tourist information offices at the airport, the card can be used already on the public transport from the airport.

BY TRAIN :

More than fifty trains a day provide direct links between Budapest and no fewer than 25 other capital cities. Trains to Vienna run every three hours. There is also a popular network of Inter City trains linking Budapest with the main Hungarian centres. International trains operate from the three largest stations: 

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

BY BUS :

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.

Other domestic termini are at Árpád híd ((+36-1) 412-2597)

and Stadionok ((+36-1) 220-6227) in Pest,

and Etele tér ((+36-1) 382-4910) in Buda.

www.volanbusz.hu

BY BOAT :

A hydrofoil services operates during the summer months (from April to October) linking the heart of Budapest with Vienna and Bratislava. International boat landings are situated on the Danube between the Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) and the Freedom Bridge(Szabadság híd).

Information about Mahart PassNave Ltd. services is available on (+36-1) 318-6042.

BY 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, and only handless mobile telephones may be used whilst vehicles are in motion. 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.

Getting Around

How can I get into the city from the airport?

BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION :

A direct bus line with "200E" designation BKV bus takes passengers to the Kőbánya-Kispest terminal of the M3 subway.The price for a ticket valid for one trip costs HUF 300,which can be purchased at the post office at Terminal I of Ferihegy Airport and at the newsstand kiosk at Terminal II,as well as at the post office or the ticket vending machines.If same tickets can be purchased from the bus drivers for HUF 400.Travel time: 12-25 minutes.

The blue line (M3) of the subway departing from this terminal reaches the city center Deák Ferenc square in 20 minutes.The Deák Ferenc square station is the hub where the north-south (M3-blue) and the east (M2-red) lines as well as the Millenial Subway Line (M1-yellow) intersect.Tickets can be purhased at the sale windows at the stations or at the ticket vending machines.

Public transportation is free of charge for holders of the Budapest Card,which can be purchased at the Information Desk at the airport.Line tickets can be purchased at the newspaper store and at the ticket vending machines.

BY TRAIN :

A direct train line for HUF 300 is available from Terminal 1 to Budapest Nyugati pályaudvar (Western Railway Station),travel time : 30 minutes.Tickets can be purchased at the Tourinform office at Terminal 1 between 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.Outside opening hours,they are available from the controllers on the trains.Passangers with Budapest Card receive a 20% discount.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE :

Shuttle mini vans seating 9-14 people commuta between the airport and the city,picking up passangers with accommodations in the same vicinity.Accordingly,their commute times are longer then those of taxi cabs.The fee for the shuttle commuting within the territory of Budapest is HUF 2500/person/trip.

BY CAB :

If you wish to acces the city by taxi cab,please order one on the phone (which you may also do calling from abroad),or use the cabs available at the rankoutside the airport.Further information under the Taxi Cab heading.

TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN TERMINAL I AND II :

A simple line ticket for HUF 320 is required for the bus operated by BKV between the two terminals, which can be purchased at the post office at Terminal I of Liszt Ferenc (Ferihegy) Airport and at the newsstand kiosk at Terminal II, as well as at the post office or the ticket vending machines.The same tickets are available from the bus driver for HUF 400.

Public transport

The public transportation grid of Budapest is considered extensive on a world scale,and the ticket prices are favorable;so it is worth using the bus,trolley-bus and tram lines, the Local Commuters' Train (HÉV) and the subway lines.The schedules accommodate the varying passanger density throughout the day.Neverthless,basic awareness is required on the more crowded vehicles,which often attract the presence of pickpockets.

We advise you to keep your wallet and valuables on you,in your inside or sidepockets,and avoid carrying larger amounts.If you must ,do so in divided amounts distributed to different places.Be careful that your documents do not stick out of your pockets,and carry your bag locked or tihtly closed at all times.You are not required to carry your passport with you in the city ;you may leave it at your hotel safe deposit.A picture ID,such as your driver license,is sufficient.

Budapest subway lines

Ticket control

The public transportation vehicles in Budapest can only be used with a pre-purchased ticket or pass;however,the tickets must be validated (stamped) upon boardingthe vehicles or,in case of a subway trip at the station entrance.The machines validate the tickets by punching holes or stamping the time validation on them.

For exploring the city we recommend purchasing a Budapest Card,which includes free public transportation for 48 or 72 hours,free or discounted museum admissions, as well as discount for numerous other tourist attraction.The card can be purchased at the more frequented ticket sale windows,tourist information offices,hotels and travel agencies,or

The Budapest transport limited (BKV Zrt.)-also offers different kinds of tickets (line transfer,zone,day,book,week,etc.) which make your travel more economical.Most of these can be purchased at the subway stations,at the ticket vending machines,at tobacconist,at hotel front desks,or at news kiosk.The greatest selection of them can be found at the ticket sale windows of BKV Zrt.,where information displayed in Hungarian and English will offer guidance on the best ticket purchse.

When purcasing your tickets,please remember that,with the exception of transfer between the subway lines,a new ticket must be used for each leg of your trip on different vehicles.We recommend purchasing a Budapest Card or a dialy pass.The tickets are checked by contollers wearning armbands and picture ID's on public transportation vehicles and subway entrances and exits;therefore,please keep your ticket for the entire duration of your trip or until you have exited the territory of the subway.In addition to passengers dodging the fare,those traveling with invalid (expired,unstamped or illegible) tickets or passes will also be fined.

When required to pay a fine,information available from the ticket controllers in Hungarian,English,German,French,Spanish,Romanian and Russian will offer you guidance.These site will provide information on thhe amounts of the fines and on payment options.The fines can be paid in Hungarian forints only,and the controller is required to give you an invoice.

For further information on traveling on public transportation vehicles,please visit the BKV Zrt's web site (also available in English) at www.bkv.hu

Taxi, Cabs

Getting around for visitors not familiar with the city is best offered by taxi cabs,which can be recognized by their yellow license plates and the yellow "Taxi" signs placed on top of the vehicles.There is no uniform requirement for the color and model of the vehicles.All taxi cabs,however,are requires to use taximeters,which are designed to also issue an invoice of your travel fee the end of your trip.The travel fee is comprised of your base fee,which may vary depending on how statisfied you were with the service.

The fees for each taxi cab are listed clearly visibly on the back passenger door on the right hand side of the vehicles,as well as inside on the dash board.The fee payable at the end of your trip is comprised of three parts :

1. The base fee,which is irrespective of the distance of your trip (max. HUF 300 durning daytime and max. HUF 420 at night).

2. Your kilometer fee depending on the distance of your trip (max. HUF 240/km durning daytime and max. HUF 336/km at night).

3. Waiting fee, automatically switched to by the taximeter when the vehicle is stopping or is travelling at a speed lower then 15km/h (daytime. HUF 60/min, nightime. HUF 84/min).

The major cab companies operate at significantly lower prices than the above fees,so it worth noting their phone numbers,especially as vehicles ordered on the phone run for cheaper fees and more reliable than hailing cabs on the street.When ordering a taxi cab,ask your hotel receptionist's help and avoid listening to recommendations by your cab driver when choosing a bar or place for entertainment.

Taxi companys :

Passengers arriving at the airport should avoid using the services offered by cab drivers waiting inside teh terminal,who usually charge higher travel fees than the above described maximum charges.If you wish to access the city by cab,please rder your vehicle on the phone,which you can also do calling from abroad,or use the "Zone" cabs waiting at the rank outside the terminal,which service four different zones of the city from the airport for the different zones vary between HUF 4800 and 5400 (EUR 22-25).

Car, parking

If you arrive in Budapest by car,we recommend that you park your vehicle in the closed and protected parking lot or garage of your hotel.Getting around in Budapest .especially in lack of proper familiarity with the city,is usually more practical by public transportation.In case you still decide to use your car,always lock your automobile and avoid leaving valaubles,bags (evenwhen empty),objects and clothes inside.Always remove the front panel of your music player when parking.

Then territory of Budapest is divided to several parking zones,where different parking fees are required (varying between HUF 145 and 580).As set out by law,paying parking fees is required between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 pm in the city.On Saturdays,Sundays and public holidays parking is free of charge.During parking hours,parking tickets must be purchased at the parking machines and displayed on the dashboard in such a way that they are clearly visible from outside.The minimum parking fee is for 15 minutes;the parking machines issue tickets valid for the duration in accordance with the amount entered.The maximum parking time is 2-3 hours.For longer parking periods,we recommend using the P+R (park and ride) places.These areas are usually located at major subway stations and bus line terminals (Árpád Bridge Pest side,Nagyvárad square,�rs vezér square,Népliget etc.) where you can continue your journey by public transportation.When parked illegally (whitout a valid parking ticket),you may receive a parking fine and/or a wheel clamp placed on your vehicle by the company operating the parking area or the Budapest Public Area Supervision.In the latter case,a multi-lingual sticker is placed on your car with information on what you need to do to have the clamp removed.

You can take precautions to avoid having your car stolen by always turning on your alarm or immobilizer system when parking,by using protected parking lots and parking garages,and by never leaving your car's documents in the vehicle.Neverthless,crime happens despite our best efforts.Please report any incident immediately,providing a detailed description of the event,at the nearest police station,in order for a search warrant to be issued for your vehicle as soon as possible.

Currency, Exchange

Although at certain places US dollars and Euro also accepted,the local currency of Hungary remains the forint for a few more years.Accordingly,if you wish to use cash in addition to your credit cards for payment in the country,please change some of your currency to Hungarian forints upon arrival.Currency exchange in Hungary is strictly regulated and my only be done by licensed offices.Exchange windows at most tourist attractions,banks,front desks of certain hotels and currency exchange machines may be used for this purpose.It is worth checking the signs displaying the current rates at the exchanage places,and to inquire before your transaction whether a commission or other fees are charged.Also different rates may apply when changing different amounts of currency.

Illegal money changers lurking at tourists in the streets or outside transport stations may offer more favorable rates ,but the wad of forints you receive may often contain newspaper or other worthless pieces of paper,which you may only notice later.

We advise that you leave the majority of your cash at safe deposit at your hotel and carry only the spanding money needed for your daily trips.

You credit cards are accepted at most stores and points-of-sale in Budapest and there are ATM's virtually everywhere downtown.Most hotels accepted traveler's checks,which are also a safe options.

Restaurants - Bars - Nightclubs

Every visitors would like to taste the foods of the country and recapture the adventures of the day at a nice restaruant.The colorful flavors os so why not taste the famous goulash, the fish, soup, the paprika chicken, or the Somlo delight, or sip the famous Tokaji wine.

The waiting staff at the majority of restaurants and eateries speak several languages and offer menus in the same.In order to avoid misunderstandings,it is worth studying the menu carefully,including the fine print.If you see any discreapancy between the items on your bill and the ordered food,please clarify it with your waiter.

It is worth noting that a trip of approxymately 10 percent is customary at restaurants in Hungary, except where gratuity or service is included in the bill, as stated on the menu , which must not exceed 15 percent.

Beware of attractive ladies inviting you to night clubs or restaurants;these places usually operate with misleading price lists and eventually grossly overcharge their customers.If you do enter places so recommended,please study the menu carefully before you order and be aware that the items consumed by the ladies entertaining at your table will also be charged to your bill , usually order be highest priced items on the menu.Precautions will save you a lot of unpleasantness.