Travel Information
We hope you will find the following information useful :
Arriving by plane:
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. For those not driving, the Airport Minibus will carry passengers to and from any part of Budapest. It is very popular and provides excellent value for money. It can be booked on (+36-1) 296-8555 or in person at the airport.
Budapest Airport Ferihegy (BUD) www.bud-airport.hu
MALEV Hungarian Airlines www.malev.hu
By rail:
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.
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.
Taxis
Taxis have the word “Taxi” written on them and have yellow registration number plates. It is compulsory for them to use a taximeter that can also give a receipt. The price chargeable is calculated according to the distance travelled but will also include a fixed booking fee and (if appropriate) a waiting fee. It is customary to give a tip of ten percent, depending on the level of satisfaction.
The total charge that has to be paid by the passenger is made up of 3 seperate parts: the basic charge which is irrespective of how far the journey is (maximum 300 HUF during the day, maximum 420 HUF at night), a per kilometre charge which depends on how many kilometres are covered during the journey (maximum 240 HUF per kilometre during the day, maximum 336 HUF at night), and the waiting charge. The larger taxi companies work with rates far lower than the maximum charges listed above.
It is well worth noting down their telephone numbers, and then calling them, because a taxi ordered by phone is cheaper than one called on the street.
Currency Exchange
All visitors are advised to exchange currency only at accredited places. It is both risky and illegal to attempt to do so in the street. The majority of banks have 24-hour ATM’s some of which can also exchange foreign currency. Individual banks and travel agencies are free to set their own rates (based on those advertised by the Hungarian National Bank) but they must be clearly displayed. It is advisable to keep records of currency exchange transactions until leaving the country. Rates offered at bureaux de change in the city centre and near the main railway stations are generally better than those available in the banks, at the airport and in hotels. The Hungarian currency is the forint. There are coins to the value of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 forints, and notes for 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 forints.
All the most popular credit, debit and charge cards can be used in banks and in ATM’s to withdraw forints, and in hotels, restaurants and shops for purchases. Signs are displayed at the entrance showing which cards are acceptable.
In emergency case
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
Emergency service: 112
We are looking forward to welcoming you at the OPENeCTD forum in Budapest!
