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Our critical guide to
lodging in Budapest, which includes over 100 hotels, pensions, private rooms, hostels and campsites can be found in
Budapest hotels and lodging. The section, which features instant
online booking, also incorporates high-quality digital photographs of individual
properties, plus area location maps. And, if you have any
questions about a potential or confirmed booking, just ask us via our 'Live Help' system
or send an e-mail to: talking.webs@btclick.com!
For detailed information on scheduled/charter airline
services, ticket pricing, discount flights and air ticket consolidators, check out getting there.
Generally, one meal is served on scheduled European services and two on direct
long haul flights from North America. Vegetarians, or travellers requiring special meals e.g.
kosher, halal etc. should check the availability of such food when booking their flight.
Note: most budget airlines (including easyJet) do not offer
"free" meals onboard. Instead, passengers pay for their in-flight drinks/snacks.
Generally, a selection of hot and cold drinks, alcoholic beverages, sandwiches,
savoury items and confectionery is made available, along with gift items such as
watches, fragrances and hi-tech gadgets. Air Berlin is an exception, however. On
routes to Budapest, the company provide a complimentary sandwich, cold drink and
choice of tea/coffee.
Airport Transfers to Budapest Hotels
Talking Cities Airport Transfer - An easy way into town from Budapest
Airport (Ferihegy) is to book an airport
transfer online with Talking Cities. Choose between a minibus, shuttle bus
or private hire vehicle and avoid the hassle of having to arrange a connection
upon arrival in Budapest.
Airport Minibus - Alternatively, Budapest Airport's frequent minibus
service (Tel: 296 8555, Fax: 296 8993 from 6am-10pm) is a cheap and reliable
way to reach any address in the downtown area. For a small
surcharge, they'll even take you to districts further afield so long as the address is within city limits.
Single or return tickets are purchased from the company's passenger service desks located in both terminals.
Returning to the airport is also easy too - simply call the number given above
(at least 12 hours before you intend to travel) and they'll pick you up from your hotel.
The shuttle, which operates out of both terminals from 6am-10pm daily, costs 2490 HUF per person
(4390 HUF return) with each Ford Transit vehicle seating 8-11 people. During
peak periods the company may also use larger 16-seater Mercedes (or equivalent) vehicles.
The only disadvantage
to the service is that, as visitors will almost
certainly share a minibus with other passengers, it will stop at several locations i.e. other
hotels/pensions before arriving at your chosen destination. Generally hotels
such as the Mercure Korona, Kempinski Hotel Corvinus and Le Meridien Hotel
Budapest are served most frequently, while less popular ones, or private addresses in Budapest require a longer wait in arrivals before a
bus departs.
Taxis - A recent tender by
Budapest Airport in 2006 resulted in Zóna Service
(Tel: +36 1 365 55 55) being awarded the contract to operate taxi services from Ferihegy
terminals 1 & 2.
For transfers between terminals 1 & 2 fares cost 1600 HUF, while
trips to Budapest's most downtown areas (categorized as zones 2 & 3) cost 4500 or 4700
HUF respectively. Rides to outlying neighbourhoods cost 3300 or 5100 HUF while journeys
beyond the city limits carry an additional charge of 220 HUF per km.
It's also important to note that, as part of Zóna's service
contract, the amounts shown above are maximum fares that drivers will be allowed to charge.
Each trip is also metered so that, in cases where a lower fare is shown, then passengers will only
have to pay that amount.
In addition, as a condition of their contract Zóna has had to ensure that:
i) their booking system is fully-computerised and linked, via GPS, to all
vehicles;
ii) all cars are equipped with the facility to accept credit card payments;
iii) all new cars are equipped with Euro IV-standard diesel engines, which will roughly halve emissions from pick-up taxis at
Ferihegy.
Railway Service - Commuter and Inter-city services operate
between Budapest's Western railway station (Nyugati pu.) and a dedicated stop outside
Ferihegy Terminal 1. Advice on which trains to catch can be found on the Budapest
Airport website, although a more down to earth assessment of the service can be found
at: www.pestiside.hu
(a must read).
Commuter Bus - Cheapest of all (and the method we use to travel between
the airport and downtown Budapest) is the No. 200 (previously the Reptér-Busz) and No. 93 bus services to/from
Kóbánya-Kispest* metro station.
For the No. 200, which serves both Ferihegy 1 and 2, a pre-purchased
270 HUF ticket is needed
for the journey (which takes twenty-three minutes) with buses running at regular 10-20
minute intervals. Services begin at 04.30, with the last departure for the airport
at 23.46 (Mon-Sun).
Bus 93, which runs only between Ferihegy 1 and Kóbánya-Kispest,
operates to a less flexible schedule as buses are available only between 04.55 and 20.50
on working days (with a limited service on Saturday). On Sundays, you'll need to take the
No. 200
for transfers between Kóbánya-Kispest and Ferihegy 1.
Note, however, the green BKV ticket machines - located near to
the taxi ranks outside each arrival hall - accept only HUF coins, so make sure you obtain
suitable change in advance. Once you arrive at Kóbánya-Kispest, it's then a further 20 minute journey to the city
centre on the blue M3 metro line, for which an additional 270 HUF ticket
(covering a single journey without changing to the M1 or M2 lines) is required.
* although our favoured way of getting to/from Budapest
Airport, be aware that Kóbánya-Kispest station will come as a
culture shock to newly arrived visitors (being busy and rather grubby). However,
as there's always a visible police presence here, you're unlikely to encounter
problems, especially as scores of local commuters use the station during
daylight hours. Be sure though to follow our tips on avoiding crime
in Budapest at all times.
An ever growing number of three, four and five star
hotels in Budapest offer babysitting services, although purpose built crèches are still
rare. A good travel agent will be able to find out what's on offer before you book. Reputable
hotels hire only local, qualified sitters. Give the hotel's front desk at least a day's notice of
your intention to hire a sitter.
Baggage Allowances for Budapest
Baggage allowance on most scheduled flights is
20kg (44lb). Some airlines do, however, allow cases weighing up to 32kg, although usually
an excess baggage fee is payable prior to boarding (for example EasyJet currently charge
approximately £6 for each kilo over and above the usual 20kg limit). More recently, a
number of low-cost carriers have introduced a charge for carrying hold luggage (calculated
per piece). Typically, the price is around £5 for each item checked-in.
Generally, hand luggage is
limited to one piece per person weighing under 8kg (17lb). Permission to take larger items on
board, such as pushchairs and bicycles etc. should be obtained from your airline before travelling.
Airlines also now have greater restrictions on the type of items that can be taken
aboard as hand luggage. In particular, scissors, knives and razors most go in the cargo hold (if
found during hand luggage checks they'll be confiscated). Moreover, EU-wide rules
governing the transport of liquids in hand baggage restrict the amount and type of liquids
that can be taken onto a flight. In Hungary, authorities have stipulated that:
i) the liquid should be placed in a container with a maximum volume of 100ml;
ii) all liquid containers meeting the maximum volume of 100ml can be fitted comfortably into a transparent, re-sealable 1 litre plastic bag, measuring 20cmx20cm.
Essentially, the rules require that, during an airport security search, the plastic bag
is removed from hand luggage and X-rayed separately. Essential medicines and baby food are allowed in amounts larger than
100ml, while passengers will continue to be able to buy perfumes, cosmetics, bottles of alcohol and other drinks in the departure lounge after passing through airport security.
For further details about restrictions
that may apply, please check with your airline or travel agent when booking.
Nowadays, you won't need your passport as proof of ID to change hard currency into forints
(HUF),
although it does remain a necessary safeguard for cashing Travellers Cheques.
If you can, avoid changing money in hotels or at Ferihegy Airport as the
exchange rate offered will usually be lower than banks or bureaux de change in downtown Budapest.
Although banks charge commission on currency exchanges, their rates are often better than
non-commission kiosks in the city centre (those in and around the shopping district of Váci
utca offer fairly low rates, so shop around before taking the plunge).
As Automated Telling Machines (ATMs) are commonplace in Budapest (they're
easily found along Váci utca and in shopping malls such as the WestEnd City Centre) you
should have no difficulty withdrawing money using a debit or credit card. However, to avoid any
problems ensure that your Personal Identification Number (PIN) has been set-up properly before
travelling. Most Hungarian ATM machines accept Visa, Mastercard (including Cirrus and Maestro), American
Express, and Diners Club.
Alternatively, you can opt to use a pre-paid (disposable) travel card such as
Visa TravelMoney that gives 24-hr access to your funds in any local currency. The main advantage to
this system is that the overall value of the card is stored on Visa TravelMoney's system, not on
the card itself. So, if you lose your card, you don't lose your money. If you want to use Travellers Cheques,
then the most widely accepted
in Hungary are American
Express.
Bank business hours in Budapest vary, although major branches of Budapest Bank, Citibank and
CIB are usually open from 8am-5.30pm, with
limited opening hours - until 12pm - on Saturdays. Other popular Hungarian/foreign banks in
Budapest include: OTP Bank, Raiffeisen Bank, K&H
and Erste Bank. All banks in Budapest are closed on Sundays. See also money.
Bargain Hunting in Budapest
Undoubtedly the easiest way to save money on a trip to
Budapest is by comparing the online prices of various flight booking and travel agency services.
Indeed, our own online
flight and hotel booking pages are a great place to
start! In addition, a list of the best third-party sites (in terms of both value and reputation)
can be found in our general links section. See also
getting there and our business directory for further information.
As a general rule of thumb, frequent flyers don't travel with
expensive looking luggage. If you do, it's rather like attracting bees to a honey pot (particularly
in baggage reclaim). It's equally important though not to use old threadbare luggage which isn't up to
a mild bruising from baggage handlers.
When leaving home, ask neighbours to keep an eye on the house and ensure that
all exterior doors and windows are locked properly. Security experts advise not to lock interior
doors as this usually results in further damage should an intruder break in. If you turn off gas or
electricity supplies, remember that appliances such as fridge-freezers will need to be defrosted
beforehand. And, if the timing of your return flight means that you'll be arriving home at night, make
sure you have a torch to hand to switch supplies back on.
When packing, it's important to know the value and contents of each bag, just
in case they're lost. Label them with your name, contact number and destination address in Budapest
(this is preferable to advertising your home address to all and sundry). And,
when checking in, make
sure every piece of luggage is correctly tagged with the destination airport's unique three letter
identifier. Moreover, if travelling as a couple, group or family, avoid packing
each person's clothes into just one bag/case. That way, even if you do lose
baggage, you'll still have some fresh clothes on day two (which trust us is a godsend,
as airlines are often sluggish in finding lost items and/or paying
compensation).
Budapest Card
Introduced in the spring of 1997, the Budapest Card (Kártya) provides
unlimited travel on public transport, free entry to 60 museums and discounts on everything from
sightseeing tours to restaurant meals. Cards come in two or three day versions (6500 HUF and
8000 HUF respectively) and include a decent pocket sized brochure containing maps of Buda, Pest and
the metro system. For travellers using Budapest Airport's minibus or car rental service,
the card remains valid
for an additional two days (you can also purchase the card at the minibus desk). Youngsters under
14 are automatically covered by adult cards.
Widely available in hotels, museums and tourist information offices,
ticket offices at larger metro stations also carry stocks.
Cameras, Computers & Camcorders
Ferihegy's X-ray machines are film safe, although you can
insist on a hand inspection for cameras if necessary. It's not even necessary to buy film before
you go, as recognised brands such as Kodak, Agfa and Fuji can be bought fairly cheaply in Budapest.
If you're taking a camcorder with you, think about buying a spare battery and don't forget to pack
your battery charger.
If you plan to take a PC notebook onto a flight, international safety
regulations mean you won't be able to use it during takeoff and landing. What's
more, don't try enabling your wi-fi connection onboard! More generally, you should
be able to prove to customs that cameras, computers, camcorders and pocket TVs are for holiday or
business use and have not been imported into Hungary for the purpose of resale (see also customs allowances below).
Also remember that for any 35 mm film lost or damaged during developing,
laboratories are only obliged to replace it with another of the same value. You won't be
compensated for the commercial or sentimental value of photographs. Our advice is to ask about
separate insurance for important films such as those from weddings, birthdays etc.
Car Rental in Budapest
It's easier to arrange a Budapest
car rental
through your travel agent
rather than on arrival. Not only will you save money (anything from 15-20%) but you'll also be able
to find out about deposits, drop off charges, cancellation penalties and insurance costs without
having to make yourself understood in a foreign language.
Make sure though you find out what equipment comes as standard (air
conditioning is not always available) and check that the price quoted includes ÁFA (VAT).
Optional extras such as roof racks and child seats should also be arranged before you go. US and
Canadian citizens should note that the majority of rental cars in Budapest have manual (stick
shift), rather than automatic transmission.
To hire a car in Hungary you must be at least 21 years of age. Mileage rates
are of the fixed amount free, unlimited or per kilometre variety, with extra charges for any
additional drivers wanting to use the vehicle.
Although reputable companies operate new fleets and service them to a high
standard, make your own checks before accepting a rental car. These should include:
i) checking for minor bodywork damage, making sure that small defects are
noted on the rental agreement before you take the vehicle;
ii) checking for tyre wear (insist on a different vehicle if the tread appears
low, uneven or if there are cuts or bulges in any tyre sidewalls);
iii) checking in advance to see if rear seat belts are fitted (and arrange for
a car seat if you have small children).
Allow yourself plenty of time to get used to the vehicle, unfamiliar road
signs and Budapest's drivers. When returning the car, fuel should be topped up to the same level as
when you first picked it up (otherwise you'll be charged at the rental company's own tariff per
litre which is invariably higher than that of local forecourts). Insurance requirements and general
rules on driving in Hungary (including local road signs) are covered in getting there. Online car rental is
available on our own site, while a list of reputable car rental firms can be found in our Budapest links section.
Check In for Budapest Flights
For scheduled European flights and services from North
America and Australasia, check in at least two hours before departure. Note that, due to an increased
threat of terrorism worldwide, security checks have been stepped up at international airports.
Consequently, anyone found travelling with hand luggage that contains sharp objects such as
scissors, razors, nail files etc. will have them confiscated before boarding their flight
(see "Baggage Allowances" above). They can, of course, still be transported in the hold as part of your normal baggage
allowance.
The trick here is to plan well in advance and involve
youngsters in your holiday plans. Although major airlines provide goody bags for kids on long-haul
flights, it's still wise to take other small puzzles, games, toys and books. Make sure though you
pack them as hand luggage!
For children under two years of age on the date of their return flight home,
you'll have to pay a charge for them to fly. This is relatively small on European flights, although
it can add up if you're travelling from North America or have more than one child. What's more,
rates vary depending on whether you fly with a scheduled or charter airline. During the flight,
infants under six months must sit on an adult's lap and wear a lap-strap. Youngsters over six
months and under two years must sit on an adult's lap unless there is a vacant seat. If you have a
child who's prone to air sickness, make sure they know to tell you straight away if they're feeling
unwell. If all else fails, make sure they know where to find the sick bag, just in case you've left
your seat for any length of time.
The same basic rules apply if travelling by car to Budapest. Again, make sure
plenty of toys are to hand (having to unpack a favourite toy from the boot of the car won't improve
your mood) and stop for breaks at frequent intervals. Youngsters suffering from motion sickness
usually improve if encouraged to look at the road ahead. As a precaution, purchase travel sickness
tablets from your local pharmacist. For more in-depth information on driving to Budapest see getting there.
July and August tend to be the warmest months in Budapest,
although mercury levels can rise into the 90s during May and June. On particularly hot days, the
air feels heavy in the centre of town and pollution levels are high. Asthma sufferers should
therefore be wary and carry inhalers with them at all times. The weather stays warm during
September and early October but gets progressively colder after that. Winters in Budapest are long,
hard and gloomy, with snow falls in December and January as Siberian cold fronts drift in from the
east.
Click for average daily temperatures in
Budapest.
In late spring and summer, temperatures in Budapest can soar
to almost unbearable levels. Light clothing and sensible shoes are therefore recommended. The odd
cold day means that jumpers should also be packed, together with some wet weather clothing just in
case there are sudden showers towards the end of very hot, humid days. Shoe/Clothes sizes in
Hungary follow European norms (and in many stores have labels showing equivalent US/UK
sizes). Click for shoe/clothing
tables.
If things do go wrong during your stay in Budapest follow the three C's rule and
stay cool, calm and collected.
Problems with accommodation can usually be resolved by contacting the front
desk in your hotel. Be polite but firm and make sure you talk to a person with the authority to put
things right. If necessary, ask to speak to the duty or hotel manager. If you're on a fully
escorted tour, problems should be taken up with the company's local representative. As a last
resort use photographs or video footage as evidence and submit a claim for compensation on your
return.
Unresolved complaints against a travel agent or tour operator can be referred
to an independent arbitration service. Note though, that requests for arbitration won't apply in
respect of physical injury or illness (which are covered separately by personal travel insurance
policies).
Crime in Budapest
As with any major city, when it comes to personal security, a
little common sense goes a long way. Although violent crime in Hungary is still rare, petty theft
and car crime are on the increase. To help ensure a safe, trouble-free holiday you should take the
following precautions:
i) when first arriving in Budapest, be especially vigilant with your
belongings at Ferihegy airport and at train stations. Bags, suitcases, rucksacks etc. should be
padlocked and important documents such as passports should be kept on your person. Where necessary,
luggage should be stored in designated lockers;
ii) store valuables, cash, airplane or train tickets in a safe deposit box at
your hotel. Nowadays, room safes in some 4/5 star hotels are also large enough to store
laptops, although business travellers should check in advance of making a booking.
Alternatively, larger items can still be left at your hotel, provided a
receipt is obtained from the concierge;
iii) don't be tempted into making transactions with illegal money changers.
Always exchange money at banks, hotels, bureaux de change, or ATM (cash) machines;
iv) when shopping, don't take more cash out with you than is necessary. Keep
bags closed and avoid keeping cash and credit/debit cards in the same place. Handbags should be
worn over the neck, rather than on the shoulder;
v) use licensed taxi companies rather than privateers and always ensure that
meters are set to zero before commencing your journey;
vi) when eating out, make sure that prices are displayed on menus and check to
see that they are not unrealistically high. Go elsewhere if necessary.
vii) never be tempted into playing betting games in the main tourist areas
around the Fishermen's Castle or the Citadel. Those who run such scams have friends to pose as
spectators (who eventually join in and 'appear' to win large sums of money). Be assured, however,
that if you enter into a game you'll lose heavily.
The Hungarian Police (rendörség), who are identified by their blue
uniforms, frequently patrol the streets in busy tourist areas. However, fake policemen have been
known to ask visitors for IDs, travel documents, money and credit cards etc. with the sole aim of
defrauding them. Make sure that any police officer with reason to approach you has a proper badge
and ID card bearing a picture, hologram and official rank. They also usually have guns!
Also be wary of pickpockets operating in and around Váci utca, other
tourist areas, metro stations, on trams and in shopping centres.
Currency in Budapest, Hungary
See banking and money.
Customs Allowances in Hungary
When arriving in Budapest,
visitors from other EU Member States should use the designated blue channel as
they are not required to make a formal customs declaration (providing quantities
of tobacco, alcohol etc. being carried fall within the limits set out for
'personal' or 'own use', see below). Random checks are made however, in order to
deter tobacco and drug smugglers, as well as imports of banned or restricted
goods.
As a rule, for goods on which tax has been paid in an EU country,
visitors will not have to pay any tax or duty on them in Hungary. However, alcohol or tobacco
brought in for 'personal' or 'own use' (including gifts) must be transported by
you and not resold. Where goods are brought into Hungary for the purpose of resale, or for any payment, even payment in kind, they are regarded as being for a commercial
purpose and would therefore be subject to import duty.
Travellers entering Hungary from non-EU countries must either pass through the green channel (nothing
to declare) or the red channel (goods to declare). As a note of caution, you
should only go through the green channel if you are sure that you are within
your customs allowances.
Personal belongings (including a laptop computer and camcorder), clothing and gifts up to the value of
29,500 HUF are not subject to
import duty. Gifts and/or goods with a value exceeding this amount are subject to ÁFA (VAT)
charged at 12% or 25% (depending on the goods being imported) with a further levy of 5% applied as
customs duty.
Note: Where non-EU citizens arrive in Budapest carrying
personal goods that they have paid duty or tax on in another EU country, they
will not be required to pay further duty or tax providing a receipt is produced.
Although there is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that can be
brought into Hungary, visitors are forbidden to take more than 1,000,000 HUF out of the country.
Keep receipts for goods purchased during your stay and remember that antiques or works of art
require an export permit.
For information about ÁFA (VAT) refunds - on goods worth 50,000 HUF and over - pick up a
brochure explaining the conditions of the scheme from tourist offices, hotels and shops. With the
exception of works of art, collections and antiques, you can claim a refund on most goods,
providing you have your original invoice, a separate VAT receipt (showing the value of tax applied
to the goods) and a VAT reclaim form. Claims must then be certified by Customs within 90 days of
the date of purchase, with the reclaim form being mailed/submitted within 183 days of the certified
export date. For further information visit Global Refund's representative offices in Budapest at: Ferenciek tere 10, H-1052 (IBUSZ Travel agency), Budapest
WestEnd Center and Ferihegy Airport
or write to:
Global Refund Magyarorszag Rt, Zászlós utca 54, HU-1143,
Budapest, Hungary, Tel: 468 2965, 468 2966, E-mail: taxfree@hu.globalrefund.com.
Prohibited Goods
Prohibited goods include firearms, ammunition, narcotics, pornographic or offensive
material and products of animal/plant origin. Click for our table on customs allowances or visit the official
site of the Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard (in
English).
For more detailed information on Hungarian Customs regulations (including
compulsory travel documentation) visit the Malév
(Hungarian Airlines) website.
When returning home, be sure about customs allowances in your own country:
For general information on UK/EU customs allowances
contact the National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000 (+44 208 929 0152 for international callers). Her
Majesty's Revenue & Customs also provide a useful leaflet entitled 'A guide for
travellers' (Notice 1) which is available without charge and can viewed on the Internet at: www.hmrc.gov.uk
In the US, the US Customs and
Border Protection Agency's Internet site at: www.customs.ustreas.gov summarises duty limits in the leaflet 'Know Before You
Go'.
For general customs enquiries in Canada
call 1 800 461-9999 (toll free). The leaflet 'I declare/Je Déclare' is available together
with bi-lingual information (English and French). Information is also available on the Internet at: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
A combination of poor driving habits and pollution means
there's only one place to recommended pedal power in Budapest - on the Margaret Island. As private
cars are banned here, hiring a bicycle or tandem is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon exploring
one of Budapest's most beautiful open spaces. Although Buda's leafy hills are also quiet, cycling
will seem too much like hard work, especially when you realize that the locals use the excellent
cogwheel railway to make the ascent.
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