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Unfortunately, if you're travelling from the States or Canada
then some degree of jet lag is almost inevitable on a long-haul trip to Budapest. That said, there
are a few simple things you can do to reduce fatigue during your flight. Before setting off make
sure all your personal and business affairs are in order. Worrying about what happens at work when
you're away doesn't bode well for a relaxing trip. And don't pack at the last minute, a decent
night's sleep is essential, especially if you're driving to the airport!
In the same way that long distance runners take on water during a race, fluids
are essential on a long-haul flight. Water is better than coffee, tea or fruit juices. Alcohol is a
big no no as it takes less time to become intoxicated in the air than on the ground (this may
appeal to some though). That said, if you do indulge, stick to white wine, gin or vodka rather than
red wine, Port or whisky.
Taking off shoes will ease the pressure on your feet, while a travel pillow,
night shade and ear plugs all increase your chances of getting some quality sleep during the
flight. Moreover, in light of recent public concern about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) medical
experts now advise passengers to take an aspirin and stretch their legs regularly. If this means
inconveniencing others by getting out of your seat then so be it. Two companies have also recently
produced the first mass-market 'compression socks' which are designed to create a massage effect
for the legs, thus reducing the likelihood of blood clotting. For more information visit the Scholl
website at www.schollflightsocks.co.uk or www.activahealthcare.co.uk (both UK based, although similar products should also be
available in North America, Europe and other overseas territories).
Oh, and before we forget, try not to look at your watch too often during the
flight. Psychologically it's bad news as it reinforces your usual body cycle (e.g. at midnight I
always go to sleep). Taking a nap when you need really to, rather than when routine dictates is the
key here. Finally, there are tablets available which claim to provide an effective remedy to jet
lag. Sleeping pills are definitely out though, as they're similar in form to anti-histamines and
dehydrate you even more.
A useful 'Airline Seat Guide', which gives you the lowdown on
carriers offering the best seat pitch dimensions (and seat width) can be found at: www.airlinequality.com. Oh, and the passenger opinions section
is very enlightening too!
Despite almost every travel guide on Budapest declaring that Hungarian is an
'impossible' language to learn, getting to grips with a few basic words and phrases will prove
invaluable during your stay. Belonging to the Finno-Ugric group of languages Hungarian is unlike
any Germanic, Slavonic or Indo-European tongue. For instance, rather than using prepositions, such
as "from", "to" etc. Hungarian relies on adding suffixes to words. Easy enough you might think.
Well, add in the fact that the choice of suffix is governed by a bewildering set of rules relating
to vowel harmony and you have some idea as to why Hungarian isn't quite as easy to learn as French
or German. That said, some basic expressions and useful phrases can be found in language.
Lost Property for Budapest
In the event that valuables are lost
(or stolen) during your stay in Budapest then immediately report the incident to the local police.
Usually it helps (especially for lost passports/visas) to contact your embassy first, as they
should be able to issue Hungarian documentation to help you obtain an appropriate police
certificate. For items left on BKV public transport, contact the following office:
BKV Lost Property Office (Talált Tárgyak Osztálya)
- VII. Akácfa utca 18, Tel: 267 5299
Applies to all items lost on the BKV public transport network (buses, metro, cogwheel railway, tram
and trolleybus) while for belongings lost on an intercity bus (not a metropolitan BKV bus) call 318
2122.
For items lost on a MAV train or in a railway station, Tel: 312
0213
Ferihegy Airport, Tel: 296 5449/296 5278 (Terminal 1) or 296
5965/296 5966 (Terminals 2A + 2B) to recover or report missing items of luggage.
For items lost or damaged in transit on a Malév
Hungarian Airlines flight see also their lost
luggage page.
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