Budapest Maps
Free city maps, which are adequate for a short stay in
Budapest, can be picked up in hotels, travel agencies and Tourinform offices. However, inexpensively
priced maps are also available from most bookshops and specialist maps shops (Térképbolt). The best examples, which are infinitely more preferable to freebie
ones are:
Cartographia Atlas of Budapest (www.cartographia.hu) - An excellent 1: 20,000 scale (spiral bound) Budapest
atlas that's not only extremely easy to use, but beautifully presented too. ISBN: 978-963-352-649-1
See also our recommended book/map
purchases for Budapest.
Metro System in Budapest
Our 'clickable' metro map shows the layout of
the system, while fare and ticket options are given in public transport.
Money in Budapest
Although now a member of the
European Union (EU) Hungary will not be adopting the Euro until around 2014.
Therefore, the Forint (abbreviated as Ft. or HUF) continues to serve as the
country's unit of currency. Notes
come in denominations of 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500 and 200 HUF, with coins of 200,
100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1 HUF. The official exchange rate against the British pound, US dollar,
Canadian dollar and Euro can be found on the Internet at: www.xe.com.
Newspapers and Publications in Budapest
International editions of English and North American papers, journals and
listing booklets are widely available in Budapest. Most are readily found in major hotels,
along Váci utca and in foreign language bookshops.
As far as international newspapers are concerned,
bear in mind that, as they're not printed locally under licence, copies will
(usually) be at least one
day old before reaching newsstands. And, for those wanting to catch up on the latest football
or other sporting results (both inside Hungary or back home) Nemzeti Sport is available
from most kiosk vendors.
The best priced or free titles are:
Budapest Sun -
a colour (tabloid sized) paper with Hungarian and international news, The Budapest Sun is the
only weekly English language newspaper produced in Hungary. With interesting articles on local
life, it also carries additional sections on travel, culture and eating out,
plus film/entertainment listings and a classified section that's useful if you're looking to rent an
apartment or find a job. Occasionally, The Sun also has a business supplement
giving
background on how Hungary continues to adapt to the Western style of business and commerce.
Budapest Business Journal - as
its name implies, a tabloid publication heavy on business information. However, it also carries
news on local events, restaurant reviews and a useful listings section. Provides clear,
well-written copy on business affairs in the city along with interesting editorial comment.
Budapest Week -
whilst now only an online publication, the company's website is geared towards a
well-heeled audience, combining well-written features with an
excellent listings section. Worth exploring if you're planning on a fun-filled weekend in the city.
Where
Budapest - an excellent (colour) monthly magazine covering
events taking place in Budapest. The publication also features decent restaurant listings (with reviews) and a
wealth of other information on places to go, shopping etc.
Pesti Müsor/Pesti Est - although both publications are in
Hungarian, they provide comprehensive and useful listings of events, films, clubs etc. (which most
visitors can make some sense of).
Budapest In Your Pocket - excellent quarterly city guide which not only
gives good background on where to stay and eat, but also includes entertainment listings, a
calendar of events, useful addresses and transport information. What's more, as critical reviews
are independently compiled, you're assured of an honest appraisal for Budapest's newest
restaurants, cafés and bars. The company's website at www.inyourpocket.com is also a good source for further Budapest
information.
Back to Top
|
