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Is banned on all public transport, in theatres and cinemas. However, as
Hungarians are among the heaviest smokers in Europe, cigarettes are allowed in nearly all
restaurants and bars (unlike Vienna, however, there's usually some form of segregation
between smoking and non-smoking areas).
Street Names in Budapest
Budapest is divided into 23 separate
districts, each indicated by a Roman numeral which prefixes the street name i.e. VI. Budakeszi
út 65. Post codes comprise of four digits: 1067; the middle two representing the district -
i.e. 06 is district VI. The most common type of street is an utca (often abbreviated as u.)
although confusingly an út. refers to a wide boulevard. Other thoroughfare names include:
fasor (alley), rakpart (embankment).
Formerly known as Matáv, Hungary's
main communications provider is the Magyar Telecom Group (part of Deutsche Telekom). With
three brands countrywide, namely T-Com (residential telephony, including broadband
Internet services), T-mobile (mobile communications) and T-Systems (Business solutions) it
has, over the last few years, undertaken an
ambitious modernization of the country's network, with a landmark 100% digitalization
achieved in 2005.
By and large, the quality of traditional fixed line and mobile
services is good, with ever increasing coverage for cellular services (through a range of
providers) including 3G in Budapest. Other mobile operators with a presence in Hungary
include Vodafone and Pannon
GSM.
For pay phones, disposable cards (with values of 800 HUF
upwards) are available, while coins with denominations of 10, 20, 50 and 100 HUF are also
widely accepted. Phone cards
can be purchased at post offices, MOL filling stations, Ibusz travel agency offices, Tesco
department stores, newspaper kiosks, railway stations and T-Pont shops.
To make an international call from Hungary dial 00, wait for the tone, and
then dial the country and city code followed by the number. The UK's international access code
is 44, while the US and Canada are both 1. Calls from Budapest to other towns in Hungary should be
prefixed by 06, while calls to Hungary from abroad must be prefixed by 36 (if you're calling
Budapest it should be 36-1). And, as is usually the case when overseas, unless you have a global
calling card, avoid making international calls from your hotel. A five-minute call will cost 3000
HUF (the cost of a decent meal out).
Television and Radio in Budapest
Nowadays many hotels, hostels and
pensions offer cable and satellite television with at least one or two English or German Channels
e.g. BBC World, CNN, Sat1, RTL etc. Larger, more expensive hotels usually offer a wider selection
including those for sport and pay-per-view movies (HBO etc).
Hungarian terrestrial television comprises of three channels, MTV, TV 2 and TV 3 although others such as
Duna and RTL Klub are available to satellite viewers.
* Note that Hungarian televisions and videos now use the PAL (previously
SECAM) system, rather than NTSC.
Hungary also has a well-developed AM-FM radio network with the most popular
radio stations being: Magyar Radio, Kossuth Radio, Petofi Radio, Radio 1 (Budapest) and Danubius Radio.
Time Difference for Budapest, Hungary
As with other Western European countries, Hungary uses Central
European Time (CET) which is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Although there are no fixed rules on tipping, it's customary to add an extra
10-15% to restaurant bills and taxi fares. Hotel porters, hairdressers and cloakroom attendants
also expect to be tipped. The going rate for a gypsy violinist during an evening meal is 2000 HUF
(per request).
Tourist Information for Budapest, Hungary
Before departing, it may be worthwhile contacting your
nearest Hungarian National Tourist
Office for information to help organise your trip e.g. a list of reputable tour operators in
your home country which specialise in holidays to Hungary.
Once you arrive, Tourinform - which is part of the Hungarian Tourist Board - has a
presence at Ferihegy 1 and a centrally
located office in Budapest located at V. Deák tér (Sütő u.
2), Tel: 438-8080, E-mail: hungary@tourinform.hu (Open: 24hrs). More
recently, a new branch has also opened at the popular nightspot location of Liszt Ferenc tér.
Along with
leaflets and information packs on Budapest sightseeing, staff are on hand to answer any queries
about your stay and deal with unexpected problems (such as crime related incidents).
Other Budapest information offices are located at:
Budaörs, AGIP complex (M1/M7 Junction), Tel: (+ 36 1) 417 518, E-mail: budaors@budapestinfo.hu (Open: 9am-7pm daily May-Oct,
shorter opening hours in spring/winter months)
Buda Castle, I. Szentháromság tér, Tel: (+ 36 1) 488 0453 and (+ 36 1) 488 0475, E-mail: var@budapestinfo.hu (Open: 9am-9pm daily)
Nyugati (Western) Railway Station, Tel: (+ 36 1) 302 8580, E-mail: nyugati@budapestinfo.hu (Open: 9am-7pm daily May-Oct,
shorter opening hours in spring/winter months)
Oktogon, VI. Liszt Ferenc tér, Tel: (+ 36 1) 322 4098, E-mail: liszt@budapestinfo.hu (Open: 9am-7pm daily May-Oct, shorter
opening hours in spring/winter months)
Central Pest, V. Steindl I. u. 12*, Tel: (+ 36 1) 353 2956,
E-mail: pest-m@tourinform.hu (*written
and phone enquiries only)
Budapest Ferihegy Terminal 2A, 2B, Tel: (+ 36 1) 438 8080,
E-mail: hungary@tourinform.hu
Note: the above opening times are for peak season periods only. Reduced
opening times apply from October to April).
In the UK, further information is available from the Hungarian Embassy,
Commercial Section, 46 Eaton Place, London, SW1X 8AL, Tel: 0171 823 1032
In the US, contact the Hungarian National Tourism Office, 33 Floor, 150
East 58th Street, New York, NY 10155, Tel: 212-355-0240, E-mail: huntour@gramercy.ios.com
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