Budapest Car Rental, Driving to Budapest

Background on Driving in Hungary

It's fair to say that if you're travelling by car to Budapest, then driving in Hungary will be the most arduous and hazardous part of the journey. Visitors to Hungary not only have to contend with some rather erratic local driving habits (and non-existent lane discipline) but other western drivers who treat the country's road network as an extension of Budapest's Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit - the Hungaroring.

We're not saying that driving in Hungary won't be enjoyed, just be sure to take things easy, anticipate other drivers actions and most of all stick the designated speed limits. If you do plan to drive in Budapest, be aware that traffic manners are far worse here than in any other Hungarian city. Locals with Mercedes, BMWs or Audis are the worst offenders as they seem to regard general lawlessness on the roads as little more than harmless macho posturing. What's more the combination of trams, trolleybuses, one way streets and over zealous traffic police (yes they target overseas motorists here big time) makes driving in the city more difficult.

Before you go

Aside from routine servicing, regular inspection and a few simple checks before departing will lessen the chances of a breakdown. Although pan-European cover with motoring organisations such as the AA and RAC in Great Britain do provide a safeguard against major mechanical failures and breakdowns, preventative maintenance is way better than a road-side repair. The vast majority of breakdowns occur through problems with batteries, ignition, fuel and cooling systems. A summary of what to look out for is given below:

Cooling System - regardless of the time of year you drive to Hungary, it's important to make sure your vehicle's cooling system is operating efficiently. This is especially true during the hot summer months when temperatures in Hungary can reach 97°F.

First check the radiator for leaks and signs of excessive corrosion and remove debris such as leaves, paper and insects. Coolant hoses (top and bottom) should be inspected for cracks/bulges and replaced if necessary. The security of hose clips should also be checked and adjusted if required (being careful not to over tighten). While fluid loss in a sealed unit often signifies a leak, top up only with an anti-freeze solution recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.

Also check the tension/condition of fan belts and replace if necessary (keeping a spare just in case of failure). Other common problems include faulty thermostat sensors, which usually cause cooling fans to only work intermittently resulting in increased engine temperatures.

Battery - ensure the battery electrolyte level of cells covers the top of each plate, topping up using distilled water if necessary. Also, check the electrical connections to each battery terminal, removing any green residue which may have collected* (as this can stop power reaching the starter motor). When clean, smear petroleum jelly onto the battery terminals both before and after reconnecting. Also ensure that the earthing strip has a good connection to the body/chassis of the vehicle. *disconnect according to instructions in your owners handbook.

Tyres - normally tyre pressures should be checked at weekly intervals. However, on a long to journey to Hungary (which is mostly by motorway) it's prudent to check them once a day, preferably when cold. If your vehicle is fully loaded i.e. 4/5 occupants plus luggage, adjust pressures accordingly (referring back to the manufacturers handbook). Also consider buying a good quality tyre pressure gauge - those at filling stations are notoriously unreliable. Tread depth (which must appear in a continuous band over at least three quarters of the tyre) should be above the legal minimum of 1.6mm.

Cambelt (Timing belt) - special attention is drawn to vehicle cambelts. Inspection (and replacement if necessary) is usually carried at intervals ranging from 40,000-60,000 miles. If your journey coincides with an inspection, make sure it is carried out before you go. A failed belt will invariably result in engine damage to both valves and cylinder head. For Golf/Focus sized vehicles this can cost upwards of £800 to repair.

Departing from the UK

The fastest way to get across the Channel (just 35 minutes) is with Le Shuttle between Folkestone and Coquelles. Each terminal has a direct connection by motorway (leave the M20 at junction 11A for the Folkestone terminal) and both are well-signposted.

With the increased competition brought by the Tunnel, ferry operators have been forced to reduce fares on the most popular sea crossings such as Calais-Dover and Dover-Boulogn. For most, Dover-Calais is the most convenient option, taking just 1 hour 15 minutes to complete the journey. Worth considering is the SpeedFerries service from Dover to Boulogne. And, unlike more established companies, prices seem to be very reasonable!

Recommended Route from the UK

To get to Hungary from the UK, we advise you take the following route (approx. distance 970 miles). Even if your starting point is another country in mainland Europe, you may still find this route of use:

Enter Belgium:
E40 Brugge - Gent
E40 Gent - Aalst
E40 Aalst - Brussels (ring road)
Brussels ring road - Liège E40 (A3). Follow signs 'Liège-Luik'
E40 Liège/Cheratte motorway interchange. Follow signs 'Aachen' and 'Verviers'
E40 Battice/Verviers motorway interchange. Follow signs 'Aix-la-Chapelle-Aachen'
E40 Eynatten Junction. Follow signs to 'Aachen Ost' and 'Köln'
E40 (A44) - Belgian/German Frontier at Aachen

Enter Germany:
A4 (E40) Aachen - Köln-West. Follow signs 'Frankfurt' and 'Köln Süd', then at Köln Süd to Frankfurt and Olpe to Heumar reaching the Bonn/Siegburg junction
A3 (E35) Bonn/Siegburg - Frankfurt
A3 (E35) Frankfurt - Furth/Erlangan. Follow signs 'Würzburg', 'Nürnburg' and then 'Regensburg'
A3 (E56) Regensburg - Pocking. Follow signs to 'Deggendorf', 'Passau' and 'Linz'
A3 (E56) German/Austrian Frontier at Pocking
A8 (E56) Pocking - Linz. Follow signs 'Wels' 'Linz' and then 'Wien'
A1 (E60) Linz - St. Pölten. Follow signs 'Wien'
A4 Wien - Hegyeshalom. Follow signs 'Hungary', 'Ungarn' and 'Budapest'
A4 - Austro/Hungarian frontier at Hegyeshalom

Entering Hungary

If you've followed the most direct route across Belgium, Germany and Austria (the E40 and associated motorway/spur roads), the best entry point into Hungary (via Vienna) is at Hegyeshalom. From there the Budapest-Győr-Hegyeshalom motorway will take you into the capital (M1 E60/75 Hegyeshalom - Budapest). Be advised however, that this first stretch of motorway is a toll road.

Having recently joined the European Union, Hungary has invested heavily over the last few years to upgrade and extend its motorway (autopálya) network. The main motorway routes, which are designated by the prefix "M" are:

M1: Budapest - Hegyeshalom (the Austro-Hungarian border crossing)

M3: Budapest - Gyöngyös (with a planned link to the Slovakian border)

M5: Budapest - Kecskemét (work is underway to extend the route to Szeged)

M7: Budapest - Balatonliga (part of Lake Balaton)

Compulsory/Recommended Equipment

The following equipment is either compulsory (c) or recommended (r) when driving in Hungary:

First Aid Kit (c)

Fire Extinguisher (r)

Warning Triangle (c)

Spare Bulbs (c)

Headlamp Converters for right hand drive vehicles (c)

Motorcycle Crash Helmets (c)

Nationality Plate (c)

Driving Licence

A valid, full UK, US or Canadian licence is needed to drive in Hungary. Old style 'green' UK licences are accepted only if accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Fuel

Nowadays, all petrol stations (benzinkút) in Hungary stock unleaded fuel. Most are open from 6am to 10pm, although 24hr service is now widely available at Shell, BP, Aral and Ágip stations. Fuel octane ratings are: 98 (extra), 92 (super), 86 (normal), 95 octane lead-free (olomentes benzin) and diesel (diezel). While self-service stations are on the increase, attended service (where tips should be given) is still the norm.

Parking

Parking in Budapest, like most major cities can be a real headache. If you're staying in a hotel with parking facilities, then we'd advise you leave it there and use the metro (as there are relatively few multi-storey car parks in the city centre). Double parking is rife although traffic wardens and clamping units do operate. If you do find a parking meter, the tariff (to park downtown) is between 240 and 400 HUF per hour. For a map of multi-storey car parks in Budapest, we recommend you visit: www.hungaropark.hu. Simply click on the appropriate district (V being downtown) before clicking again to choose a car park. The cost per hour (Ft/óra), per day (Ft/náp) and per month (Ft/hó) are then displayed for each location, along with address and telephone details.

Speed Limits in Hungary (km/h)

Click for our speed limit table.

Vehicle Security

If valuables have to be left inside your vehicle, lock them away in the glove or luggage compartment. Even everyday belongings such as coats and bags tempt thieves and should therefore be left out of sight. Don't leave removable radio-cassette units under the front seats (this is the first place where a car thief will look) and activate the alarm/immobiliser upon leaving the vehicle. If central locking isn't fitted, the driver should make sure that doors, windows and the sunroof are all closed. At night, park in well-lit areas close to other vehicles. If your vehicle has alloy wheels consider fitting lockable wheel nuts. Finally, it should be noted that some unscrupulous criminal types use the 'what's yours is mine philosophy' as an excuse to siphon petrol from other vehicles. Needless to say, buying a lockable filler cap will save you from being stranded in the middle of nowhere.

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