Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

386 CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE

BUDAPEST

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In recent years, tourism has become an important part
of the Hungarian national economy and as a result
there have been vast improvements in communications,
banking facilities and public transport. The biggest
problem visitors face is the formidable language barrier.
However, staff at many tourist offices, hotels and major
attractions speak English or German.

Practical & Travel Information

WHEN TO VISIT

The best time to visit Hungary
is between April and the end
of June, and from the middle
of August until October. July
is usually hot and Budapest
can become quite uncomfor t-
able, although away from
the capital the heat is less
severe. From November until
March, many museums have
shorter opening hours and
may close altogether.

DOCUMENTATION

Citizens of the US, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand, and
the European Union (EU)
simply require a valid pass-
port to visit Hungary for up
to 90 days. For more
information about visas and
extended visits, visit ors
should check the website of
the Hungarian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Visitors can obtain various
information leaflets and maps
from the Hungarian National
Tourist Office, which has
branches worldwide.
Within Hungary, there are
tourist information offices in
most large towns. In Budapest,

visitors can get advice on

sightseeing, accommodation

and cultural events from the

offices of Tourinform Budapest.

The official website also pro-

vides brochures and maps, all

of which can be down loaded

for free in various formats.

The BTH Tourinform sells entry

tickets to most major attrac-

tions in Budapest and

organizes specialist tours.

The Budapest Card entitles

card holders, along with one

child under 14, to unlimited

use of the city’s public trans-

port sys tem, free entry to

60 museums, the zoo and

the funfair, a 50 per cent dis-

count on guided tours and

10–20 per cent discount

on selected cultural events

and restaurants.

HEALTH AND SECURITY

Hungary has long been a

world leader in medical

research and develop ment.

No special vaccinations are

required to visit the country.

However, visitors with allergy

problems and breathing

difficulties who intend to

visit Budapest should be

aware of the summer smog

conditions, which are particu-

larly acute in Pest. Those

with heart ailments should

seek medical advice before

using Hungary’s thermal

baths. For minor ailments,

it is advisable to visit a patika

or gyógyszertár (phar macy).

If the nearest store is closed,

it usually displays a list of 24-

hour emergency pharmacies.

Hungary has a relatively

low crime rate. However,

as in most cities that attract

a large number of visitors,

pickpockets operate in

Budapest, targeting crowded

metro stations, buses and

shopping malls.

FACILITIES FOR

THE DISABLED

The country’s transport

system, museums and other

major attractions are gradually

being renovated to make them

wheel chair-friendly, although

access problems can still

occur. Those seeking advice

on transport and sightseeing

tours for the disabled should

contact the Hungarian

Disabled Association.

BANKING AND CURRENCY

The Hungarian currency is

the forint (HUF or Ft). Banks

are open from 8am to 5pm,

Monday to Friday and closed

on week ends; exchange

bureaus and ATMs, however,

remain open all week. Since

banks and exchange bureaus

offer the best rates, it is

always advisable to change

money there.

Credit cards are more

widely accepted now than

before, but are still not as

commonly used as else where

in Europe, so it is a good

idea to carry sufficient cash.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Hungarian telephone

system used to be notoriously

bad, but improvements are

now slowly being made.

Phone cards, which are

available from tobacconists,

post offices, petrol stations

and newspaper kiosks, are

the best option when using

public phones, although some

booths still accept coins.

Post offices are open

from 8am to 6pm Monday

to Friday and on Saturday

THE CLIMATE OF

HUNGARY

Hungary enjoys some of the

best weather in Europe, with

an average of eight hours of

sunshine a day in summer.

June, July and August are

the hottest months. In winter,

temperatures can fall well

below freezing point and

there may also be snow.

The country has comparatively

low rainfall. June usually

gets the most rain, while

autumn is the driest season.

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