Getting around Budapest, guide to public transportation
Moving around Budapest is very easy thanks to the BKV public transports available around the city, including buses, trams, and metro.
By an architectural point of view Budapest is a real jewel; where baroque, art-nouveau and Neo-Classical style blend into an eclectic and charming mix. World War II scars are still alive and visible, representing both a sing of warning and of rebirth.
Budapest is not just about beautiful buildings and romantic bridges where to admire its fairy landscape. Its springs of thermal water – 123 to be exact – make it the only capital city of its kind, as well as a popular destination both for those who love this type of relax as well as for those who need this specific treatments.
Its food will conquer your tastebuds thanks to the famous Gluash soup as well as through very refined cuisines. There are a number of excellent restaurants scattered all over the city, including many bistrots – which are very typical of Budapest.
Organize your trip to Budapest online. Here you will find all the information you need before leaving to the Hungarian capital city, as well as all the tips and guidelines to book a flight, book a hotel room, move around the city and rent a car.
Hungary is a great travel destination: besides offering very beautiful cities – Budapest above all – it is also a safe country. Hungarian people are very warm; however, you can always meet some doggy person, but this could happen anywhere in the world.
Since the 1st of May 2002 Hungary has joined the European Union as well as the Schengen agreements: in order to travel to Budapest from any European country you only need to have a valid ID card or a passport. If you are planning to stay in Hungary for more than 90 days you need a visa.
Tipping is an important part of the Hungarian culture, and it is required by waiters, taxi drivers, hair dressers, and even gas station attendants. We suggest you to always have a few hundreds forints in coins in order to respect this tradition.
Even if Hungary is part of the European Union, it is not part of the euro zone. The local currency is the Hungarian Forint, but you will often find prices written in euro. There are notes of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, and 20000 forints, and coins of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 forints. You can find the best exchange rates at one of the many currency exchange offices located at the city center or at shopping malls.
For health coverage you must have the European Health Insurance Card, which can be requested at the Ministry of the Economy and Finances; you can also have a health insurance covering medical expenses and health care repatriation costs.
Emergency and first aid contact numbers:
It is advised to exchange your currency only at official offices: currency exchange is legal only at official offices and we warmly advice you not to accept the offer of doggy people attracting tourists in the streets.
The most accepted credit cards at hotels, restaurants, and shops in Budapest are: Amex, Diners Club, Cirrus, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard, JCB and VISA.
Hungary has the same time zone as Central Europe, GMT + 1 hour. During summer time, from March to October, Hungary has the summer time GMT + 2 hours.
Budapest has a temperate continental weather. In order to visit the monuments around the city and enjoy a trip on the Danube river, it is advisable to go to Budapest on summer time when temperatures range between 28-30 degrees. Low temperatures during winter months, which go below zero, are great for ski lovers and to practice winter sports in the villages around Budapest.
Hungary country code is +36, while Budapest code is 1. For international calls from Hungary you need to dial 00 and the country code of the country and the city you are trying to reach. For outbound calls and to call mobile phones, dial 06.
It is possible to purchase public phone cards at any of the many postal offices, gas stations, and magazine kiosks.
Budapest Postal Offices open from: 8 am to 6pm, from Monday to Friday. The main Budapest office is located in Pest.
In Hungary electricity operates at 220 volt, therefore electric outlets are the ones at two pistons, just any other continental type.
Budapest is home to various protected areas, such as Gellert Hill, located right in the center of the capital city, the Sas Hill reserve, which is surrounded by residential neighborhood, and János Hill and the famous Erzsebet look point, which can be reached by chair lift (Libego), and it is perfect for hiking lovers. In addiction, in the center of Pest there are two university botanical garden, such as the Botanical and Zoological garden and the Buda Arboretum.
Budapest is an important religious destination to worship the remains of the first king of Hungary, which are housed in the reliquary of Saint Stephen’s Basilica and can be visited all year long. Every August 20th there is a religious procession to celebrate the Saint day, involving numerous devouts from all over the country. Budapest is a capital city where different religious and beliefs blend together on a daily basis.
City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.
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