Hungary is part of the European Union. Population 10 million, Budapest 2 million.

REGIONS: 5 major regions:

VISAS: From most countries NO VISA is required for stays of less than 90 days. For the latest regulations it is best however, to contact the nearest Hungarian Consulate.

CUSTOMS: You can bring in duty-free 250 cigarettes, 1 bottles of wine and 1 bottle of spirits. When leaving, you should have a "museum certificate" for any valuable antiques.

Hotels: Classified as one- to five-star categories by the Hungarian National Tourism Board. (Same as restaurants, by the way.) We have listed and are offering only three***, four**** and five***** star establishments. 

"Panzió": Or Pension in German. This is a confusing term, has nothing to do with your pension plan! It really means generally a very large family dwelling that has been converted to a guesthouse, or small hotel. Usually with only chambermaid service, and breakfast room. No restaurant, shops, other public facilities. Usually family owned and not in the center of town. Many Panzio's are as good as hotels, and some are even better than one or two-star hotels.

Youth Hostels: They are called "Ifjúsági Szálló" in Hungarian.

COMMUNICATIONS: Hungary has a modern telephone system, many cell 'phones, cable TV (CNN, numerous Western European channels), a high incidence of personal computers and Internet cafes, of course. A good tip is to rent a cell phone while you are there. You can rent one for a reasonable price and it works throughout the country.

CURRENCY: The Hungarian Forint (HUF). Hungary, although a member since 2004 of the European Union, has not yet converted to the Euro. The Hungarian economy and therefore its currency are basically stable, with close to 270 HUF to the Euro. Check the banks (or go to www.xe.com/ucc) for the current exchange rate to your currency. Changing money from and to most currencies is unrestricted and easy -- at the airport and most banks.

ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) accepting most cash cards and credit cards are widespread. They will give you HUF at a good rate and charge your bank at home. Many places will accept dollars and euros, but it is always better to use local currency. You can also get cash against cards at POST OFFICES throughout the country.

CREDIT CARDS: Most hotels, restaurants and shops will take the better known credit cards like American Express, Diners, VISA, Master Card, but it is always good to ask first.

Hungary CARD: The Hungarian Tourism Card and coupons
entitle visitors to Hungary to extensive price reductions for getting acquainted with Hungary`s tourist and cultural offers. The card is valid for thirteen months and is transferable. Some of the privileges: 50% discount on all lines of the two Hungarian railway companies on 7 occasions, on all intercity bus lines on 6 occasions, on the Balaton boats and on toll motorways for two adults.
Further price reductions can be obtained at several sites of accommodation, restaurants, with two Budapest taxi companies (on 4 occasions), when renting passenger cars and for museum admissions.
The Hungary card costs 7,140 Forints (cca. €26). To get one click here, or on the card, above.

ELECTRICITY: 220v 50Hz AC and with the round plugs as throughout most of Continental Western Europe. You can get adapters and transformers that will work depending on the amps you need.

WATER: OK to drink, but most people nowadays consume bottled water served in restaurants and widely available in grocery stores and supermarkets, where you will likely recognise your favorite brands. Bubbly: "xxx" and still: "xxx".

Weather: In the geographic temperate zone and the"Continental" climatic region. Hungary is a small country (90,000 km2) with little weather variation. The average temperature in the coldest month (January) is -2 degrees C or 30 degrees F, 23 C or 80 F in July, the hottest. Extreme days can exceed these by a few degrees. April and October are usually quite beautiful. You can click here for the current weather.

LOCAL TIME: GMT plus 1 hour. (Daylight savings time observed.)

TRANSPORTATION:

• Air: Hungary has frequent flights from most countries in the world. MALEV, the national airline flies to Budapest from 50 cities in 34 countries. The world's largest airline, Delta Air Lines, serves 368 airports in 66 countries with direct or connecting service to Budapest. Click here for their website. Most international flights go to Budapest's Ferihegy Airport, about half-hour drive to the city center.

• Airport Tranfers: For as little as $10.00 US per person you can take a shared safe, clean, new, professionally driven Airport Minibusz shuttle bus from the airport to your hotel, or any private address in Budapest. From Terminal I trains run to Budapest's Nyugati Palyaudvar (West Station).
  

• Train: There is a comprehensive train system that links Budapest and the rest of the country -- as well as neighbouring countries and the rest of Europe. It is both cheap and reliable. It isn't an Orient Express, but it isn't full of goats and chickens either. Intercity (IC) are superior express trains to and from major cities. Using First Class is advisable on trains other than these.
• Bus: Even more towns and villages have Volanbusz service, with vehicles superior to American school buses, some most comfortable.
• On the Danube river: There is Hydrofoil service between Vienna, Bratislava (Slovakia) and Budapest from June to September. Other riverboats go from Budapest to Visegrad and Esztergom, and provide city sightseeing cruises, some with dinner and shows at night. Click here for their full range of services.
  
• Urban Transportation: Very well developed, with modern city buses, in major cities also trams, and in Budapest a multi-line subway/underground system. Click here
  
• Budapest Subway: Called the METRO, is clean, efficient and safe. It is a great and very inexpensive way to get around Budapest.
• Cabs: Taxis are fairly cheap. In Budapest if you pay much over $10.00 US to go anywhere you probably took a VERY scenic route. By law they are all supposed to be equipped with meters. Tipping 10% is the norm.
• Roads: Hungary's road network goes from excellent superhighways to paved but poorly maintained single-lane roads. A car trip through much of Hungary is both practical and enjoyable. Gasoline/petrol stations are plentiful, but not many motels. Most towns have a hotel, inn or guesthouse (panzio). You can drive with a valid foreign driver's license. NOTE that wearing of seat belts in Hungary is mandatory, and in any case a good idea anywhere. Tolerance for intoxicated driving is zero!
• Car Rental: REGINA Rent-a-Car rents automobiles and minibuses with or without driver. Offices in Budapest and at Lake Balaton. Free delivery. Roadside assistance within max. 3 hours to all points in the country. To learn more click here.
  

PEOPLE: Most people in Hungary are really genuinely friendly and helpful. They alone make a trip to Hungary worthwhile.

SAFETY: Hungary is generally a safe place for the tourist. But in Budapest, like any big city in the world, reasonable prudence is always a good idea. Don't wear a solid gold Rolex, a Timex will do, don't carry a large amount of cash, don't leave cameras and valuables exposed in an unoccupied car... just be smart.

Police: Since 1990 Hungary is no longer a "police state". With Service and Protection their new slogan, police officers are generally helpful and tourist-friendly, but mostly not very conversant with foreign languages. One or two points: They frown on intoxicated driving a lot so don't do it, the cabs are cheap enough. They also use radar and laser for traffic speed enforcement, so be forewarned.

• Click Here to Go to to the Hungary-hotels Home Page for travelers services for Hungary.
• Click Here to Go to our map of Hungary and its hotels, the quick way to choose yours!