Travel

Visa

Hungary is part of the Schengen Area of 27 European countries. For non-Schengen EU, USA and Canadian citizens a valid passport is sufficient to enter Hungary. Citizens of other countries should check whether visa is needed for them when entering Hungary (for more information please visit the home page of the Hungarian Consular Service (www.konzuliszolgalat.kormany.hu/en).

Shuttle Bus

The miniBUD service offers fixed rates for passengers from the airport to the Conference venue or to inner city hotels. One way transfers from: 4.500 HUF (cca. 12 EUR) Return transfer from: 7.700 HUD (cca. 20 EUR) in September, 2023. 09. 27. Tel: +36 1 550 0000; www.minibud.hu

Travel by Plane

Budapest has direct flight connections with every capital of Europe and other major cities and hubs in Europe and world-wide. Most major Airlines are also presented in Budapest. Any point in the world can be reached to and from Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (former Ferihegy Airport) has two terminals roughly 28 kilometers from the city. Since 2004 several low cost airlines have been running their flights between Budapest and the large European cities (Ryanair, Wizzair, Germanwings, EasyJet, Air Baltic, Air Lingus, Norwegian, Air Berlin, Jet2, Transavia, TUI Fly, etc).

Travel by Train

Budapest is connected to the European railway system. There are direct railway links between Budapest and 13 capital cities of Europe and 47 international scheduled trains arrive daily in Budapest. Many international trains have dining and sleeping cars or couchettes. Most international express trains arrive and depart from the Eastern and Western (Keleti and Nyugati) Railway Stations. For more information: www.mav-start.hu

Travel by Coach

Volánbusz Rt., being a member of Eurolines, operates scheduled services to 22 European countries. www.volanbusz.hu

FlixBus, a unique combination of tech startup, e-commerce platform and sustainable transportation company, allows travelers to experience the world, no matter their budget. www.flixbus.com

Public Transportation

Budapest’s public transportation systems are operated by the Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK). The service includes buses, trolleybuses, trams, underground trains (Metro)

 and above-ground suburban trains (HÉV). Buses, trams and trolleybuses run daily from 4:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

Three of the four recent Metro lines interconnect at Deák tér Station. Service frequencies range from 15 minutes late in the evening to every two minutes at peak times. Tickets or passes must be bought before boarding. They are available at BKK Customer Service Points, tickets offices at Metro stations, from the driver onboard the bus, but best option is to use the vending machines throughout the city.

Please note that front-door boarding only policy is in place on some of the bus lines (including 200E from the airport to the city).

Additionally, you can try the MOL Bubi public bike-sharing scheme as a new mode of public transport in Budapest, which consists of 76 docking stations and 1,100 bicycles.

Budapest’s excellent night bus system has just been upgraded to 40 lines.

Please note that to make sure that everyone has a ticket, the transport company has hired uniformed security guards who check for tickets on board.

For detailed information on public transportation fares and timetables please visit www.bkk.hu.

For smartphones official BKK INFO and BKK FUTÁR apps are available at Google Play and iTunes.

https://bkk.hu/apps/docs/turisztikai_kiadvany_en.pdf

Climate

The climate of Budapest is continental. In the end the of July usually warm/hot weather can be expected with a max. temperature of 28-33 °C, while the lowest temperature during the night ranging between 18-22 °C. Some rainy days can be expected.

Insurance

The registration fees do not include provision for the insurance of participants against personal accidents, illness, cancellation, theft, pandemic, property loss or damage. Participants are advised to take adequate personal travel insurance.

Currency

The Forint (HUF), the official national currency, is convertible. The exchange rates applied in Budapest banks, official exchange offices and hotels may vary. All the major credit cards are accepted in Hungary in places displaying the emblem at the entrance.

Exchange rate: 1 Euro = 389 HUF in September 2023

Credit Cards

In general, VISA, EC/MC and American Express credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, cafés, shops and petrol stations.

Stores and Shopping

The opening hours of Budapest stores are generally 10:00-18:00 on weekdays and 10:00-13:00 on Saturday. The big shopping centres are open from 10:00-20:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 10.00-18.00 on Sunday.

Pharmacies

Budapest’s pharmacies (gyógyszertár in Hungarian) are well stocked and can provide medicaments for most common ailments. Each of the 23 districts has an all-night pharmacy open every day, a sign on the door of any pharmacy will help you locate the closest one.

Electricity

The voltage in Hungary is 230V, 50 Hz AC.

Recommended Taxi Company

To reach the Hotels or the Conference Venue and to avoid any inconvenience, please use the official taxi company: FőTaxi: +36 1 222 2 222, www.fotaxi.hu Credit card payment is available in every car of FőTaxi.

Please note, that all licensed Budapest taxi companies have yellow cars and has same rates for all companies, placed clearly visible on the screens.

Time Zone

Central European Time (CET): UTC+01:00

The most important Hungarian words

yes – igen
no – nem
hi – szia
please – kérem
thank you – köszönöm
you’re welcome – szívesen
good morning – jó reggelt!
good evening – jó estét!
good night – jó éjszakát!
good bye – viszlát!
sorry – sajnálom
no problem – semmi baj
how are you? – hogy vagy?
where is..? – hol van..?
I – én
you – te
I don’t understand – nem értem
how much does it cost? – mennyibe kerül?