Location

• Corvin Plaza Shopping Mall (2 minutes by foot)
• Supermarkets (2 minutes by foot)
• Life1 Wellness-Fitness Center with swimming pool and saunas (2 minutes by foot)
• Museum of Applied Arts (8 minutes by foot)
• Hungarian Natural History Museum (10 minutes by foot)
• Orczy Park and Botanical Garden (10 minutes by foot)
• Ráday utca culinary street with restaurants and cafés (14 minutes by foot)
• River Danube (15 minutes by foot)
• Millennium Office Towers (19 minutes by foot)
• Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art (20 minutes by foot)
• Szent István Hospital (5 minutes by public transport)
• Hungarian National Museum (5 minutes by public transport)
• Albert Flórián Futball Stadium (8 minutes by public transport)
• Infopark Business Park (15 minutes by public transport)

• Metro stations Corvin-negyed or Klinikák (line M3) are less than 5 minutes away by foot
• Tram stops on the Grand Boulevard for lines 4 and 6 (running 24 hours) are about 5 minutes away by foot

By Taxi

• From Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD), 15-20 minutes.

By Bus and Metro

• From Liszt Ferenc International Airport, 25-30 minutes.
• Purchase tickets at the airport information desk.
• Take bus service number 200E and alight at the final stop where you will find Metro Station Kőbánya-Kispest.
• Take the metro to Klinikák station.
• The hotel location is a 5 minutes’ walk from the station (towards Nagytemplom utca/Nagytemplom Street in the “Corvin-negyed” area).

Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary and one of the largest cities in the European Union. It is the country’s principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation center. The city covers an area of 525 sqm (202.7 sq miles) within the city limits. Budapest became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with the unification on 17 November 1873 of west-bank Buda and Óbuda with east-bank Pest.

One of the most beautiful cities in Europe, its extensive World Heritage Sites includes the banks of the Danube, Buda Castle, Heroes’ Square, Andrássy Avenue and the Millennium Underground Railway. Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs, the world’s largest thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building. The city attracts about 4.3 million tourists a year, making it the 25th most popular city in the world (and the 6th in Europe).

Language

The official language of Hungary is Hungarian, spoken by about 95% of the population. The most widely known and used foreign languages are English and German.

Time Difference

Central European Time, GMT+1

Visa

A passport valid for three months beyond the length of stay and issued within the past 10 years is required for entering the country (except EU citizens who can enter also with ID cards). American, Canadian and EU passport holders can stay in Hungary for up to 90 days without a visa.

Hungary is a member of the European Union and Schengen Area, therefore if you have a valid Schengen visa you can use it to travel to Hungary as well.

More information on entry for foreigners to Hungary may be found at the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary: konzuliszolgalat.kormany.hu/en

Currency

Although Hungary is part of the European Union, it does not use the Euro as its currency. The Hungarian currency is the Forint (Ft, HUF). Major credit cards (AmEx, Visa, MasterCard, Diners, and Cirrus) are accepted in most shops and businesses.

VAT

Hungary has a Value Added Tax (VAT) rate of 27%. Prices in Hungary are shown as inclusive of VAT. VAT is also applicable for tourism services such as accommodation, day tours, guides, ground transport (including coach, rail and cruise), translators and meals. Accommodation has an exceptional 18% VAT rate.

Gratuity

In restaurants, a tip of 10% is normal, although some have started adding a service charge to the bill. Porters and staff at hotels can be offered a gratuity for good service, but it is purely discretionary. Taxi drivers can expect a tip and it is common practice to round the fare up or add a 10% charge.

Business Hours

Banks:

Mondays to Fridays, 08:00 to 16:00 hours.
Saturdays, some banks are open for business.

Post Offices:

Mondays to Fridays, 09:00 to 17:00 hours.
Mondays to Saturdays, 07:00 to 21:00 hours, Nyugati Pályaudvar (VI. Teréz körút 61.) and Keleti Pályaudvar (VIII. Baross tér 11/c.) post offices only.
Sundays, 10:00 to 17:00 hours, Keleti Pályaudvar (VIII. Baross tér 11/c.) post office only.

Retail:

Mondays to Fridays, 09:00 to 18:00 hours.
Saturdays, 09:00 to 13:00 hours
Mondays to Sundays, 10:00 to 21:00 hours (Shopping malls).

Telephone Network

Public phones require 10, 20, 50 or 100 Forint coins, or a pre-purchased phone card (sold at news-stands, supermarkets and post offices). Fax machines are available for tourists in main post offices and in many city hotels’ Business Centers.

Hungary country code: 36
Budapest area code: 1 (+7-digit number)
International pre-dial: 00 + country code + local number
Domestic long distance pre-dial: 06 + area code + local number
Cell-phone numbers are 9-digit, after dialing 06, the first two numbers depend on the telephone company: 20, 30 or 70.

Health

Immunisation is not a requirement for entering Hungary. Tourists are permitted to bring medication for personal use. Products containing narcotic substances can only enter with the special permission of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Medication prescribed abroad can be purchased in pharmacies at full market price.

Emergency and ambulance services are free of charge in cases requiring immediate medical attention. All other medical treatment is regulated by international treaties. Ambulance telephone no.: 104

Budapest’s pharmacies (Gyógyszertár in Hungarian) are well stocked and can provide medicaments for most common ailments. Each of the 23 districts has a 24/7 open pharmacy, a sign on the door of any pharmacy will help you locate the closest one.

Electricity

Electrical power in Hungary is 230 volts, AC 50Hz. Electrical plug is European plug with two circular metal pins.

Public Holidays

New Year’s Day (1 January), 1848 Revolution Memorial Day (15 March), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day (1 May), Whit Monday, State Foundation Memorial Day (20 August), 1956 Revolution Memorial Day (23 October), All Saints’ Day (1 November), Christmas Day & Boxing Day (25-26 December).