The capital
The capital of Hungary is Budapest
Time
Time zone: GTM+1 (-2 hours to Moscow)
Language of Hungary
The official language in the country is Hungarian. The staff of many hotels and resorts speaks English.
Currency
The national currency of Hungary is the forint. 1 HUF = 100 fillers (fillers do not currently have circulation in the country), 1 EUR = 284 HUF, 1 USD = 221 HUF).
Banks in the country are open on weekdays from 8:00-16:00, banks are usually closed on weekends, however, in the central part of Budapest, in some currency exchange offices, you can also exchange money on weekends.
Money can also be exchanged in hotels, as well as in special currency exchange machines, however, in this case, a certain percentage will be withdrawn.
The certificate issued when exchanging currency must be kept until leaving the country.
The use of a credit card is possible in many hotels, shops and restaurants (badges on the doors of establishments, as a rule, indicate this).
Connection
Internet
Basically, Wi-Fi access points are located in Budapest, and this type of connection can also be used in some cities of the country.
Beeline T-Mobile subscribers are provided with GPRS roaming.
There are Internet cafes in major cities with normal internet access.
Since autumn 2010, Vodafone has been providing free wireless Internet access in minibuses running to the airport of the capital, as well as on state international routes of the Volánbusz company. This service is available on 34 routes from Budapest to Sopron, Nagykanizsa, Vienna, Szeged, Zalaegerszeg, Pécs, Eger, Baia, Szekszard and Buttonia.
Telephone communications
The international code for Hungary is 36.
Telephone booths in cities are found everywhere, calls are made both by cards and by coins in denominations from 10 to 100 HUF. Phone cards can be purchased at all PTT post offices or kiosks for 500, 800, 1800 HUF.
To call from Russia to Hungary: 8-10-36 – city code – subscriber number.
To call to Russia from Hungary: 00 (beep) – area code – subscriber number.
Codes of the main cities of Hungary: Budapest – 1, Pecs – 72, Debrecen – 52, Szeged – 62, Miskolc – 46, Eger – 36.
Hungarian emergency numbers: ambulance – 104, fire department – 105, police – 107, rescue service – 112.
Electricity
The voltage in the electrical network is 220V, 50 Hz (EU standard).
Shops and shopping
In the country, grocery stores are open on weekdays from 7:00 to 18:00, on Saturday they usually close around 13:00. Usually only large stores work longer, and some even around the clock.
Markets are a favorite place for both tourists and locals. The famous Central Market is located in Budapest, where a large number of people always gather during the day. See liuxers for Hungary customs and traditions.
Traditional souvenirs bought in Hungary are handicrafts, dolls dressed in national clothes, ceramics, halash lace, hand-painted Herend porcelain, antiques, goose liver, Hungarian paprika, sweet figurines made from marzipan, cherry and apricot palinka “.
Also an excellent souvenir or a gift for friends and relatives will be Tokay wine, bitter tonic tincture “Unicum” on herbs, embroidery, crystal products, glazed dishes.
In addition, in the shops of the country you can buy high-quality and inexpensive clothes.
Transport
Since Hungary is a small country, domestic flights are not very popular. There are only a few flights from Budapest to Szeged and Pécs.
The country’s rail transport is very well developed, from the capital you can get to almost any city in Hungary. Transportation is carried out by the state company MAV. Train tickets can be purchased here at the railway stations. The purchased ticket is valid for the whole day.
Bus transportation in the country is carried out by Volanbusz Transport. The network of bus routes covers almost the entire country, and there are also international flights. Buses run quite often, unlike trains, and the fare is slightly higher, but the level of comfort meets European standards. Tickets can be purchased at the box office of bus stations or from the driver.
You can also use taxi services in the city. Landing in major cities will cost from 100-200 HUF, a minute of waiting will cost 30-50 HUF, 1 kilometer – 140-280 HUF. The taxi license plate is yellow and the fares are posted on the dashboard or door glass.
Car rent
When renting a car in Hungary, you need to present a driver’s license, a credit card, and you can also rent a car on bail.
The age of the tenant must be at least 21 years old, the driving experience must be less than one year, and the tenant must also live in the country (hotel, inn).
The speed limit in the country is up to 50 km/h in cities, up to 90 km/h outside the city, and up to 120 km/h on highways.
Dipped beam outside settlements must be turned on, even during the day.
Tips
Tipping in the country is customary to give hairdressers, waiters, taxi drivers, about 10% of the bill. It is not customary to leave tips on the table in restaurants; they must be given directly to the waiter along with the bill.
In most restaurants with “live” music, the soloist, as a rule, can come up to the table and sing a song to order, in such cases it is customary to thank the performer.
In restaurants, it is not recommended to accept a waiter’s offer of signature dishes right away, especially if the cost of the dish is not yet known.
Security
In public transport, you should be wary of pickpockets, as well as avoid any communication with gypsies. It’s not even worth trying to use public transport without a ticket, controllers work clearly here.
In the country, exchanging money from “hands” is not recommended.
You should always have an identity document with you. Documents should be kept in a hotel safe; when going outside, you should not take large sums of money or jewelry with you.
