Be careful of

MONEY AND TIPPING saying “Thank you!” METRO MAP OF IT’S when paying. If you say CIRCLE THE CLOSEST STATION TO YOUR ACCOMMODATION. EASY it while handing over the money, this is informally HUNGARIAN taken to mean that you don’t expect any change FORINT (FT OR HUF) to be given back. BUDA PEST “Round to 5” rule: Cash payments 5 forint 10 forint that don’t end in 5 or 0, will be rounded to the closest 5 or 0, e.g.

for Ft 152 you pay Ft 150 and for Ft 20 forint 50 forint 158 you pay Ft 160. Prices in shops are gross ESSENTIAL (VAT is included). 100 forint 200 forint Tip: give around 10% (service is sometimes included in the price, so check the bill). Rounding up: you can tip by saying how much you want to

pay (e.g. Ft 8,000 instead IT’S of Ft 7,200). Buying alcoholic EASY drinks in shops is not EASY allowed after 10 or 11 p.m., depending on district. By law, GUIDE

ALCOHOL AND only those over the age of 18 are allowed to buy BUDAPEST ESSENTIAL TOBACCO alcoholic drinks. TAKE IT GUIDE Tobacco products can be bought only in specialized shops (Nemzeti Dohánybolt) Persons under 18 cannot even enter these places. EASY, Please be aware that, if you visit such a shop with children, they will have to stay outside. IT’S EASY

AC: 230 V / 50 Hz. -

IT’S

EASY European standard Sockets: Type F - European standard 2 pin Source: bkk If necessary, you can DRAW THE ROUTE TO THE CLOSEST CORNER TO YOUR ACCOMMODATION, ELECTRICITY buy a travel adaptor in OR NOTE THE NAMES OF THE INTERSECTING STREETS THERE: Hungarian an electrical store in Tourism Agency any mall. For your own safety do not provide an accurate address.

Central European IT’S Emergency hotline: 112 Time (GMT+1) HELP EASY Daylight saving time:

Budapestinfo Tourist Information Offices: runs between the EASY end of March and the in the city centre at Sütő utca 2. (close to Deák tér); at City Park on Olof Palme sétány 5. (close to Hősök tere) end of October IT’S (CET+1/GMT+2). TIME ZONE Further information: www.spiceofeurope.com – www.budapestinfo.hu www.bkk.hu (BKK Centre for Budapest Transport) n Hungaria cy Tourism Agen Essential tips online: www.spiceofeurope.com/budapest-essential-guide/ FIRST STEP BEWARE: addictive! BASIC PHRASES KÜRTŐSKALÁCS: Chimney cake - sweet pleasure for the afternoons! GET TO THE CITY Hello/Goodbye – Szia! (pronounced “Seeya”) BY TAXI - Cheers! – Egészségedre! look for the licensed taxi service kiosk. (“Egeeshegedre!”) NIGHT Thanks! – Köszönöm! BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT - DAY (“Koesoenoem!”) from the airport take the direct airport shuttle IN THE CITY 100E to the city centre - or the local bus DON’T IT’S 200E to Kőbánya- metro station, from DO EASY where you can access the metro network. DO DON’T ABOUT Ask trustworthy locals Don’t drink alcohol in THE LOCALS Always carry some cash Don’t travel on public to offer authentic public places and do transport without a not smoke at bus/tram The locals’ level of in forints (If you want places to go out English varies, but younger people to use a card and it is validated ticket or pass – stops. You can be fined VENDING MACHINES not obvious if they are it’s strictly controlled Avoid flirty girls who for doing either are more likely to speak it. and you can be fined TICKETS (all major cards are accepted). are at the You airport need either exits accepted, look for the suggest you to take Hungarians are frugal when it comes a special ticket for the shuttle 100E, or a transfer usual window stickers) them to specific Don’t smoke indoors ticket to the city centre using 200E + additional tickets at Don’t pay in Euros, even entertainment spots in cafés, restaurants to smiling, but they spare if a shop accepts the and pubs as this is each transfer (except transfers within the metro network). Validate your public and run up bills at nothing on being transport ticket - currency (the exchange visitor’s expense. It’s a prohibited by law

Transfer tickets need to be validated again at the transfer. rates are very poor and hospitable. but not your pass common scam EASY ALWAYS VALIDATE you will pay more) Don’t smoke within 1 3 5 metres of any on the vehicles your (bus ticket and attram the lines).entrance 1 SINGLE gates (metro) or Look for prices at 5 places, check them Don’t exchange money LÁNGOS: business entrance IT’S 7 9 Fried 1 TICKET = 1 RIDE ON 1 LINE, with no transfer on the streets with dough covered 3 before ordering 5 (except for the metro). Buy individual tickets if random strangers since with various 7 BEFORE LEAVING 9 you plan to travel less than 5 times (unlikely); Stay alert, just as it is prohibited by law. toppings. Fitness you would be in any people SOUVENIRS in all other cases buy a pass! European city Don’t leave your lovely butBEWARE: stodgy. We recommend buying original (or at home) belongings unattended LAST MINUTE onaljegy handcrafted material, products V Single ticket while traveling the POSTCARD Always have country. of young designers or paprika

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V Single ticket There is no postal service powder and salami, as these are photo ID with you Don’t hand over your ID ÚT, UTCA: TÚRÓ RUDI: at the airport, but if you permitted in airline cabins. Use exchange bureaus card to anyone, except Sweet Unlimited journeys uniformed police or road,street, have forgotten to send Hungarian quality wines and in the city centre, they avenue TÉR: cottage within their timeframe. have the best rates immigration officers cheese your postcards, you still spirits are available at the Recommended options: with proper identification square can do so at the last PASSES KÖRÚT: snack bar, airport departure hall for those Stay away from people covered with minute at the non-stop 24-HOUR PASS who offer you free items Don’t miss visiting one of boulevard who travel with hand luggage 72-HOUR PASS on the street; there are the Budapestinfo Tourist or ring road chocolate. post office at the Keleti only. Keep in mind that your Information Offices to BEWARE: 7-DAY OR 15-DAY PASS – no free items! KÖZ: alley Railway Station (accessed destination may refuse the learn the latest tourist or lane you will love still better option than info, offers and programs it or hate it! via the Keleti pályaudvar entry of meat, vegetables (see contacts) Metro Station). IT’S buying tickets! and dairy products.

EASY LICENSED TAXIES HOW ► Yellow, TAXI-sign on the roof, company logo, chequered BUDAPEST A special offer from stripe on the side, “Licensed Budapest taxi” statement, DAY the city that gives: TO GET car brands vary MUST HAVES ► Unlimited free travel on the AROUND ► Prices shown outside and inside as well ► Opera House ► St. Stephen’s Basilica CARD Budapest public transport system ► Prices are fixed and unified ► Hősök tere (Heroes’ Square) ► The Great Synagogue ► All major credit and debit cards are accepted, ► House of Parliament ► (Fisherman’s ► Discounts and free entry to many museums Available for 24, 48, or 72 hours. check the stickers ► Batthyány tér (photo point Bastion, ) ► Crossing the Danube multiple times in one journey is for the Parliament) ► The Budapest Card service desk at the airport suspicious, be sure that the driver isn’t doing extra is open until 10 p.m. If you arrive later but are mileage to run up the metre. considering this option, you can purchase DAYS IT’S it online (www.budapestinfo.hu) or the next day PUBLIC TRANSPORT

EASY in the city centre. In this case, choose tickets Metro, tram, bus, trolleybus, suburban railway (HÉV), ► The Danube bridges ► Váci utca when heading into the city cogwheel railway, chairlift, funicular (Sikló) - and many (use tram line 2) ► A bath or spa (see above). more! ► Andrássy út ► A culinary experience ► Great Market Hall ► A party MOL BUBI Exchange only the necessary Budapest City Bike System DAYS CHANGE amount of money upon arrival (use ON FOOT cards where you can, you can change

Look left first, and LOOK CAREFULLY. Drivers are ► Broader Castle District ► Margitsziget EASY more money later at anytime). sometimes unwilling to stop. ► A museum () IT’S ► Városliget (City Park)