Essential Travel Know-How for Tourists in Budapest

With its vibrant cultural heritage and rich and fascinating history, it would be impossible not to consider this city as one of the most-favored travel destinations in Europe. The recognition of the unique value of its traditions has been carefully managed to maintain the magic and charm of this place. Therefore, people who travel for pleasure will surely love Budapest.

To fully make the one’s tour pleasurable, these essential know-how’s must be remembered to escape the hassles and irritating sarcasms:

• Visa Information

Citizens of those countries who were part of the Schengen agreement are allowed to enter Hungary possessing just an identification card. They are allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days, granting that the purpose of the visit is anything but not related to work and/or business. These countries include: Switzerland, Spain, Slovenia, Slovakia, Portugal, Poland, Malta, Luxemburg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Italy, Holland, Greece, Germany, France, Finland, Estonia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Croatia, Belgium, and Austria.

Citizens of European countries, except Ukraine, Turkey, Serbia-Montenegro, Russia, and Albania, do not require visas to enter the territory of Hungary. Those countries outside Europe who are similarly not required visas are: Venezuela, Uruguay, USA, Singapore, Salvador, Paraguay, Panama, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Mexico, Malaysia, Macao, Republic of Korea, Japan, Israel, Hong Kong, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Chile, Canada, Brunei, Brazil, Bolivia, Australia, and Argentina. However, a passport is strictly required.

• Customs Regulations

Passengers who are entering or leaving the European Union and carries 10,000 or more euros or equivalent in different currencies or any readily cashable securities of equivalent total value should declare them to the customs’ authority. However, further verification and declaration rules on cash transactions in certain member states of the European Union are applied.

• Embassies

Most of the foreign states have an embassy or a consulate in Budapest. An “embassy district” in Budapest is located near the Heroes’ Square where 15+ embassies are being housed. Some of them are fortified with security zone built around them. Those countries that don’t have consulates mostly maintain representations in nearby Vienna.

• Getting Around

Getting around in Budapest can be easy; whether in a public transportation, taxi or even in one’s own car.

Public Transportation

Budapest’s public transportation systems include buses, trolley buses, trams, underground trains (Metro), and above-ground suburban trains (HÉV). Passes should be bought before boarding since they cannot be bought from the driver, except of course on night bus networks.

Ticket types for buses, trams, and trolley buses vary, such as: 2-day family ticket (valid for maximum of 2 adults and 2 children below 18), 3-day unlimited travel card, 7-day unlimited travel card, and etc. Tickets for the Metro are exclusive and can be bought solely for its use.

Buses, trams, and trolley buses are available daily from 4:30 A.M. until 11:00 P.M. The Metro services passengers in frequencies from 15 minutes late in the evening to every two minutes during peak hours.

Taxi

Cabs in Budapest are labeled with “Taxi”, and are often accompanied by the company’s name or logo. These cabs have yellow registration plates, which distinguish them from the regular car plates. The taxi meters are equipped with a receipt-printing feature which prints the fare charge and the driver’s identification.

The fare is composed of the basic fee, per kilometer charging, and the waiting fee. Tipping the driver with 10 percent of the full fare is customary if there is satisfaction with the rendered service.

Car

Documents such as driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and “Green Card” for environment compliance must be carried all the time if one wishes to drive around in Budapest.

• Budapest Card

Introduced in 1997, this card offers its holder limitless possibilities, which include: unlimited travel on public transportation; discounted or free entrance fees to museums and several other sights; discounted tours of up to 50 percent; discounted price on tickets for cultural and folklore programs;  restaurant and spa discounts; car rentals and sport facilities discounts; and travel insurance. This card is made available in most places of Budapest including main metro ticket offices, travel agencies, hotels and airports, and tourist information bureaus. The card is valid for 48 or 72 hours for one adult and one child of up to 14 years of age.

Budapest Travel Tips

Budapest, the largest city and capital of Hungary is one of the great tourist destinations through-out Europe. With the city considered an important international hub, it is also the principal center for national activities of Hungary. Measuring 525 square kilometer in area within its city limit and home to almost 2 million residents, mostly of Jewish descent as of the latest 2009 population survey.

Aside from its very rich historical significance in Europe’s history, the city offers a satisfying view of its many architectures enough to attract and satisfy tourist – includes baroque, neoclassical, eclectic and secessionist building architecture.

The City tourism industry attracts 20 million visitors every year. Considered as a tourist gem, the city is famously known for its wealth of history and world heritage sites. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Only this year, Budapest ranked as the most livable city among Central and Eastern Europe cities with regards to quality of life. In 2008, the city ranked third (3^rd) out of 65 cities on MasterCard’s Emerging Markets index.

Here are some tips for better City navigation and transportation.

• If you travel by plane, be sure to double check your arrival and departure terminal, some terminals are 10 to 12 minutes ride apart, and it saves time knowing the correct terminal.
• Get a map, encircle the places you want to see and create a schedule. Ask locals for direction and suggestion, they are ready to help and guide you.
• Wait for a taxi at the designated taxi stands to get a fare rate, and pay only upon arriving at your aimed location – it is intended to get rid of  unjustified fare hikes on taxis. Do not entertain bids from drivers waiting around the station entrance.
• A minibus service is a better transportation mode during your visit, especially if you are traveling alone. It collects passenger with same route and cheaper.
• If you decide to take the train, don’t expect too much. Their facilities are very limited, difficult to access for people with disabilities and not so clean toilets.
• Orientation is not a big problem in Budapest. There are many landmarks like the Royal Castle or Citadella castle to help you find your way. The Danube River itself is the best reference point in orienting yourself.
• Many Budapest’s highlights are easy to approach walking. More pedestrian zones are added yearly and car drivers tend to respect pedestrians. Walking will save you a money and more possibility of good views along the way.
• Wear appropriate clothes, especially shoes on travel. Do not wear high-heeled shoes as there are many stone pavements in the city.
• Secure the latest transportation guidebooks and maps – preferably edited after September 2008. Transportation system and routes were changed and modified.

Although Budapest is a peaceful city and crime rate is relatively low in comparison to other European cities, don’t let your vigilance down. Always be safe while on Budapest. Here are some tips for your safety.

• Pick pocketing is the most common incident for a tourist. The important rule is never wear a backpack or purse on your back. Always put your wallet or money on the front pockets.
• Don’t show off your money and wear flashy jewelries, it will attract robbers.
• Don’t walk alone at night on districts 8^th and 9^th or Danko, Magdolna and Lujza streets – it is not particularly dangerous but these areas are shady or deserted.
• Keep a low profile or avoid public night transportation on weekends, you may come across aggressive drunk youngsters since it is a peak socializing time on Friday and Saturday nights.
• Eat only where locals eat and drink where locals go. It is compulsory in Hungary to put the menu cards outside the entrance of restaurants, if it is not the case do not enter.
• Exchange currencies in banks, they usually offer better rates and safer.
• Do not participate in Street gambling, they often lure tourist, and you may lose your money on tricks they played.
• Be sure to check your change, all 1,000ft notes should contain vertical silver strips; otherwise they are already invalid or fake.