Hungary Car Hire Hungary Campervan Hire Hungary River Cruises
Hungary's location in the centre of Europe along with its hospitable attitude makes it one of the best places from which to embark on an Eastern European journey.

A small landlocked country sharing its borders with seven neighbouring countries, Hungary was originally inhabited by the Magyars, an equestrian nomadic tribe. They were eventually converted to Christianity and in the year 1000 their Prince Stephen was crowned the nation's first ruler. Since then Hungary has seen numerous dynastic changes, from Turkish occupation to the era of Communism, and today quaint little towns, cities and ruins in the countryside bear the marks of this turbulent history with a rich mosaic of architectural styles and fortified hilltop castles. The Hungarian people, neither Slavic nor Germanic, are formal, reserved and intensely proud of their ancient nation and its cosmopolitan capital, Budapest.

Most visitors arrive in Budapest, situated on a lovely stretch of the Danube, the river that invokes feelings of romantic enchantment and musical memories. It is a city of culture and of astounding beauty and grace, and visitors are drawn to its enchanting magnetism. Outside of the capital the plains, rolling hills and rivers, lakes and vineyards hold much to offer the visitor. The Baroque town and fine wines of Eger, historical riverside villages along the Danube Bend, commanding fortresses, castles and palaces, the resort-lined Lake Balaton and the thermal spas and volcanically heated lake at Hévíz are just some of the country's many highlights awaiting discovery.

Time:
Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Electricity:
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50 Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.
Language:
Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, but German is widely spoken. English is spoken in tourist areas and most hotels.
Health:
No vaccinations are required and standards of public health are good. Tap water is safe to drink and food poisoning is not considered a high risk. A reciprocal health agreement with countries of the EU provides nationals with free emergency health care on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). All towns have pharmacies, but anyone requiring specific medication should bring a supply with them as most medicines are of Eastern European origin. Health insurance is recommended.
Safety:
Most visits to Hungary are trouble-free, but normal precautions against petty crime should be taken. Pickpocketing and bag snatching are common in Budapest, especially on crowded public transport and other places frequented by tourists. The country is experiencing flooding on all major rivers and roads in Budapest have been closed due to the flooding of the Danube River; public transport has been affected in flooded areas.
Communications:
The international access code for Hungary is +36. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are often high surcharges on calls made from hotels; it is cheaper to use public telephone boxes or calling cards. Local directory assistance is available by dialling 198, and international directory assistance is 199; callers may have to hold for a few moments, but English-speaking operators are available. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

Money:
The official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF), divided into 100 fillér. Travellers cheques are not widely favoured. Credit cards most accepted in the country are AMEX, Diners Club, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard, JCB and Visa, and these can be used to withdraw cash from banks and ATMs and to pay bills in hotels, restaurants and most shops. Banks usually open between 8am and 4pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturdays. ATMs and currency exchange machines are available in towns and cities throughout the country.

Climate:
Hungary is best visited over the summer period, when the weather is warmer and the attractions are all open. The weather in spring and autumn can be very pleasant, but temperatures drop to around 20°F (9°C). Over winter temperatures approach freezing. Some rain can be expected throughout the year.

BUDAPEST

Budapest, known as the 'Queen of the Danube', is a magnificent city exuding a cultural sophistication that entices and enchants. Gracing both sides of the legendary river with grand historic buildings, regal bridges and graceful tree-lined boulevards, it is the city's elegant beauty and romantic atmosphere that has given Budapest Parisian status among the Eastern European countries.

Budapest offers the visitor the familiarity of European culture with a distinct Hungarian flavour. It is evident in the neo-Gothic Parliament buildings, sidewalk cafes and Magyar cuisine; classical concerts and Hungarian folk music; the cobbled streets of medieval neighbourhoods and shady parks, and everywhere the sounds of an unfamiliar language. Highlights for visitors include a river cruise on the Danube and a thermal bath in one of the Turkish-era bathhouses.

Budapest was originally two cities built on either side of the Danube, namely Buda and Pest. The two districts are still distinct in their contrasting makeup, with the older and more charming Buda comprising atmospheric cobbled streets, little picturesque coloured houses and a medieval, neo-Classical mixture of architecture set among the gentle hills of the west bank. It is famous for its historic Castle Hill featuring the Royal Palace, museums and galleries, St Matthias Church and the ramparts of Fisherman's Bastion.

Pest lies on a flat plain and is the commercial core of the city. It bustles with fashionable shopping areas and has characteristically wide, leafy boulevards. Andrássy Boulevard is the Champs-Elysées of Budapest, lined with a typical mosaic of architectural styles and buildings with the enormous Heroes' Square at the end.

A history of numerous wars and invasions, with repeated destruction and rebuilding, has created the Budapest of today, with an amalgamation of styles, created over time during periods of loving restoration by a proud and resilient nation of people; a city of charm and character, both European and singularly Hungarian.

THE DANUBE BEND

The Danube is the second longest river in Europe after the Volga, flowing for 1,771 miles (2,857km) through nine different countries. Before reaching Budapest it is forced through a narrow twisting valley in the pretty Carpathian Basin, known as the Danube Bend. The cluster of towns on the bend offers an amazing collection of history, culture and architecture, particularly the small towns of Szentendre, Visegrád and Esztergom.

It is an extremely scenic area with green valleys and hills rising up from the river, picturesque little towns with market squares and commanding fortresses with sweeping views. Many visitors choose to do a boat cruise on the Danube from Budapest stopping at the little towns along the way. Combined with good facilities and easy accessibility it is one of the more popular destinations in Hungary.

WHAT ARE THE ATTRACTIONS

Esztergom
Esztergom combines history with a small-town riverside charm. One of Hungary's most historically important towns, it was the capital for over 250 years and the birthplace of their beloved first king and saint, Stephen, who was later crowned here in the 11th century. Today it remains the religious centre of the country with Hungary's largest church dominating the hill above the town next to the ruins of the medieval Royal Palace, now the Castle Museum. The colossal basilica was the first cathedral in the country and from where Roman Catholicism was introduced to the nation. It offers wonderful views from its enormous dome and contains a crypt and priceless treasury collection. Below is the pretty Watertown District with uneven cobbled streets winding up the hill towards the Castle Hill and several interesting museums. Esztergom faces Slovakia across the Danube and there is an international ferry crossing here.

Szentendre
Szentendre, 'The Pearl of the Danube Bend', is a quaint old market town situated on the slopes of the Pilis range, with a charm and character of its own. Meandering cobbled lanes, little squares, red-tiled roofs, brightly painted houses, and awkwardly positioned Orthodox churches give it an artistically picturesque setting. Serbian refugees inhabited the town in medieval times and their style contributed to the charisma of the town's haphazard structure and Balkan flavour. Numerous Serbian churches add to the collection of historical buildings. In the 1900s the town became a favourite retreat for painters and sculptors and ever since it has been known for its art and artists, resulting in a wealth of museums and art collections scattered among the tourist souvenir and handicraft shops. Being close to Budapest, the town has become one of the hotspots of tourism, and summer weekends can get rather overcrowded.

Visegrad
Superbly situated on the abrupt loop of the Danube beneath steep hills, Visegrad was once a Roman stronghold on the border of the Roman Empire and the second home after Buda to Hungary's royalty in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Citadel sits high on the hill above the town with commanding views over the river bend and the position was of strategic importance to the Romans. On the banks of the river are the ruins of the magnificent palace, one of the finest ever built in Hungary, which is now the open air King Matthias Museum. Today the small, sparsely populated town has a pleasantly lethargic atmosphere that belies its past glory and importance and it makes a peaceful excursion from the crowds of the big city.

Hungary Passport & Visa Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens must hold a passport valid for at least the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must have a passport. Travellers holding a passport endorsed: "Holder has the right of abode in the U.K."; or Holder is entitled to re-admission to the U.K. or British Citizen, do not require a visa for stays of up to 180 days. All other British passport holders require a visa and passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the expiry date of the required visa.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals must hold a passport valid for at least the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian nationals do not need a visa to visit Hungary for a period of up to 90 days. Passports must be valid for at least the period of intended stay.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals need a visa and must hold a passport valid for at least six months after the expiry date of the visa.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealanders do not require a visa for a stay in Hungary of up to 90 days. A passport, valid for the intended period of stay, is required.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport valid for at least the period of intended stay. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
Passport/Visa Note: All visitors must have the equivalent in hard currency of Ft1,000 per day or a major credit card, as well as return or onward tickets and all documents required for next destination.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Hungary Contacts

Hungarian Tourist Office: +36 (06)1 488 8700 or www.hungarytourism.hu
Hungarian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 362 6730
Hungarian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7201 3440
Hungarian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 230 2717
Hungarian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6282 3226
Hungarian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 430 3020/30
Hungarian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 661 2902
Hungarian Consulate-General, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 973 7507
United States Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 475 4400
British Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 266 2888
Canadian Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 392 3360
Australian Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 457 9777

South African Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 392 0999
Irish Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 301 4960
New Zealand Embassy, Berlin, Germany (also responsible for Hungary): +49 (0)30 206 210
Emergencies: 11

AIRPORT

Ferihegy Budapest International Airport (BUD)
Location: The airport is located 10 miles (16km) south east of Budapest. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +36 1 296 9696. Transfer between terminals: The terminals are close enough together to be accessible by foot. Transfer to the city: An airport bus leaves for the city centre every 30 minutes, and there is an airport minibus service that takes passengers to any destination in the city as soon as the bus is full. Tickets can be purchased in the Arrival Hall at the Airport Minibus counter. Express bus 93 runs to the nearest metro station, or taxis are available from the taxi stand. Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar and Airport Rent-a-Car. Facilities: Facilities include ATMs, bureaux de change, left luggage, first aid, duty-free shops, childcare, post office, chapel, restaurants, tourist information and hotel reservations. There are facilities for disabled passengers and wheelchairs are available from the airport help desks; travellers with special needs are advised to contact their airline or travel agent in advance. A short walk from Terminal 2 there is an open-air aircraft museum. Parking: Short and long term parking lots are situated close to the terminal buildings. Departure tax: None. Website: www.bud-airport.hu/english

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