Tripomatic Free City Guide Budapest
Tripomatic Free City Guide Budapest
Tripomatic Free City Guide Budapest
BUDAPEST GUIDE
MONEY
Essential Information
Money
Communication
Holidays
Transportation
Food
Things to do
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Activities
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Emergency Contacts
Medical emergency: 104
Police: 107
Fire: 105
Time Zone
Central European Time UTC/GMT +1 hour.
Daylight saving time from March to October.
Tipping
In Budapest, it is customary to tip for the service
you receive waiters, taxi drivers, hotel staff, doctors, spa attendants. The standard amount is 10%
with rounding up to the nearest 100 Ft. If the service was outstanding and you want to show your
gratitude, tip 15 to 20%. If not satisfied, dont tip
at all it is always at your discretion.
Credit cards are widely accepted. The most common ones are Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Dont expect them to be accepted at bus
stations or museums though check the symbols
on the door.
Tax Refunds
The VAT varies between 5% and 27%. Non-EU residents can apply for a refund of this if they spend
at least 50,000 Ft in one shop on one day. To claim
your refund, you need to fill in an FA receipt at
the shop where you purchase the goods, have it
stamped at customs when you leave the EU (you
will need to show the purchased items there) and
claim your refund from the appropriate desks situated in airport departure halls or from refund
offices at country borders.
Contacts
Tourist Contacts
Lost and Found: +36 1 322 6613
24-hour medical assistance in English: +36
1 2000 100
English Police hot-line, primarily for reporting crimes: +36 1 438 8080
Airport Ferihegy flight information +36 1
296 7155
Prices
Meal, inexpensive restaurant 1,200 Ft
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant, three-course
7,450 Ft
Combo Meal at McDonalds 1,290 Ft
Bottle of water at supermarket 110 Ft
Domestic beer (0.5 liter, draught) 350 Ft
Souvenir t-shirt 2,200 Ft
COMMUNICATION
HOLIDAYS
Electricity
Languages
The main spoken language is Hungarian, a Uralic
language considered to be among the most difficult ones in the world. Fortunately, many young
people know English at least to some extent as
the language is now compulsory in schools. German is widely spoken as well, especially by those
near the Austrian border.
Mobile Phones
Opening Hours
Internet
There are hundreds of free Wi-Fi hotspots in the
city; almost every caf, restaurant or mall offers
wireless Internet connection for free. There are
also many hotels that have free Internet for their
guests.
Internet Resources
Budapest Official Tourist Website (www.budapest.
com)
Official City Website (english.budapest.hu)
Budapest Information Website (www.budapest.
info)
Hungary Official Tourist Website (visit-hungary.
com)
TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
Public Transportation
Budapest has a comprehensible and quite complex system of subways, trams, trolleybuses and
buses all run by BKV (www.bkv.hu) Traveling by
public transport is cheap and comfortable.
Metro There are four lines. The major interchange is Dek Tr, all lines meet there. The last
train departs at 11.30 p.m.
Taxis
Regional Transportation
Walkability
Budapest is a perfectly walkable city. The street
layout is logical, there are wide pavements and
theres so much to see on your way. Walking is
a great way to enjoy your stay in Budapest. The
majority of streets in the center of Pest are paved,
so better not to wear high heels.
Driving
Driving can be really pleasant in Hungary. The
roads are generally in a good condition and well
signposted. If taking an expressway, you need
to buy an electronic vignette beforehand. A
10-day vignette costs 2,975 Ft and can be purchased at designated sales points, petrol stations, post offices or online (see motorway.hu
(www.motorway.hu) for more information).
Try to avoid driving in Budapest, though. The city
center is often congested, with a lack of parking
spaces. If you decide to drive in the capital, plan
your way there are many one-way streets and
crossings at which you cant turn left.
Speed limits:
Cities 50 km/h (31 mph)
Open roads 90-110 km/h (56-68 mph)
Expressways 130 km/h (81 mph)
FOOD
Specialties
Gulys beef soup with potatoes and paprika
Borleves wine soup
Papriks chicken cooked in paprika sauce
Halaszl fish soup
Tlttt kposzta cabbage leav5es filled with
minced meat
Tlttt paprika paprika stuffed with minced
meat
Prklt stew with onions and paprika
Lecs mixed vegetable stew often with
sausage
Lngos fried dough with sour cream, cheese
and/or chives
Rakott Krumpli potato casserole
Hideg meggyleves cold sour-cherry soup
Desserts
Somli galuska biscuit dough with chocolate
cream
Palacsinta pancake with rum, raisins, chocolate
Dobos torta five-layer sponge cake
Rig Jancsi cake with chocolate cream
Drinks
February
Hungarian Film Festival (busho.hu)
March
Budapest Spring Festival (www.festivalcity.hu)
April
World Dance Festival
Budapest Fringe (budapestfringe.com)
June
Open-Air Theatre Festival (www.szabadter.hu)
Budapesti Bcs arts festival celebrating the
departure of of Soviet troops
July
Hungarian Grand Prix (www.hungaroring.hu)
Budapest Summer Opera and Ballet Festival
August
Sziget Festival (www.sziget.hu)
September
Caf Budapest Contemporary Arts Festival
Budapest Wine Festival (www.aborfesztival.
hu)
November, December
Budapest Christmas Fair
Legal Age
The legal drinking age is 18. Smoking is banned in
all indoor establishments.
THINGS TO DO
Free Things To Do
Shopping
There are many culinary souvenirs that will serve
as perfect gifts: Tokaji or Soml wine, various
salami and Szamos Marcipn. Hungary is also
proud of its Herend or Zsolnay porcelain, embroidery and lace (Kiskunhalas).
Safety
All you need to stay safe in Budapest is to apply
your common sense and follow the basic precautions. Pickpockets are quite common in the
tourist areas and on public transportation, but
violent crime is very rare.
The potentially risky areas are Nyugati tr underground stop where homeless people, peddlers and buskers gather. Keleti railway station,
Kbnya housing estate, Vrosliget and other
vast parks are better to be avoided at night as
well.
There are many tourist traps, though. Exercise
some reservation at Vci utca, a street immensely
popular with tourists. Especially avoid its topless
and erotic bars as you would end up paying an
outrageous amount for a single drink. In Bu-
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ACTIVITIES
/ Budavri Palota
Listed by UNESCO, this is an absolute must see. Charming historical complex principally dating to the 13th century.
/ Orszghz
Inspired by the British House of Parliament, this is the central landmark of
Budapest. Proudly built in the Gothic Revival style.
1055 Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tr 11, Hungary
GPS: N47.50701, E19.04796
Phone:
+36 1 441 4000
Opening hours:
May 1 Sep 30:
Mon Fri: 8 a.m. 6 p.m.
Sat Sun: 8 a.m. 4 p.m.
Oct 1 Apr 30:
Mon Sun: 8 a.m. 4 p.m.
Jan 1, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, May 1, Nov 1, Dec 24-26: closed
Guided tours in English at 10 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m. See the
website for other languages.
Admission:
Adult:
non-EU citizen HUF 3500
EU citizen with valid ID: HUF 1750
Reduced:
non-EU citizen (under 18): HUF 1750
Student: HUF 1750
EU citizen (under 18): HUF 875
Child (under 6): free
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
Basilica of St. Stephen
/ Szent Istvn-bazilika
The neo-Renaissance cathedral is one of the most spectacular gems of the
city. Reserve enough time to climb its tower!
Szchenyi Bridge
/ Szechenyi lanchid
Imposing bridge with many interesting details that symbolize its importance. Also colloquially known as the 'Chain bridge'.
/ Budavri Labirintus
The cave system was closed permamently in 2013.
1014 Budapest, Lovas t, Hungary
GPS: N47.49988, E19.03303
Phone:
+36 1 212 0287
Opening hours:
The Labyrinth of Buda Castle is permanently closed.
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Matthias Church
/ Matyas Templom
Neo-Gothic gem that celebrates God with all its splendor and beauty. A
replica of the coronation crown can be seen inside.
1014 Budapest, Szenthromsg tr 2, Hungary
GPS: N47.50169, E19.03433
Phone:
+36 1 489 0716
Opening hours:
Mon Fri: 9 a.m. 5 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. 1 p.m.
Sun: 1 p.m. 5 p.m.
Admission:
Adult: HUF 1000
Concessions (student, pensioner, soldier): HUF 700
Child (up to age 6): free
Family (1 or 2 parents + children): HUF 2500
The ticket is valid for entering the church and the museum as well as participating in guided tours.
Andrssy Avenue
/ Andrssy t
Listed by UNESCO, this historical boulevard is the main shopping and dining street in Budapest. Reserve enough time to enjoy its charm.
Roosevelt Square
/ Szchenyi Istvn tr
Situated by the Chain Bridge, this place is popular for the wonderful scenic
views it offers due to its riverside location.
1051 Budapest, Hungary
GPS: N47.49945, E19.04734
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
Fishermen's Bastion
/ Halszbstya
The neo-Gothic chalet is a remarkable structure indeed. The views from
here are smashing no wonder, it was built as a lookout.
Great Synagogue
/ Nagy zsinagga
This is the focal point of the life of the local Jewish community. Notable for
its unusual architectural form resembling Moorish buildings.
/ Clark dm Tr
The humble square was marked with a red star during the Socialist regime.
It is named after the engineer who designed the adjacent bridge.
/ Dunakorzo
Walk along the Danube on the Buda side, enjoy the amazing panorama and
note all the various statues and monuments.
1056 Budapest, Hungary
GPS: N47.49645, E19.04799
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
Shoes on the Danube Promenade Memorial
/ Cipk a
Duna-parton
This 'statue' commemorates the Hungarian Jews who were shot on the
bank of the river Danube during WWII.
Liberty Statue
/ Szabadsg Szobor
The memorial commemorates the Soviet intervention during WWII. It remains a dominant of the Budapest scenery and the views are smashing!
1083 Budapest, Hungary
GPS: N47.48733, E19.04812
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/ Nagycsarnok
This historical building holds three floors of shops and stalls selling local
specialities, crafts and souvenirs.
Citadel
/ Citadella
Built as a military fortress on the highest point of Budapest's city centre. It
features exhibits with WWII artefacts and many more things to check out.
1083 Budapest, Citadella stny, Hungary
GPS: N47.48709, E19.04543
Phone:
+36 466 5794
Opening hours:
Museum:
May 1 Sept 30: daily: 9 a.m. 8 p.m.
Oct 1 Apr 30: daily: 9 a.m. 5 p.m.
Citadel Panorama Restaurant:
Mon Sun: noon midnight
Citadel Lounge:
Open daily: 11 a.m. 1 a.m.
Citadel Folklore Restaurant:
Open daily: 11 a.m. 11 p.m.
Admission:
Outdoor exhibition is free, to enter the military museum you will be
charged about 3.
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
Gellrt Baths
/ Gellrt frd
Showy Art Noveau baths extremely popular with tourists. No wonder the
lavish complex is nothing like you've ever seen before.
1118 Budapest, Kelenhegyi t 4, Hungary
GPS: N47.48392, E19.05033
Phone:
+36 1 466 6166
Opening hours:
Mon Sun: 6 a.m. 8 p.m.
Tickets are sold until 1 hour before closing, and guests should leave the
pool areas 15 minutes before closing.
Physicotherapy, Healing gymnastics, Tooth-gum shower, Inhalation:
Mon Fri: 6:30 a.m. 7 p.m.
Sat, Sun: closed
Admission:
Weekdays:
Adult ticket with locker: HUF 4 900
Adult ticket with cabin: HUF 5 300
Child ticket with locker: HUF 3 100
Child ticket with cabin: HUF 3 300
Weekends:
Adult ticket with locker HUF 5 100
Adult ticket with cabin: HUF 5 500
Child ticket with locker: HUF 3 100
Child ticket with cabin: HUF 3 300
House of Terror
/ Terror Hza
This complex brings to life the rather troubled past of the 20th century in
Hungary. A thorough documentation of Nazi and Communist crimes.
1062 Budapest, Andrssy t 60, Hungary
GPS: N47.50676, E19.06528
Phone:
+36 1 374 26 00
Opening hours:
Mon: closed
Tue Sat: 10 a.m. 6 p.m., last entry 30 minutes before closing.
Admission:
Adult: HUF 2000
Concessions (senior, child citizens of EEA): HUF 1000
Elizabeth Bridge
/ Erzsbet hd
The majestic suspension bridge connecting the shores of Danube in its
narrowest point is beautifully lit every night.
Bed House
/ Bed-Hz
An unique Art Noveau mansion that now serves as a museum showcasing
the bourgeoise past of Budapest.
1054 Budapest, Honvd u. 3, Hungary
GPS: N47.50558, E19.05014
Phone:
+36 1 269 4622
Opening hours:
Mon Sat: 10 a.m. 5 p.m.
Sun: closed
Admission:
Adult: HUF 1500
Concessions (student, senior): HUF 1000
Child (under 6): free
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
Liberty Bridge
/ Szabadsg hd
This 19th century bridge is the busiest one in the city it is full of traffic
ranging from cars and trams to cyclists.
Gellrt Hill
/ Gellrt-hegy
The forrested hill is a must visit for the views, citadel and monument on its
top. There are also several interesting statues on the way up.
Heroes' Square
/ Hsk tere
One of Budapest's symbolically most important squares is marked with
several monuments referring to the glorious past.
1146 Budapest, Hungary
GPS: N47.51452, E19.07709
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