Nuts-and-bolts information to plan your trip, plus a checklist of essentials to include when you pack.
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Planning:
Entry Requirements: U.S. and Canadian tourists need a valid passport to enter Hungary. No visa is required.
Security: Budapest is generally considered a safe city, but pickpockets congregate in tourist areas, especially on public transportation and in crowded shops and historic sites. Carry only as much cash as you need for the day and keep valuables secure in an inside pocket or in a belt bag worn in front of your body.
Time: Hungary is six hours ahead of U.S. eastern standard time.
Money: The Hungarian currency is the forint. For current conversion rates go to OANDA Currency Converter. www.oanda.com/convert/classic
Phone Calls: The international country code for Hungary is 36. The Budapest city code is 1. To call Budapest from the U.S., dial 011 + 36 + 1 + the local number.
When to Go: Budapest summers can be very hot, with temperatures reaching 104ºF (40ºC), while winters can drop below 32ºF (0ºC). Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit. Museums and galleries may operate on reduced schedules during the low season (approximately November-March)
Getting There: Budapest Ferihegy Airport (BUD; www.bud.hu/english) is located ten miles (16 kilometers) southeast of the city. Taxis are available from the airport taxi stand. Negotiate a fare before leaving the airport. There also is an Airport Minibus and a pre-pay, local express bus that runs between the underground metro terminus, Köbánya-Kispest, and the airport terminals. www.bud.hu/english
Getting Around: Budapest’s public transport is efficient and relatively cheap by western standards. Visit www.bkv.hu for routes and timetables. For an excellent street-finder, including precise locations of addresses, go to www.utcakereso.hu.
Checklist:
Swimming Gear: Pack a swimsuit and other essentials, such as goggles and a swim cap, even in the winter. The city is home to several thermal spas, many in historic settings, so open-air swimming is possible year-round.
Business or Name Cards: Hungarians love handing out and receiving business cards in both professional and social settings. If you have cards, bring a handful to distribute during your visit.
Electric Adaptor: Hungary uses two-pin plugs with a current of 220 volts. An appropriate adaptor is required for electric shavers, toothbrushes, and other small appliances.
Seasonal Clothing: Budapest summers can be very hot, with temperatures reaching 104ºF (40ºC), while winters can drop below 32ºF (0ºC). Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit.
Pocket Phrasebook: The language of the locals is unrelated to English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Latin, Greek, or any of the Slavic languages such as Russian or Polish. While English or German may be spoken in many hotels and restaurants, a phrasebook is essential, if only for requesting certain items in shops and for understanding the otherwise indecipherable signs in the street.
Tough Footwear: Ramblers, brisk walkers, and strollers will appreciate the Buda Hills on the western side of the Danube and still within the city limits. Tip: A fun way to reach the hills is via the Libegő (floater) chairlift. Take bus no. 158 from Moszkva tér to its terminus.
Special Dietary Requirements: Although food items in general are not in short supply in Budapest, anyone requiring gluten-free or nut-free products, for example, is advised to bring a supply with them, as they are not easily found in the city.
