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Hungary became a member state on 27 December 2007, but passport control will remained at airports for intra-Schengen flights until 29 March 2008. The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. All visitors other than EEA members must have the equivalent in hard currency of 1,000 Ft per day or a major credit card, a letter of invitation or proof of accommodation. Return or onward tickets are also required and all the necessary documents for the next destination.

Hungary became a member state on 27 December 2007, but passport control will remained at airports for intra-Schengen flights until 29 March 2008. The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. All visitors other than EEA members must have the equivalent in hard currency of 1,000 Ft per day or a major credit card, a letter of invitation or proof of accommodation. Return or onward tickets are also required and all the necessary documents for the next destination.

Social Conventions
Most Hungarians enjoy modern music and dance, although older people still preserve their traditions and culture, particularly in small villages. Handshaking is customary. Both Christian name and surname should be used. Normal courtesies should be observed. At a meal, toasts are usually made and should be returned. A useful word is egészségünkre (pronounced ay-gash-ay-gun-gre), meaning ‘your health’. A knowledge of German is very useful. Gifts are acceptable for hosts as a token of thanks, particularly when invited for a meal. Casual wear is acceptable in most places, with the exception of expensive restaurants and bars. Formal attire should be worn for important social functions, but it is not common practice to specify dress on invitations. Smoking is prohibited on public transport in towns and public buildings. Travelers may smoke on long-distance trains.

A handshake is the standard form of greeting in Hungary and in mixed company it is usually women who initiate. Suits and ties are standard and business people should be addressed by their title and surname. Business cards are often exchanged; Hungarians usually list their surnames first. It is useful to have a local representative when doing business in Hungary who can set up meetings and act as an interpreter. It is important to invest time on building relationships; socialising is a key element of this and face-to-face meetings are vital. Due to the communist legacy there is an aversion to risk and plenty of red tape and therefore negotiations can be slow-moving and patience is required. Although Hungary remains male-orientated, being female is not a disadvantage to doing business. Business hours are usually from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday, though summer hours tend to be shorter.

Weather
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.

Passport and Visa
Everyone must carry official identification at all times; photocopies are not acceptable.

International Travel
The national airline is Malév Hungarian Airlines (MA) (website: www.malev.com).
Budapest Ferihegy (BUD) (website: www.bud.hu Tel: +36 1 296 9696) is 16km (10 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Regular coach and bus services are available to the city. The airport minibus runs to and from any address in the city by prior arrangement. The 93 bus runs an express service between the underground terminus at Kobánya-Kispest and the Ferihegy terminals. Taxis are available at all times (journey time - 45 minutes). Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, restaurants and bar, banks/bureaux de change, shops, hotel reservation desk and post office. Ferihegy Budapest International Airport, located 10 miles (16km) south east of Budapest. Terminal Transfer: The terminals are close enough together to be accessible by foot.

Crossing the Border
Few visitors arrive by water in this landlocked country. Minor ports are located on the River Danube. From May to October there is a daily hydrofoil service run by MAHART (tel: (1) 484 4010; www.mahartpassnave.hu) between Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. The journey takes approximately 6 hours. Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) operates Hungary’s rail network (tel: (1) 461 5550 (international enquiries) or 5400 (domestic enquiries); website: www.mav.hu). Direct services connect Hungary to 25 European cities including Basel, Berlin, Bratislava, Bucharest, Dresden, Ljubljana, Munich, Paris, Vienna and Zagreb.
InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Eurailpass: offers unlimited travel in 18 European countries. Tickets are valid for 15 days to three months. The Eurailpass Saver ticket offers discounts for two or more travelers. The Eurailpass Youth ticket is available to those aged under 26 and offers unlimited travel. The Eurailpass Flexi allows 10 or 15 travel days within a two-month period. The Eurail Selectpass is valid in up to five bordering countries and allows up to 15 days travel in a two-month period. The Eurail Regional Pass allows four to 10 travel days in a two-month period in two or three neighboring countries. Children receive a 50% reduction. The passes cannot be sold to residents of Europe, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, or the Russian Federation. Available from The Eurail Group (website: www.eurail.com).

Getting There by Road
It is possible to drive to Hungary from all of its neighboring countries and from further afield. The most direct way route from Belgium to Hungary follows the E40, E35, E56 and E60 towards Vienna; from Vienna the A4 crosses into Hungary at Hegyeshalom, from where the M1 (E60/75) runs to Budapest. Anyone driving from the UK will have to travel via the Channel Tunnel (tel: 0870 535 3535, in the UK; website: www.eurotunnel.co.uk).

Bus: Bus connections are available from most major European cities; contact Volanbusz for further details (tel: (1) 382 0888; website: www.volanbusz.hu). Eurolines (tel: 0870 580 8080; website: www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services from the UK to Hungary. Coach passes: Budapest is one of 40 cities that travelers can visit with a 15- or 30-day Eurolines Pass. These can be brought online from Eurolines’ website.

Internal Travel
An airport bus leaves for the city center 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 Arrivals Hall at the Airport Minibus counter. Express bus 93 runs to the nearest metro station and taxis are available from the taxi stand.
Car Rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar and Airport Rent-a-Car.
Airport 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; travelers 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.
Car Parking: Short and long term parking lots are situated close to the terminal buildings.
Departure Tax: Included in the airfare.
Website: www.bud-airport.hu/english
There are regular services on the Danube and Lake Balaton from spring to late autumn. MAHART (tel: (1) 484 4010; website: www.mahartpassnave.hu) and Budapest Transport Limited (BKV) (tel: (1) 461 6688; website: www.bkv.hu) also operate ferries in the city center, the Roman Embankment (Római Part) and at some crossing points. On Lake Balaton, a ferry operates between Szántód and Tihany.

Getting Around by Rail
Services are operated by MÁV (tel: (1) 461 5400 (domestic enquiries) or 5500 (international enquiries); website: www.mav.hu). All main cities are linked by efficient services and the most popular tourist rail routes are: Budapest-Kecskemet-Szeged-Budapest and Budapest-Siofok-Lake Balaton. Supplements are payable on express and IC trains, with reservations compulsory for the latter. The website www.elvira.hu has up-to-date travel, price and timetable information.

Rail Passes
The Hungary Pass, available to those who reside outside Europe, the CIS, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, offers unlimited first or standard class train travel for five days in a 15-day period, or for 10 days in one month. Available through the European Rail Guide (website: www.europeanrailguide.com) and Rail Europe in the USA (website: www.raileurope.com).

InterRail’s One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Hungary. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Cheap fares: Concessions are available for groups, children, students, families, pensioners and people with certain disabilities. Children under six and pensioners over 70 travel free. Season tickets are also available. Contact MÁV for details. The Hungarian Tourist Card offers discounts on rail, bus, taxi and MAHART ferry services, as well as accommodation, restaurants, museums and road tolls. The Hungarian National Tourist Office can provide further information (see General Info).

Getting Around by Road
There are eight arterial roads in the country: all but the M8 start from central Budapest. From Budapest the two main highways are the M1 to Györ and Vienna and the M7 along Lake Balaton. The M3 connects Budapest with eastern Hungary. Generally the quality of roads is good. Tolls are payable on some roads and all motorways. Traffic drives on the right. Coach: Volanbusz (tel: (1) 382 0888; website: www.volanbusz.hu) services link Budapest with major provincial towns. Car hire: International and local car hire firms are located in all of Hungary’s main towns. Emergency breakdown service: Magyar Autóclub (the Hungarian Automobile Club; tel: 188 (24-hour emergency breakdown); website: www.autoklub.hu) operates a 24-hour service. Regulations: Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (50mph) on main roads, 110kph (62mph) on highways and 130kph (75mph) on motorways. Seat belts must be worn. Children of 16 years and under must sit in the rear and child seats are compulsory. It is obligatory to keep headlights dipped when driving, and the use of handheld mobile phones is prohibited. Documentation: Pink format EU licenses are accepted but an International Driving Permit is required if a green license is held.

 

Getting Around Towns and Cities
While highways in Hungary are generally in good condition, driving in rural areas can be hazardous due to poor road maintenance and insufficient street lighting. The use of headlights is compulsory outside towns, including during daytime. Winter tyres are recommended for winter driving. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety. Drivers and waiters expect a tip of 10 to 15%. Waiters should be handed the cash, rather than have it left on the table. Most people in the service industry expect to be tipped about 10 to 15%. Motorists must buy a vignette (toll card), available from petrol stations and post offices, to use the Hungarian motorways M1, M3, M5 and M7.

Budapest has an extensive, inexpensive and efficient public transport system that includes the metro, trams, buses, trolley buses and trains. Most transport runs until about 11.30pm after which there is a limited night bus and tram service until about 5am. The metro is clean, safe and frequent, and although there are only three lines it reaches most areas of interest to tourists. Trams are good for traveling around the Great Boulevard or along the embankment; trolleybuses (electric buses) operate in Pest; and although more difficult to use, buses are useful for journeys that can't be made by metro, especially around Buda. There are regular incidents of pick pocketing on buses and metro lines though, particularly when they are crowded. An over ground HÉV train network services the outer suburbs. One of the few ways to reach the Castle District other than on foot is by means of a funicular from Clark ??dám tér. All forms of public transport require the self-validation of pre-purchased tickets, which can get complicated; it is best to get a travel pass for convenience that will also save money. Day or multi-day passes are inexpensive and hassle-free, although the tourist Budapest Card combining three days of travel with discounted attractions isn't all that good value. Budapest's taxis have a reputation for cheating foreigners and visitors are warned not to do business with private, unmarked vehicles that hang around stations. Legal taxis should have a yellow number plate, clearly display their rates and have a meter that is switched on. It is cheaper to order one by phone from reputable companies such as Citytaxi, Fo Taxi or Tele-5-Taxi.
Budapest Travel Limited (BKV) operate buses, trolleybuses, trams and underground trains in the capital. Tickets must be purchased in advance and validated for travel. The city also has a night bus service and a suburban railway (HEV). Day passes and season tickets are available.

The Public Transport Company of Debrecen operates trams and trolleybuses in Hungary’s second city. Hajdu Volan run Debrecen’s bus service.

Dining
National specialties:
• Halászlé (a spicy soup made with freshwater fish and paprika).
• Gulyás (Hungarian goulash
is a hearty beef, capsicum and paprika soup; Western goulash is called pörkölt or tokány).
• Gundel palacsinta (pancake served with walnuts, raisins, lemon rind, chocolate sauce and rum).
• Paprikás csirke (paprika chicken).
• Kolbasz (sausage spiced with paprika).

Recreation
Hungary has nine national parks and nearly 1000 protected areas. Hikers can head for the mountains in the north and northwest of the country. The Börzsöny, Mátra and Pilis ranges not far to the north of Budapest are popular, with the Mátra mountains containing Hungary’s highest peak, Kékesetö (1015m/3329ft). Less strenuous walking is possible around Lake Balaton and in the hills in the south of the country. Hungary’s many wetlands, rivers and lakes attract large numbers of water birds, and birdwatching is popular. A particularly good area for this is Hortobágy National Park in the Great Plain in the east of the country, where different types of storks, warblers, eagles and herons can be seen. A guide is required for visits to some parts of the park, and motor vehicles are not permitted. Other wildlife to be found in the country includes rare wild cats and lake bats, while species such as boar, otter and deer are common.
With its long tradition of equestrianism, horseriding is particularly good in Hungary. Long-distance riding in areas such as the Great Plain with its wide open spaces is popular, and riders are well catered for. Hungary is the only European country, apart from Ireland, which places no restrictions on riders. There are many riding schools all over the country which can organize all types of excursions. The Great Plain contains several famous stud farms, and horse shows take place regularly. Carriage driving is also popular, and tourists can arrange to have tuition in this art through riding schools. Cycling is a good way to see the country. Local tourist offices can assist in the organization of cycling tours by providing bicycles, transporting luggage and arranging picnics and sightseeing. Although bicycles can be hired in many places, those planning to do longer tours should bring their own.

Shopping
Traditional purchases include embroideries, Herend and Zsolnay porcelain, wooden toys and national dolls. Hungary is also a good place to buy caviar, foie gras and Hungarian wines and spirits. Most stores are open Mon-Fri 1000-1800 or 1900 and Sat 1000-1330. Shopping centers have longer hours and are open Mon-Sat 1000-2000; some are also open on Sundays. Food shops are open Mon-Sat 0700-1800.

Currency Exchange
The official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Travelers cheques are not widely favored. 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. It is advisable to retain exchange receipts for proof of legal currency exchange.

Credit/Debit Cards
It is possible to withdraw cash by credit card at many post offices. American Express, Cirrus, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Credit and debit cards can be used to withdraw money from ATMs.

Warning
Most visits to Hungary are trouble-free, but normal precautions against petty crime should be taken. Pick pocketing and bag snatching are common in Budapest, especially on crowded public transport and other places frequented by tourists. Some bars, clubs and restaurants in Budapest charge outrageous prices by means of scams that target foreigners in particular. Be cautious of invitations off the street to dine in certain establishments or of recommendations by taxi drivers who are often in on the scam. All political demonstrations should be avoided, as they have led to violence in the past. Be alert to your own security in Hungary. Exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia. You should avoid protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent. Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas: organize comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
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Money and Valuables
People travelling directly to or from a country outside the European Union (EU) who are carrying 10,000 euros or more (or the equivalent amount in another currency) are required to declare the cash at the place of their arrival or departure from the EU. Under the legislation, the term "cash" includes cheques, travellers' cheques and money orders. Travellers failing to declare the cash or providing incomplete or incorrect information will incur a fine. There is no requirement to declare cash for people travelling to or from another EU country.

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. Most banks in Hungary have ATMs which accept major international cards.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

Crime
Petty crime is common, in particular on public transport and in railway stations, markets and other places frequented by tourists. Street crime, such as mugging, carjacking and theft of and from vehicles, is common in large cities. Vehicles with foreign number plates are prime targets for criminal gangs. When travelling by overnight train, you should secure your compartment from the inside.

Some clubs and restaurants do not list prices. You should check the cost before ordering as certain bars, clubs and restaurants (mainly in the business district of central Pest) charge exorbitant prices. Discussions about overcharging have been known to lead to violence. Security guards may compel you to pay. Be wary of seemingly helpful taxi drivers who may receive commissions for taking tourists to such establishments.

The Hungarian National Tourist Office has a 24-hour helpline (telephone (1) 438-8080) to assist tourists who are victims of crime.

Health Care
No vaccinations are required and standards of public health are good, but a Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travelers. Tap water is safe to drink and food poisoning is not considered a high risk. Bird flu was discovered in wild birds in March 2006, but no human infections have been reported. The risk to travelers is low, but as a precaution visitors should ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked, and contact with live birds is avoided. 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. We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

The standard of public medical facilities in Hungary's large cities is reasonable. In rural and border regions, however, facilities can be limited. Private medical facilities are well equipped and meet international accreditation standards but are very expensive. Private hospitals often insist on confirmation of insurance cover or guarantee of payment before admitting patients. Doctors and public hospitals usually expect immediate cash payment for services.

Travel in forested areas brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne encephalitis. Ticks are very common in country areas and are active from spring to autumn.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Language
Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, but German is widely spoken. English is spoken in tourist areas and most hotels.

Religion
Roman Catholic 51.9%, Calvinist 15.9%, Lutheran 3%, Greek Catholic 2.6%, other Christian 1%, other or unspecified 11.1%, unaffiliated 14.5% (2001 census)

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.

Telephone
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). City/area codes are in use, e.g., (0)1 for Budapest. 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 dialing 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.
Emergencies: 112.
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.

Internet
There are many Internet cafes in cities as well as Wi-Fi areas in hotels and certain public spaces.

Media
Hungary’s private broadcast media compete with state-run radio and TV. Public radio services operated by Hungarian Radio compete with numerous local radio stations and national commercial services. Hungary’s national and local newspapers are privately owned, some of them by foreign groups and investors.

Mail
Airmail takes three days to one week to reach other European destinations. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800, Sat 0800-1300.

Press
• National dailies include Magyar Hírlap, Népszabadság and Népszava.
• English-language newspapers include the Budapest Business Journal, Budapest Week, The Budapest Sun and The Hungarian Quarterly

Radio
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 90, shortwave 1 (2008). • Public radio broadcasters include Hungarian Radio (operating Kossuth, Petofi and Bartok networks, plus Radio Budapest, an external service). Private broadcasters include Danubius Radio, Slager Radio and Juventus Radio.

Public Holidays
1 Jan New Year's Day.
15 Mar Anniversary of 1848 uprising against Austrian rule.
2 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
24 May Whit Monday.
20 Aug National Day (Feast of St Stephen).
23 Oct Republic Day (Anniversary of 1956).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
24 Dec Christmas Eve.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

Contact Information
Embassy of the Republic of Hungary in the USA
3910 Shoemaker Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 362 6730 .
Website: www.huembwas.org

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