(Last updated: 29 Mar 2011)

Visas

If you hold an ordinary Australian passport you do not need a visa for any stay up to 90 days.

Further information on visas can be obtained at:

Hungarian Consular office in Sydney
Consulate–General
Suite 405 Edgecliff Centre
203-233 New South Head Road
Edgecliff NSW 2027
Tel: +61 2 9328 7859 or 9328 7860
Fax: +61 2 9327 1829
Email: hunconsyd@kum.hu

Embassy of the Republic of Hungary
17 Beale Crescent
Deakin ACT 2600
Tel: +61 2 6282 3226
Fax: +61 2 6285 3012

Climate

The climate of Hungary is moderate continental, with cold winters (December to February) and hot and dry summers (June to September). Average temperatures range from -1°C in January to 22°C in July.

For weather details in Hungary, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

Budapest’s central business district is 20 kilometres from Budapest international airport, which is 30-40 minutes drive by taxi.

Ground transport

Taxis from reputable taxi companies are efficient and inexpensive (one-way fare being about A$30). There are several taxi fleets, but tourists are advised to avoid unmarked taxis. Even if a taxi has a taxi sign on the roof and is standing in a taxi rank, avoid it if it does not have a company name and telephone number on the outside. It is possible to hail a taxi in the street if the yellow light on the taxi is on, but it is not common practice to do so. It is cheapest to book over the phone.

Several reputable companies have operators who speak some English including:

• City Taxi – 211 1111
• Radio Taxi – 377 7777
• Buda Taxi – 233 3333
• Tele 5 – 355 5555
• Taxi 2000 – 200 0000
• Budapest Taxi – 433 3333
• Zona Taxi – 365 5555

It is wise to ask your hosts to call a taxi for you, as they will know which company to call. Be wary of asking your hotel to call a taxi for you, as most hotels have their own ‘taxis’ (which are more like a limousine service). You should specify at reception which taxi company they should call on your behalf.

An efficient minibus service runs to and from the airport and the entire city of Budapest, with a one-way fare of approximately A$17 (HUF2,500) and a return cost about A$30 (HUF 4,400).

Most four- to five-star hotels can arrange for airport transfers to be charged to your room.

As in the rest of continental Europe, cars drive on the right hand side. The residential speed limit is 50 kilometres per hour, with 90 kilometres per hour on main roads and 130 kilometres per hour on freeways and motorways. Road traffic rules and signs correspond to European norms, but many signs are in Hungarian only.

Driving in the city can be a challenging experience and therefore the use of taxis or public transport is recommended. In Hungary, there is zero tolerance for drink driving.

Hotels

There are plenty of hotels in Budapest varying from five-star luxury and boutique hotels to cosy and less expensive alternatives. The prices vary based on seasonality and other factors: a four-star hotel room Budapest is likely to cost approximately Euro 100 - and above.

There are lots of hotels with spa and health facilities, including historic Turkish baths Budapest is famous for.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Hungary. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Hungary is a relatively safe country. 'Street crime’ such as pick-pocketing, tourist scams and car theft is frequently reported in tourist areas. Practical precautions are always advisable. Societal discrimination against the Roma (gypsies) is a serious problem, but this is unlikely to affect travellers. Corruption has been an issue, but has been substantially improved.

Health

No particular health precautions are recommended for visitors from Australia and no vaccinations are required.

Please note:

• Tap water is safe to drink.
• Visitors to rural areas should note that traditional cooking methods might include the use of animal fats.
• Air pollution is an issue in Budapest and industrial areas, although the problem is declining.
• Pharmaceuticals are readily available.
• In an emergency dial 112 (free call).
• Pharmacies are usually open 8am-6pm and there are several pharmacies on duty all night.

Fees for medical care are reasonable, and most doctors can speak some English. Hotels can also usually contact English-speaking medical professionals. For an updated list of doctors and dentists who speak English and have provided services to Australians contact the Australian Embassy in Budapest, tel: +36 1 457 9777.

As a first point of contact, many expatriates use the services of The American Clinic, which provides a 24-hour medical service, tel: +36 1 224 9090 or Istenhegyi Clinic, tel: +36 1 224 5424.

Tipping

Tipping (usually 10 per cent) applies to all services, including restaurants, taxis, hairdressers. It is always wise to check the bill first and verify whether service has been included before tipping, as this varies widely. Usually in a restaurant, the menu will clearly indicate where service is not included.

Time zones and time differences

Hungary is 10 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time – from October to March. For the rest of the year there is an eight hour time difference.

To find out the current time in Budapest, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

Hungary's country code is 36.

For calls to Hungary from Australia dial: 0011 + 36 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from Hungary to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Businesses are usually open from 8.30am to 5.00pm weekdays.

During the summer months, business may stop earlier on Fridays (sometimes as early as midday).

Shops in Budapest and larger towns are generally open from 9.00am to 7.00pm on weekdays, and 10.00am to 6.00pm on weekends, although some shops in tourist centres may have extended hours.

Markets are open weekdays between 6.00am and 6.00pm, and on Saturdays until 1.00pm.

Post offices are open between 8.00am and 7.00pm, and are closed on Saturday afternoons and on Sundays.

Pharmacies are usually open to 8.00pm, and after closing a night service telephone number can be found on the pharmacy door.

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year's Day
March 15 – Hungarian Revolution Day
April 5 – Easter Monday
May 1 – Labour Day
May 24 – Whit Monday
August 20 – St. Stephen’s Day (National Day)
October 23 – Republic Day
November 1 – All Saints Day
December 25-26 – Christmas

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The local Hungarian currency is the Forint (HUF), which trades freely compared to the Euro.

Electricity and water

Hungary’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 4 wires. The two round pronged earthed plugs are the most common.

Dining

In Hungary both lunch and dinner are important meals. In Budapest places such as Liszt Ferenc square, Raday street and Andrassy boulevard are full of cafes and restaurants offering local and international dishes.

Hungarian cuisine is based on meat – mainly pork and poultry. Hungarian dishes are considered heavy but delicious. Hungarian wines are considered high quality, and beverages and spirits such as Palinka and Unicum are offered as appetisers.

List of restaurants in Budapest: http://english.budapest.hu/engine.aspx?page=20041117-cikk-restaurants_guide

Tourist attractions

Hungary, though a land locked country, offers a lot of water-related activities. Balaton, the largest fresh water lake in Central Europe is located in the Western part of Hungary, and there are plenty of spas and bathing facilities across the country.

Budapest, the capital, has a history of more than 2,000 years, going back to Roman times. The Turkish baths date back from the 16-18th centuries when the Ottoman empire conquered the country. Most of the present architectural image of the city, however, originates in the 19th-early 20th centuries when Budapest was the second capital of the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy.

The Budapest summer offers the biggest festival in Central Europe. Sziget is on in late July-early August for a week in the Obuda Island of Budapest hosting concerts and performances of famous bands and artists from all over the world. In the last couple of years, an increasing number of Australian performers have been invited.

For more tourist information, visit www.hungarytourism.hu