When to visit Budapest
It really depends on your weather preferences. There is no well-defined tourist season in Budapest, though the high season falls at summer-autumn months, from mid-June to October. The hottest months are July and August, and the coldest one is February.
Arriving In Budapest
By airplane
All air liners land at Ferihegy Airport located 16 kilometers east of the city center (30-40 minutes drive from/to V. district).
While waiting for your luggage you can change money at the exchange counter in the arrival hall.
Customs officers are entitled to check passengers’ luggage even in the green channel.
In the arrival hall you will find the info desk where you can get general information about the city, book a hotel room and buy Budapest Card, which offers you discounts and facilities.
Left Luggage Service
+36 1 296 8802
Round-the-clock information service:
+36 1 296 7000
Lost and Found
+36 1 296 5965
Check more information for getting from/to Budapest airport.
By train
There are direct rail links between Budapest and the major capitals and cities of Europe. Over 50 international trains arrive in and depart from Budapest daily.
There are 3 main train stations for international and domestic trains in Budapest. All the stations have connection to the metro system and other public transport.
See Railway Stations in Budapest.
By ship
Boats and hydrofoils arrive at the International Boat Station, located near Szabadság híd on Belgrád rakpart.
Information:
Tel: +36 1 484 4027
Money
Hungarian currency is Forint (abbreviated as Ft. or HUF). Banknotes come in denominations of 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000 HUF, coins in circulation are 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100.
Please note that some exchange offices charge a commission of up to 10%.
Major credit cards are accepted by most restaurants, shops and supermarkets.
Sightseeing
Most museums are open from 10:00 to 18:00 and closed on Mondays.
Most thermal baths operate from 06:00 – 19:00 on weekdays and from 06:00 to 17:00 on weekends.
See the attractions of Budapest.
Shopping
Shops in Budapest are normally open from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Shopping malls and many supermarkets are open till 20:00-22:00. In residential areas and downtown you can also find round-the-clock shops (“non-stop”) that sell bread, groceries, dairy, soft drinks, spirits and cigarettes. Alcohol is not sold in some districts after 11 pm.
More info about shopping in Budapest.
Transport
Buses, trolley buses, trams and underground trains usually operate from 04:30 to 23:00, and there are 30 night buses.
Public transport tickets are available in the metro stations, from tobacconists and vending machines. You can also purchase the Budapest Card with which you can use public transport for free and have discounts in some museums.
More info about transport in Budapest.
Communications
Dialing Rules:
International Calls:
Dial the international access code (00), the country code, the area code and the subscriber's number.
Local Calls:
Budapest numbers have seven digits.
To call from a landline phone to a mobile phone dial:
• 06 30 (T-Mobile, formerly Westel),
• 06 20 (Pannon GSM),
• 06 70 (Vodafone) and the 7-digit subscriber's number.
Domestic (long distance) Calls:
Inside Hungary dial the national access code (06), the area code, and the subscriber's number.
More info about communications in Budapest.
Tourist Information
Tourist information offices provide information on Budapest sightseeing, accommodation, restaurants, cafes, etc. The staff speak not only English, but other languages as well and will answer any queries and deal with problems (lost property, incidents).
See Tourist Information Offices in Budapest.
Beware
Well, you should beware of usual tourist traps you can come across in any other tourist place (we live in globalization era, you know) - greedy taxi drivers, street money exchange, pickpockets, overpriced goods and dubious offers.
Emergency
General number: 112 (calls can be taken in English, German and other languages)
Police: 107 (Calls can be taken in English, German and other foreign languages)
Ambulance: 104 (Calls can be taken in English, German and other foreign languages, also +36 1 311 1666).
See emergency numbers and pharmacies.
See diplomatic missions.