Essential Travel Know-How for Tourists in Budapest

With its vibrant cultural heritage and rich and fascinating history, it would be impossible not to consider this city as one of the most-favored travel destinations in Europe. The recognition of the unique value of its traditions has been carefully managed to maintain the magic and charm of this place. Therefore, people who travel for pleasure will surely love Budapest.

To fully make the one’s tour pleasurable, these essential know-how’s must be remembered to escape the hassles and irritating sarcasms:

• Visa Information

Citizens of those countries who were part of the Schengen agreement are allowed to enter Hungary possessing just an identification card. They are allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days, granting that the purpose of the visit is anything but not related to work and/or business. These countries include: Switzerland, Spain, Slovenia, Slovakia, Portugal, Poland, Malta, Luxemburg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Italy, Holland, Greece, Germany, France, Finland, Estonia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Croatia, Belgium, and Austria.

Citizens of European countries, except Ukraine, Turkey, Serbia-Montenegro, Russia, and Albania, do not require visas to enter the territory of Hungary. Those countries outside Europe who are similarly not required visas are: Venezuela, Uruguay, USA, Singapore, Salvador, Paraguay, Panama, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Mexico, Malaysia, Macao, Republic of Korea, Japan, Israel, Hong Kong, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Chile, Canada, Brunei, Brazil, Bolivia, Australia, and Argentina. However, a passport is strictly required.

• Customs Regulations

Passengers who are entering or leaving the European Union and carries 10,000 or more euros or equivalent in different currencies or any readily cashable securities of equivalent total value should declare them to the customs’ authority. However, further verification and declaration rules on cash transactions in certain member states of the European Union are applied.

• Embassies

Most of the foreign states have an embassy or a consulate in Budapest. An “embassy district” in Budapest is located near the Heroes’ Square where 15+ embassies are being housed. Some of them are fortified with security zone built around them. Those countries that don’t have consulates mostly maintain representations in nearby Vienna.

• Getting Around

Getting around in Budapest can be easy; whether in a public transportation, taxi or even in one’s own car.

Public Transportation

Budapest’s public transportation systems include buses, trolley buses, trams, underground trains (Metro), and above-ground suburban trains (HÉV). Passes should be bought before boarding since they cannot be bought from the driver, except of course on night bus networks.

Ticket types for buses, trams, and trolley buses vary, such as: 2-day family ticket (valid for maximum of 2 adults and 2 children below 18), 3-day unlimited travel card, 7-day unlimited travel card, and etc. Tickets for the Metro are exclusive and can be bought solely for its use.

Buses, trams, and trolley buses are available daily from 4:30 A.M. until 11:00 P.M. The Metro services passengers in frequencies from 15 minutes late in the evening to every two minutes during peak hours.

Taxi

Cabs in Budapest are labeled with “Taxi”, and are often accompanied by the company’s name or logo. These cabs have yellow registration plates, which distinguish them from the regular car plates. The taxi meters are equipped with a receipt-printing feature which prints the fare charge and the driver’s identification.

The fare is composed of the basic fee, per kilometer charging, and the waiting fee. Tipping the driver with 10 percent of the full fare is customary if there is satisfaction with the rendered service.

Car

Documents such as driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and “Green Card” for environment compliance must be carried all the time if one wishes to drive around in Budapest.

• Budapest Card

Introduced in 1997, this card offers its holder limitless possibilities, which include: unlimited travel on public transportation; discounted or free entrance fees to museums and several other sights; discounted tours of up to 50 percent; discounted price on tickets for cultural and folklore programs;  restaurant and spa discounts; car rentals and sport facilities discounts; and travel insurance. This card is made available in most places of Budapest including main metro ticket offices, travel agencies, hotels and airports, and tourist information bureaus. The card is valid for 48 or 72 hours for one adult and one child of up to 14 years of age.