Page 225 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Budapest
P. 225
PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION 223
Tipping
It is standard practice to tip
when paying for taxis, meals
and drinks (though not for
drinks at a bar counter); 10 per
cent of the total or thereabouts
is acceptable. In restaurants,
check to see whether between
10 and 12 per cent has been
added to the bill – in which
case you don’t have to leave
more. Rather than leaving the
tip on the table, the usual
practice is to include the tip
when you pay – just indicate
the amount you want to pay
and you will be given change
accordingly. If you expect
change back, don’t say
köszönöm (thank you) when
Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art, Müpa Budapest (see p160) handing over payment, as it
will be assumed that you want
Opening Hours but some can be as much the change to be kept.
Museums and galleries are as 4,000 forints. Students, Note that when visiting baths
generally open year round. school children and seniors are and pools in Hungary it is
Most museums are closed on often entitled to reduc tions. customary to tip the attendant
Monday; one exception is the Opera, concert and other who unlocks your cubicle
Jewish Museum (see p138), tickets can be bought at (100–200 forints is usual).
which is closed on Saturday. ticket agencies (see pp214–17).
Opening times for specific Theatre and opera tickets are Travellers with
venues are given under their also sold at individual box
individual entries. offices, either for shows on the Disabilities
During winter (November to same day or in advance. Ticket Budapest is gradually becoming
March) most museums have prices can vary from 1,500 to more accessible for disabled
shorter opening hours. In sum 20,000 forints, depending on visitors. However, it is best to
mer, from April until Octo ber, the type of show. call ahead to the sights or
they tend to stay open a couple obtain specialist infor mation
of hours longer, typically from Social Customs prior to your visit to ensure
10am until 6pm. Most museums it is as hasslefree as possible.
charge an entrance fee, though and Etiquette Newer buses are now equipped
it is worth checking to see if Tradition ally, Hungarians attach for easier boarding and some
there are any discounts. great importance to being metro stations have special lifts.
Shopping centres in Budapest properly dressed when going to For advice and help, contact
are open daily until 8 or 9pm; an opera or concert hall, so the Hungarian Disabled
grocery stores are open from theatre performances, classical Association. Many museums
7am to 6pm and other shops music concerts and operas are and monuments present
from 10am until 6pm Monday smart affairs. Hungarians usually difficulties for the disabled,
to Friday. On Saturdays many wear evening dress or at least a although increas ingly they
shops, except shopping suit when going to any theatre are being renovated to be
centres, close at 1pm. Further or concert hall. Tourists will wheelchairfriendly.
information on the opening therefore feel more comfor table
hours of shops and markets wear ing evening dress too.
in Budapest can be found In Hungary, when intro duced
on pages 210–13. to someone it is customary to
shake hands and say your
name. Hungar ians also shake
Admission Prices hands when meeting people
Tickets to museums and with whom they are already
historical monuments can acquainted, though between
be purchased at the sight. friends kissing on both cheeks
Some may also be bought in is the norm, for men as well as
advance on museum websites. women. Some older men still
Average prices are around bow to kiss a woman’s hand Hungarian State Opera (see pp122–3),
2,500 forints per person, (see also Senior Travellers, p224). a venue with disabled access
222-223_EW_Budapest.indd 223 15/09/16 10:33 am
