Page 230 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Budapest

228  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Local Currency and Banking

The Hungarian banking system is on a par with European
standards. Budapest boasts many modern banks, both
Hungarian and foreign, which are located in smart buildings.
The service is efficient and courteous. There are numerous
automatic cash dispensers and bureaux de change in the
town centre and around the railway stations. An increasing
number of shops and restaurants now accept credit cards, but
it is still more common in Budapest to pay for goods and
services in cash. The official currency of Hungary is the forint
(HUF or Ft). Most banks also advance money on a credit card.
An ATM (cash machine) outside a
Budapest bank
Banks and Bureaux banks are closed on Saturdays Wiring Money
de Change
and Sundays, but the bureaux Wiring is an effective way to
For the best rate of exchange, de change and ATMs remain receive and transfer money
take foreign currency to a open. Exchanging money is abroad. Western Union has
bureau de change such as only permitted in licensed, branches all over Budapest.
Northline or Exclusive designated places. Transactions Look for their logo at foreign
Change; these generally give on the street are illegal, and exchange bureaux, or the
better rates than Hungarian often involve counterfeit money. Intercash symbol (www.
banks. Before changing money, intercash.hu), the Western
check the rates of exchange, ATMS Union agent in Hungary.
as they tend to vary quite Some Western Union offices
widely. The rates quoted by The easiest way of getting also exchange foreign currency,
some exchange offices can be money is from cash machines though they generally offer
misleading as they could apply (ATMs), which have instruct ions poor rates. Since Hungary
only to sums in excess of in various languages (including joined the EU, many shops
200,000 forints, which may be English). These can be found and restaurants accept euros.
stated only in very small print. all over the city. Don’t be Always check the exchange
The least favourable rates put off if a bank machine rate and the money returned.
are in hotels and at the airport, rejects your card; try at another
while the best are offered by bank and it is likely to work. DIRECTORY
the smaller bureaux de change There are also exchange
a little way off the usual tourist machines, which change Banks
tracks. A reasonable, average foreign notes. Budapest Bank
rate can usually be found at Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 5.
Hungarian banks. Map 2 E4 (10 E1).
Branches of the Budapest Credit Cards and Tel (06 1) 477 77 77.
Traveller’s Cheques
Bank are open Monday to
Friday, from 9am until 5pm. Most hotels, shops and K & H Bank
Apáczai Csere János utca 4.
K & H Bank are open Monday restaurants accept credit cards, Map 4 E1.
to Thursday, between 8am but older establishments Tel (06 1) 327 80 80.
and 4pm, and on Friday and some of the more
between 8am and 3pm. Most inexpensive restaurants do Magyar Külkereskedelmi
not. It is therefore wise to carry Bank Rt
some cash with you. Váci utca 38.
The most widely accepted Map 4 E1.
cards are Visa and MasterCard. Tel (06 1) 327 86 00.
American Express and Diners Bureaux de Change
Club have very limited
acceptance. The logos of Exclusive Change
accepted credit cards are Váci utca 12.
usually on display – it is always Map 4 E1.
worth checking before you Tel (06 70) 383 06 54.
order, however. Traveller’s Northline
cheques can be changed at Central Market Hall,
most banks, as well as at some Vámház Körút 1.
hotels. In Hungary, shops Map 4 F3.
Entrance to a branch of the Budapest Bank, never accept traveller’s cheques ∑ northline.hu
on Váci utca as payment.

228-229_EW_Budapest.indd 228 15/09/16 10:30 am