Page 704 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

702  CENTR AL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Practical & Travel Information avoid these areas at night.
In the case of an emergency
Tourism is an important part of the Hungarian economy, while on vacation, the relevant
and as a result, there have been vast improvements in numbers to call are listed in the
communications, banking facilities, and public transportation. directory opposite.
The biggest problem tourists face is the formidable language
barrier. However, staff at many tourist offices, hotels, and Health Issues
other attractions, usually speak English or German. No special vaccinations are
required. Allergy sufferers and
people with breathing difficulties
When to Visit
to museums, the zoo and funfair, who intend to visit Budapest
The most popular times to visit and on selected guided tours, should take account of the
Hungary are between April and and 10 to 20 percent discount summer smog conditions,
the end of June, and from the on selected cultural events and which are particulary acute in
middle of August until October. at certain restaurants. Pest. Those susceptible might
July and August can be A modern addition to the city’s consider staying in the castle
extremely hot, and it is almost public transport system is a metro district, where cars are banned,
unbearable to stay in Budapest, line that runs between south- or retreating to the wooded
although away from the capital, west Buda and northeast Pest. Buda hills.
the heat is less severe. From For treatments for minor
November until March, many Visa Requirements ailments, visit a pharmacy
museums have shorter opening (Gyógyszertár or Patika). If
hours or may close altogether. Citizens of the US, Canada, your nearest store is closed, it
Australia, and New Zealand should display a list of 24-hour
need only a valid passport to emergency pharmacies.
Tourist Information visit Hungary for up to 90 days. People with heart conditions
Before leaving for Hungary, EU citizens need only an who wish to use Hungary’s
you can obtain various identity card. thermal baths should seek a
information leaflets and maps For more information about physician’s advice beforehand.
from the Hungarian National visas and extended visits, see
Tourist Office, which has the Hungarian Ministry of Facilities for the Disabled
branches worldwide. Foreign Affairs’ website (www.
Within Hungary, there are kormany.hu/en). Hungary’s public transportation
tourist information offices in systems, museums, and other
most large towns. In Budapest, Personal Security attractions are gradually being
advice on sightseeing, renovated to make them
accommodation, and cultural Hungary is on the whole a safe wheelchair-friendly, but people
events is given by the offices country to travel in. As in most with disabilities may still
of Tourinform Budapest. cities that attract large numbers encounter accessibility problems.
Visitors to the capital may of tourists, pickpockets operate For more detailed information
wish to invest in the Budapest in Budapest, targeting crowded contact the Hungarian
Card, which entitles card- metro stations, buses, and Disabled Association.
holders, along with one child shopping malls. Rákóczi tér
under 14, to unlimited use of and Mátyás tér, in district VIII,
the city’s public transport are traditional hangouts for Banking and Currency
system, discounts on entry prostitutes; lone women should The Hungarian currency is
the forint (HUF or Ft). If
The Climate of Hungary you need to change money,
BUDAPEST the best rates of exchange
Hungary enjoys some of are offered by banks and
the sunniest weather in bureaux de change. Banks are
Europe, with an average of °C/ºF generally open from 9am to
eight hours of sunshine a 26/79 5pm Monday to Friday, with
day in summer. June, July, 15/59 15/59 15/59 a few opening on Saturday
and August are the hottest mornings, too. Credit cards
months. In winter, temperatures 5/41 6/43 2/36 are more widely accepted
can fall well below freezing 6 10 5 -3/27 now than before; however,
2
and there may also be snowfall. hrs hrs hrs hrs their use is still not as
Hungary has comparatively
low rainfall. June usually 42 56 40 40 widespread as elsewhere in
gets the most rain, while mm mm mm mm Europe and you shouldn’t
the fall is the driest season. month Apr Jul Oct Jan expect to be able to use them
everywhere. It’s wise to carry
a little extra cash.

702-703_EW_Europe.indd 702 14/07/16 10:20 am