Page 301 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  299

prostitutes (of which there are
many in and around railway
stations at night) should be
avoided, as they are often run
by criminals. In general, all of
Hungary’s railway stations can be
rather unsafe places at night, as
they are popular places for drunks
and petty criminals to hang out.
All visitors must take care
not to overstay their welcome –
most tourists are permitted to
stay in the country for up to
90 days without a temporary
residence permit. Visitors who
extend their stay beyond the
90 days and then attempt to
leave the country may be hit Ornately decorated interior of a pharmacy, Budapest
with a large fine, or prevented
from leaving. for, as do hospital stays. The Hungary, and there are no
actual cost incurred by a visitor specific health risks associated
will depend on Hungary’s recip­ with the country. Tap water
Emergencies rocal agreement with the rele­ is perfectly safe to drink, but
The emergency telephone vant country. EU citizens are bottled waters are cheap and of
number for police, fire or entitled to free treatment and high quality. Food hygiene laws
ambulance is 112, and all hospital stays, although they are strictly enforced, so food
operators speak English, French will usually be asked to pay for poisoning is now rare, but it
and German. There is also an medicines. Keep any receipts for never hurts to be circumspect
English­language Tourist treatments or prescriptions, and when deciding to eat at smaller
Information Service, run by ask for a signed, stamped doc­ buffets or street food stands.
Tourinform, which can provide tor’s report if an insurance claim Mosquitoes can be a problem
inform ation on English­ is to be made. Visitors should in high summer, especially
speaking police stations, and also note that tipping doctors around Lake Tisza.
give general advice if visitors are and nurses is still widespread (a
lost or need other kinds of relic of the Communist system). DIRECTORY
assistance. The telephone The Hungarian word for
number is (1) 438 80 80; it “pharmacy” or “chemist” is Emergencies
operates around the patika, although English-Language
clock. Visitors who the German word Emergency Hotline
believe they have Apotheke is also widely (Tourinform)
been over charged in use. Hungary’s Tel (1) 438 80 80.
by a restaurant, or a pharmacies are strictly
taxi driver, should report regulated and by law General Emergencies
the incident to the Sign for a pharmacy have to be owned by Tel 112.
police. Officers can be their pharmacists. There
approached in the street or at are there fore no pharmacy chains, Embassies
any police station. and finding a 24­hour pharmacy Australian Embassy
can be difficult. If the nearest Mattiellistrasse 2–4, Vienna, Austria.
pharmacy is closed, there should
Healthcare Tel +43 (1) 50 67 40.
be a list displayed – either on the
Even during Communist times door or in the window – of all British Embassy
Hungary was a world leader in local chemists, including those Harmincad utca 6, Budapest.
medical research and devel op­ who will be open on 24­hour Tel (1) 266 28 88.
ment. Hungarian doctors are emergency duty. In practice, ∑ www.gov.uk
superb, though underpaid, and however, the list is often missing. Canadian Embassy
standards in hospitals and even Tourinform or residents of the Ganz utca 12–14, Budapest.
local clinics in small towns and area should be able to help in Tel (1) 392 33 60.
villages are generally high. such situations. ∑ hungary.gc.ca
Emergency treatment is in theo­ Most dental treatment is
ry free for all, although visitors relatively cheap in Hungary, and, US Embassy
Szabadság tér 12, Budapest.
should take out a good health in fact, “dental tourism” from other Tel (1) 475 44 00.
insurance policy before travel­ countries is a growing industry. ∑ hungary.usembassy.gov
ling abroad. Any treatment (and Visitors do not need any special
all medicines) need to be paid vaccinations to travel to

298-299_EW_Hungary.indd 299 18/09/17 3:41 pm