Page 302 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

300  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Banking and Currency

Although a member of the European Union (EU) since 2004,
Hungary has not yet joined the Eurozone. Hungary still uses its
own currency, the forint (although many places will also accept
dollars and euros). The banking system is generally excellent,
and there are cash machines (ATMs) every where, as well as
foreign exchange bureaux. It is advisable to change money in
a bank, as exchange rates are better, and the commission is
far lower. The use of credit and debit cards is widespread, and An ATM cash dispenser, typically found all
most banks will advance cash on Visa cards and MasterCards. over the country
banknotes or other kinds of
Banks The easiest way to procure fraud and deception.
There are plenty of banks in local cash is with a card in a Visitors should try to spend
all cities and towns, all providing cash machine. ATM machines all their Hungarian coins before
a good service. Many of the are found everywhere and, leaving the country.
branches have been modern- although your card issuer
ized and the staff are all will usually charge fees for DIRECTORY
courteous and helpful. Their every transaction, the rate of
opening times vary, but the exchange is usually similar to Banks
normal hours are 9am–5pm. that of the National Bank of Erste Bank
Banks do not close for lunch. Hungary at the time of the Népfürdő utca 24–6, Budapest.
Most banks are trans action. Tel (1) 298 02 22.
closed at week- This method of ∑ erstebank.hu
ends and on obtaining cash
public holidays. Logo of the UniCredit Bank often works out OTP
The largest banks, far cheaper than Nádor utca 6, Budapest.
with branches in all towns, are using a bureau de change. Tel (1) 366 63 88 (from abroad).
UniCredit Bank, Erste Bank, Credit and debit cards are ∑ otpbank.hu
Raiffeisen and OTP. almost universally accepted Raiffeisen Bank
in Budapest. Traveller’s cheques Akadémia utca 6, Budapest.
can usually only be changed
Currency Exchange at a bank, and then at high Tel (1) 48 44 400 (from abroad).
Since Hungary joined the EU commission rates – they are ∑ raiffeisen.hu
there have been no limits on best avoided. American Express UniCredit Bank
the amount of foreign or local cashes its own traveller’s Szabadság tér 5–6, Budapest.
currency that can be brought cheques free of charge. Tel (1) 301 12 71 or
in or taken out of the country. There are also a number of (1) 325 32 00 (from abroad).
Visitors arriving with foreign Automatic Currency Exchange ∑ unicreditbank.hu
currency should change this at Machines, where foreign
a bank. Although independent currency is inserted to obtain Credit Cards and
exchange bureaux may appear forints in exchange. Traveller’s Cheques
to offer better rates of Visitors may occasionally be American Express
exchange, or lower commission, approached by locals, offering Váci út 33, Budapest.
they sometimes advertise only to exchange currency at a Tel (1) 235 43 00.
their rates for buying local cur- better rate than the banks.
rency, not for selling. Most also This is to be avoided in all Discover Card
charge additional fees ,which circumstances – it is illegal (lost/stolen cards and
are not clearly signposted. and likely to involve faked customer service)
Tel 00-1-801-902-3100
(toll-free in US).
MasterCard
(lost/stolen cards and
customer service)
Tel (80) 01 25 17.
Visa
(lost/stolen cards and
customer service)
Tel (80) 01 76 82.

Local branch of Erste Bank in Keszthely

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