Page 310 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary
P. 310
308 SUR VIV AL GUIDE TR A VEL INFORM A TION 309
Travelling by Car Rules of the Road Road Signs
Visitors need to be 17 years old Hungarian road signs follow
Hungary is a small country: north to south, the greatest to drive in Hungary, and have a the European standard, and
distance is 268 km (167 miles); east to west it is 528 km full photographic licence issued there are no solely Hungarian
(328 miles). Although the government has heavily invested by their home country. If you signs. All visitors should be
in the motorway network, many towns remain connected by have a driving licence without aware of signs they may not
a photo, you will need an
be familiar with, however.
single-lane highways. Driving on these can be frustratingly International Driving Licence. As in the rest of Europe,
slow, yet road surfaces are generally good, and traffic is not Road safety is good, despite brown signs indicate recom-
too heavy, except for the rush hour in Budapest. The capital occasional severe weather mended tourist areas, heritage
is a very difficult city for a visitor to navigate, as there are conditions. In winter, visitors may sites, tourist areas and A petrol station operated by MOL, the state-run company
numerous one-way systems, making it easy to get lost. There be barred from entering Hungary attractions along the road, Fuel and Services is the case before signing a
unless their car is equipped with
such as national parks, leisure
are also few places to park, so exploring the city on foot and snow chains. Útinform advises centres or historic buildings. There are plenty of service stations rental agreement. As well as
by public transport are better ideas. on current road conditions. on major roads and in towns and the international companies,
The law also obliges drivers cities, but they can be few and there are smaller, local firms.
or by SMS using a local SIM card. to keep a firstaid kit and a Parking far between in rural areas. All offer While they at first seem to be
These are avail able for peri ods of warning triangle in the car. In most cities and towns there unleaded petrol and diesel, and cheaper, hidden costs can hike
10 days, one month and one year. There are several speed is a charge for parking many stay open 24 hours. up the price. They may also not
A 10day ecard for a family car cameras, many equipped to anywhere near the city There are emergency be so reliable in case of accident
costs around 4,500 forints (€15). monitor other offences (using a centre. Tickets must telephones on or breakdown.
Visitors caught driving on a motor bus lane, crossing lanes when be bought from the the motorways, Cars can be prebooked at
way without an ecard can expect prohibited, etc.) and although the vending machines connected to the airports and major hotels,
a fine of 14,875 forints (€47) if paid police may not stop you on site, and displayed emergency services. although dropping them off
Clear directions to European and national within 30 days. When buying they will still automati cally fine behind the If you break down at a different point incurs a
roads, and a motorway your eticket, it is impor tant you by sending a letter by post. windscreen. The elsewhere, call the surcharge. Cars are usually
that you supply your The maximum permitted vending machines Magyar Autóklub or delivered with a full tank of
Road Standards
vehicle’s exact registra tion speed on motorways is usually only accept AI Assis-tance for assis- petrol, and should be returned
Hungary’s road network is number, as an effective 130 km/h (81 mph), 100-forint coins, so it tance. You will have to in the same condition.
extensive, with more than and exten sive 110 km/h (68 mph) on is best to keep a good pay but may be able
30,000 km (18,641 miles) of camera system European roads, and number to hand. to recover this from DIRECTORY
paved roads, of which 1,515 km with numberplate 90 km/h (56 mph) Traffic wardens Parking offences may your insurance.
(940 miles) are motorways. Most of recognition is on national roads. In inspect tickets bought result in being towed Vehicle Recovery
Hungary’s motorways (prefixed M) operated to enforce builtup areas the limit either at the parking Renting a Car
lead to and from Budapest. The toll payment. is 50 km/h (30 mph). By meters or by mobile phone AI Vehicle Assistance and
M0 ringroad circumnavigates All Hungary’s other One of the more unusual law, all passengers must texting, and should you fail to All major international car Recovery
southern and eastern Budapest; roads – prefixed E for traffic signs wear seatbelts, and pay or exceed the time period hire firms have offices in Tel (1) 266 89 49.
M1 goes to Vienna via Győr; M3 European roads or H children under the age you prepaid for, they will leave Hungary, but car hire here is Magyar Autóklub (MAK)
goes to Miskolc, with branches to for national roads – are tollfree of 12 are not allowed to ride in the a notice containing a hefty fine relatively expensive. Drivers Tel 188.
Debrecen (M35) and Nyíregyháza for family cars. However, visitors front. Using a handheld mobile on your windscreen. Parking must be aged 21 or over, and
(M30); M5 goes to Szeged; M7 with bigger vehicles are advised phone while driving is illegal. on streets where there are no have held a valid driving licence Road Conditions
goes to Lake Balaton (South). to check the toll requirements To drive legally, the alcohol public car parking spaces is free for at least one year. A deposit Útinform
To drive on Hungary’s prior to the journey. level in the bloodstream must but risky – locals sometimes is usually required. Most major Tel (1) 366 24 00/01/02/03.
motorways visitors need to pur Signposting in Hungary is be zero mg – no drinking at all. damage unfamiliar cars that are companies include unlimited ∑ internet.kozut.hu
chase an ecard or evignette generally of a high standard, The law is very strictly enforced parked in their favourite spot. mileage, though check that this
(matrica) from a major petrol sta with town names and road and even first offenders risk Car Rental
tion (MOL, Shell or OMV), online, numbers clearly marked. prison for breaking it. Using a Parking Meter
When the display panel
Hungarians drive on the right, 2shows the time you require, Avis
and at roundabouts vehicles press the green button to Arany János utca 26–28,
already on the round about have request a ticket. Budapest. Tel (1) 318 42 40.
priority. When driving outside ∑ avis.hu
towns, it is compulsory to have Budget
the headlights on, even during Insert coins for the required Krisztina krt. 41–43, Budapest.
daytime. Many rural junctions do 1time, or insert a parking card. Tel (1) 214 04 20.
not have traffic lights, so always The parking meter indicates ∑ budget.hu
stop when joining a main road, the maximum and minimum
parking charges.
even if there is no stop sign. Where Europcar
two minor roads meet and there Erzsébet tér 9–10, Budapest.
Tel (1) 505 44 00.
are no signs or traffic lights, the To cancel and terminate ∑ europcar.com
car approaching from the right 3your transaction press, the
has priority. This rule also applies red button. Hertz
in cities when traffic lights are Tel (1) 296 09 99 or 235 60 08.
flashing amber continuously Your ticket ∑ hertz.hu
The M7 motorway from Nagykanizsa to Budapest (as they often do late at night). 4appears here.
308-309_EW_Hungary.indd 308 14/11/2017 16:53 308-309_EW_Hungary.indd 309 18/09/17 3:41 pm
