Hungary - general information

Every general information about Hungary on one place on Wikipedia - geography, regions, subregions, history, economy, politics, culture and more: Hungary ot Wikipedia

Population of Hungary: ~ 10 million
Capital: Budapest
Population of Budapest: about 1 850 000
Official language: Hungarian (Magyar)
Area: 93030 km²
Time zone: CET (UTC+1)
In summer: CEST (UTC+2)
Internet TLD: .hu
Calling code : +36
Electricity: 230 V/50 Hz
Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 HUF
Banknotes: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000 HUF
(The 200 Forint banknote is not valid, we have the new 200 Forint coin instead.)

Important phone numbers

• Police 107
• Fire and Emergency 105
• Ambulance 104

Health service24 hour (non stop) medical assistance: Falck S.O.S. Hungary. Telephone: +36 1 200 0100
24 hour (non stop) dental assistance: Telephone: +36 1 267 9602
24 hour (non stop) pharmacy in the city centre between Oktogon and Nyugati pu.: 6th district, Teréz krt. 41.

Post
Hungarian Post Co. Ltd.

Climate and Temperature

Hungary and Budapest have continental climate, so seasons are generally well defined, with July and August the two warmest summer months 32-40°C, December and January the two coldest winter months with around -12°C lowest temperature. Our lakes usually are frozen at winter, lakes are suitable for iceskating. Average sunshine from April to September is in excess of 8 hours daily. In summer the UV radiation is high, not recommended to have sunbathe between 11:00 and 15:00.

Weather forecast

You can check the BBC weather forecast at the bottom of the menu bar on the left side.

National holidays in Hungary

Bank holidays in Hungary:

• 1. January New Year
• 15. March Anniversary of the 1848 Revolution against the Habsburgs
• Easter Monday
• 1. May Labour Day
• Whit Monday
• 20. August Day of Constitution, Founding of the State by St. Stephen
• 23. October Day of Republic, Anniversary of the 1956 Revolution against Russian communists
• 25. and 26. December Christmas

Currency exchange

When you are in Hungary, you need local currency (Hungarian Forint = HUF), because foreign currency is not accepted anywhere. Change currency only at the official places that have publicated exchange rates (banks, change offices, hotels, travel agencies). It is illegal and very risky to excahnge money in the streets, we do not recommend it at all. Banks, change offeces, travel agencies and hotels are free to set their own exchange rates that they have to display for customers. If you want to exchange foreign currency to Forint they apply the buying rate. Some change offices are tricky because they display the sell rate first, which is the higher rate, so be very cautious. It is allowed to apply commission, and the change offices usually do use commission, which is 0,2-0,3%. One of the best rates in the city is at the Exclusive Change offices.
We do not suggest you to exchange (buy) Forint in your home country, because the rate is much better in Hungary. Generally the rates are better in the currency exchange offices than in the banks in Hungary. There are lot of excange offices at the centre. In the shopping centers the exchange rates are worse than in the city centre.
If you fly from abroad we recommend you to change currency after your arrival to Budapest city centre, but not in the Ferihegy airport! We never advice to change any money in the airport terminals because the difference can be 15-20% compare to the official rates at the city centre.
Exclusive Change main office: 5th district Budapest, Váci u. 12. Tel.: +36 1 267 0578

Always check the buying rate at the change offices before you change money, otherwise you can lose a lot of money!

Bank of Hungary daily rate

If you want to pay your accommodation in Hungarian Forint (HUF) we always apply the middle exchange rate (average of sell and buy rate). You can check the middle rate on the Hungarian TV (m1 and m2) teletext page 514.

ATM

The most shops in the city and ATMs accept the EC/MC, VISA, American Express and Cirrus bank cards. There are many ATMs in the Ferihegy airport terminals, in the city centre, banks and shopping centers. There are ATMs and banks very close to all of our apartments.

Tourist information offices - Tourinform

Tourist office - info point (Tourinform) 5th district, Budapest Sütő str. 2. (at the metro stop on Deák sq., just next to the McDonalds) and 6th district Budapest, Liszt Ferenc sq. 11. (at Oktogon) and at every terminals of Ferihegy airport. German, English, French, Italian, Russian languages are spoken in the offices. You can find there free maps, Budapest guides, free magazines as well. Open: 8:00-20:00 all year.
24 hour Tourinform assistance: +36 1 438 8080

Tourism Cards

The various Tourism cards offer huge discounts and even free services also at: hotels, restaurants, thermal baths and spas, swimming pools, public transport vehicles, Hungarian Railways, Volán buses, boats, highway stickers, some taxi service, car rentals, museums, concerts, theatres and cultural events.
Check the different types of Tourism cards below.

Hungary Tourism Card

It is transferable, the price is 7900 HUF, valid for 13 months. Detailed information about Hungary Tourism Card: Hungarian Tourism Card

You can buy Hungary Tourism Card online at our partner's website:
Buy Hungary Tourism Card online

Budapest Card

There is two type of Budapest Card, one is valid for 48 hours, the other one is valid for 72 hours. Prices:

• 48 hours - 6300 HUF
• 72 hours - 7500 HUF

Unlimited use of public transport in Budapest, free entrance in 60 museums, discounts in thermal baths and spas of Budapest, restaurants and much more. Budapest Card is valid for 1 adult and 1 child up to 14 years. Detailed information about Budapest Card: Budapest Card

You can buy Budapest Card online at our partner's website:
Buy Budapest Card online

Balaton Card

You can find every detail about Balaton Card on this link: Balaton Card