General information
Water
The tap water is safe to drink. Bottled water is sold with color coded labels; Pink - Non Carbonated (may have a mineral taste), Blue - Carbonated (Bubbly)
Electricity
The wall outlet is 220 Volts, You must use a converter for American appliances
Safety
As in all large cities, be careful with you personal belongings (wallet, purse, etc.)
NEVER leave your bag unattended - even at the meeting hall. Put you money in an inside pocket. On public transportation keep your hand on your bag. Be discreet! Don't take money out in public. As in every country, thieves target foreigners at tourist sites & on crowded public transportation.
Money
Official Hungarian currency is Hungarian forint. NEVER change money with individuals on the street or near luxury hotels. For rates visit: Currency Converter. Your best deal will be found using your bank card at the ATM. (You may be charged for using your card outside of your country by your Bank each time you withdraw cash.)
Telephone
The phone booths take coins or telephone cards. Local calls are 50 HUF for 1 minute. Use telephone cards for long distance calls. Be aware that calling from the hotel, they will charge triple! To call abroad, first dial 00, after the continuous tone, dial the country code & phone number.
Hungarian Information: 198 (Operators speak English)
Emergency
General: (Fire, Medical & Police) Dial 112.
Medical: First Med Centers, an English speaking Medical Clinic, provides emergency services in Budapest.
Dental clinics: Madach Dental (1075 Bp. Madach ter 7.)
Police: 438-8080 Hungarian Police Hotline (Operator speaks English)
Public Transportation
The Public Transportation network enables you to travel almost anywhere in Budapest.
You must purchase a ticket before entering the transportation vehicle.
Beware! You may be randomly checked for tickets - No ticket and you will pay a fine on the spot!!!
On the buses & trams there are small red boxes. Insert your ticket & pull the lever forward to validate your ticket. To ride on the metro, insert your ticket into one of the orange boxes at the top of the escalator where it will be electronically validated.
The tap water is safe to drink. Bottled water is sold with color coded labels; Pink - Non Carbonated (may have a mineral taste), Blue - Carbonated (Bubbly)
Electricity
The wall outlet is 220 Volts, You must use a converter for American appliances
Safety
As in all large cities, be careful with you personal belongings (wallet, purse, etc.)
NEVER leave your bag unattended - even at the meeting hall. Put you money in an inside pocket. On public transportation keep your hand on your bag. Be discreet! Don't take money out in public. As in every country, thieves target foreigners at tourist sites & on crowded public transportation.
Money
Official Hungarian currency is Hungarian forint. NEVER change money with individuals on the street or near luxury hotels. For rates visit: Currency Converter. Your best deal will be found using your bank card at the ATM. (You may be charged for using your card outside of your country by your Bank each time you withdraw cash.)
Telephone
The phone booths take coins or telephone cards. Local calls are 50 HUF for 1 minute. Use telephone cards for long distance calls. Be aware that calling from the hotel, they will charge triple! To call abroad, first dial 00, after the continuous tone, dial the country code & phone number.
Hungarian Information: 198 (Operators speak English)
Emergency
General: (Fire, Medical & Police) Dial 112.
Medical: First Med Centers, an English speaking Medical Clinic, provides emergency services in Budapest.
Dental clinics: Madach Dental (1075 Bp. Madach ter 7.)
Police: 438-8080 Hungarian Police Hotline (Operator speaks English)
Public Transportation
The Public Transportation network enables you to travel almost anywhere in Budapest.
You must purchase a ticket before entering the transportation vehicle.
Beware! You may be randomly checked for tickets - No ticket and you will pay a fine on the spot!!!
On the buses & trams there are small red boxes. Insert your ticket & pull the lever forward to validate your ticket. To ride on the metro, insert your ticket into one of the orange boxes at the top of the escalator where it will be electronically validated.
