1. The city of Budapest

With its over 2 million inhabitants, Budapest, the capital of Hungary is the largest city in a country of 11 million people, and is also the richest in attractions. The city lies in the heart of Europe, on both banks of the river Danube. Thanks to its favourable geographical position, the place was, even in ancient times and the Middle Ages, an important road junction and a major settlement. If we take into account its Roman predecessor, Aquincum, we can say that it is 2000 years old. Legally, however, Budapest did not come into being until, as recently as 1873, when the three independent towns of Pest, Buda and Óbuda (Old Buda) were united. Thus, a settlement with over two thousand years of history has only been "Budapest" for the past 135 years. Budapest is just wonderful with many traditions, modern and old (medieval) parts, ancient ruins, and thermal baths. It is full of culture (concerts, opera, dance, theatres, cinemas etc.), including the most beautiful opera house in the world. There are several high standard restaurants of all types, excellent wines, the world-famous aperitif called palinka, fascinating nightlife, and - above all - warm hospitality.

2. Getting around Budapest

It is relatively easy to find your way around Budapest. The Danube flows through the middle of the city, the right bank is Buda, the left is Pest. The main traffic routes are the boulevards and the radial avenues.

The three underground metro lines, trams, buses and trolley buses make up an extensive public transport network. Public transport is generally operating from 4:30 a.m. till 11-11:30 p.m., but an extensive night-time bus network is also available Tickets must be purchased in advance at the stations; fares cannot be paid on board. Tickets are valid for one ride only; a new ticket must be validated every time you change lines. Tickets have to be validated at the underground station entrances and on board of other vehicles and must be kept during the whole journey. Daily, weekly, biweekly and monthly passes are also available as well as tourist passes for 2 or 3 days.

48 or 72-hour Budapest Cards are also available; they offer free use of public transportation and other discounts on museums and restaurants.

Taxis are best ordered by phone and not hailed in the street; when called, they are cheaper and there is no chance that you will pick up one of the ?private taxis' who charge outrageous fares. You can call a taxi even at short notice; they will normally arrive within 5-15 minutes. Fare meters that can give a receipt are compulsory. The price charged depends on a flat fee plus the distance travelled and (if appropriate) a waiting fee.

Major taxi companies:
City Taxi: (+36-1) 211 1111
Tele 5 Taxi: (+36-1) 555 5555
Buda Taxi: (+36-1) 233 3333
Fotaxi: (+36-1) 222 2222
Taxi 2000: (+36-1) 200 0000
6 × 6 Taxi: (+36-1) 266 6666
Radio Taxi: (+36-1) 777 7777

3. Safety

General public security situation in Budapest is said to be good on an international average. All the same, it is better if tourists are prepared for certain typical situations so that they do not end up feeling cheated or robbed.

In general the tourist's wallet is in greatest danger, and so it is advisable when using public transport, at railway stations, at shopping centres, markets or any other busy area where people are jostling around to pay extra attention to wallets, purses and bags, as pick-pockets prefer these places.

Always request a menu showing all the prices before choosing which restaurant to eat at. This way you can rule out any unpleasantness caused by overcharging.

Never get mixed up in changing money or gambling on the street. Besides both being illegal, you are very likely to lose most or all of your money in these schemes. Carry documents, money and credit cards in a closed, inner pocket, and don't carry a lot of cash around town. Never leave valuables in your car.

Calling the ambulance, the police, the fire service and the general emergency number (112) are free of charge. Should you need medical assistance Budapest, the best option is to call Falck's 24-hour English-speaking hotline; they are very helpful and informative, and they can get you a doctor that speaks your language, or at least English. (06-1-2000-100)

The Hungarian police also have a number for foreigners to call (?Tourist Police"). This 24-hour hot-line was set up specifically to help English-language speakers report crime. The office is based at V. Vigado utca 4. (tel.: 06-1-438-8080)

In case of losing your passport you should report it to the following authority:
Budapest and Pest County Directorate of the Office for Immigration and Citizenship
Address: H-1117 Budapest, Budafoki út 60, Tel: 463-9165, 463-9181 (open: 24 hours)

4. Important phone numbers:

5. Useful websites and addresses:

Airport: www.bud.hu
National and international rail timetables: www.mav-start.hu
National and international bus timetables: www.volanbusz.hu
Boat timetables: www.mahartpassnave.hu

6. Some handy tips

Currency Exchange

Foreign currency exchange services are provided by the major Hungarian banks and the post offices, though it is worth checking the rates at various exchange points in the city (most of them don't take commission). Exchange points are usually open 24 hours a day; they also accept travellers' cheques. All major credit cards are accepted in Hungary where it is indicated at the shop entrance. And there are plenty of cash machines in the city that you can also use to get your Hungarian Forint.

Telephones

Public phones accept 20, 50 and 100 Ft coins, or more conveniently you can buy a phone card at any post office, newspaper stand, tobacco shop or underground station. From one landline or payphone to another in Budapest, simply dial the 7-digit number. For international calls dial "00" before the country code, for long-distance Hungarian calls dial "06" before the city code. "06-80" marks toll-free numbers, "06-40" is for blue (local-fee) numbers, while "06-90" is for high-fee dials (chat-lines, etc.). "06-20", "06-30" and "06-70" are mobile phone numbers. If you use your mobile to call a number in Budapest, always dial "+361" before the number.

Opening hours

Shops are generally open from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m. Mon-Fri, and from 9 a.m. till 1 or 2 p.m. on Saturdays, food stores from 7 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m. Mon-Fri and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Some supermarkets and shops in the major shopping centres have extended opening hours, till 8 or 9 p.m. All over Budapest you can find non-stop shops which are open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

Banks are generally open from 8 a.m. till 2 or 4 p.m. Mon-Fri.

Post offices are usually open from 8 a.m. till 6 p.m. Mon-Fri, the head post offices near the city's main railway stations have extended opening hours.

The opening hours of the museums vary, but all museums are closed on Mondays.

Tips

Restaurant prices in Hungary do not include service fees, unless it is indicated in the menu. Therefore it is customary to leave a tip of 10 % for the waiters in restaurants, bars and cafés and also for taxi drivers, hairdressers and beauticians.

7. A few good restaurants

Hungarian:
Gundel***** (tel.: 889 8100) 14^th district, Állatkerti út 2.
Fortuna***** (tel.: 375 6857) 1^st district, Hess A. tér 4.
Kárpátia**** (tel.: 317 3596) 5^th district, Ferenciek tere 7-8.
Fatál**** (tel.: 266 2607) 5^th district, Váci u. 67.
Kisbuda Gyöngye**** (tel.: 368 6402) 3^rd district, Kenyeres u. 34.

Mediterranean:
Robinson Ristorante & Café*****(tel.: 422 0224) 14^th district, Városliget lake

Vegetarian:
Gandhi*** (tel.: 269 1625) 5^th district, Vigyázó Ferenc u. 4.

Mexican:
Iguana*** (tel: 331 4352) 5^th district, Zoltán u. 16.

Greek:
Andreas Dionysos Taverna****(tel.: 318 1222) 5^th district, Belgrád rakpart 16.

French:
Chez Daniel*** (tel.: 302 4039) 6^st district, Szív u. 32.

Italian:
Trattoria Pomo D'Oro**** (tel.:302 6473), 5^th distict, Arany J. u. 9.

Confectionary, restaurant and pub:
Gerbeaud Café***** (tel. 429 9020), 5^th district, Vörösmarty tér 7.

International:
Soul Café & Restaurant***** (tel. 217 6986), 9^th district, Ráday u. 11-13.

8. Art

A few museums we recommend:

Budapest History Museum – 1014 Budapest, Szent György tér 2. Buda Castle, The Royal Palace
Open daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., tel.: 487 8801, www.btm.hu
Permanent exhibits present Gothic statues from The Royal Palace in the middle ages.

House of Terror Museum – 1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 61.
Open Tue – Fri 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat – Sun 10 a.m.- 7.30 p.m.., tel.: 374 2600, www.terrorhaza.hu
Moving audiovisual exhibits and hundreds of artefacts review the Nazi and Communist reigns in Hungary.

Hungarian House of Photography – 1065 Budapest, Nagymező u. 20., in Mai Manó House
Open Mon – Fri 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Sat – Sun 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., tel.: 473 2666, www.maimano.hu
Wide range of short and long-term exhibitions.

Hungarian National Gallery – 1014 Budapest, Szent György tér 2., Buda Castle, Wings A, B, C, D
Open Tue – Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., tel.: 201 9082, www.mng.hu

Hungarian National History Museum – 1083 Budapest, Ludovika tér 2-6.
Open Wed – Mon 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., tel.: 210 1085, www.mttm.hu

Hungarian National Museum – 1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 14-16., Open Tue – Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., tel.: 338 2122, www.hnm.hu
Permanent exhibition of Hungarian history with visiting art exhibitions.

Jewish Museum – 1077 Budapest, Dohány u. 2. Open Mon – Thu 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fri, Sun 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., tel.: 342 8949, www.bpjewmus.hu
Repository of Jewish objects and archives commemorating the Jewish presence in Hungary.

Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art – 1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell u. 1. Open Tue – Sun 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., tel.: 555 3444, www.ludwigmuseum.hu

Museum of Applied Arts – 1093 Budapest, Üllői út 33-37.
Open Tue – Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., tel.: 456 5100, www.imm.hu
Interesting collection of industrial objects, tools and artefacts in a beautiful art-nouveau building.

Museum of Fine Arts – Heroes' Square, Open Tue – Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., tel.: 469 7100, www.szepmuveszeti.hu. Free English guided tours of Master Painting Collections Tue – Fri at 11. a.m. and 2 p.m., Sat at 2 p.m.

Museum of Contemporary Art (Műcsarnok) –Heroes' Square, Open Tue – Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thu 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., tel.: 460 7000, www.mucsarnok.hu
Contemporary and experimental art in intriguing multimedia installations.

Vasarely Museum – 1033 Budapest, Szentlélek tér 6. Open Tue – Sun 10 a.m. – 5.30 p.m., tel.: 250 1540, vasarely.tvn.hu
Fascinating collection spanning the life of modern artist Victor Vasarely, most famous for his take on "Op(tic) Art".

Performing arts:

Hungarian State Opera House – 1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 22., tel.: 331 2550, www.opera.hu

Liszt Ferenc Music Academy – 1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 8., tel.: 462 4600, www.lfze.hu
Classical music from the best conductors and players in the country.

Palace of Arts (Bela Bartok National Concert Hall, Festival Theatre) – 1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell u. 1., tel. 555 3000, www.mupa.hu

The House of the Parliament from the Castle