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On this page you’ll find details and essential information for visiting Budapest. We hope this is useful to you and provides you with all the information you’ll need in advance of attending the Summer School, but if it is not or if you have a question or query that isn’t answered here, on any of the other information webpages or please contact Anna Foley, methodsschool@ecpr.eu.
Budapest is undoubtedly one of the most attractive cities in Europe, with its natural beauty, architectural heritage (it boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites), unique atmosphere and cultural offerings. It is steeped in history, yet hip and modern and is the city which has something for everyone: from quiet conversation at cafés and intimate gallery openings to outdoor rock concerts and folk craft festivals.
The warm weather in the summer also lures locals and visitors alike to lively “ruin pubs”, hidden in dilapidated buildings and dotted with colourful, quirky furniture. And of course the hot spring spas and thermal baths which are at various locations in the city and a must anytime of the year.
The Summer School is being hosted at the premises of Central European University (CEU):
Central European University
Nádor u 15.
1051 Budapest
Hungary
The local host of the Summer School is the:
Department of Political Science
Central European University
Október 6. utca 12. (3rd and 4th floor)
1051 Budapest
Hungary
If you’re a citizen of a European country, or of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the USA, you do not require a visa to visit Hungary if you are staying no more than 90 days. We suggest checking current visa requirements on the Hungarian Foreign Ministry website here.
If you do require a visa, Hungary is a member of the Schengen Agreement so if you have a valid visa for any country that is a member of the Schengen Agreement it is also valid in Hungary.
The local currency in Budapest is Hungarian Forint (Ft), sometimes referred to as HUF. Currently the exchange rate is approximately €1 = 310Ft . Coins come in six denominations: 5Ft, 10Ft, 20Ft, 50Ft, 100FT and 200Ft and banknotes in seven denominations: 500Ft, 1000Ft, 2000Ft, 5000Ft, 10000Ft and 20000Ft. Some places may also accept Euros.
There are many ATMs (cash machines) around the city which accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Plus, Maestro, Cirrus). The majority of shops and restaurants also accept cards.
You can find an ATM in the CEU lobby of the Nador 9 building is a courtesy machine from CIB Bank. If the ATM is out of order, the bank and its information technology provider will do their best to repair it. In the meantime, please use one of the ATMs located close to CEU:
CEU is surrounded by a great amount of restaurants offering a wider variety of cuisine to suit all budgets, all within an easy reach of the University. Most restaurants serve food until 23:00. Click here for a map of restaurants close to the University.
When eating out, service is not usually included in the bill, however sometimes it is so do check before leaving an additional tip. The standard amount to leave for service is between 10% and 15% and should be left in cash. It is not usual to tip in a bar, unless drinks are served to your table. If you are tipping a taxi driver, it is common to round up the fare.
We highly recommended organising travel and/or health insurance prior to travelling for the Summer School.
If you are a citizen of countries which are part of the EEA (European Economic Area) or Switzerland you can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which allows you access to state-provided healthcare in these countries at a reduced cost, or sometimes for free. The EHIC does not cover any private medical healthcare or costs and therefore is not an alternative to travel insurance.
You do not need any vaccinations to visit Hungary, but the World Health Organisation recommends travellers to be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio.
The official language is Hungarian, however English and German are the most commonly used second languages. Some basic Hungarian phrases, to assist you are:
Hello: Hello / Szia
Goodbye: Viszlát
Please: Kérem
Thank you: Köszönöm
Excuse me: Elnézést
I’m sorry: Sajnálom
Hospital: Kórház
Danger: Veszély
Smoking: Dohányzóknak No: Nem
ATM: Bankautomata
Post office: Posta
Food shop: Közért
Water: Viz
Many of the libraries in Hungary have free or very cheap internet terminals. In Budapest there are many restaurants and cafés offering free WiFi. CEU has it’s own WiFi; personalised connection details will be given to you at registration.
You can make domestic and international calls from public telephones; they take coins or phonecards. Phonecards can be purchased from post offices and newsstands. There are three main mobile phone providers in Hungary: Telenor, T-Mobile and Vodafone. You may want to purchase a rechargeable or prepaid SIM card.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Hungary Country Code | 00 |
International Direct Dial code | 36 |
Budapest City Code | 1 |
General Emergency Line | 112 |
Ambulance | 104 |
Fire | 105 |
Police | 107 |
General Enquiries | 199 |
Post Offices can be found around the city and are generally open Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 18:00.
The weather can be very hot, with temperatures reaching over 30ᵒC (86ᵒF). Sudden showers can also occur.
Budapest is one hour ahead of British Standard Time.
If you need an adaptor, you will need a 2-pin, round prong plug adaptor. The electricity is 230V/50hz.
For more information about Budapest or Hungary as well as to find things to do or what’s on have a look at Budapest Tourism, Budapest Travel Guide or Lonely Planet.