Miscellaneous

Hungarian Language

The Hungarian language belongs to the Finno-Ugrian language group and substantially differs from all other European languages. Special sounds: á, cs, é, gy, í, ly, ny, ö, õ, sz, ty, ú, ü, û, zs.

• Hungarian language for travellers

You will find most Hungarians helpful and an increasing number of people speak German and/or English.

Gift

The following typical Hungarian goods and folk art items are nice gifts and tourist souvenirs:

Folk art items:

Applied art objects:

• Zsolnay, Herend and Hollóháza porcelain (in special shops)
• lead crystal,
• decorative items

Food products:

• goose liver
• Pick and Herz salami
• Kalocsa and Szeged paprika
• cherry liqueur chocolates

Drinks:

• Tokay aszú and other Tokay wines
• cherry and apricot brandy
• Hungaria and Törley sparkling wines
• Zwack Unicum

Cultural items:

• books
• art albums
• CDs, video and audio tapes

Press

Practically all well known international publications can be purchased in larger hotels and from newsagents.

Some of the English-language papers published in Hungary:

• Budapest Business Journal
• Budapest Sun
• Budapest Week
• The Hungarian Quarterly
• The Hungarian Times
• The Hungarian Observer

Monthly programme guides:

• Budapest Panorama, a monthly programme guide in English, German, Italian, Russian and French: H-1088 Budapest, Múzeum u. 11.
  Phone: (36)-1-266-5853, E-mail: turizmus@mail.matav.hu
• Programme In Ungarn/In Hungary, a monthly programme guide in English and German: H-1135 Budapest, Szegedi út 37-39. Phone/Fax: (36)-1-350-8677

Travel trade journals in Hungarian:

• Turizmus, biweekly: H-1088 Budapest, Múzeum u. 11.
  Phone: (36)-1-266-5853, E-mail: turizmus@mail.matav.hu
• TTG Hungary, biweekly: H-1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 10. Phone: (36)-1-268-0171, Fax: (36)-1-321-4607
• GSZT, biweekly: H-1067 Budapest, Csengery u. 53.
  Phone: (36)-1-332-1339, Fax: (36)-1-332-7338
• Turisztikai Értesítõ, a monthly official newsletter of the Department of Tourism Policy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs: H-1051 Budapest, Vigadó u. 6.
  Phone: (36)-1-235-4500 ext. 4116, Fax: (36)-1-318-5474.

Public Holidays

Safety

In past periods, Hungary has been visited by 40 million foreigners each year who have gained favourable experience when encountering the traditionally hospitable people of this country. Hungarians have been proven to be friendly and helpful, making tourists feel at home and secure. Unfortunately, like anywhere in the world, you may find some people who tend to abuse the confidence of tourists or take advantage of their occasional lack of vigilance. To make sure that you have a good time, it is strongly recommended to exercise precaution in certain essential situations:

In the streets, on the underground, bus, tram and train:

• keep your handbag closed, hold on to and keep an eye on it all the time
• keep your money and credit cards in a purse hanging from your neck or in a beltbag
• do not wear eye-catching, expensive jewellery
• avoid poorly lit parts of the city
• do not change money in the street
• surrender your passport for routine check only to uniformed police officers wearing an identification badge (your wallet should never be inspected in the street)

Your car:

• park your car preferably in a secure car park
• never yield your car keys and/or traffic licence to strangers, not even for a short time
• do not leave any visible objects in your car
• if your car radio is removable, take it with you along with your mobile phone
• keep your doors locked while driving
• stop only if you are signalled to do so by uniformed police, ( the police have the right to inspect your driver's licence and car documents, never your wallet! )

Taxis:

• wave down a taxi only if it has the logo of a taxi company on the door
• make sure the taxi meter is turned on and operates once the car is in motion, (in Budapest rates vary between HUF 200 to 300/Km, the charge between Budapest city centre and Ferihegy Airport is HUF 3000 to 4000)
• always ask for a receipt

At the airport:

• do not leave your luggage unattended - your cases may be stolen by thieves or destroyed by security
• we recommend Airport Minibus Sevice as the most convenient means of transportation to and from the airport ( fare from/to any point within Budapest: HUF 1800/person )

At the hotel:

• do not leave your bags, suitcases or baggage unattended while checking in or out
• leave your passport, air tickets, valuables and cash in the hotel or room safe
• do not receive strangers in your room
• close the windows and the door when leaving your room
• do not leave your key on the reception desk, always hand it over to a receptionist or drop it into the key slot at the reception

Restaurants, bars:

• study the menu outside the restaurant, and check the prices with special regard to the numbers - a five digit figure is regarded high!
• read the menu thouroughly before placing an order
• order only from a menu card on which prices are shown
• when paying the bill - the recommended tip is 10%
• if you are invited by "ladies" to a restaurant, bar etc., you can expect to be presented with an enormous bill - perhaps it is wise considering that you are not only paying for these ladies' services, but also become an easy prey for criminals

All this may look frightening, but of course the golden rule is to use your common sense and abide by rules invented centuries ago. If you do that, you will have an enjoyable time anywhere in the world and we sincerely hope that Hungary will prove to be a great place for you!

Police, Ambulance, Fire department:	112
Road emergency service ("yellow angel"):	188
Tourinform Call Centre:	(36)-1-438-8080
Tourinform-hotline:	(36)-60-55-00-44 (from abroad)
Tourinform-hotline:	(06)-80-66-00-44 (from Hungary)

Telephone

Dialling code for Hungary: 36
Budapest: 1
For long-distance calls inside Hungary, use 06

• For places that do not have direct dialling facilities, ring 191 to put a call through the central exchange.
• To make a call abroad from Hungary: dial 00, wait for the tone, then dial the country and city code (listed in the phone book) followed immediately by the number required.
• To make an international call through the post office, dial: 190
• To send a telegram by phone within Hungary, dial 192
• To request a wake up call: 193

Budapest telephone numbers have 7 digits, country numbers have 8 digits including the area code. Services available include: Hungary direct, Country direct, Green number and Blue number.

Public phones operate either with 20 and 50 HUF coins or with phonecards which can be purchased from tobacconists, post offices, fuel stations and street vendors for 800 HUF and 1800 HUF.

Electricity

The voltage is 220 V / 50 Hz with European two-prong plug.
Electrical equipment of 110 V / 60 Hz requires the use of an adapter and/or voltage converter.