Useful Information
How to get to the Conference Venue?
To reach the Conference Venue there are several means of transport:
Metro station “Deák Ferenc tér" junction (M1 – yellow line, M2 – red line, M3 – blue line)
See directions: Airport by public transport
From the airport to the conference venue use the miniBUD, fixed rates for passengers (One way transfer: 3900 HUF / cca 14 EUR, return transfer: 6900 HUD / cca 25 EUR from the airport to the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest or to inner city hotels), Tel: +36 1 550 0000; www.minibud.hu
or use the PAIN2016 Official Taxi Company: City Taxi +36 1 211 1111
(Rate: 7000-9000 HUF = cca 23-30 Euro).
Travel
By Plane
Budapest has direct flight connection with every capital of Europe and other major cities and hubs in Europe and world-wide as well. Most of the major Airlines are presented in Budapest. Any point in the world can be reached to and from Budapest. Liszt Ferenc airport has three terminals roughly 28 kilometers from the city. Since 2004 several low cost airlines have been running their flights between Budapest and the large European cities (Wizzair, Germanwings, EasyJet, Air Baltic, Jet2, etc).
By Train
Budapest is connected to the European railway system. There are direct railway links between Budapest and 13 capital cities of Europe and 47 international scheduled trains arrive daily in Budapest. Many international trains have dining and sleeping cars or couchettes. Most international express trains arrive and depart from the Eastern (Keleti) Railway Station. www.mav-start.hu
By Coach
Volánbusz Rt., being a member of Eurolines, operates scheduled services to 22 European countries. www.volanbusz.hu
Public Transportation
Budapest's public transportation systems are operated by the Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK). The service includes buses, trolleybuses, trams, underground trains (Metro) and above-ground suburban trains (HÉV). Buses, trams and trolleybuses run daily from 4:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Three of the four recent Metro lines interconnect at Deák tér Station (next to the conference venue). Service frequencies range from 15 minutes late in the evening to every two minutes at peak times. Tickets or passes must be bought before boarding. They are available at BKK Customer Service Points, tickets offices at Metro stations, from the driver onboard the bus, but best option is to use the vending machines throughout the city. Please note that front-door boarding only policy is in place on some of the bus lines (including 200E from the airport to the city). Additionally, you can try the MOL Bubi public bike-sharing scheme as a new mode of public transport in Budapest, which consists of 76 docking stations and 1,100 bicycles. Budapest's excellent night bus system has just been upgraded to 40 lines. Please note that to make sure that everyone has a ticket, the transport company has hired uniformed security guards who check for tickets on board.
For detailed information on public transportation fares and timetables please visit www.bkk.hu.
For smartphones official BKK INFO and BKK FUTÁR apps are available at Google Play and iTunes.
Climate
The climate of Budapest is continental. In late August usually nice warm weather can be expected with a max. temperature of 25-28 °C, while the lowest temperature during the night ranging between 12-15 °C. Nevertheless some rainy days can be expected.
Insurance
The registration fees do not include provision for the insurance of participants against personal accidents, illness, cancellation, theft, property loss or damage. Participants are advised to take adequate personal travel insurance.
Currency
The Forint (HUF), the official national currency, is convertible. The exchange rates applied in Budapest banks, official exchange offices and hotels may vary. All the major credit cards are accepted in Hungary in places displaying the emblem at the entrance.
Exchange rate: 1 Euro = 312 HUF in March 2016.
Credit Cards
In general, VISA, EC/MC and American Express credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, cafés, shops and petrol stations.
Store and Shopping
The opening hours of Budapest stores are generally 10.00-18.00 on weekdays and 10.00-13.00 on Saturday.
The big shopping centres are open from 10.00-20.00 from Monday to Saturday and from 10.00-18.00 on Sunday.
Pharmacies
Budapest's pharmacies (gyógyszertár in Hungarian) are well stocked and can provide medicaments for most common ailments. Each of the 23 districts has an all-night pharmacy open every day, a sign on the door of any pharmacy will help you locate the closest one.
Electricity
The voltage in Hungary is 230V, 50 Hz AC.
Recommened Taxi Company
To reach the Hotels or the Congress Venue and to avoid any inconvenience, please use the official PAIN2016 taxi company:
City Taxi
Phone: +36 1 211 1111
www.citytaxi.hu
Credit card payment is available in every car of City Taxi.
Please note, that all licensed Budapest taxi companies have yellow cars and has same rates for all companies, placed clearly visible on the screens. Airport - Kempinski route fares should be around
7000-9000 HUF.
Parking
If you drive a personal or rented car, always try to park at a guarded parking lot and do not leave any valuables in the car. Please note, that Budapest is divided into paying parking areas, with one parking meter in each street. The maximum parking time duration is 2 hours, tariffs may vary.
Time Zone
CET=GMT+2
Vocabulary
The most important Hungarian words:
- yes – igen
- no - nem
- hi – szia
- please - kérem
- thank you – köszönöm
- you’re welcome - szívesen
- good morning – jó reggelt!
- good evening – jó estét!
- good bye – viszlát!
- sorry – sajnálom
- no problem – nincs semmi baj
- how are you? – hogy vagy?
- where is..? – hol van..?
- I – én
- you – te
- I don’t understand – nem értem
- how much does it cost? – mennyibe kerül?
- Cheers! - egészségedre!