Visa
Hungary is part of the Schengen Area of 26 European countries. For non-Schengen EU, USA and Canadian citizens a valid passport is sufficient to enter Hungary. Citizens of other countries should check whether visa is needed for them when entering Hungary (for more information please visit the home page of the Hungarian Consular Service (www.konzuliszolgalat.kormany.hu) On request, the Congress Secretariat will issue invitation letters for visa applications. Please apply in due time for a visa if necessary and note that visa application takes 30-60 days and personal procedure is necessary.
Visa application guide
Travel by Plane
Budapest has direct flight connections with every capital of Europe and other major cities and hubs in Europe and world-wide. Most major Airlines are also presented in Budapest. Any point in the world can be reached to and from Budapest. Liszt Ferenc International Airport (former Ferihegy Airport) has two 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 (Ryanair, Wizzair, Germanwings, EasyJet, Air Baltic, Air Lingus, Norwegian, Air Berlin, Jet2, Transavia, TUI Fly, etc).
Travel 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
Travel 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 IAQ Forum 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
Summer can be very hot and dry in Hungary but mainly in July and August, nice summer days are coming in late June. Budapest has a humid continental climate with warm summers and no dry season. June is characterized by gradually rising daily high temperatures, with daily highs increasing 23-26°C over the course of the month, daily low temperatures range 12-14°C. Sky is clear or partly cloudy throughout the month. Throughout June, the most common forms of precipitation are thunderstorms, moderate rain, and light rain. Rainfall occur more likely in the first half of the month. Over the course of June typical wind speeds vary calm to moderate breeze, rarely fresh breeze. The wind is most often out of the north west or east.
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 = 307 HUF in August 2017
Credit Cards
In general, VISA, EC/MC and American Express credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, cafés, shops and petrol stations.
Stores 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.
Electricity
The voltage in Hungary is 230V, 50 Hz AC.
Recommended Taxi Company
To reach the Hotels or the Forum venue and to avoid any inconvenience, please use the official WCNA2018 taxi company: City Taxi: +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.
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 and tariffs may vary between different parking zones.
For detailed information on parking, please visit this site: www.visitbudapest.travel.
Time Zone
Central European Time (CET): UTC+01:00
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 night – jó éjszakát!
- good bye – viszlát!
- sorry – sajnálom
- no problem – 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?