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Hungary

General Information

Capital City:
Budapest
Population:
10.01 million
Area:
35,919 square miles
Language:
Hungarian (Magyar), English, German, French
Electricity:
220V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:
36
Driving:
Driving is on the right. Holders of licences issued by EU member states are accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for non-EU nationals
Currency:
Forint (HUF)

Business Hours

Bank:
0900-1400 Mon-Fri
Office:
0800-1630 Mon-Thur, 0800-1400 Fri
Shops:
0700-1900 Mon-Fri, 0700-1400 Sat, 1000-1800 Mon-Wed & Fri, 1000-2000 Thur, 0900-1300 Sat (Department stores)
Public Holidays:
<b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day 15 Mar : Anniversary of 1848 uprising against Austrian rule 09 Apr : Easter Monday 01 May : Labour Day 28 May : Whit Monday 20 Aug : National Day (Feast of St Stephen) 23 Oct : Republic Day (Anniversary of 1956) 01 Nov : All Saints' Day 24 Dec : Christmas Eve 25 Dec : Christmas Day 26 Dec : Boxing Day

Business and social hints

General:
Many executives speak one or more foreign language. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings and on most public transport. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Tipping:
Discretionary, around 10-15% for most services
Clothing:
Lightweights for summer, mediumweights for spring and autumn with heavyweights required for winter. Rainwear is recommended all year round
Emergency Services:
Police: 107. Fire: 105. Ambulance: 104
Hotel Classification:
Hotels in Hungary are classified using the conventional 1-star up to 5-star system.

Climate

Summers are usually warm to hot. Spring and early summer are generally the wettest seasons with heavy thundery downpours. Winters are usually cold and fog is frequent in more settled weather. Spring and autumn are fairly short seasons when the weather can be very changeable

Budapest

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum Temperature °C 1 4 10 17 22 26 28 27 23 16 8 4
Minimum Temperature °C -4 -2 2 7 11 15 16 16 12 7 3 -1
Average Humidity (mornings) % 85 83 79 72 72 72 71 74 79 86 88 87
Average Humidity (afternoons) % 76 68 55 48 49 49 47 47 49 60 76 81
Average Rainfall 37 44 38 45 72 69 56 47 33 57 70 46

Customs

Import Allowances:
For persons of 17 years of age or older: 1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar): a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco b) 1 lit of spirits of more than 22� proof or 2 lit of up to 22� proof c) 2 lit of still wines d) 50gr of perfume & 0.25 lit of eau de toilette e) Other goods to the value of EUR 175 2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels): a) 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco b) 10 lit of spirits, 20 lit of fortified wine, 90 lit of wine (of which, a max of 60 lit of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer
Contraband:
Raw Meats, Meat Products, Dairy Products, Psychotropic Substances

Health

Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care. EHIC replaces the E111 form. <b>Please note:</b> The EHIC scheme is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will <b>not</b> cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts repatriation to the UK lost or stolen property etc. For full details on eligibility and how to apply for a card visit www.nhs.uk or click<a href="https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do"> here</a>

Compulsary Vaccinations
None.
Recommended Immunisations
None required, however for those travelling to Hungary frequently or intending to spend extended time there, Tick-Borne Encephalitis & Rabies should be considered.
Risks
None. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to Hungary. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.

Immigration and Passport

Passports and passport replacing documents must be valid for the period of intended stay. Exempt: a) Passports and/or passport replacing documents issued to nationals of EU Member States can be valid on arrival. b) Those residing in Hungary may enter with travel documents valid on arrival. c) Expired passports (max. 5 years) issued to nationals of Austria.

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Hungary. 2) For an unrestricted length of stay by: a) Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland (Rep of), Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain Sweden & Switzerland. b) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Citizen" and or "European Union" on the front cover. c) Holders of Identity Cards issued by Gibraltar endorsed "Validated for EU travel purposes under the authority of the United Kingdom". d) Irrespective of nationality, holding a residence permit issued by Monaco or a Schengen Member State. 3) For stays up to 90 days by: a) Nationals of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hong Kong (SAR China passports), Honduras, Israel, Japan, Korea (South), Macao (SAR China passports), Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, St Kitts-Nevis, USA, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela. b) Holders of British passports endorsed "British National (Overseas)". c) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Overseas Territories Citizen" or "British Subject" containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the UK. d) Holders of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) passports providing the passport includes an ID card number. e) Holders of biometric passports issued to nationals of Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia (FYROM) & Montenegro. f) Holders of biometric passports issued to nationals of Serbia providing the passport is not issued by the Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava) 4) Holders of a temporary or permanent residence permit issued by Hungary, for a stay up to the expiry date of the residence permit.

Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Hungarian Embassy or Consulate.

Useful Contacts

Embassy

Embassy of Hungary 35 Eaton Place London SW1X 8BY tel: +44 207 201 3440 fax: +44 20 7823 1348 e-mail: office.lon@kum.hu website: www.mfa.gov.hu/emb/london hours: 0930-1200 (Mon-Fri)

Airports

  • Budapest Ferihegy
  • Saarmelleek/Balaton

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For each itinerary we have created this simple guide to clearly illustrate the nature of your tour from a gentle, leisurely pace to a more lively experience.

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For each itinerary we have created this simple guide to clearly illustrate your touring experience, from the scenic delights of the world's natural wonders to city chic with included excursions and entrances, or a comfortable blend of both.

Trafalgar Tours

Trafalgar Tours:

Trafalgar Tours offer a range of first-class escorted tours including top-class hotels, comprehensive itineraries, luxury transportation, delicious meal plans and knowledgeable tour directors, often joined by experienced local guides.

Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations:

Insight Vacations provides premium-class escorted tours, enabling you to stay in the very best hotels where available, enjoying enhanced meal plans and touring on luxury coaches with fewer seats resulting in extra legroom.

Thompson's Africa

Thompson's Africa:

Thompson's Africa offers excellent first-class escorted tours but with smaller groups ranging from only 2 passengers to 18 per group and touring in air-conditioned micro-buses for a more intimate approach.

AAT Kings

AAT Kings:

AAT Kings, one of Australia's most respected travel companies, provides a range of first-class escorted tours in Australia and New Zealand which include top-class hotels, comprehensive itineraries, luxury transportation, delicious meal plans and knowledgeable tour directors, often joined by experienced local guides.

Brendan Vacations

Brendan Vacations:

When you travel to South America with Brendan, you can expect first class hotels in convenient locations that provide the highest standard of service and the most up-to-date luxurious coaches available

Milestones Tours

Milestones

City and Resort Breaks that allow for a more independent holiday while still matched with Milestones' unrivalled levels of service.

Uniworld River Cruises

Uniworld River Cruises

On board a Uniworld Boutique River Cruise ship, guests can enjoy an intimate, luxurious experience with five-star inclusions. With an average capacity of just over 130 guests and one crew member for every three guests, Uniworld's Premium Class award-winning services are recognised as the world's best.

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First Class:

For over 60 years, our award-winning First Class tours have been providing incredible value escorted tours, not only showing you the major sites and attractions that you would expect to see but also surprising you with exclusive Hidden Gems along the way, that only a true expert would know. Enjoy the comfort of first-class hotels, travelling by air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and restroom, included meal plans and the services of our professional Tour Directors.
From exclusive Be My Guest dining experiences to in-depth insights provided by expert local guides, our First Class tours offer an enriching travel experience where you come away with a wealth of local knowledge and a photo album packed with memories.

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Premium Class:

On a Premium Class escorted tour you'll be travelling with a smaller, more personal group of like-minded travellers (maximum 40 guests on board) on coaches featuring business-class-like legroom and spacious comfort.
And you'll be staying in superior quality hotels in the heart of every destination. We select only premium brands of major hotel groups. Your expert Tour Director will act as your 'personal concierge' throughout and will be assisted by local guides, passionate on the life and history of their own city. We include many special dining evenings such as authentic local lunches, Highlight Dinners and our unique Dine-Around experiences featuring smallgroup dining at a choice of restaurants.

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At Leisure:

At Leisure is an inspiring new style of travel offering the best expertly planned escorted tours combined with more opportunity for in-depth, authentic experiences and more freedom to go your own way than ever before. With average hotel stays of two or three nights, spend minimal time unpacking andmore time soaking up the ambience of each amazing place. You'll also enjoy a leisurely start each day with departures never earlier than 9am on travel days. At Leisure provides free time to explore each destination on your own, including complimentary hop-on/hop-off city sightseeing passes where available. Plus you'll enjoy sightseeing in major cities with a local guide assigned to more intimate groups.

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Premium Gold:

Premium Gold is an exclusive collection of deluxe tours, each celebrating the fine art of luxury travel. All of the luxury hotels exude elegance and style, with many being members of the Leading Hotels of the World or other internationally recognised upmarket hotel associations. Premium Gold itineraries are leisurely-paced with relaxed stays in the most sought-after locations and with ample free time for personal exploration.
You will delight in sumptuous, authentic dining with four-course hotel dining and superb a la carte menus in some of the best gourmet restaurants. Premium Gold features smaller group sizes on tour and includes Premium Highlight sightseeing often including private tours with VIP entrances.

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Cost Saver:

We have introduced a new collection of touring holidays known as 'Cost Saver', a new and exciting programme of tours offering you fantastic European experiences at an unbeatable price.
The new selection of tours cover destinations such as Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The perfectly balanced itineraries combine plenty of free time to explore along with First Class touches including unique Hidden Treasures.