Hungary - Well-Informed in Budapest

2 Pages·2007·0.572 MB·English

Police
BUDAPEST
Tourist Police
We hope that observing the suggestions above will
Information
allow you to avoid any possible incidents while in
Budapest and any memories associated with your
stay in the Hungarian capital will be pleasant ones.
Liszt Ferenc tér ON-LINE: VIA E-MAIL:
If you have any problems, please contact police
www.budapestinfo.hu [email protected]
officers on duty. To make sure no one can abuse
your trust, please keep in mind that the Hungarian
OVER THE PHONE:
police uniform consists of a light blue shirt, navy
Round-the-clock
blue trousers and a baseball hat. On the right vest
information service: ([phone]
pocket of the uniform a badge with the word
Driving and
Tourinform hot-line: “RENDÔRSÉG” and a five digit service number can be seen while on the left side
from abroad: ([phone] on a small metal nametag the name of the police officer can be read. On the
from Hungary: 06-80/630-800 sleeve of the shirt or jacket the insignia of the Budapest Police is sewn.
Budavár parking
Plainclothes police are also identified by their badge and his or her credit-
Driving and parking
IN PERSON: card sized, plastic identification card, displaying the words “RENDÔRSÉG” and
In the Tourinform Offices listed below: “POLICE”, with a circular hologram on the right corner. Our plainclothes
If you arrive in Budapest driving your own car, we suggest that you leave it
in the guarded parking lot or garage of the hotel. The most practical way of colleagues regularly wear a reflective yellow vest with the word “POLICE”.
DOWNTOWN 1– Police Inform office getting around the city, especially if you are not familiar with Budapest, is by
1052 Budapest, Sütôutca 2. public transportation. Should you decide to drive, always make sure that your If you need the assistance of the police:
car is locked before walking away. Do not leave anything of value in your car,
Call the internationally used 112 emergency number, or the number of the
Open: 8am–8pm not even an empty bag, objects or articles of clothing! In all cases, take your
Hungarian Police, 107.The call centre will be able to direct you to the nearest
car stereo or the faceplate with you!
DOWNTOWN 2 Budapest is divided into various parking zones, with different parking fees location where you may file your claim in a foreign language. If you are the
applicable in each (ranging from HUF 115 to HUF 430 per hour). According to injured party, or otherwise become involved in a police procedure, you may ask
1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 11.
the relevant regulations, parking tickets must be purchased Monday through for Consular assistance through the authorities involved. Your request will be
Monday–Friday: 10am–6pm Friday, 8am–6pm. You may park free of charge on Saturday, Sunday and nation-
honoured without immediately.
Saturday–Sunday: closed al holidays. You may obtain your parking ticket from the vending machines. It
[email protected]
must be displayed behind the windshield. It must be
visible and legible from the outside. The minimum
CASTLE DISTRICT
parking period is 15 minutes.Vending machines pro-
1014 Budapest, Szentháromság tér vide tickets according to the amount inserted. You
9am–6pm may not stay longer than 2-3 hours. If you need to
park your car longer, we suggest you seek the so-
called ‘park-and-ride’ (P+R) parking lots. These lots are
Ferihegy/2A
AIRPORT TERMINAL 1 located near major subway stations and bus terminals
1185 Budapest, Ferihegy Airport (head of Árpád Bridge in Pest, Nagyvárad tér, Örs SAFETY ADVISORY FOR THE TOURIST SEASON,
Terminal 1 vezér tere, Népliget, etc.). It is more convenient to
9am–10pm continue your trip by public transportation from these ISSUED BY THE BUDAPEST POLICE DEPARTMENT,
car-parks.
Cars parked at unauthorized locations, without a
AIRPORT TERMINAL 2A parking ticket or with an expired ticket are subject If you are the victim of a crime, you will be notified of your rights at the Igazságügyi CRIME PREVENTION DIVISION
1185 Budapest, Ferihegy Airport to penalty. Penalty tickets and/or wheel-clamps may Hivatal Áldozatsegítô Szolgálat (Office of Justice Victim Assistance Unit). If
be applied by the company operating the parking warranted, you may qualify for immediate financial assistance or as the victim of a AND THE TOURISM OFFICE OF BUDAPEST
Terminal 2/A, Arrivals
facility or by the Fôvárosi Közterületfelügyelet
violent crime be eligible for lump sum compensatory damages or a stipend.
8am–10pm (Capital Public Area Directorate). A multi-lingual
For additional information please turn to:
information sticker will be affixed on the car,
informing the owner on the steps to be followed. 0680-244-444 (toll free in Hungary) or www.kih.gov.hu
AIRPORT TERMINAL 2B
There are many ways you can guard your car At the following police stations a 24 hour tourism desk is
1185 Budapest, Ferihegy Airport against theft. Always have your car alarm and immo- available:
Terminal 2/B, Arrival, Transit Lounge bilizer on, park your car in a guarded lot and never
IthDistrict Police Station, 1013 Budapest, Pauler út 13
8am–10pm leave any documents in the vehicle. Unfortunately, VthDistrict Police Station, 1055 Budapest, Szalay utca 11–13
despite all the possible precautions, incidents might
XIthDistrict Police Station, 1113 Budapest, Bocskay út 90 TOURISM OFFICE OF BUDAPEST
still occur. If your car was stolen, please alert the
The project has been funded police immediately at the nearest police station so XIVthDistrict Police Station, 1144 Budapest, Stefánia út 83 www.budapestinfo.hu
by the Tourism proposed guideline. they can try to recover your vehicle. Budapest Police Department, 1139 Budapest, Teve utca 4–6
Public
Currency exchange
Currency exchange
WELL-INFORMED
transportation
Although many services and stores accept Euro or
Public transportation dollar bills, the official currency of the Hungarian
IN BUDAPEST Republic is still going to be the Hungarian Forint
(HUF) for the next couple of years. So, if you need
Budapest takes pride in its very well-
Ticket cash during your stay, you need to exchange your
developed public transportation network.
currency. Currency exchange is strictly regulated
Services are cheap, so you should consider
riding a bus, a tram or the subway while Ticket in Hungary and only service providers holding the
The incredible beauty of Budapest and its numerous and diverse attractions getting around in the city. However, Control appropriate licenses may engage in this activity.
and sights guarantee a great time and unforgettable memories. Although, Taxi cabs Passengers arriving to some precautions are warranted if you Exchange offices located near most of the major
Control
compared to many other European cities, the Hungarian capital does not Taxi cabs Ferihegy airport should are travelling on a crowded vehicle, as attractions, banks, the reception desks of certain
avoid cabbies offering their these are often frequented by pickpockets. hotels and Exchange Machines are all there to
belong to the category of the most dangerous locations in terms of public services in the terminals at We suggest that you keep any articles of You need a pre-purchased ticket or serve you. Their exchange rates may slightly differ,
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order to be able to fully enjoy the bustle of the streets, the panorama second ao fy tehlleo wca r“sT vAaXrIy”; stihgenr eo anr eth neo r oreosft.r Tichtieo nmsa ikne tahnisd r ecgoalorudr. airdpoowrtn ttaowxi nc oumsep tahney ,o Zffiócniaal nsteocrees siat ryin tdo iffcearrerny t laprogcek estus.m Ms aokfe csaushre, eton tvearliindga tteh yeo suurb twicakye ts.t aMtiaocnh)i nyeosu e niteheedr asubrocuhta rgceosm, amnids saiolsno arsakt eifs thoer raottehse dr isapplapyleicda barlee
to none and the night-time activities. All cabs must be equipped with a meter. It should be TAXI, which operates at a that your documents are kept in your punch the ticket or validate it by valid regardless the amount to be exchanged.
on and should provide you with a receipt showing the fixed price between the pocket out of reach, and have your bags cutting the corner and stamping the Occasionally, swindlers appear in the crowd or
exact fare upon arrival to your destination. The fare to airport and the four various and purses zipped all the time. date and time of travel on it. close to railway station, offering better exchange
ARRIVAL be paid is the sum of the initial fare, a per kilometre zones of the capital. The In the city it is not necessary to carry To be able to get well acquainted rates than those of the official establishments.
charge and a fee charged for idle time, if applicable. zone tariffs range from your passport with you, you can leave with the city, we suggest that you opt Their activities are not only illegal, but may also inflict a loss on you. The
ARRIVAL Gratuity is not included, but should be more or less HUF 3000 to HUF 4300 that inside your hotel safe; but you for the Budapest Card, available at the stack of banknotes given by them in exchange for the currency often
equal to 10% of the total fare, if you are satisfied with (14–20 EUR). You can should carry some picture ID, your driving major subway ticket offices, tourist contains useless pieces of newspaper – a fact that is hardly ever noticed by
Whether you take a first glimpse at its the service provided. order a Zóna taxi by license for example. It can also come in information centres, hotels and travel the tourist on the spot.
buildings from the windows of the plane The list of fares is visibly displayed on the back door telephone before you arrive handy to have jotted down the name agencies. It is valid for unlimited We suggest that you keep most of your cash in the safe of the hotel and
or the train, this city of myriad highlights oshf otwhen coanb st,h eo nd atshheb roigarhdt. hTahned f asride et.o I tb esh poauildd isa lmsoa dbee naturally(,t hfriso mca nab breo addo)n oer, aitn adg aadind raeftses ro af ytioriunrg h doateyl! so you can find vethriacvleesl foorn 4 8p ourb l7ic2 htoraunrss,p aonrtda tailosno have only a small amount on you, only as much as you deem necessary to
is likely to enchant you immediately. up of three components: they have a taxi stand by Feel free to use your credit or ATM offers free or discounted entrance to be able to enjoy your day.
Enjoy the spell, but please always keep an • Initial fare: a fixed amount regardless the distance the airport exit. cards. These are accepted by all major museums and other valuable savings Restaurants and Bars
eye on your luggage. Busy railway and to be covered (not more than HUF 300 during the stores, and ATMs can be found all over on tourist attractions. Restaurants
bus stations, airports are frequented by day and HUF 420 at night) downtown Budapest. Another safe BKV (Budapest Public Transportation
opportunistic thieves everywhere, and • Per unit charge for every kilometre of the trip (not method of payment is Travellers Cheque, Sanerdv icpeass) saelss o (hinacsl uad winidge vtraarniestfye ro ft ticickkeettss, and Bars
Budapest is no exception. Never leave more than HUF 240 km during the day and HUF also accepted by most of the hotels.
subway section tickets, discount coupon
your belongings unattended (especially 336/km at night)
books and one day tickets) to make Every tourist seeks to sample the special flavours of the
not at the airport due to security • Idle time charge: The meter automatically switch- travelling even more economical. These country and remember the best moments of a hectic day
considerations). If you travel in a group, es to idle if the cab is stopped or travels at 15 are sold at subways stations, ticket relaxing in a restaurant with a charming atmosphere.The
one person should always be in charge of km/h or less. (HUF 60/min during the day and vendor machines, newsstands and wide array of flavours specific to Hungarian cuisine are
watching the luggage. If you cannot yet HUF 84/min at night). tobacco stores. The widest array is well-known and acknowledgedworld-wide, so why
check-in to your accommodation, but Major cab companies offer their services much available at the subway stations. The would you miss tasting the renowned Goulash, Fish
below the ceiling prices listed above. You should price list posted there offers abundant Soup (halászlé), Paprika Chicken, Somló Sponge
would like to do some sight-seeing,
therefore take a note of their phone numbers. Also, information to help you select the most Cake (Somlói Galuska), or miss savouring the
baggage lockers are available at the airport pre-ordered cabs offer lower rates and are more appropriate ticket or pass. When famous wines of Tokaj?
and the railway and bus stations. Do not trustworthy than those hailed in the street. When ordering selecting the applicable ticket, please note In most of the restaurants guests are served by
hesitate to take advantage of these services, a taxi, ask for the assistance of your hotel reception. that a new ticket must be validated upon waiters speaking several languages and multi-lin-
for a few hundred Forints you can be sure We suggest you do not necessarily listen to the boarding each vehicle of public gual menu cards are available. To avoid any misun-
that your belongings are secure. “advice” of the taxi driver when seeking a bar or club, transportation (for example, when derstanding it is worth studying carefully the price
as they sometimes earn commission to take you to changing Metro lines)! The use of Budapest list that should be displayed by law at the entrance,
expensive establishments. Instead we suggest that you Kártya (Budapest Card) is recommended! and the menu inside, including any small-print
make inquiries about bars and clubs at your hotel. Tickets are often checked on the before settling for a restaurant. The bill you receive
vehicles or at the subway exits by must contain a detailed list of everything you had
Budataxi 2-333-333 www.budataxi.hu
controllers wearing an arm-band and a consumed. Should there be any discrepancies, do
Budapest Taxi 4-333-333 www.budapesttaxi.hu photo-ID (Controllers usually work in not hesitate to discuss it with the waiter.
City Taxi 2-111-111 www.citytaxi.hu pairs, but at subway exits groups of 4-5 You should also note that gratuities are usually
Fôtaxi 2-222-222 www.fotaxi.hu controllers are also common). You not included in the bill; however, a 10% extra is
Mobil Taxi 333-1757 www.mobiltaxi.hu should always keep your ticket till you most often expected. If the service charge is
Rádió Taxi 3-777-777 www.radiotaxi.hu exit the vehicle or leave the premises of already included in the bill, you will be informed
Taxi 2000 2-000-000 www.taxi2000.hu the subway station. If you cannot show about it on the menu.
Taxi4 4-444-444 www.taxi4.hu a validated ticket you are liable to be Be wary of ordering anything at the invitation of
Tele5Taxi 5-555-555 www.tele5taxi.hu fined. Besides those travelling without attractive young ladies on the street, in bars or
Volán Taxi 4-33-33-22 www.volantaxi.hu a ticket, a penalty must be paid by all restaurants, as venues that they recommend fre-
6x6 Taxi 2-666-666 www.6x6taxi.hu those who present an invalid (expired, quently apply misleading pricing and hit their guests
Zóna Taxi 3-655-555 www.zonataxi.eu not validated or illegible) ticket or pass. with enormous bills.