Hang out in Szimpla kert
In the evening of a warm day, hang out in Szimpla kert (”simple yard”).
“Szimpla has been running since October 2001. We keep trying to find out whether it’s possible to support alternative culture on a profit oriented basis, to survive seemingly hopeless construction works, to have one of the best cuisines in town, to screen self distributed movies in our own open-air cinema, to organize animation festivals, and things like this. The answer so far seems to be: yes, it is…”
Used Bookstores
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Go to galleries, museums and especially used bookstores along Museum krt. Have lunch at a table on the street in Ráday utca.
Outdoor Markets
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Take pictures at outdoor markets.
Canoes
Idea of Fun in Budapest: Rent canoes on the Danube (off the HÉV).
Chain Bridge
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Streak across the Chain Bridge. Take close pictures of the iron structures.
Read in a Park
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Read in the Gellért Park or on Margit sziget.
Szentendre Day-trip
Go to Szentendre for a day trip! It is a stereotypical cobblestoned European town. Buy a ticket at the Batthyány HÉV/Metro stop and take the HÉV to the end of the line! For a scenic ride home take a boat cruise down the Danube back into Budapest! Read more »
Flea Market
Idea of Fun in Budapest: Go to the flea market at Ecseri út. Take the #154 or #156 bus from Boráros Tér near the Duna.
English DVD Video Store
English DVD & Video Rental - There are two of these, one in Buda (Hajnóczy József u. 11, District 12) and one in Pest (Zichy Jenő u. 44, between Oktogon and Nyugati — walk south, dog leg to the left and follow the footprints on the sidewalk). Read more »
Pickpocketing
Pickpocketing is rampant downtown in busy areas and especially on stuffed trams and buses. It is not uncommon to have money taken right out of your front pocket or out of your purse or backpack – these people are professionals! The best solution is to carry a pouch with your valuables in it around your neck or waist under your shirt, or to use a zippered inside pocket. If you carry a purse, be sure to keep your hand ON your purse when you are in crowded stores or on public transportation.
When traveling, be sure to have no valuables in your backpack because it is so easy for pickpocketers to just unzip a pocket and take whatever!
Watch each others’ bags when traveling. If you’d cry if it were stolen, then don’t put it in your bag.
Get Out of the City
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Get out of the city! Take a day trip to a nearby town: Szentendre, Visegrád, Vác, Gödöllő, Esztergom, etc.
Mariott Hotel Lobby
When you can’t take it any more… Stop your life for a couple of hours and become a lobby rat at Marriott Hotel Lobby. The place to pick up a free Budapest Sun. If there aren’t any in the lobby, go up the elevator to the third floor and there will be some at the door. Read more »
János hegy
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Hike to János hegy and ride on the Children’s Train or take the Chair Lift to the top.
Family tip: Spend the Day in the Green Hills of Buda
Out alone at night
Women (in general) should not walk alone at night and should avoid public transportation alone at night. DO NOT make direct eye contact with men – it is seen as an invitation or as a challenge. Read more »
To be Safe
On your person:
The list is playing it on the safe side, but you can put most of these numbers on a single small card. It may also be a good idea to carry a little card in your wallet with the numbers of all members of your team. To carry this information and things even if you’re just running or walking somewhere would be a good idea:
1. A photocopy of the photo page of your passport.
2. The telephone numbers of your embassy.
3. The telephone number of someone at your company or school who can help you if needed.
4. The telephone number of a Hungarian friend who can help you if you get in a bind.
5. Your telephone number and your PRINTED address in Hungary. It is helpful to give this
to taxi drivers when they can’t understand your Hungarian.
6. Your permanent address and telephone number in your home country.
7. Your residency permit.
Jazz Clubs
Go check out a Jazz Club. They are listed in the Budapest Sun and Budapest Week each week with scheduled performers and so on. Try these: Read more »
Museums Worth a Visit in Budapest
Museums and exhibitions of interest - Find hours and special exhibits in any of the numerous guidebook or Budapest city information guide. Most museums are closed on Mondays. Many museums have a day that is free for the public. Read more »
Performing Arts
Hungary is a wonderful country of music and dance. There is a huge range of cultural entertainment to choose from in Budapest. Theater, opera, classical music concerts… not just good, but very affordable in Budapest. Read more »
Travel Agencies
Aeroviva Utazási Iroda, a travel agency that also has a super friendly English speaking staff. Besides the fact that they have complimentary chocolate bars at their front desk, they are efficient and can be your first choice. Discount travel, gift certificates. They work hard to find troublesome tickets. From Deák tér go to Károly körút and it will be on the left a couple blocks down.
Address: 1075 Budapest, Károly krt. 11.
Phone: (+36-1) 4-86-86-86
Fax: (+36-1) 4-86-86-00
Email: aeroviva@aeroviva.com;
Website: www.aeroviva.com
ConnecTicket Utazási Ügynökség, Bernadett Molnar; They speak good English. Great for last minute!
Address: 1052 Budapest, Szép utca 2.
Phone: (+36-1) 317-3717
Fax: (+36-1) 483-1826
Email: connecticket@mail.galileo.hu;
Travel Unlimited has been a favorite with friendly and helpful service. Also offers inexpensive air tickets. Red metro to Astoria and it’s on the second floor of the West
Business Center. Karen Bryce (owner)
Address: Rákóczi út 1-3. East-West Office Center, Karen Bryce (owner);
Phone: (+36-1) 266-8919;
Fax: (+36-1) 266-6875
Email: travelunlimited@pronet.hu;
Website: www.travelunlimited.hu
Vista Travel busy place, but cheap air ticket.
Address: MOM Park, level1, shop #63, 1123 Budapest, Alkotás út 53/a
Phone: +36 (1) 201 4546
Fax: +36 (1) 201 4551
Email: mompark@vista.hu or airtickets@vista.hu;
Website: www.vista.hu
Phone-calls
How to make phone calls in Hungary
The country code for Hungary is 36
Making international calls from Hungary:
exit code: 00 + country code + area code + local number
Read more »
Names & Addresses
When introduced, address your counterparts by their professional or academic title plus family name. Colleagues, friends and relatives address each other by first names.
Read more »
