GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.
Although Hungary is part of the EU it does not use the Euro; the official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). It is divided into 100 filler. Most international credit cards are accepted, and these can be used to withdraw cash from banks and ATMs, and to pay bills in hotels, restaurants and most shops. Banks usually open between 8am and 3pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturdays. ATMs and currency exchange machines are available in towns and cities throughout the country. It is advisable to retain exchange receipts for proof of legal currency exchange.
The international access code for Hungary is +36. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The area code for Budapest is 1. There are often high surcharges on calls made from hotels. Local directory assistance is available by dialling 198, and international directory assistance is 199; callers may have to hold for a few moments, but English-speaking operators are available. Buying a local SIM card is a reasonable option for easy communication while travelling. Free wifi is available in cafes, hotels, and restaurants in larger towns and cities.
112 (General in Europe), 104 (ambulance and medical emergencies), 105 (fire-brigade and rescue services), 107 (police)
2018 | 2019 | |
New Years Day | 1 Jan | 1 Jan |
Anniversary of the 1848 Revolution | 15 Mar - 16 Mar | 15 Mar |
Good Friday | 14 Apr | 19 Apr |
Easter Sunday | 1 Apr | 21 Apr |
Easter Monday | 2 Apr | 22 Apr |
Labour Day | 1 May | 1 May |
Whit Monday | 21 May | 10 Jun |
Hungary National Day | 20 Aug | 20 Aug |
1956 Revolution Memorial Day | 23 Oct | 23 Oct |
All Saints Day | 1 Nov | 1 Nov |
Christmas Eve | 24 Dec | 24 Dec |
Christmas Day | 25 Dec | 25 Dec |
Boxing Day | 26 Dec | 26 Dec |
Budapest's climate is accented with warm summers and bitterly cold winters, with plenty of rain all year round. Winters are short, with the cold weather arriving in mid-December; it is usually cloudy and damp with the odd bright sunny days and frequent, but light, snow. Temperatures in winter range between 25°F (-4°C) and 36°F (2°C). In summer (late May to September), Budapest is sunny and warm with relatively high humidity and temperatures ranging between 57°F (14°C) and 77°F (25°C). It is generally fairly dry although there can be sudden showers. In spring (March to early May) there is plenty of sunshine; the weather can be a bit changeable and sometimes windy in early spring but by late April and May the weather is wonderful. Early autumn is also a good time to visit; late autumn (late October to November) starts getting cold and unpleasant as winter draws in.
The metro station is reachable via bus number 200E running from Terminal 2. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes to the city centre via the metro. Tickets for public transportation are available at the airport from customer service points, from the post office, the newsagents (Relay) and from ticket machines at the bus stop. There is also an airport minibus service that takes passengers to any destination in the city. Tickets can be purchased in the Arrivals Hall at the Airport Minibus counter. Alternatively, a taxi can be reserved at the arrivals terminal information desk. A ride to the city centre will take approximately 20 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Sixt and Europcar.
Taxis can be reserved in the arrivals hall. Fares are metered but can't exceed prices set according to city zones. A high speed road connects the airport to the city in 20 minutes. Try not to use unsolicited taxis, as they may charge exorbitant fees. All official taxis are well marked and should display the rate for fares.
Terminal 2A (Schengen destinations) and 2B (non-Schengen destinations) are close enough to be accessible by foot; there is a covered walkway between these two terminals. All flights are serviced by Terminals 2A and 2B. Terminal 1 is no longer serving any flights.
Facilities include ATMs, bureaux de change, first aid, duty-free shops, childcare, post office, chapel, restaurants, tourist information and hotel reservations. There are facilities for disabled passengers and wheelchairs are available from the airport help desks; travellers with special needs are advised to contact their airline or travel agent in advance.
There are dedicated parking structures for each terminal, offering express, short-term and long-term parking options. Express parking allows five free minutes if you just need to pick up or drop off a passenger. From there short-term prices escalate to HUF 900 for 30 minutes and HUF 1,300 for an hour.
Free wifi is available in all terminals and in the SkyCourt area.