Hungary flights and travel guide

Language

Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, but German is widely spoken. English is spoken in tourist areas and most hotels.

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Money

The official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Travellers cheques are not widely favoured. Credit cards most accepted in the country are AMEX, Diners Club, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard, JCB and Visa, 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 4pm 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.

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Communications

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). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1 for Budapest. There are often high surcharges on calls made from hotels; it is cheaper to use public telephone boxes or calling cards. 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. The local cell phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

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Tipping

Taxi drivers and waiters expect a tip of 10 to 15 per cent. Waiters should be handed the cash, rather than have it left on the table. Most people in the service industry expect to be tipped about 10-15 per cent.

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Safety

Most visits to Hungary are trouble-free, but normal precautions against petty crime should be taken. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in Budapest, especially on crowded public transport and other places frequented by tourists.

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Health

No vaccinations are required and standards of public health are good. Tap water is safe to drink and food poisoning is not considered a high risk. Bird flu was discovered in wild birds in March 2006, but no human infections have been reported. The risk to travellers is low, but as a precaution visitors should ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked, and contact with live birds is avoided. A reciprocal health agreement with countries of the EU provides nationals with free emergency health care on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). All towns have pharmacies, but anyone requiring specific medication should bring a supply with them as most medicines are of Eastern Europeanorigin. Health insurance is recommended.

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Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50 Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.

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