Prepare your Stay

• Currency: HUF - Hungarian Forint (HUF) 
• Languages: Hungarian 
• Time Zone: GMT +1 hour(s) 

PASSPORT AND VISA - Is VISA required for Budapest/Hungary?

Hungary, being one of the Schengen member states (along with Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland), does not require entry visas for EU citizens or tourists from the USA, Australia or Canada if you stay less than three months. For visa applications - arranged by guests or their agencies - with the respective embassies, the hotel supports travellers with a reservation confirmation letter. For assistance, please contact our Reservations Team at [email protected].

CUSTOM REGULATIONS 

Hungary applies EU (European Union) legislation and restrictions. 

AIRPORT - TIMING FOR DEPARTURE 

The hotel recommends that guests be present at Liszt Ferenc International Airport Budapest (BUD) for security check and boarding procedures two hours prior to their flight departure time. For further information, please contact our Concierge Team at [email protected]

SAFETY TIPS - Is Budapest safe for tourists?

Budapest remains one of the safest cities in the world. However, we strongly advise that you use common sense and take precautions in circumstances where petty crime and scams might occur. Do consult our Concierge Team regarding your risks before you go out. They have appropriate insight and will offer informed safe choices for you. Beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas, at touristic sites and on public transport. Some bars and clubs, especially in the vicinity of five-star hotels, unscrupulously overcharge, quoting exorbitant prices, and enforce payment under duress. While taxis in Budapest display various logos, all are yellow and their rates uniformly regulated. Drivers are expected to produce a receipt upon completion of the ride. Do not accept restaurant or club suggestions from the driver. Do not change money on the street. Only banks and money changers affiliated with a bank are allowed to change money. Once again, you are safe in Budapest so long as you sensibly exercise caution. We strongly recommend that you consult our Concierge Team about your plans and carry their contact number with you, should you need assistance when away from the hotel.

FACTS ABOUT BUDAPEST 

LOCATION - Where is Budapest?

Central Europe, in the Carpathian Basin. Greatest distance from north to south is 268 km; greatest distance from east to west is 526 km. Bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. The Hungarian capital, Budapest, with a population of 2 million people, is situated on both sides of the river Danube. Pest is flat, while Buda is hilly. 

CLIMATE - What is Budapest’s climate like?
The country has a continental climate with considerable variations in temperature. Summer - nowadays starting late May - is almost Mediterranean, with the hottest temperatures sometimes above 35°C (95°F). The hottest month is July. Winters are cold and snowy, and the average daytime temperature in January goes below 0°C (32°F). Spring and autumn are very pleasant. 

TIME ZONE - What time zone is Budapest in?
GMT+1 

ELECTRICITY 
Electricity: 220 volts – standard continental-type plugs. Adapters are available at Kempinski Hotel Corvinus - please ask the concierge upon your arrival. 

CALLS TO HUNGARY 
From abroad, first dial the international prefix of the country you are calling from; second, the country code to Hungary (36); third, the city code (1 for Budapest); and then the local number. When calling a mobile phone, after 36, dial the mobile network code (20, 30 or 70). 

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS

• Emergency - 112 (English, German and other foreign languages) 
• Tourist Police - (0-24): (+36 1) 438 8080 
• Airport Ferihegy - general (flight information) number: (+36 1) 296 7155 
• Information about local and international trains: MÁVDIREKT (+36 1) 371 9449 

For assistance, please contact our Concierge Team on (+36 1) 429 3391 or at [email protected] 

CURRENCY  - What is the local currency of Budapest, Hungary?
The official currency is the Hungarian forint (Ft, HUF). You will find some shops, hotels and restaurants displaying prices in both HUF/Ft and euros and many are likely to accept payment in euros, but if you pay in EUR, you will not always get a favourable exchange rate. You can change the major currencies to forint at the money exchange bureau, accessible from Fashion Street. 

CREDIT CARDS - Which credit cards are accepted in Budapest, Hungary?
American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard, MasterCard and Visa are accepted at hotels, restaurants, larger shops and department stores. Visa Electron is also accepted at many shops and department stores. 

NATIONAL AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 
15 March, 1 May, 20 August, 23 October (national); New Year's Day, Easter Sunday and Monday, Whit Sunday and Whit Monday, All Saints' Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day (religious). 

SHOPPING HOURS - What are the general opening hours of shops in Budapest?
Opening hours below are a general guide, and there may be variations: Weekdays: from 7:00–10:00 to 18:00–21:00 Saturdays: from 9:00 to 14:00–21:00 Sundays and on public holidays: 0:00-10:00 to 14:00-20:00 (various opening times; some shops might be closed) 

LANGUAGE - What languages are spoken in Budapest?
Official language: Hungarian foreign languages spoken in the city: English, German. (At the hotel: English, German, French, Spanish.) Hungarian has a reputation for being a difficult language. You don’t have to learn how to pronounce these words, but to help you get started, here’s the word for “hello”: helló. If you want to be cool, you can say, “Szia” (seeya). When getting a favour, or after a delicious meal, it’s always polite to say, “köszönöm”, pronounced “kur-sur-nurm”. 

CUISINE/LOCAL FOOD - 
What is the local Hungarian cuisine like?

There is much more to Hungarian cuisine than paprika! Hungarians like eating very much, and the country’s cuisine is reputed to be heavy and spicy, with heaps of meat and few fresh vegetables. A typical Hungarian meal has three courses: first is the soup; the second course is a meat dish, with potatoes or rice; and the third one is dessert. Try the well-known Hungarian fish soup, if you like freshwater fish, or - the most famous of all - the pörkölt (slowly stewed meat). For dessert, go for the Gundel pancake, which is stuffed with walnuts and chocolate sauce, or somlói galuska, a sponge cake with chocolate sauce and cream. The Hungarian red and white wines are very good, just like the Unicum, which is a special bitter, and the pálinka, which is a Hungarian fruit brandy. 

Our hint: try ÉS Bisztró, serving Hungarian-Viennese cuisine at our Gastronomic Quarter Downtown Budapest.