Visa

Citizens of most countries (Australia, Japan, USA) will not require a visa in advance for entry into Hungary. Check with the Hungarian Embassy website in your country/region or talk to your travel agent.

Financial Issues

Although Hungary recently joined the EU the country still basically operates in Hungarian forint (known as Ft or HUF). Hotels and tourist restaurants will take Euro or Ft, but most other places operate in Ft.

The following is not the exact exchange rate, but it is close enough:

1 Euro = 250 Ft
1 USD = 200 Ft
1 AUD = 150 Ft

Coins: Hungarian forint coins are as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100

Notes: Hungarian forint notes come in the following: 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000

Foreign Exchange

In the baggage claim area at the Budapest international airport there is an ATM (OPT Bank) and a foreign exchange booth. The ATM appears to only operate in Hungarian but after putting in your card an English option appears. It will provide a reciept on request. If there are problems the OPT Bank has an office on the first floor of the airport (the OPT is a major Hungarian bank with branches all over Budapest).

The foreign exchange booth charges a small commission and the staff speak English.

There are also foreign exchange booths and ATMs in the arrival hall.

Tourist Information

Depending on the time of your arrival the Tourist Information booth (in the baggage claim area) may be staffed. In any event the map with Vodaphone advertised on the cover is the most useful. Grab a copy.

Airport Transport

The airport is around 28 km (15 miles) from the city. There are two methods to travel from the airport to your hotel.

Minibus: If you are alone the most economical method is to take the Budapest Airport Minibus Shuttle Service. Tickets cost Ft 2300 one-way and Ft 3900 round-trip and are available at the Airport Minibus counters on the arrival-level of the terminal (tel: 296-8555). This is a shared ride service (8-11 persons) that will take you to your hotel.

Zona Airport Taxi: This taxi service has exclusive rights to take passengers to and from all city destinations to the airport. The price is fixed and should not cost more than 16 Euro or Ft 4300 (tel: 365-5555)

Tipping: It will not be neccessary to tip the minibus driver but 10-15 percent of the total bill is a normal tip for a taxi driver in Budapest (this also applies for waiters in cafes and restaurants)

Local Transport (taxi)

Except for the Zona taxi system if you must travel by taxi have the hotel call you a taxi. You will want to clarify the price with the taxi driver in writing before getting in. Official Hungarian tourist information (obtained at the airport) indicates that if you want to be "taken for a ride" flag down a Budapest taxi!

Communication

The Le Meridien has internet access. There is also an Internet Cafe near the Le Meridien if you do not bring your computer. Yellow Zebra Bike Tours, Bike Rentals and Internet is the closest Internet point to the Hotel.
Yellow Zebra has eight or nine machines that have reasonably fast internet connection. The cost is Ft 100 per 15 minutes.

Directions: From the Hotel walk toward the Yellow Church (see map) but turn on to Suto utca (Suto street). Here you will find the Deak Ferencter subway station. Look for the Tourism Office of Budapest. To the right of this office is a small entrance-way into a pleasant court yard. Yellow Zebra is in the court yard (you can also rent bikes).

If You Arrive Early

The annual Budapest Fair at City Park is a cultural celebration of music and dance that is free. This year it occurs on Saturday and Sunday, June 30 and July 1. City Park is 3 or 4 km (2 or 3 miles) from the Le Meridien (see the map or ask the hotel).