General information
The region is in between the former West and East, there is easy access from both sides, and also from other continents. You can reach Visegrád the easiest way by arriving to Budapest, here you will have more possibilities to get to the hosting city. For travel to Budapest there are several good options. The international airport of Budapest (terminals 2A, 2B) connects the city directly to some overseas and to all important European destinations. The three main railway stations (Déli, Keleti, Nyugati) are either terminations or stops of many intercity trains from west and east, south and north. There are several international coach services to Budapest. Motorists can also reach Budapest easily on the European motorway network. One can even travel to Budapest by boat.
Travel to Budapest by air
There are daily direct flights from most European and from some North American cities. Liszt Ferenc Airport is situated on the SE margin of Budapest, 20 km from the city centre and is a popular destination for many low fare air carriers. The Airport Minibus service is relatively cheap and reliable. Public transport buses (#200E, air conditioned, from Terminal 1) circulate between the terminals and the Kőbánya-Kispest terminal of the Metro line 3 (“blue line”) at 8-15-minute intervals in daytime. As an alternative, trains from Terminal 1 leave for Nyugati railway station frequently. Főtaxi has exclusive rights for operation of a taxi service from (and to) the airport for fixed prices according to distance zones (hence the name) based on a contract with Budapest Airport Ltd. Please be aware of exposing yourself at risk by using non-regulated taxi service providers soliciting at the terminal buildings.
Budapest airport has two terminals (practically one large, as 2B is directly connected to 2A),
- Terminal 2A: for international flights arriving from the Schengen zone
- Terminal 2B: for flights arriving from the non-Schengen zone, departure terminal for budget airlines
Customs information for Hungary
Hungary joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. Since that date Hungary has adopted the customs regulation of the European Union. Detailed information about travel documents and customs can be found in this booklet published by the Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard, providing useful information for tourists travelling within the European Union or travelling from a non-community country (third country) to any Member State of the European Union. For further information about the custom procedures, please consult the homepage of the Hungarian customs authority.
Visa information for Hungary
Hungary is part of the Schengen Area of 25 European countries. For non-Schengen EU, USA and Canadian citizens a valid passport is sufficient to enter Hungary. Citizens of other countries should check whether visa is needed for them when entering Hungary (for more information please visit the home page of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary). On request, the Organizing Committee will issue invitation letters for visa applications. Please apply in due time for a visa if necessary. Please indicate during the registration if you need a personal invitation to attend the conference. It is important to note that a visa is only a preliminary permission for entry, which does not authorise its bearer automatically to enter the country.
Electricity
The electricity is 230 V, 50 Hz. Japanese, UK, USA and other visitors: please note that in Hungary Continental European German-style CEE7/4 sockets (“Schuko sockets“) are used, which also accepts CEE7/16 “Europlugs“.
Foreign exchange, banking facilities
The official national Hungarian currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). All the major credit cards are accepted in Hungary in places displaying the emblem at the entrance. Though Hungary is a member of the European Union, only a few shops and restaurants accept Euros (EUR) for payment. Currency exchange booths are available in Budapest at the airport terminals, railway stations, travel agencies, banks and various places in the city. The exchange rates applied may vary. Click here to see the actual official exchange rates. Traveller’s cheques and convertible currency may be exchanged at these facilities. Major credit cards are usually accepted in most hotels, restaurants and certain shops in the city. Obtaining cash against ATM or credit cards is very easy from the ATM cash machines that can be found at almost each bank office, hotel or on the street.
Liability and insurance
The organisers cannot accept liability for any personal accidents, loss of belongings or damage to private property of participants and accompanying persons that may occur during the Congress. Participants are advised to make their own arrangements to obtain health, travel and property insurance before their departure to the workshop.
Telephone
The international code for Hungary is 36, the area code for Budapest is 1 and for Visegrád is 26. To call a number within Hungary, first dial 06. Budapest telephone numbers have seven digits, all other areas have six digits (in addition to the area codes). To make an international call from Hungary, first dial 00, then the country code followed by the area code and the subscriber’s telephone number. Public telephones accept either coins (20, 50, and 100 HUF) or phone cards (available from tobacconists, newsagents, post offices, and petrol stations). To call a (Hungarian) mobile phone, from a public telephone first dial 06, followed by the subscriber’s seven-digit number starting with 20-, 30- or 70-.
Important phone numbers
(English is usually spoken at the emergency numbers listed below. In case English is not spoken, dial 112)
Ambulance: 104
Fire brigade: 105
Police: 107
Central help number: 112
General enquiries: 197
Inland enquiries: 198
International enquiries: 199
Hungarian Automobile Club help number: 188
Time
Hungary is in the Central European Time Zone. In the summer months clocks are set at GMT + 2 hours.
Weather
The weather in Hungary in September is usually sunny but already cool. Temperatures are usually in the range between 16 and 20°C during the day. Check the weather forecast for Visegrád at weather.yahoo.com, or at weather.com. For other regions of Hungary check meteoprog.hu.