Travel Tips To European Countries: Hungary
About the county
Also known as the Republic of Hungary or Hungarian Republic, Hungary is a landlocked country located in Central Europe and bordering Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. Budapest is the largest city and also the Capital of Hungary. One of the key reasons why Hungary is popular is its hospitality to tourists. Also one can find an ideal mix of history and modern day in Hungary. While Hungarians proudly stick to their old Magyar Tradition they also keep them abreast with current fashions across the world. Most visitors flock to see Budapest, a truly world class city situated on River Danube which enchants everyone with love and music. The city is a blend of culture and outstanding beauty making it the right place for tourists. The city has been a paradise for writers, musicians and artists who were greatly influenced by this graceful city. If you travel west in Hungary Lake Balaton is popular with tourists. Local cuisines include halászlé (fish soup) with pasta and goulash (gulyás) soup.
Population & Languages
The population of Hungary is Roughly 10 million and the official language being spoken is Hungarian.
Electricity
The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.
Geographic Location
Hungary is a landlocked country located in Central Europe and bordering Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. River Danube and River Tisza divide the country into three large regions. The country is strategically located astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin
Climate
The climate of Hungary can be termed as Temperate with hot summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature of Hungary is around 9.6 °C. The maximum temperature in summer can be 43 °C and as low as -30 °C. The summer average is 26 to 36 °C and winter average is 0 to -16 °C.
Local Customs
Like any other country Hungary has its own customs too. It is customary to handshake. It is customary to make the toast and return. It is customary for guests to offer gifts to the host of a meal. Smoking is prohibited in most public areas. But travelers can smoke in long distance trains. Casual dress is acceptable in most places and formal for special occasions. Tipping up to 10 to 15 percent is customary for all services including restaurants, bars, clubs, taxis etc.
Attractions
Budapest
* Castle Royal Palace
* Fisherman’s Bastion
* Matthias Church
* Gellért Hill
* Chain Bridge
* The Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum
* Parliament Buildings
* Statue Park
Eger
* Eger Castle
* Szépasszony Valley (Valley of the Pretty Woman)
Lake Balaton
* Hévíz
* Keszthely
The Danube Bend
* Esztergom
* Szentendre
* Visegrad
Travel
By Air – The national airline of Hungary is Malv which operates flights from more than forty cities across the world. Other international airlines operating from Hungary include Aeroflot, Air France, British Airways, easyJet, KLM, Lufthansa, Sky Europe, Swiss, United Airlines and Wizz Air. Ferihegy Budapest International Airport (BUD) is the biggest airport which is like ten miles southeast of Budapest.
By River – There is a daily hydrofoil service run by MAHART connecting Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest in the months of April to October.
By Rail – The country is part of the extensive network of trains connecting the European cities. Hungary is connected to 16 European cities and there are 47 international trains daily to Budapest by direct rail link.
Duty Free Items
1. 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or1kg smoking tobacco for EU countries.
2. 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking tobacco for Non-EU countries.
3. 10 liter of spirits with more than 22% and ethyl alcohol, or 20 liter of beverages less than 22% alcohol content, or 90 liter of wine or 60 liter of sparkling wine, or 110 liter of beer for EU countries.
4. 1 liter of spirits and 2 liter of wine for Non-EU countries.
5. 50g perfume or 250 ml eau de toilette
6. Gifts , Food, fruits, medications and flowers for personal use of value up to €175
Prohibited Items
Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.
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This post has 9 comments
September 7th, 2010
Lmao, the typical American tourist.
September 7th, 2010
Pero este video no muestra a toda Europa Central. ¿Dónde esta Polonia?
September 8th, 2010
Yes, about 8 years ago, they weren’t interested. Discovery Communications is one of the cheaper networks out there.
Thanks for the comment though, I thought it would be a good cheap show to produce, somewhere between Rick Steve’s (believe it or not, we both hadn’t watched any of his shows until after we got back) and Lonely Planet (where I found Justin and Ian where great hosts). Think Rick Steves (focusing on where to stay and what to do) by younger Lonely Planet hosts.
September 8th, 2010
You’ll enjoy it, I hope as much as we did. I wouldn’t suggest staying at the Hostel or Walter’s though, spend the extra money if you can and try the restaraunt/inn, can’t remember the name but think it was something like the Gimmelwald inn (it’s the only restaraunt in town) besides the one at Walter’s, but I’m pretty sure that one is only for guests of the “hotel”.
September 8th, 2010
id watch it… did you pitch it to the travel channel?
September 9th, 2010
i like that idea of where to stay for cheap and getting the best deal. the travel channels has samantha brown on all the time. but she stays in 5 star hotels in the heart of venice and is definetly more for the older crowd. im going to gimmelwald switzerland. you went there in another episode. im leaving saturday!
September 9th, 2010
I’ve backpacked around Europe. I didn’t have a video camera, though. Good to see some of the places I’ve been to, like Interlaken, Gimmelwald, Prague, etc.
The videos you did put a smile on my dial!
September 10th, 2010
If you want to learn about the people of the area in which you are visiting. Look for a sign that says PENZION. It’s a bed and breakfast. Most of the time you will stay in a family’s home and live with them. A great way to learn the customs and language.
September 10th, 2010
haha. well im going with a teach at school and my choices are the hostel or like esters bed and breakfast. ill post some clips from the trip in like a month. however they will be pretty shitty quality.