Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Top Tips for Your Trip
Bring good walking shoes and be prepared to hoof it - this is a city best seen from ground
level.
Buy a travel pass, which will save you both money and time.
Set lunches at fine restaurants cost a fraction of set menus at night; eat by day and snack
by night.
What to Wear
In general, Hungarian dress is very casual; many people attend classical-music concerts and
even the opera in jeans. Men needn't bother bringing a tie, as it will be seldom - if ever -
used. There are no particular items of clothing to remember, apart from bringing an um-
brella in late spring and autumn, and a warm hat (everyone wears them) in winter. A swim-
suit for use in the mixed-sex thermal spas and pools is a good idea, as are plastic sandals or
thongs (flip-flops). The summer fashions and beachwear are daringly brief, even by Western
standards.
Be Forewarned
Do not even think of riding 'black' (without paying a fare) on public transport - you will
be caught and severely fined.
Scams involving attractive young women, gullible guys, expensive drinks in nightclubs
and a frog-marching to the nearest ATM by gorillas-in-residence have been common in
Budapest for almost two decades now. Guys, please, if it seems too good to be true, it is.
Trust us.
Avoid at all costs taxis with no company name on the door and only a removable taxi
light box on the roof; these are just guys with cars and likely to rip you off.
Money
Credit and debit cards can be used almost everywhere and there is usually no minimum-pur-
chase requirement. Visa and MasterCard are the most popular options; American Express is
