Hungary - Eastern Europe - page 282

line. Buses to and from the Danube Bend and other points north of Budapest call at the
Árpád híd bus station ( & 1/320-9229 or 1/317-9886). Take the Blue line metro to
Árpád híd. For domestic and international bus information, call & 1/219-8080, though
you should be aware that it can be rather difficult to get through to the bus stations over
the telephone and to reach an English speaker. Your best bet is perhaps to gather your
information in person or ask for assistance at the Tourinform office (p. 278).
BY CAR
Several major highways link Hungary to nearby European capitals. The recently mod-
ernized E60 (or M1) connects Budapest with Vienna and points west; it is a toll road
from the Austrian border to the city of Györ. The E65 connects Budapest with Prague
and points north.
The border crossings from Austria and Slovakia (from which countries most West-
erners enter Hungary) are hassle-free. In addition to your passport, you may be
requested to present your driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance
(the number plate and symbol indicating country of origin are acceptable proof ). A
green card is required of vehicles bearing license plates of Bulgaria, France, the former
USSR, Greece, Poland, Italy, Romania, and Israel. Hungary no longer requires the
International Driver's License. Cars entering Hungary are required to have a decal
indicating country of registration, a first-aid kit, and an emergency triangle.
Driving distances are: from Vienna, 248km (154 miles); from Prague, 560km (347
miles); from Frankfurt, 952km (590 miles); and from Rome, 1,294km (802 miles).
BY HYDROFOIL
The Hungarian state shipping company MAHART operates hydrofoils on the
Danube between Vienna and Budapest in the spring and summer months. It's an
extremely popular route, so you should book your tickets well in advance. In North
America or Britain, contact the Austrian National Tourist Board (see “By Train,”
above). In Vienna contact MAHART, Handelskai 265 ( & 43/729-2161; fax 43/
729-2163). Or visit this website: www.besthotelz.com/hungary/hydrofoil/hydrofoil.htm.
From April 3 through July 2 the MAHART hydrofoil departs Vienna at 9am daily,
arriving in Budapest at 2:30pm, with a stop in Bratislava when necessary (passengers
getting on or off ). From July 3 to August 29, two hydrofoils make the daily passage,
departing Vienna at 8am and 1pm, arriving in Budapest at 1:30 and 6:30pm, respec-
tively. From August 30 to November 1, the schedule returns to one hydrofoil daily,
departing Vienna at 9am and arriving in Budapest at 2:30pm. Customs and passport
control begin 1 hour prior to departure. Eurailpass holders also receive a discount, as
long as they buy the ticket before boarding. ISIC holders also receive a discount. The
Budapest office of MAHART is at V. Belgrád rakpart ( & 1/318-1880 ). Boats and
hydrofoils from Vienna arrive at the international boat station next door to the
MAHART office on the Belgrád rakpart, which is on the Pest side of the Danube,
between the Szabadság and Erzsébet bridges.
TIPS ON ACCOMMODATIONS
In Budapest, accommodations range from beautiful, historic gems that were built in
the early 20th century, to drab, utilitarian establishments that are products of the city's
Warsaw Pact days. Rates in Budapest, however, remain relatively palatable compared
to the rates of other European capitals. Competition, also, has resulted in the prices
for hotel rooms remaining stable in recent years.