Hungary - Eastern Europe - page 284

FAST FACTS: Budapest
American Express The American Express office is in Budapest between Vörös-
marty tér and Deák tér in central Pest, at V. Deák Ferenc u. 10 ( & 1/235-4330
or 1/235-4300; fax [phone]). It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to
5pm. There's an American Express cash ATM on the street in front of the office.
Business Hours In Budapest, most stores are open Monday through Friday
from 10am to 6pm and Saturday from 9 or 10am to 1 or 2pm. Some shops close
for an hour at lunchtime, and most stores are closed Sunday, except those in
the central tourist areas. Some shop owners and restaurateurs also close for 2
weeks in August. On weekdays, food stores open early, at around 6 or 7am, and
close at around 6 or 7pm. Certain grocery stores, called “nonstops,” are open
24 hours (however, a growing number of shops call themselves “nonstop” even
if they close for the night at 10 or 11pm). Banks are usually open Monday
through Thursday from 8am to 3pm and Friday from 8am to 2pm.
Doctors For a list of English-speaking doctors in Hungary (most will be located
in Budapest), call your embassy (see “Embassies,” below).
Electricity Hungarian electricity is 220 volts, AC.
Embassies The embassy of Australia is at XII. Királyhágó tér 8-9 ( & 1/
457-9777 ); the embassy of Canada is at II. Ganz u. 12-14 ( & 1/392-3360 ); the
embassy of the Republic of Ireland is at V. Szabadság tér 7 ( & 1/302-
9600 ); the embassy of the United Kingdom is at V. Harmincad u. 6 ( & 1/266-
2888 ); and the embassy of the United States is at V. Szabadság tér 12
( & 1/475-4400 ). New Zealand does not have an embassy in Budapest, but the
U.K. embassy can handle matters for New Zealand citizens.
Emergencies Dial & 104 for an ambulance, & 105 for the fire department, and
& 107 for the police. & 1/438-8080 is a 24-hour hot line in English for report-
ing crime.
Etiquette & Customs Old-world etiquette is still very much alive in Hungary.
People speak very politely, hold doors open for women, readily give up seats
on the bus for those who need them, and so on.
Internet Access In larger towns, Internet cafes are readily available but connec-
tion speeds and service may be spotty at times. Be patient.
Liquor Laws The legal drinking age in Hungary is 18.
Newspapers & Magazines For English-language articles on current events and
politics in Hungary, pick up the Budapest Sun or the Budapest Times, both
weeklies.
Police Dial & 107 for the police.
Restrooms The word for toilet in Hungarian is WC (pronounced vay -tsay). Nói
means “women's”; férfi means “men's.”
Safety Hungary is fairly safe, and violent street crime is far less common than
in similar-sized U.S. cities. However, you should always be on the lookout for
pickpockets, especially on crowded buses, trains, and trams. In Budapest, there
is no shortage of rambunctious drunks at night, but they don't seem to pose
much danger to others. ( Note: Budapest is filled with underpasses. Be careful