Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
fleets (or private drivers) to establish their own rates (within certain parameters), fares
vary greatly between the different fleets and among the private unaffiliated drivers.
The best rates are invariably those of the larger fleet companies. We particularly
recommended City Taxi ( & 1/211-1111 ). Other reliable fleets include Volántaxi
( & 1/466-6666 ), Rádió Taxi ( & 1/377-7777 ), F ó Taxi ( & 1/222-2222 ), Tele5
( & 1/355-5555 ), 6 × 6 ( & 1/266-6666 ), and Budataxi ( & 1/233-3333 ). You can
call one of these companies from your hotel or from a restaurant—or ask whomever
is in charge to call for you—even if there are other private taxis waiting around out-
side. You will seldom, if ever, wait more than 5 minutes for a fleet taxi unless you're
in an extremely remote neighborhood (or in bad weather).
Finally, you are most likely dealing with a dishonest driver if he asks you to pay for
his return trip, asks to be paid in anything but forints, or quotes you a “flat rate” in
lieu of running the meter. If you desire a station wagon, ask for a “kombi” when call-
ing for your taxi, and in the summer you can also request an air-conditioned vehicle.
Tipping is usually not more than 10%. Hungarians usually round the bill up. If
you think the driver has cheated you, then you certainly should not tip. In fact, it is
recommended that you call the company and complain, as most will punish their
members for untoward behavior.
Though most people call for a taxi or pick one up at a taxi stand (a stand is basi-
cally any piece of sidewalk or street where one or more drivers congregate), it is pos-
sible to hail one on the street, though the base rate will be substantially higher. At taxi
stands in Budapest, the customer chooses with whom to do business; as we said
before, go with a cab from one of the recommended fleets, even if it's not the first in
line.
Additional pointers are found in the brochure Taking a Taxi in Budapest, available
at Tourinform and elsewhere.
BY CAR
There's no reason to use a car for sightseeing in Budapest. You may, however, wish to
rent a car for trips out of the city. Although Hertz, Avis, National, and Budget offices
can be found in town and at the airport, marginally better deals can be had from some
of the smaller companies. You are urged to reserve a rental car as early as possible. If
you reserve from abroad, ask for written confirmation by fax or e-mail. If you don't
receive a confirmation, it's wise to assume that the reservation has not been properly
made.
We have quoted rates for the least expensive car type currently listed by each of the
following recommended agencies:
We recommend Fox Auto Rent, XXII. Nagytétényi út 48-50, 1222 Budapest
( & 1/382-9000; fax 1/382-9003; www.fox-autorent.com), which rents the Fiat
Panda for 44
($279) for a week,
insurance and mileage included. They also require a deposit of 400
($55) per day for a rental of 1 to 3 days, and 223
($500) on a
credit card. Though located far from the city center, Fox will deliver the car to you at
your hotel without charge between 8am and 6pm.
The more expensive Denzel Europcar InterRent, VIII. Üllöi út 60-62, 1082
Budapest ( & 1/477-1080; fax 1/477-1099; www.nationalcar.hu), offers the Opel
Corza or Fiat Punto for 55
($58)
per day for 3 to 4 days. They also have a rental counter at the airport ( & 1/296-6610 ),
but here you pay an additional 12% airport tax.
($69) per day plus 9
($11) for insurance, or 46
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