Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Races are advertised in
Fortuna
magazine. Both types have a devoted and excitable follow-
ing, which makes attending the races entertaining; the atmosphere at the tracks is informal,
but photographing the racegoers is frowned upon, since many attend unbeknownst to their
spouses or employers.
FORMULA 1
The Hungarian Grand Prix
usually takes place at the end of July or beginning of August
at the purpose-built Formula One racing track, the Hungaroring, at Mogyoród, 20km north-
east of Budapest. First held in 1986, it has managed to retain its place on the lucrative F1
calendar ever since, and has been guaranteed the event until 2016. Tickets (book far in ad-
vance) are available from Ostermann Forma-1, V, Apáczai Csere János utca 11, third floor (
1 266 2040
gpticketshop.hu
). A day pass starts at €80, with a weekend pass costing any-
thing between €90 and €500. You can reach the track by special buses from the Árpád híd
bus station; trains from Keleti Station to Fót, and then a bus from there; or by HÉV train from
Örs vezér tere to the Szilasliget stop, which is 1800m northeast of Gate C.
ACTIVITIES
Canoeing
Taking a canoe or kayak out on the Danube can be exhilarating - you just have
to remember to head upstream first. The Béke Boathouse (Béke Csonakház) is a 10min walk
from the Rómaifürdő HÉV station (or take bus #34 to the door from the Árpád híd station) at
III, Római-part 51-53 1 388 9303. Open April to mid-Oct.
Caving
Óbuda offers the opportunity to explore a couple of fascinating
cave systems
.
You
can walk round them without any special equipment, or you can go on more adventurous
visits with Caving under Budapest ( 0620 928 4969,
barlangaszat.hu
). The group leads
two- to three-hour tours - you don't need caving experience, but you do need to be fit and
fairly agile, as you'll be climbing on walls and squeezing through passageways. You are giv-
en helmets, headlights and overalls. English-speaking tours (6000Ft) are on Mon, Wed and
Fri afternoons and start at the Pálvölgyi Stalactite Cave. The Hungarian Association of Spe-
leologists, at the Szemlőhegyi Cave ( 1 346 0495,
barlang.hu
)
can put you in touch with
groups exploring caves in the Buda Hills and elsewhere in Hungary.
Escape rooms
The dilapidated apartment blocks of Budapest have spawned a new craze:
lockingpeopleinaroomandleavingcluesandchallengesforthemtoworkouthowtoescape
in sixty minutes. Luckily help is at hand if you can't work it out. It is ideal for team building
and stag parties. There are several venues for this kind of slightly warped fun, including Par-
apark, the first of the breed, VIII, Vajdahunyad utca 4 0620 986 9196,
parapark.hu
, and
Claustrophilia, VII, Erzsébet körút 8 0630 724 2274,
claustrophilia.hu
.
