Administration Units:

Capital and 19 Counties

Territory:

93 030 km2

Population:

10 135 385 (1998)

Number of Foreign visitors:

37 314 900 (1998)

Language:

Hungarian

Religion:

Roman Catholic 65% Protestant 25% Eastern Orthodox Jewish 10%

Local Time:

(Summer): GMT+2 (Winter): GMT+1

Airport:

Budapest-Ferihegy II/A. 21 kms/13 miles Budapest-Ferihegy II/B. 22 kms/13miles

Airport Departure Tax:

Included in the airfare.

Currency:

Forint (Ft HUF)

divided into 100 fillér (1 USD = cca. 285 HUF)

Credit cards:

All major credit cards are accepted. Check the advertisements at the entrances.

English journal:

Budapest Business Journal Budapest Sun Budapest Week

English news broadcasts:

Radio Bridge 102.1 FM 8 pm. 12 pm.

Water:

Budapest's drinking water is among the best in Europe. It meets the strictest quality standards. The drinking water service in Budapest is the Capital Waterworks Rt. The Water-works is owned by the Local Government of Budapest.

Climate:

Continental temperate

Capital city:

Budapest (Population: 1 861 383)

Visa & Passport requirements:

Only a valid passport is required for tourists visiting from the U.S. Canada and Europe (except Albania). Visitors from Albania Turkey and countries outside Europe are advised to contact the local consulate.

Electricity:

220 V / 50 Hz

GDP per CAPITA:

4 504 USD (1998)

Business hrs:

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Mon-Thu)
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Fri)
Closed (Sat-Sun)

Shopping Hrs:

10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Mon-Wed Fri)
10 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Thu)
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Sat)
9 a.m. - 8 p.m. - Shopping Centers
(Every Day)

Public holidays

In 2000:

January 1 New Year
March 15 Memorial Day
(1848 Revolution)
April 24, Easter Monday
June 11, Whitsunday
June 12, Whitsun Monday
August 20 St. Stephen's Day
October 23 Memorial Day
(1956 Revolution)
December 25-26 Christmas

Tourinform

1052 Budapest Sütő utca 2.
Phone: 317-8992, 317-9800
Fax: 317-9656
1062 Bp, Nyugati pu. (Railway Station)
Phone/fax: 302-8580
1077 Bp, Király u. 93.
Phone/Fax: 352-1433
2040 Budaörs, Agip-komplexum (M1/M7 exit)
Phone/Fax: 23/417-518

Telephone:

Country code for Hungary is 36. Budapest is 1.

Tipping:

Tip hotel and restaurant staff and taxi drivers about 10-15 % porters 200 HUF.