GENERAL INFORMATION
Date
25-28 May, 2016
Wednesday-Saturday
Venues and Map
Welcome reception (25 May, 2016): MészárSteak Kitchen, 1053 Budapest, Károlyi utca 11., Sissi room
EAFE Meeting Budapest (26-27 May, 2016): Hotel Mercure Budapest Korona, 1053 Budapest, Kecskeméti u. 14., 1st floor
Social program (26 May, 2016): guided visit to the Hungarian National Museum, 1088 Budapest Múzeum krt. 14–16.
Optional gala dinner (27 May, 2016): Zsófia Rendezvényhajó, 1052 Budapest, Petőfi tér, port nr. 9.
Workshop (28 May, 2016): Hungarian Natural History Museum, 1083 Budapest, Ludovika tér 2-6.
Official Language
English
Badges
Each participant will receive a name badge upon registration. For security reasons all participants are requested to wear their badges during the Meeting.
Climate
Hungary has continental climate. The average daily temperature is 23°C in May.
Currency
The official national currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF), which is convertible. The exchange rates applied in Budapest banks, official exchange offices and hotels may vary. The current exchange rate issued by the Hungarian National Bank on 11 February, 2016 is 1 Euro=311,170 HUF. It varies on daily basis.
Credit Card
All the major credit cards (Amex, Visa, EC/MC) are accepted in Hungary in places displaying the emblem at the entrance.
Visa
Most Europeans do not require an entry visa for Hungary. Please consult the Hungarian Embassy or Consulate nearest to you for specific details relating to visas or alternatively you can visit the website of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.kormany.hu/en
Invitation letter
An official invitation letter will be sent to participants who may need it to obtain visa on individual request. Invitation letters do not constitute a commitment to provide any financial support for travelling and staying expenses. The letters will be sent by regular mail or via e-mail in pdf file.
Travel insurance
The registration fee does not include provision of any insurance. Participants are advised to travel with valid personal travel and health insurance.
Parking
Always try to park at a guarded parking lot and do not leave any valuables in the car. Please note, that Budapest is divided into paying areas, with one parking meter in each street. The tariffs differ but the maximum parking duration is 2 hours.
Electricity
The voltage in Hungary is 230 V, 50 Hz AC.
Security
Hungary and Budapest are safe places, however the usual security precautions should be observed. Beware of pickpockets, especially on public transport.
Public transportation
You can travel in the vehicles only with pre-purchased passes or tickets that you validate when starting your trip. Tickets are valid on the entire length of bus, tram, trolley bus and metro lines, the Millennium Underground and the cogwheel railway, but are only valid within the administrative boundary of Budapest on suburban railway lines called HÉV.
Prices in 2016 are as follows
Single ticket HUF 350 (approx. 1,12 EURO)
One-day travel card HUF 1 650 (approx. 5,3 EURO)
Discount coupon book (10 pcs. of single tickets) HUF 3 000 (approx. 9,6 EURO)
Metro section ticket (up to three stops on metro lines) HUF 300 (approx. 0,96 EURO)
Tickets can be purchased at metro stations, at newsstands and at ticket vending machines.
Budapest Card
"The whole city in your pocket." is the motto of the Budapest Card.
The card offers its holder several free and discounted services.
Prices in 2016
HUF 4 900 for 24 hours (approx. 15,8 EURO)
HUF 7 900 for 48 hours (approx. 25,4 EURO)
HUF 9 900 for 72 hours (approx. 31,8 EURO)
Each card is valid for one adult and one child up to 14 years of age.
Available: At more than 250 locations in Budapest: main metro ticket offices, tourist information bureaus, travel agencies, hotels and the airport, at major tour operators abroad and also on-line at https://budapest-card.com/en
Shops
Shops are open from 10:00 till 18:00 from Mondays to Fridays, but in the shopping malls they are open from 10:00 till 21:00 between Mondays and Thursdays, and from 10:00 till 22:00 from Fridays to Saturdays. Please note that shops are closed on Sundays.
Recommended taxi companies
To avoid any inconveniences please use one of the following taxi companies:
City Taxi: +36-1-2-111-111
6x6 Taxi: +36-1-6-666-666
Tipping
There are no hard rules for tipping in Hungary. If you are satisfied with the service a 10% tip is customary, particularly in a taxi, restaurant or café with table service.
TRAVEL TO BUDAPEST
... By plane
Budapest has direct flight connection with every capital of Europe and other major cities and hubs in Europe and world-wide as well. The major airlines are present in Budapest. Since 2004 several low cost airlines have also been running their flights between Budapest and the large European cities (Wizzair, Germanwings, EasyJet). Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport has two terminals, the airport is roughly 25 kilometres from the city centre.
... By train
Budapest is connected to the European rail system. There are direct rail links between Budapest and 13 capital cities of Europe and 47 international scheduled trains arrive daily to Budapest. Many international trains have dining and sleeping cars or couchettes. Most international express trains arrive and depart from the Eastern (Keleti) Railway Station.
... By coach
Volánbusz Rt., being a member of Eurolines, operates scheduled services to 32 countries as follows: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosznia Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Morocco, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine.
... By car
Hungary has 5 motorways and 4 main roads, eight start from Budapest. For using the following motorways you have to buy a motorway sticker. Vignettes are available at border crossing points and at petrol stations.
The Hungarian Highway Code (KRESZ) is based on the Vienna and Geneva Convention, and as such traffic signs and road markings are similar to those found in other European countries. However, it is important to highlight a few important traffic regulations that visitors to Hungary must observe at all times: use of seatbelts in the front and rear seats are compulsory; only mobile phones fitted with loudspeaker or headset microphone may be used in cars, and it is recommended that drivers making or receiving a call pull over to the side of the road in a safe area; drivers may not consume any alcohol before driving, and drunk drivers can be fined upwards of HUF 300 000 (€ 1 000); the speed limit in built-up areas is 50 km/h, outside built-up areas 90 km/h, on main roads 110 km/h and on motorways 130 km/h; use of the horn in towns is only permitted in moments of danger (despite which, unfortunately, Hungarian drivers frequently use their horns without proper reason).
Caution: as of January 2008, drivers caught drinking ANY alcohol will have their driver's licences confiscated on the spot, regardless of whether the driver is a local or a foreigner.
Hungarian Automobile Club (Magyar Autóklub) 24 hour helpline: (+36-1) 345-1800. Roadside breakdown service: 188 Information on roadworks in progress, diversions, motorway vignette prices and other useful information: www.motorway.hu
Source: www.budapest.com
Reaching your accommodation from Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport
... by Public Transportation
Metropolitan bus Nr. 200E leaves from the terminal building to Kőbánya-Kispest station, where you can take metro line Nr. 3 (blue line) to Kálvin Square.
... by Airport Shuttle Minibus
The Airport Shuttle Minibus service is available to any location in Budapest. It operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, with a boarding capacity of 8 to 10 passengers. Reservations can be made in person at the Airport Shuttle Desk – located at every terminal. For further information please access http://www.minibud.hu/
... by Taxi
The official taxi company of Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport is the Fő Taxi which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Budapest is divided in two zones: Buda and Pest. The taxi fee is a fix fee in each zone.
The Venue and the recommended hotels are in Buda.
Reservations can be made in person at the Fő Taxi Desk – located outside of each terminal.
Fares: for fares please click here.