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GETTING THERE
Air
Malev Hungarian Airlines flies direct to Budapest's Ferihegy airport from North America, the Middle East, Asia and more than three dozen European cities. The airline has ticketing desks at Terminal 2A (1-296 7179) and 2B (1-296 7544).
Malev doesn't offer student discounts on flights originating in Hungary, but youth fares are available to people aged under 26 (summer only). These might not always be cheaper than discounted tickets to other cities in the former Soviet bloc. Return prices (you must stay away at least one Saturday night) include: Moscow 63,300Ft; Warsaw 42,500Ft; and Prague 42,500Ft.
Bus
Most international buses are run by Eurolines or its Hungarian associate, Volanbusz. There are two international bus stations in Budapest with services to/from: Berlin (17,900Ft, 15 hours) with connections to Hamburg (20,900Ft, 18 hours), London (28,900Ft, 25 hours), Paris (24,900Ft, 22 hours), Rome (20,900Ft, 20 hours) via Florence (16.900Ft, 16'/2 hours) and Vienna (5790Ft, 3 hours).
Other useful international buses include those to Bratislava/Pozsony (2500Ft, four hours), Prague (6990Ft, 8 hours), Zakopane in Poland (4600Ft, 8 hours) and the Romanian towns of Timisoara/Temesvar (4100Ft, eight hours) and Cluj-Napoca/ Kolozsvar (4900Ft, 9!/2 hours).
Train
In Budapest, most international trains arrive and depart from Keleti (Eastern) station; trains to some destinations in Romania leave from Nyugati (Western) station, while Deli (Southern) station handles trains to/from Zagreb and Rijeka in Croatia. For 24 hour information on international train services call 1-461 5500.
There are big discounts on return fares from Hungary to former communist countries: 30% to Bulgaria, Slovenia and Poland, 40% to Czech Republic, Latvia and Lithuania; 50% to Belarus, Croatia, Russia and Ukraine; and 55% to Romania (70% if you buy your ticket in Romania). Under 26s qualify for up to 30% BD (Billet International de Jeunesse) discount to Western Europe.
In Hungary it's easiest to buy tickets at Magyar Allamvasutak (MAV) ticket offices. Note that you must pay a supplement (700Ft one-way) on many Eurocity (EC) express trains. On other international trains, reservations (650Ft) are recommended in summer.
River
A hydrofoil service on the Danube between Budapest and Vienna (5 hours, 282km) via Bratislava operates daily from April to the end of October, twice daily from late July to early September. Fares are 8,000/11,000 Ft one-way/return, but Eurail Pass holders get a 50% discount, with some restrictions. Taking a bicycle along will cost 2,000 Ft each way. Contact Mahart Tours in Budapest (1-318 1704) or in Vienna (s 0222-729 2161).
GETTING AROUND
Bus
Volan buses are a good alternative to the trains and fares are only slightly more expensive than comparable 2nd-class train fares. For short trips on the Danube Bend or Lake Balaton areas, buses are recommended. Tickets are usually available from the driver, but ask at the station to be sure. Timetables are posted at stations and stops.
Important footnotes include naponta (daily), hetkoznap (weekdays), munkanapokon (workdays), munkaszuneti napok kivetelevel naponta (daily except holidays), szabadnap kivetelevel naponta (daily except Saturday), szabad es munkaszuneti napokon (Saturday and holidays) and szabadnap (on Saturday).
Train
Eurail and Inter-Rail passes are valid in Hungary.
MAV operates reasonably reliable, comfortable and not overcrowded train services. Second-class train fares are 286Ft for 50km, 694Ft for l00km, 1392Ft for 200km and 2536Ft for 500km. First class is 50% more. If you buy your ticket on the train rather than in the station, there's a 500Ft surcharge (1500Ft on Intercity trains). Seat reservations may be compulsory (indicated on the timetable by an 'R' in a box), mandatory on trains departing from Budapest (an 'R' in a circle) or simply available (just plain 'R').
There are several types of train. Express (Ex on the timetable) trains often require a seat reservation (120Ft). The two dozen or so Intercity (IC) trains levy a 320Ft supplement and you must book a seat. IC trains stop at main centres only and are the fastest and most comfortable trains.
The other types of train are gyorsvonat (fast trains) and szemelyvonat (slow passenger trains). In all stations a yellow board indicates indul (departures) and a white board erkezik (arrivals).
Car
You must drive on the right. Wearing a seat belt when you're sitting in the front of the car is compulsory and motorcyclists must wear helmets. There is virtually a ban on drink-driving and this rule is very strictly enforced. Speed limits are also strictly enforced: 50km/h in built-up areas, 90km/h on secondary and tertiary roads, 110km/h on highways and 130km/h on motorways.
The 24-hour breakdown number is s 188 (nationwide) or 1-212 2938 in Budapest.
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