Hungary Travel Overview
GENERAL
Official name of the state
Hungary.
Capital
Budapest.
Geography
As a country starting with H defined by Countryaah, the landlocked country of Hungary is bordered by the Slovak Republic in the north, Ukraine in the northeast, Romania in the east, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia in the south and Austria in the west. In the northwest lies the fertile Little Hungarian Lowland, to which the Hungarian Central Uplands adjoin. The Great Hungarian Plain (Nagyalföld) stretches from the Danube to the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, the Transylvanian Alps in Romania and in the south to the Fruska Gora mountain range in Serbia. The Balaton (Lake Balaton) is one of the largest European lakes.
Government
Parliamentary democracy. Constitution of 2011. Last constitutional amendment: 2013. National Assembly = Parliament (Országgyûlés) with 199 members elected every four years. Hungary is a member of the EU and has been a member of NATO since 1999.
Head of state
János Áder, since May 2012.
Head of government
Viktor Orbán, since May 2010.
Electricity
230 V, 50 Hz.
Time zone
Central European Time: CET +2 (CET +3 from March 26 to October 29, 2017)
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
The services are usually good. Tourist boarding houses with 4 or 5 bed rooms offer simple and inexpensive accommodation. Hotel
classification: Hotels are divided into the Hotelstars Union star categories from one to five stars.
Private accommodation in guest houses is inexpensive. Sometimes a private bathroom is available, but breakfast is not available. Booking through the local tourist offices in Hungary, among others. It is advisable to book well in advance.
Information from the Hungarian Hotel Association, Secretariat, Novotel Convention Center, Jagelló u. 1-3, HU-1123 Budapest. (Tel: (01) 466 94 62. Internet: www.hah.hu)
Camping
Camping is only permitted in specially designated places. Bookings are accepted by the Hungarian Camping and Caravanning Club, among others. Address: Mária u. 34, HU-1085 Budapest. Tel: (01) 267 52 55/56. You usually have to bring your own equipment. Caravans are permitted on all campsites that have electricity connections. A parking fee is charged. 50% discount for people under 16 years, children under 6 years do not pay anything.
Categories: Classification in four categories – 1, 2, 3 and 4 stars – depending on the equipment. Most places are open from May to September.
Other accommodation options
There are numerous youth hostels across the country. For more information, please contact Express Travel Center, Semmelweis u. 4, HU-1052 Budapest. Tel: (01) 317 86 00. Fax: (01) 317 68 23 or the Hungarian Youth Hostel Association (MISZSZ), 1077 Almassy ter 6, HU-Budapest. (Tel: (01) 411 23 90. Internet: http://www.miszsz.hu/).
CULTURE
Religion
51.9% Roman Catholic, 22.5% Protestant; in addition there are Jewish and Hungarian Orthodox believers and a minority of Muslims.
Social rules of conduct
General: Hungarians attach great importance to a pleasant, interpersonal atmosphere and personal points of contact. Therefore, a conversation always begins with a short small talk in which you inquire about the well-being of the other person. Frequently questions about family, hobbies or friends are also asked.
Manners: Shake hands to greet you, more personal is a hug. Women usually greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks. You should use first and last names. Invitations to private homes are common, including among business people. When eating, toasts are usually pronounced, which should be reciprocated. Small gifts such as flowers, chocolates or a good bottle of wine are gladly accepted, especially if you are invited to dinner. One is also happy about specialties from the home country. Hungarians attach great importance to politeness, Kérem szépen! (There you go!) Is one of the most important phrases.
Clothing: Well-groomed casual clothing is appropriate almost everywhere. Smarter clothing is expected in better bars, fine restaurants, and on special occasions. No information about the desired clothing is normally given on invitations.
Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in public transport and in public buildings (including restaurants) and within 5 m of the entrance to the building, as well as at bus stops, playgrounds and underpasses.
Tip: In the restaurant, hotel, hairdresser and taxi driver you give a tip of 10-15% in cash.
Dogs: import ban on fighting dogs. In Hungary, dogs must wear a muzzle when using public transport. Leash is compulsory in public places. Bathing forbidden for dogs in Balaton and in Lake Velence.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Temperate continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Autumn and spring are mild. Rainfall all year round. The best travel times are spring and autumn and summer for beach holidaymakers.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +36 Area (square km) 93 028 Population 9897541 Population density (per square km) 106 Population in 2015 Member of the EU Yes main emergency number 112
