BME Survival Guide 2008

Introduction

Study abroad is no longer a luxury, but a necessity – not only for those individuals who
will be the future business and political leaders of your nation, but for all those who
wish to be informed and thoughtful citizens of the global community.

This handbook is only a start in preparing for your period of study in Hungary at
the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). We encourage you
to confirm the requirements for your study and to read as much as you can about
Hungary.

This guide was designed in order to provide BME international students with
information which is either not printed elsewhere or is difficult to find. The topics
covered in this guide were suggested by the Students’ Office, the Study Abroad Office
of BME and the mentors of the local ESN (Erasmus Student Network) group. Should
there be information you feel ought to be added to the text next printing, do not
hesitate to let them know. The information in this revised edition was accurate at the
time of preparation. There may, however, have been some recent procedural changes
or reshuffling of offices.

“Eastern Europe is a place that is rapidly changing, perhaps faster than anywhere
else in the world. You are living in a region of change, acknowledge that. And travel
as much as you can, countries around you are also changing. I commend you on
your choice to study in Eastern Europe ! Enjoy, it goes too fast” (D. Pesis, US)
 Content
Registration 5 Free Time 33
For Both Regular and Exchange Students 6 Entertainment 34
Visa 6 Baths 34
Registration with Immigration Office 6 Museums 34
Health Insurance 9 Theatre 34
Exchange Students 10 Cinemas 35
Registration at the University 10 Festivals and Concerts 35
Accommodation 10 Ticket Offices 36
Regular Students 11 Drinks 37
Registration at the University 11 Eating out 38
Accommodation 12 Hungarian Specialities 38
Placement Test 13 Fast Food 38
University 15 Vegetarian Food 38
Student Card 16 Recommended Restaurants 39
How You Get Your Student Card 16 Party Places & Pubs 40
Our University 17 Shopping 41
About BME 17 Sports 43
Computer Facilities 19 Hungary 45
Sports Facilities 20 Health 46
Student Organisations at BME 21 Religious Services in English 47
Libraries 22 Travelling 48
Environment of the university 24 Travelling in Budapest 48
Copy Centers Nearby 24 Travelling in the Country 50
Postoffice 24 Telecommunication 51
Canteens Nearby 24 Media 52
Clubs of the Faculties 24 Useful Links 53
Student Life – Culture Shock 25 Public Holidays 53
ESN BME 27 Practical Information 54
About ESN BME 28 Greetings & Civilities 56
Contact Information 28
The Goal of ESN Members 29
Mentoring System 30
Activities 31
Trips and Sightseeing 31
Tandem–Program 31
Parties 31
 Each year more than 350 foreign students start
their first semester at BME. Some of them are
regular student who will study here for 5 years. The
others are exchange students who spend here only
one or two semesters.
Please, note which chapters are here for you.

REGISTRATION

Content

For Both Regular and Exchange Students 6

Exchange Students 10
Regular Students 11
 6 7
For both regular and exchange students
Visa
Citizens of the following countries enter
Hungary without visa:
1. Countries of EU and EEA (European
Economic Area)
Students of the above countries must
report their address and apply for the
registration certificate in Hungary after
getting registered at school.
2. Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil,
Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia,
Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel,
registration
Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico,
Monaco, New Zeeland, Nicaragua,
Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Republic of
Korea, Salvador, San Marino, Singapore,
Switzerland, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela
university
Students of the above countries must
apply for the residence permit within 30
days after arrival.
Citizens of other countries must apply
esn bme
for a RESIDENT VISA FOR STUDY
PURPOSES at the nearest Hungarian
Embassy or Consulate.
For detailed information, please, contact
our embassy /consulate and the web site
freetime
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Hungary
www.mfa.gov.hu/kum/en/bal
Students from these countries must
hungary
obtain the residence permit within 30
days after arrival.
To obtain the visa may take as long as
months. Get prepared for it!!!
Registration with Immigration Office
Please, visit the home page of the Office
of Immigration and Nationality of
the Hungarian Ministry of Justice and
Law Enforcement (www.bmbah.hu) for
details on the residence permit to get
properly informed. Here is some general
information, so that you know what to
expect.
IMPORTANT: When you have ob-
tained your registration certificate and
the address card, please, come and pre-
sent it in the office where you were re-
gistered (Bldg. Z, ground floor).
I. What you have to take with you
For students coming from the European
Economic Area (EU + Norway and
Switzerland)
You have to apply for a residence permit
within max. 93 days after arriving! You
must do it in person. The document will
be issued immediately on the spot and
will be valid for unlimited time.
To apply for the Registration Certificate
and Address Card you are requested to
submit the following documents:
1. passport or ID card
2. proof of health insurance
3. certification about your registration
at BME in Hungarian (“iskolalátogatási
igazolás”) You will get it at registration.
4. application form
www.bmbah.hu/ujpdf/angol/62.pdf
You can get the empty form at
registration.
5. lease contract of your apartment
in Hungarian language, in original
(“lakásbérleti szerződés”)
6. bank account statement (from a bank
account in an EEA country). You should
prove to have at least twice the amount of
the monthly rent of your accommodation
on one single bank account)
7. fee stamp for 1000 HUF, available at
post offices (“illetékbélyeg”)
TIP: A faster way to get the registration
certificate and the address certificate,
you can have appointment at
www.bmbah.hu (Administration,
Appointment registration). Then you
go to Customer Service Office II (XI.
Dist., Budafoki u. 60., Entrance I)
For students coming from the following
countries: Andorra, Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada,
Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Guatemala,
Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan,
Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico,
Monaco, New Zeeland, Nicaragua,
Panama, Paraguay, Republic of Korea,
Salvador, San Marino, Singapore,
Uruguay, USA, Venezuela
You have to apply for a residence permit
within 30 days after your arrival! You must
apply for a residence permit in person in
the Office of Immigration and Nationa-
lity. The residence permit will be issued
to you for a year or longer and it is to be
extended 30 days before the expiry date.
Please, visit the home page of the Office
of Immigration and Nationality of the
Hungarian Ministry of Justice and Law
Enforcement at www.bmbah.hu for details
on the residence permit to get properly
informed.
You are requested to submit the following
documents:
1. passport
2. certification about your registration
at the University in Hungarian language
(“iskolalátogatási igazolás”)
3. proof of health insurance
4. proof of payment of the tuition fee.
You will get it at registration.
5. bank account statement. You should
prove to have enough money for your li-
ving and to return home.
6. address–registration card (“szállásbeje-
registration
lentő lap”) signed by the owner of the
flat. You will get the empty form at re-
gistration. Change of address must be
reported in three days!
7. lease contract (“lakásbérleti szerződés”)
university
in original. The residence permit will be
issued not any longer than you have a
place to stay. Thus, please, make sure the
lease contract is either valid for a consi-
derably long time – a year or two – or for
esn bme
“unlimited” time. Should you be the ow-
ner of the flat you have to submit both a
property page (“tulajdoni lap”) not older
than 3 months and the permission you
freetime
got to buy a property in Hungary as a
foreign citizen.
8. property page (“tulajdoni lap”) of the
flat not older than 3 months, in original.
The owner of the flat will give it to you.
hungary
9. two passport size photos
10. fee stamps (“illetékbélyeg”) of
18 000 HUF available at post offices
 8 9
REMARK: extension of the residence
permit: If the conditions upon which
the residence permit was issued have
not changed, the concerned documents
need not be submitted again. The fee of
the extension is 6 000 HUF
For students coming in with a VISA
You have to apply for a residence permit
within 30 days after your arrival! You must
apply for a residence permit in person in
the Office of Immigration and Natio-
nality. The residence permit will be issued
to you without any further application or
fees to pay, for min. half a year or longer
and the residence permit is to be extended
registration
30 days before the expiry date.
You are requested to submit the following
documents:
1. passport
university
2. certification about your registration
at the University in Hungarian language
(“iskolalátogatási igazolás”)
3. proof of health insurance
4. address–registration card (“szállásbe-
esn bme
jelentő lap”) signed by the owner of the
flat. You will get the empty form at re-
gistration. – Change of address must be
reported in three days!
5. lease contract (“lakásbérleti szerződés”)
freetime
in original. The residence permit will be
issued not any longer than you have a
place to stay. Thus please make sure the
lease contract is either valid for a consi-
derably long time – a year or two – or for
hungary
“unlimited” time. Should you be the ow-
ner of the flat you have to submit both a
property page (“tulajdoni lap”) not older
than 3 months and the permission you
got to buy a property in Hungary as a
foreign citizen.
6. property page (“tulajdoni lap”) of the
flat not older than 3 months, in original.
The owner of the flat will give it to you.
7. one passport size photo
II. Where you have to go
Office name: Bevándorlási
Állampolgársági Hivatal (BÁH)
VII.sz. Ügyfélszolgálati Iroda
Office of Immigration and Nationality
Customer Service Office VII
Specialization: Aliens Policing
Address: 1117 Budapest, (XI. Dist.) Budafoki u. 60.
– Sztregova köz
Phone number: (1) 463-9233
Processes:
– residence affairs;
– report of accommodation;
Clientele: Only for receiving the residence
permits which were postulated at the
Embassies of Hungary
Office hours:
Mon 08.30–13.00
Tue 13.00–18.00
Wed 08.30–12.00 (only for students)
Thu 08.30–13.00
Fri 08.30–12.00
You can get to BÁH by bus No. 3 (black)
which leaves from Móricz Zsigmond
körtér (bus stop: Hengermalom utca) or
by bus No. 103 (black) which leaves from
Népliget (bus stop: Hengermalom utca).
Health Insurance
The health insurance system of the
Budapest University of Technology
and Economics and the Generali
Providencia Insurance Co. provides the
following services for foreign students of
the university and their relatives (husband,
és wife and children) staying in Hungary. It
covers the cost of curing and the necessary
medical treatment caused by diseases or
accidents. The company also covers 50%
of the price of payable medicine pre-
scribed by the doctor. Disburse of in-
voice is to be paid through bank transfer
to a Hungarian Forints (HUF) account,
within 30 days after submitting the in-
voice.
In need of paediatrician medical
attendance, treatments may be carried out
by the Heim Pál Gyermekkórház (VIII.
Dist., Üllői út 86.) or any other institutions.
The obligation of the insurance company
refers only to outpatient treatment and
hospitalisation in Hungary.
Except for emergency treatments, the
insurance company covers the cost of
only the treatments which are carried out
by GYÓGYÍR Kht (XI. Dist., Fehérvári út 12.
basement, Dr. Horváth Péter) or hospitalisation
ordered by this health centre.
Presently, the services of our insurance
company do not cover hospitalisation
due to childbirth and any consequences
of illnesses or accidents that occurred
prior to the starting date of the insurance
period.
The insurance does not cover the costs
of dental treatment (except for aftermath
of accidents), medical attendance of
pregnancy, abortion (unless it is medically
reasonable), treatments of cosmetics and
rehabilitation, tapering-off cures, diseases
caused by HIV and medical examinations
required for health certificate.
The basic premium for one period – ei-
ther from 1st Sep until 1st of Feb or from
1st Feb until 1st Sep – is 29 500 HUF for
students and for members of their family.
Students registered after the registration
period are ensured from the first day after
paying the insurance fee.
The insurance card contains personal data
of the insured person entitling its owner
to use medical services according to the
registration
conditions specified above.
Students are obliged to buy a health in-
surance card, if they are not contracted
with another insurance company regis-
tered in Hungary. The premium paid by
university
the students who are contracted with
another insurance company registered in
Hungary will be repaid, if they report this
fact before 30th September 2008.
esn bme
Only in case of emergency:
Dr. Horváth Péter: (30) 678-6450,
(30) 815-2218
Providencia or any other health insurance
freetime
valid in Hungary is OBLIGATORY for
all international students (including short-
term exchangees staying in Hungary for
a maximum duration of one academic
year). You can apply for a Providencia
hungary
insurance card at the Students’ Office
(Bldg. Z, ground floor).
IMPORTANT: EU health insurance
cards are accepted as well.
 10
Exchange Students
Registration at the University
Each student is obliged to register for
each study period/semester at BME in
the Students’ Office, Bldg. Z, ground
floor, (1) 463-4140, (1) 463-1618
The procedure requires your Letter of
Acceptance, passport, two photos, and
1000 HUF for a temporary student ID.
To get registered at school all exchangees
have to possess health insurance covering
the whole duration of their studies at
registration
BME. This may be a package of your own
in your home country. However, if you
cannot show proof of it, you are obliged
to purchase our insurance package upon
registration (29 500 HUF/6 months).
university
esn bme
freetime
hungary
Accommodation:
ERASMUS, UNH + (only in the Fall)
Students are put up at Hotel Ventura
(1119 Budapest, Fehérvári út 179., contact: Fodor
Mária or Tóth Judit, Tel: (1) 208-1232,
Fax: (1) 208-1241, E-mail: hotelventura@
gerandhotels.hu, ) between 3rd and 16th
September.
To the hotel: 18, 41 or 56 trams as far as
Temesvár utca stop.
From the hotel to the university: 18, 41 or
56 trams as far as Bertalan L. utca stop.
ERASMUS students from all over
Europe, CSM, GE3, RiceU, DU, UW,
UNH, Israeli, and other students have to
pay for their own accommodation.
Other Exchangees
Our CSU and UTS students are placed in
the dorm specified below.
Kármán Tódor Dormitory (1111 Budapest,
Irinyi J. u. 9-11.)
IMPORTANT: CSU exchangees do not
have to pay for their accommodation in
BME dorms. BME takes care of it.
REMARK: Do not stick photos,
pictures, etc. directly on to the wall
of your room. You might be charged
some extra maintenance fees before
departure
Regular Students
Registration at the University
Each student is obliged to register for
each study period/semester at BME in
the Students’ Office, Bldg. Z, ground
floor, (1) 463-4140, (1) 463-1618
To get registered you need to present your
Letter of Acceptance, passport, and the
proof of payment (bank receipt) with
the amount of your tuition fee due.
Where can you deposit your tuition
and registration fees?
There is a University Branch of ERSTE
Bank on campus where tuition and re-
gistration fees can be deposited in cash
– with the student’s name and their re-
gistration number. The Bank is located in
Goldman building, ground floor. Friendly
staff do a very good job there!
IMPORTANT: Remember to take your
admission letter with you to the bank.
Tuition Fees and Other Expenses
1. The student studying in English at
BME is required to pay all tuition fees be-
fore the completion of his/her studies.
2. Tuition fees must be paid before the
beginning of the semester for the full
semester (including the exam period and
the practicum). In the case of specialised
programs, the fees must be paid by the
date specified by the program. All fees
11
must be paid in EURs, and deposited or
transferred to the following bank account
number:
Account Number:
MNB 10032000–01425279–00000000
SWIFT CODE:
MANEHUHB
IBAN #:
HU 78 1003 2000 0142 5279 0000 0000
BANK NAME:
National Bank of Hungary
BANK ADDRESS:
1850 Budapest, Szabadság tér 6/8. (Hungary)
BENEFICIARY’S NAME:
registration
Budapest University of Technology
and Economics (BME)
BENEFICIARY’S ADDRESS:
1111 Budapest, Bertalan Lajos u. 2. (Hungary)
INFORMATION FOR BENEFICIARY:
a student’s name and registration number
university
The fees are considered to be paid upon
receipt of the bank’s notification of the
transfer of funds.”
esn bme
Tuition fees may be paid in the following
way:
Funds may be transferred to the BME’s
bank account number and must include
the student’s name and registration
freetime
number. In case of transferring funds
through a bank, students should present
a copy of the transfer documentation
in the Students’ Office. No cheques are
hungary
accepted!
The Hungarian National Bank charges a
commission for transferred funds. Bank
charges vary according to the institution.
 12
It usually takes about a few weeks for
funds to be transferred from international
banks, though, occasionally and depen-
ding on the country of origin, students
can wait as long as 2 or 3 months for
their funds to arrive. Bank accounts for
students may be opened at any bank.
Foreign citizens may keep their funds in
a bank in Hungary in the currency of
their choice. Major credit cards are widely
accepted in Hungary.
3. After having paid the tuition fees, stu-
dents can register during the registration
week only: 25th Aug – 5th Sep 2008
IMPORTANT: No registration is
registration
possible after 5th September
4. Special procedural fees and excursion
costs are paid in Hungarian forints (HUF)
university
by the student. Books, lecture notes and
other instructional materials can also be
bought with Hungarian Forints.
5. Overpayment of tuition fees will be
esn bme
refunded in the currency in which they
were paid.
6. Excellent students, who finished the
freetime
first year of B.Sc. program, may be given
a reduction in tuition fees based on the
proposal of the Deputy Dean of the Fa-
culty. (Deadline for application: the end
of the examination period)
hungary
7. Excellent students of the M.Sc. or Ph.D.
programs may be given scholarships based
on the proposal of the Deputy Dean of
the Faculty. (Deadline for application: the
end of the examination period)
8. A student who takes more credits than
prescribed by the curricula, by taking up
another subject offered in the actual se-
mester and fulfils the requirements, will
not pay a higher tuition fee.
9. A student who takes up less subjects
and consequently has less credit points
than the requirement, has to pay the full
tuition fee prescribed for the semester.
Accommodation
Private accommodations (rented rooms,
apartments) are available for $150 to $400
per month depending on their location
and comfort. Ask for a brochure of the
Private Accommodation Agency run by
BME students in the first week of Sep-
tember in Bldg. Z, ground floor next to
Students’ Office.
In Hotel Ventura (1119 Budapest, Fehérvári út
179., Tel: (1) 208-1232, Fax: (1) 208-1241,
E-mail: hotelventura@gerandhotels.
hu, contact: Fodor Mária or Tóth Judit)
you can almost always find temporary
accommodation in three- or four-bedded
rooms at reasonable prices.
To the hotel: 18, 41 or 56 trams as far as
Temesvár utca stop.
From the hotel to the university: 18, 41 or
56 trams as far as Bertalan L. utca stop.
Placement Test
(Part of BME admission procedure)
In order to ensure an internationally
acceptable high academic standard for
students entering courses in the first year,
applications are accepted partly on the
basis of secondary school final reports
and partly on results of the “Placement
Test” organised by the University during
the first week of each academic year
(1st Sept.– 3rd Sept. 2008).
A written test in Mathematics, Physics
and in English should be sat by each
entering student. An adequate language
proficiency is a prerequisite for university
studies.
In Mathematics and Physics, students have
to solve problems and answer questions.
The duration of one test is 100 minutes.
Those students who pass the “Placement
Test” are endorsed as first year students
of the University.
For the Faculty of Architecture the Place-
ment Test also includes a drawing profi-
ciency task, in which perspective repre-
sentation is tested.
For the Business and Management prog-
ram the Placement Test comprises of
three sections: relevant mathematics,
English proficiency and the basic concepts
of business.
For those students who were not able to
pass the required level of the “Placement
Test”, there are two possibilities:
– to return to their home country and try
it again the following year or,
– to enrol in the “Pre–Engineering
13
Course, General Course in Architecture
or the Pre Business Course” which is
offered by BME.
In these courses the students will be
taught the subject necessary for starting
their degree programs (English, Maths,
Physics etc.)
Students with a good command of the
material covered by the Pre–Courses
will probably successfully complete the
“Placement Test”.
Students who take Pre–Courses seriouly
and achieve excellent or good results can
start their first semester at any of the
Faculties without taking the “Placement
Test” in the following academic year.
registration
Reference literature
Mathematics:
Precalculus: with Unit–Circle Trigono-
metry, David Cohen, Theodore B. Lee,
David Sklar, Fourth Edition, Thomson
university
Brooks/Cole, ISBN 0–534–40230–5.
Fundamentals of Precalculus, Mark
Dugopolski, Southeastern Louisiana
University, Pearson Addison Wesley,
(ISBN 0–321–12232–1)
esn bme
Physics:
PHYSICS SI Version, Kane and
Sternheim, John Wiley and Sons
freetime
The following chapters are NOT
necessary for the Placement Test. 3.3, 3.4,
3.5, 3.6, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 8.4, 10.5,
10.7, 10.8, 11
hungary
English:
Thomson–Martinet: Practical English
Grammar, Exercise I, II
Streamline English vol. II, III, and IV.
 “Education is learning what you didn‛t even
know you didn‛t know.”
Daniel J. Boorstin

UNIVERSITY

Content

Student Card 16
Our University 17
Environment of the University 24
 16
Student Card
Being a BME student, after
registration you will get a Student Card
(Diákigazolvány) which entitles its holder
to enjoy a 50% discount on the Hunga-
rian Railways (MÁV), long distance bus
lines (VOLÁNBUSZ), suburban trains
(HÉV), to visit some of the museums
free of charge or with discount, and to
buy student passes (“DIÁKBÉRLET”)
for Budapest public transport. There are
also places where you can get discount
with a valid student card (like book stores,
copy centres, cinemas, restaurants, etc. …
registration
always ask on the spot, if you can get a
discount).
The card also serves as an authentication
to use BME facilities.
university
esn bme
freetime
hungary
How You Get Your Student Card
First you will get a temporary student
ID. The permanent student card will be
ready in a month. Temporary student
IDs should be returned, when permanent
ones are accessible. Permanent student
IDs are valid for one semester only.
For this reason it must be renewed at
the beginning of each semester after
having the tuition fees paid, after getting
registered for the relevant semester.
Student Cards may be renewed in the
Students’ Office in Building Z, ground
floor for pre-engineering, first year and
exchange students. About time and place
of picking up the ID you will be informed
in due course.
IMPORTANT: Please, note that if the
student card is lost, a new one will cost
you about 2 000 HUF either temporary
or permanent.
REMARK: The BME student card is
valid in Hungary. If you want to get an
International Student Identity Cards
(ISIC), go to Bldg. K 1st floor 52.
Tel: (1) 463-3721
It costs 1800 HUF.
17
Our University
Budapest University of Technology BME International Education
and Economics (BME) Center (IEC)
1111 Budapest, Bertalan Lajos u. 2.
The university is the biggest university
Tel: (1) 463-2461
of technology in Hungary. In 2007 it was
Fax: (1) 463-2460
celebrating the 225th anniversary of the
www.tanok.bme.hu
founding of its legal predecessor. The
buildings are parts of the World Heritage Important contacts
from 1987. Director of IEC
There are eight faculties in the university, László Dvorszki
which are the followings: Bldg. Z, 1st floor # 102, Tel: (1) 463-2461
Bldg. K, 1 st floor # 42, Tel: (1) 463-2272
• Faculty of Civil Engineering (ÉMK)
registration
PR Manager
• Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Péter Mészáros (public relations, mar-
(GÉK)
keting)
• Faculty of Architecture (ÉPK)
Bldg. Z, 1st floor #102, Tel: (1) 463-2461,
• Faculty of Chemical Technology and
Biotechnology (VBK) (1) 463-2917
university
• Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Student Office of IEC
Informatics (VIK) Ms. Gyöngyi Tamás
• Faculty of Transportation Engineering Bldg. Z, ground floor, Tel: (1) 463-1618,
(KSK) (1) 463-4140
• Faculty of Natural Sciences (TTK)
esn bme
Open: Mon-Tue-Thu: 9.00–12.00 and
• Faculty of Economic and Social 13:00–15:00 Fri: 9.00–12.30
Sciences (GTK)
Registrar’s Office
There are a lot of buildings in the Bldg. Z, 1st floor # 101/A
freetime
university, each is marked with letters. Registrar: Ms. Rózsa Ferencz G.
The lettering system is in connection with Tel: (1) 463-3981
the departments which can be found in Course Director (Pre–Engineering
the building or the street, Ch–chemistry, course only)
or I–informatics, E–the street of the Dr. Anikó Szövényi–Lux
hungary
building Egry József Street, the same Bldg. Z, 1st floor # 111, Tel:: (1) 463-3549
with St – Stoczek Street. Office of Academic Affairs (all other
students)
Website: www.bme.hu Bldg. Z, 2nd floor # 201
 18
Ms. Margit Nagy
(Faculty of Electrical Engineering and
Informatics, Tel: (1) 463-3898)
Ms. Ildikó Lente
(Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Faculty
of Natural Sciences, Tel: (1) 463-1250)
Ms. Ágnes Kormos
(Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of
Chemical Technology and Biotechnology,
and Faculty of Transportation Engineering,
Tel: (1) 463-3984)
Open: Mon-Thu: 10:00–12:00, 14:00–
15:00, Fri: 10:00–12:00
registration
Study Abroad Office
Ms. Eszter Kiss
(Bldg. D, 2nd floor #212, Tel: (1) 463-
2620, Fax: (1) 463-3746)
university
CSU and NUS students can pick up their
stipend in bldg. Z, 1st floor # 101 each
month as follows. From the second week
of the month, on Wednesday 09:00–15:00
esn bme
Course Directors/ Vice Deans of the
Faculties
Faculty of Architecture
freetime
Dr. Balázs Balogh, Vice-Dean
Bldg. K, 3rd floor, # 1, Tel: (1) 463-1321
Faculty of Chemical Engineering
Dr.Zoltán Hell, Course Director
hungary
Bldg. F III. ground floor, Tel: (1) 463-1414
Faculty of Civil Engineering
Dr. Lajos Kisgyörgy, Vice-Dean
Bldg. K, 1st floor # 26, Tel: (1) 463-1159
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and
Informatics
Dr. Bálint Kiss, Course Director (B.Sc.)
Bldg. I B 422 , Tel: (1) 463-4026
Dr. József Harangozó, Course Director
(M.Sc., Ph.D.)
Bldg. IB # 326, Tel: (1) 463-2578
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Mária Örvös, Vice Dean, Course
Director (B.Sc.)
Bldg.K, 1 st floor # 14/4, Tel: (1) 463-4137
Dr. Attila Kovács, Course Director
(M.Sc.)
Bldg. D, 3rd floor # 334, Tel: (1) 463-2553
Faculty of Natural Sciences
Dr. János Pipek, Vice-Dean, Dr. Péter
Zagyvai, Course Director
Bldg. K, 1st floor #56, Tel: (1) 463-2789
Faculty of Economic and Social
Sciences
Dr. Meyer Dietmar, Vice-Dean
Bldg. K, 1st floor # 58/a, Tel: (1) 463-2916
Faculty of Transportation Engineering
Dr. András Eleőd, Vice-Dean
Bldg. Z, 7th floor # 712, Tel: (1) 463-5815
Computer Facilities
The BME Student Computer Center
(SCC) is available for all registered
international students in bldg. R, 3rd and
4th floor. If no classes are scheduled in
the computer labs, you are free to use the
computers there. Remember to register
before the very first time you use SCC.
Check time-table on display in the main
lobby by the entrance of the labs.
Passwords to SCC can be obtained upon
registration in the Student Office (Bldg. Z,
ground floor)
You may also use computers for emailing
for free in bldg. K upper ground floor
40 and 41. Entrance through the library
building (Kö).
Please note the following pieces of
advice below:
1. You can use modem via the University
net in your home.
For more info look at intranet.bme.hu/
bmenet/dialin/index_en.html web page.
Unfortunately, according to the Division
of Telecommunication and Informatics
policy, the above specified page is available
only from inside the university network.
19
2. In some different places of the
University buildings you can use wireless
computer connection to the University
net. For more info please look at
intranet.bme.hu/bmenet/wlan/index_en.html
web page. Similarly to the modem details,
this page is available only from inside the
University network, too.
3. Ural2 is a Unix server for students
at the SCC. If you want your mail to
be forwarded you should create a file
named .forward in your home directory.
This file should contain the addresses to
which you want your messages to be sent.
One at a line. If you want to leave the
forwarded message here, too, you have
to include your login name in a line, right
registration
after a backslash (‘\’). Spaces, commas, or
other separator characters are not allowed
to separate addresses. You must write
them in separate lines. If you leave your
messages here, be careful, because when
university
your quota is full, no further mails will be
delivered to any address.
E.g.: \s7441zar
Pal.Zarandy@eth.ericsson.se
esn bme
Palka@bigfoot.com
OK, if you don’t know how to create a
file …
After you have logged in to Ural2 type
freetime
‘pico .forward’. This will open a text
editor. Type the addresses, then press
ctrl+x, yes comes and finally enter. This
is all. Oops, one more thing. If you want
to log in, you need to use ssh instead of
hungary
telnet.” (Sünci Mázár, Hungarian student
representative)
 20
To all the services above, you can register
yourself on https://accadmin.hszk.bme.hu
webpage after you are marked in the
Student Information System as a student
with an “active” status. For registering
services for yourself on the webpage, you
need your Student Information System
(NEPTUN) code and a password. You
can ask for it upon school registration at
the academic administration of the IEC
(Bldg. Z).
Having any problems, please, write an
email to the support@hszk.bme.hu address.
Printing in SCC:
• on 3rd floor: in 304 for rooms S–T
registration
• on 4th floor: 401 for rooms A–E, 437
for rooms F–P
You may as well visit some of Budapest’s
internet cafés to email.
university
HIK (Kempelen Farkas Computer
Center for Students)
VIII. Dist., Reviczky u. 6.
esn bme
www.hik.hu, info@hik.hu
Open: Mon–Sat: 8:00–22:00
Goethe Institut
IX. Dist., Ráday u. 58.
freetime
Tel: (1) 374-4070
Teleport–Netc@fé
VIII. Dist., Vas u. 7.
Tel: (1) 267-6361
hungary
Mon–Sun: 9:00–24:00
Kiber@buda
XI. Dist., Budafoki út 22.
21
Tel: (1) 209-9257 a price of 12 000 HUF for a quarter and Student Organisations at BME
every day 11:00–02:00 20 000 HUF for half a year. For a pass
see Mrs. Éva Huszár (Tel: (1) 463-1108) ESN (ERASMUS Student Network)
Matávnet Internet Café at the Physical Education Department in www.esn.bme.hu/satellite
Mamut Shopping Center, II. Dist., Lövőház u. 2-6. Bldg. St, 3rd floor 323, take a photo and Helpful Hungarian students available
your Student ID with you. throughout your time at BME.
Plaza Internet Club Office hours: Tue+Thu: 13:30–15:00,
Duna Plaza Shopping Center, XIII. Dist., Váci út Email: esnbme@gmail.com. (learn more in
Wed: 8:30–10:00. second chapter)
178.
(Metro – blue, get off at Gyöngyösi u.) Sport events
BEST (Board of European Students of
Tel: (1) 465-1126
Technology) www.best.eu.org
Table tennis
Cyber Bridge Internet Café XI. Dist., Hauszmann Str. 10 (Gabányi Csarnok) Being a BME student you can apply for
Mon, Wed:16:00–18:15 their 1–2 week courses all over in Europe.
VIII. Dist., Rákóczi út 51.
Tel: (1) 333-9112 Mr. Harka You will learn more about the apply
Open: Mon–Fri: 10:00–22:00, seasons on posters, e-mails, etc.
Sat-Sun: 10:00–22:00 Basketball
XI. Dist., Bercsényi Str. 28
EESTEC (Electrical Engineering Students
registration
Fri: 14:00–17:00
and plenty of others.☺ European Association)
Gábor Katalin
See www.eestec.bme.hu
Sports Facilities REMARK: Regular students of BME
AISEC (International Association of
may also use the university’s tennis
university
The Department of Physical Education Students in Economics and Business
courts any time (when there are no
organises and conducts physical Management)
classes for 800 HUF/ hour. E-mail: aisec.bme@gmail.com
education classes for first and second year
students. The department offers regular The artificial football field will be
courses for full time students in table- IAESTE (International Association for
completed by September, do inquire
esn bme
the Exchange of Students for Technical
tennis, athletics, body-building, handball, about its use at the faculty.
basketball, football, volleyball, tennis, Experience) moved out of BME, but can
For detailed be found as follows: Vásárhelyi Pál Dormitory,
dance, badminton, and various other information on Kurspér u. 2-4., 3rd floor
courses. competition sections,
BME’s swimming place and time of
freetime
SIU (Students’ International Union)
pool (XI. Dist., training, address the
Bogdánffy út 12. Tel:
Bldg. Z, ground floor Student Office.
club bureau. Tel: (1) 463-4140
(1) 463-3962, Open: Mr. Pál Vincze, Head
Siu.bme@gmail.com
only on weekdays of Department PE,
hungary
6:00–7:30 and Bldg. St, 3rd floor # 325
14:30–20:30) is at Tel: (1) 463-1778, The Students’ International Union
your disposal. Fax: (1) 463-1197 or was established in 1990 “to create an
international family” which takes active
Go and get a pass see their web page:
arranged for you at www.tnt.hu part in the university’s large community,
 22
provides an environment where students
are encouraged to pursue their academic
work and also participate in social and
recreational activities. It also intends
to encourage students to be physically
and emotionally healthy by providing
information, activities and support.
The Union has also sought the right to
represent its members and, on request,
other students before the university
administration in matters that affect them
as students of the institution. The Union
also organises recreational activities. Any
student wishing to participate in the
activities of SIU is very much welcome!
Symphonic Orchestra and
registration
University Choir of BME
All those students wishing to play a classical
musical instrument at an orchestra,
contact dr. Zoltán Benedek (Tel: (1) 463-
university
1602 email: repgep@mail.bme.hu) about
place and time. The rehearsals are held
every Tue+Fri 19:00–21:30 in bldg. K.
3rd floor, drawing studio next to rooms
6, 7. You can get there via the stairway at
esn bme
the library side of the building.
freetime
hungary
Should you wish to become a member
of the university choir you are also
welcome to do so. At 17:30 on Thursdays
please contact either Ms. Emese Fülöp
or Mrs. Vasvári Györgyi Vida in Bldg. K
2nd floor 53.
Libraries
The biggest technical library in the
country is the BME’s (OMIKK). You can
find it behind the K-building.
www.omikk.bme.hu
Tel: (1) 463-1790 (Circulation),
(1) 463-1069 (Information)
Open: Mon.–Fri.: 9:00–20:00
To use the library, you have to register in
the library building marked with Kö (as
könyvtár) on the map. The registration
is easy and only takes a few second, it
costs 1000 HUF. You have to show your
residence permit and your student card.
IMPORTANT: Exchange students can
use the library but cannot check books
out. Sorry.
Other libraries:
Library at British Embasy
The British Embassy has a
library where a large number
of newspapers, periodicals
and books are available. A
card can be obtained free for
the British Embassy library:
there is a fee for the British
Council library though.
23
National Széchenyi Library
It is in the Castle Hill district of Budapest.
It is similar to the Library of Congress
(Washington D.C.). You can use it with
your Student Card and the staff is very
helpful.
Card for 1 year: 3500 HUF
Daily ticket: 300 HUF
Tel: (1) 224-3700
Open: Mon: closed, Tue–Sat: 10:00–
20:00
Foreign Language Library
V. Dist.,Molnár u. 11.,
Tel: (1) 318-2772, (1) 318-3688
Open: Mon–Fri: 10:00–17:00
A very good collection for literature
registration
readers!!
Central European University Library
V. Dist., Nádor u. 9.
Tel: (1) 327-3099
university
Open: Mon.–Fri. 8.00–22.00; Sat.–Sun.
13.00–19.00
Main focus on social science literature.
Only by individual permission!
esn bme
French Institute
I. Dist., Fő u. 17.
Tel: (1) 489-4200
Email: inst-france@inst.france.hu
website: www.franciaintezet.hu
freetime
“French people will be glad to know the
existence of a French Institute, and that
after a long afternoon in they will be
able to restore their brain and stomach
hungary
thanks to a very good Chinese restaurant
(Arany Folyó) nearby.”
(Thomas Guizard, exchangee)
 24
Environment of the university
Copy Centers Nearby
Copy General
XI. Dist., Karinthy Frigyes u. 4-6.
Open: 0–24
More copy centers: www.copygeneral.hu
It’s expensive, but some of them are non-
stop.
Copy Club
XI. Dist., Kruspér u. 10/a.
Black Sheep Fénymásoló Szalon
XI. Dist., Budafoki út 9-11.
Reasonable prices.
registration
Postoffice
The nearest post offices to the University
XI. Dist., Fehérvári út 9-11.
XI. Dist., Irinyi József utca 38.
university
XI. Dist., Infopark sétány 1.
The main post office is at Petőfi Sándor u. 17.
From there you can make international
telephone calls, send telegrams and faxes,
esn bme
mail letters or packages (as well as buy
holiday-, birthday- or name day greeting
cards!). At that post office, many of
the employees are multilingual, and the
opening hours are 8–20 daily and 8–14
freetime
on Saturdays.
Pharmacy
hungary
XI. Dist., Budafoki út 47.
University Souvenir Shop
Goldman Restaurant building, ground
floor.
Canteens Nearby
Stoczek canteen: On the corner of
Stoczek utca and Bertalan Lajos utca
Goldman canteen: On Goldman György tér
Chinese fast food: You get a big portion
and the price is good.
There is one on the corner of Egry József
utca and Karinthy Frigyes utca and there is
another one on Budafoki út in front of a
CBA supermarket
Íz-lelő: on Lágymányosi utca, if you come
from the direction of the university,
you can find it on the first corner after
Budafoki út
Pizza Boy: here you can eat Hungarian –
Italian Pizza in XI. Dist., Budafoki út 16.
Clubs of the Faculties
Each faculty has a club in their dormitory.
These dormitories can be found near the
university.
Some faculties’ clubs are open for party
on a regular base.
Faculty of Civil Engineering
Vásárhelyi Pál Dormitory
(XI. Dist., Kruspér utca 2-4.)
Every Monday: Whitefül (rock music with
a live concert)
Every second Thursday: Vásárhelyi Klub
Every Wednesday and Sunday – Drönk
(drinking place in the basement – it’s a
good one)
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering:
Kármán Tódor Dormitory
Every second Thursday: Old’s Club
Faculty of Chemical Technology and
Biotechnology
On weekdays – Csocsó Klub in the
Martos Flóra Dormitory
Every Friday – Ars presso in the Martos
Flóra Dormitory
Other faculties also have a pub in the
dormitory, but there aren’t parties
regularly there.
There are other special parties during the
year, if you are interested you can check
the posters and flyers at the university.
Student Life – Culture Shock
Culture shock is a very natural phenomenon
that can be expected when a person
moves from a familiar environment to a
new setting where language, food, climate
and even people’s actions are different.
No one enters a new culture simply as
an individual – the history, values and
attitudes of the home culture are the
extra baggage you bring with you. Many
attitudes, values and beliefs are so taken
for granted that they are accepted as the
norm for all cultures.
In reality, each culture is different, but not
better or worse, than the other. At first
you will probably feel only excitement
and anticipation as you explore new
surroundings. However, after a while,
you may find yourself with less energy or
even less enthusiasm. The home culture
becomes more appealing. You may be
25
irritated with the people and actions of
your host country. New experiences
change from exciting to strange and
different.
If you recognize that this disorientation is
a normal part of living in a new culture,
you can be reassured that the depressed
feeling will pass. Only when you can
accept the new culture, both its good
and bad parts, will you begin to enjoy
your new experiences. While it may be
somewhat painful, culture shock can be
a mind-stretching process that will give
understanding and tolerance for the
home and host cultures. There are many
positive actions that can be taken to help
overcome feelings of loneliness and
registration
withdrawal from a new culture. Keeping
busy and setting goals are important.
Activities that can help you adjust to a
new culture include the following:
• writing a journal
university
• developing new friendships
• sharing feelings with other international
students or advisors
• improving language abilities
• learning about the new school and the
esn bme
new neighbourhood
• pursuing or developing a hobby
• settling in the room or dorm
• planning excursions
freetime
• participating in sports/recreational
activities
hungary
 “Xchange your life.”

ESN BME

Content

About ESN BME 28

Mentoring system 30
Activities 31
 28
About ESN BME
The university is not just an educational
institution, it is also the place where new
friendships begin and often last for a
lifetime. University years are unforgettable
for every student; long chats in the
cafeteria, watching football in the local
pubs are those memories you will talk about
when you meet your long-time university
friends. The university promotes and
supports student organisations, cultural
events and other community building
activities to make your university years a
lifetime experience. There are a number
In Budapest you can find ESN BME,
the Budapest University of Technology
and Economics local section. ESN BME
consists of lots of enthusiastic, open-
minded, helpful committee members
and a board that has 7 members. These
people are also students who attend BME
so they know everything about Hungarian
student-life and you can turn to them for
help any time you need it.
Contact Information
29
The Goal of ESN Members home, shops, restaurants, courses etc. We
won’t leave you alone after the orientation
The aims of ESN are to promote the week either. You can rely on us during
social and personal integration of the your whole stay in Budapest. Whenever
you need help, don’t hesitate to contact
exchange students. The local ESN sections
offer help, guidance and other valuable us! Do you need an interpreter to talk to
the landlord? Do you need someone to
information to the exchange students
hosted by their university. Newcomers go to the doctor? Do you need someone
to ask for advice? …. The ESN members
find their way in the new environment
easier and they can utilise their time in will be there for you!
the best way possible
to get as much out
of their exchange as
possible. ESN also
represents the needs
and expectations of
exchange students on

registration
registration

of student organisations that help enrich You can find our office in building R, on
students’ life at the university. the local, national and
the ground floor
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is an 1111 Budapest
international level.
international student organisation with Műegyetem rkp. 9.
Provision of relevant
over a hundred divisions throughout information about

university
university

Europe. Its goal is to support and Tel/fax: (1) 463-3615 academic exchange
develop student exchange. It is composed programs and student
of over 10 000 members from 230 local Homepage: www.esn.bme.hu/satellite/ mobility is one of the
sections in 29 countries working in aims of ESN as well.
Higher Education Institutes (Universities, E-mail: esnbme@gmail.com ESN members help

esn bme
esn bme

Polytechnics, University Colleges etc). international students

ESN is organised on a local, national and integrate smoothly
international level. within the student
life in Hungary and
organise activities

freetime
freetime

such as excursions,
city trips, theme and
international parties
and sports events.
The ESN members will

hungary
hungary

always be there to help

you with making your
first steps in Hungary,
such as finding your
 30
Mentoring System
ESN BME also has a so-called buddy
system (mentoring system) that links two
native Hungarian student mentors to a
group of 10–12 foreign students. The
mentors give you practical information
about living and staying in Hungary and
studying in Budapest, but they can also
help you to get acquainted with the city
and fellow students, both Hungarian
and international. The first impressions
and experiences are very important
for somebody who arrives in a foreign
country. The university would like to give
registration
assistance to its exchange students in
finding a helping hand for the first days
or weeks of their stay. You can contact
them and they are ready to answer all the
questions concerning life in Hungary,
university
Budapest and the university. Who
knows, it may be the beginning of a new
friendship! It is up to you to get the most
out of it!
esn bme
freetime
hungary
Mentors
Anett Úr
Leyla Horváth
Klára Horváth
Melinda Jambrich
Péter Sándor
Péter Nagy
Tamás Heizler
They are the board members, but there
are about 10–20 more mentors who are
here for you during the semester.
“It was great that the mentors organized
for us several activities every week, so
we could meet more Hungarians and
learn about the Hungarian way of li-
ving. I would come back to Hungary.”
Thomas, German exchangee
Activities
Trips and Sightseeing
We can take you to our well-known
Hungarian baths, we also organise
sightseeing in Budapest and some trips
to other Hungarian cities such as Pécs,
Eger etc. to visit some wine cellars and
see the beauty of other cities as well. We
also organise trips to the neighbouring
countries.
Tandem–Program
It means that people who are interested
in learning new languages can contact
each other: you can teach your language
and you can learn from a native language-
speaker at the same time. Hungarian is
said to be very difficult to learn but if you
try it with a native Hungarian student,
you can learn it in a funny way and you
can tell everybody at home that you can
speak a mysterious language!
Parties
We also organise lots of parties for you to
enjoy Hungarian night-life!
At Get-to-know Party you can meet the
Hungarian mentors and the other foreign
students. It is a great opportunity to start
new friendships and get to know your
mates who are going to spend a lot of
time with you! We organise some nice,
funny games for you, you can work
together in groups and get to know each
other in a funny way!
31
There is a Mega Xchange Party every
semester where all of the foreign students
who study at a Hungarian university in
Budapest gather together and have an
amazing, huge party so you can meet
people from all over the world!
Your mentors also organise Pub Evenings
for you every week. You can chat and
have a beer or two with your new friends
in a nice environment.
During Hungarian evening you can taste
some Hungarian dishes and drinks, you
can see Hungarian folk dance and enjoy
registration
live Hungarian music. If you’re curious
how Hungarian tequila is or what „túrós
csusza” means, you can’t miss this party!
During International Dinner the
students get the opportunity to show the
university
typical food and drink of their country
and taste each other’s culture! It’s a huge
mixture of several cultures, dishes, drinks
so everybody enjoys it!
Before leaving you’ll be able to participate
esn bme
in a huge Farewell party where you can
say good-bye to all of your friends – but
hopefully not for a long time because
Hungary will be waiting for you with
open arms.
freetime
hungary
 “Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you
have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.
Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.“
Carl Sandburg

FREE TIME

Content

Entertainment 34
Drinks 37
Eating out 38
Party Places & Pubs 40
Shopping 41
Sports 43
 34
Entertainment
Your best source of information for
performances nationwide is Programme
in Hungary; Budapest Week and
Budapest Sun is good for the capital. The
Programme in Hungary and the Budapest
Panorama are available in the hotels
and tourist offices. The most complete
listing of plays, concerts, exhibitions and
films can be found Pesti Est and Exit.
Unfortunately, these are in Hungarian.
Funzine is in English, but it is not so
detailled, more like touristic. These can
be obtained mainly from movie theatres,
registration
bars, pubs, McDonald’s, etc. – free of
charge.
You can also check www.funzine.hu
Baths
university
Budapest is well known of its traditional
spas. People from all around the world
are visiting the city due to their healing
effect, but they are perfect places to relax
after a busy day or a tough exam. You can
esn bme
find detailed information about the major
spas and bathes on the link below.
www.spasbudapest.com/tartalom.php
freetime
hungary
Museums
Various collections of history, technology
and art can be found in the city. From small
house-sized galleries to the masterpieces
of architecture, Budapest offers you
culture in whatever form you like. You
can find the actual temporary exhibitions
on the link below and we listed the most
important museums that have English
homepage.
www.museum.hu/index_en.php
Palace of Art:
www.mucsarnok.hu
Hungarian National Museum
www.hnm.hu/
Hungarian National Gallery
www.mng.hu/en
Museum of Fine Arts
www.szepmuveszeti.hu/
House of Terror
www.terrorhaza.hu/en/index_2.html
Museum of Applied Arts
www.imm.hu/angol/index.html
Theatre
Budapest is one of the most “Theatre”
populated cities in the world approaching
London, if you calculate the per capita
theatres available to Budapest. The city
boasts of so many theatres that if you
went to a different one every week, it
would take you years just to see them all.
For your convenience we collected the
35
most elegant and famous ones for you to Festivals and concerts
check out. Don’t miss these!
In theatres, there are bal (left) and jobb Just like any major European cities,
(right) seats with the same numbers so Budapest hosts various artists from all
make sure you know whether you are on
around the world in different music
the bal or jobb side. categories. You’ll be updated about the
hottest concerts weekly by ESN (Erasmus
www.nemzetiszinhaz.hu/index.php?lang=en
Student Network), or you can find the
www.budapest-babszinhaz.hu/
www.operettszinhaz.hu/operett.php posters of your favourites if you walk
(Hungarian) around the city.
www.szinhaz.hu/katona/flash.html
www.szigetszinhaz.com/index_eng.php
www.opera.hu
Festivals in spring, summer and autumn
are scheduled in cities throughout
www.pestiszinhaz.hu
Hungary, and some of them, like Budapest
Spring, attract many visitors from abroad.
Cinemas
For programs, please, visit the following
website: www.festivalcity.hu/english
registration
Most of the movies have both Hunga-
rian translated and original language
versions with Hungarian subtitles.
Foreign films that are dubbed are marked
‘Mb’ (Magyarul beszélő) on programmes
university
and posters. If you do not see it, the
film is in the original language and has
Hungarian subtitles. Usually, there are
happy hours on different weekdays, when
the tickets are cheaper. Moreover, you
esn bme
can use your student card to get discount.
You can find multiplex movie theatres
in every shopping mall in town, most of
them belong to Palace Cinemas: www.
freetime
palacecinemas.hu
However, the largest one including an
IMAX room in Arena Plaza belongs to
Cinema City: www.cinemacity.hu/cinema.
php?id=13
hungary
And the one that has the greatest
traditions: www.corvin.hu (Hungarian)
Movie info in English: www.budapestsun.
com
 36 37
Budapest Autumn Festival (October 10– BalaTone – www.balatone.hu (held in
19 2008) Zánka (northern shore of Lake Balaton, Drinks
less expensive than Balaton Sound)
Budapest Spring Festival (March 20 – EFOTT – www.efott.hu (organized by one
April 5 2009) of the Hungarian universities/colleges Wine Édes Sweet
every summer, always on another place, Félédes Semi-sweet
Connection Concert (Last Sunday of June mostly Hungarian artists, usually cheaper Hungary is famous for wine. You Száraz Dry
every year – free concert of a famous than other festivals) shouldn’t miss out a wine tasting tour in a Félszáraz Semi-dry/medium
artist (like Santana in 2008, Bryan Adams cellar! The best and most traditional wine Fröccs Spritzer/wine cooler
2007), sponsored by T-Mobile ) tasting places can be found in Eger, Tokaj, (wine and soda)
Ticket offices
Villány and the area of Lake Balaton. You can ask for kisfröccs (small one, 3 dl)
Biggest music festivals in summer But you can also try it in Budapest: and nagyfröccs (big one, 5 dl)
Tickets, which usually cost 3–30 Euros
2009: Magyar Borok Háza (House of Hungarian Üveg Bottle
(except during special festivals), can be
VOLT – www.sziget.hu/volt (first music Wines) (I. Dist., Szentháromság tér 6.) Pohár Glass (size varies)
purchased at the venue, but it is always
festival of summer, always during the first Pezsgő Champagne
safer to get them in advance, particularly
days of July, held in Sopron) in smaller towns where the production Pálinka
Balaton Sound – www.balatonsound.com Sör Beer
may be the big event of the month and the

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(many dj’s from all over the world, held Söröző Pub/beer hall
place to be seen. You will find the addresses Pálinka is also typically Hungarian. It’s
in Zamárdi – southern shore of Lake Sörpince Beer cellar
of ticket offices and information sources a really strong brandy. You can buy it in
Balaton, a bit expensive) Barna sör Dark beer/stout
under individual cities and towns in the shops, but if you want to taste the “real”
Sziget Festival – www.sziget.hu/fesztival Világos sör Lager
Lonely Planet edition of Hungary. The pálinka, you should ask your Hungarian
(biggest music and cultural festival, lots Csapolt sör Draught beer
central ticket office at V. Dist., Vörösmarty tér friends, if their parents/grandparents

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of famous artists, also more expensive Korsó Mug (half litre)

in Budapest can help with information have home-made pálinka.
than others) Pohár Glass (one-third litre)
but seldom has tickets for events around
the country. Beer
Other main summer festivals in 2009 Egészségedre! Cheers!
Tickets can also be purchased through the
(webpage available only in Hungarian)

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university’s Cultural Secreteriat. Open: Hungary is not so famous for beer,

Hegyalja – www.hegyalja.hu (mostly rock Tue & Thu 10-14. (Bldg. K, 1st floor # however there are some Hungarian
bands) 52, Mrs. Romhányi). brands as well.
For tickets for pop and rock bands, and They sell beer in 0,5 litre bottles.
concerts see Music Mix 33 in VI. Dist.,

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Andrássy u.18. or Publika ticket office (www. Here is a little dictionary to help you when
kulturart.eu) in VI. Dist., Hajós u. 31. 1st floor. you’d like to buy beer or wine in a pub.
Information about tickets can be obtained
from them at www.interticket.hu as well. Bor Wine
budapest

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Borozó Wine bar
Borpince Wine cellar
Fehér bor White wine
Vörös bor Red wine
Rozé Rosé
 38
Eating out
Due to there are many restaurants in
Budapest, it is easy to find one, but what
about the quality? Not all restaurants offer
good food, honest service and fair prices.
All kinds of nationalities are serving food
from all over the world. Some restaurants
are absolute world class in terms of the
food, service or interior. You can find a
lot of fast food style restaurants as well.
If you don’t feel like going out to eat,
then you can order food on the internet:
www.english.netpincer.hu Here you choose
between several restaurants.
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Hungarian Specialities
Goulash soup is probably the Hungarian
dish all people know. It is a soup made of
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beef pieces, carrots, celery, potatoes and
paprika. Traditionally it is made over a fire
in gardens in big cauldron. The Goulash
which e.g. the Germans call Goulash
please see Pörkölt.
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The palacsinta is a stuffed pancake with
all kinds of things you can imagine
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starting from sweet things like cottage
cheese, cottage cheese, nuts, cocoa and
jam over to spinach, cheese and more.
There is a traditional palacsinta called the
Gundel palacsinta which is stuffed with
nuts, chocolate, raisin and cream.
Pörkölt is a kind of stew with meat,
paprika powder, onions. It is served with
dumplings (galuska).
Somlói Galuska are “biscuit” pieces
with vanilla cream, raisin and nuts with
chocolate sauce and rum.
Főzelék is also very common in Hungary.
It is made of vegetable and it is thicker
than a soup.
Fast Food
Be assured that Budapest is becoming
more able to satisfy your needs. Burger
King, Chinese Fast Food, Dixie Chicken,
Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald’s
(lots throughout the city), Pizza Hut,
Friday’s can be found in the city.
Vegetarian Food
Normally a menu anywhere would offer
at least a few non-meat dishes, primarily
a couple of soups with mushroom,
vegetables or cheese, also fine breaded
cheese (rántott sajt) with tartar sauce
and cooked rice serves a good main
course for a vegetarian. Also, pasta
dishes or dumplings (galuska) and fried
mushroom caps (rántott gomba) are
worth mentioning. The traditional way of
preparing vegetables is in főzelék, where
they are boiled and then mixed into a roux
with sour cream. Outside of restaurants,
go for „lángos” - the deep-fried dough
with various toppings sold on streets and
markets throughout the country. Outside
the country’s half a dozen vegetarian
restaurants, you will have to live with what
is on the menu or do your own shopping
in the markets.
Here are some restaurants that we
recommend:
Gundel Étterem (XIV. Dist., Állatkerti út 2.) is
the most famous and probably the most
expensive restaurant. www.gundel.hu
Sir Lancelot (VI. Dist., Podmaniczky u. 14.)
King Arthur (III. Dist., Bécsi u. 38-44, Új Udvar
Shopping Center, 2nd floor, Tel: (1) 437-8243):
Medieval restaurants. Great food and
time.
Régi Sipos Halászkert (III. Dist., Lajos utca
46.) If you are looking for a traditional
Hungarian fish soup, you must visit this
place.
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Dzsungel Étterem és Crazy Cafe (Corner
of Podmaniczky and Jókai u., near Nyugati, the
address is VI. Dist., Jókai. u. 30.) Huge selection
of beers and whiskies though be careful
when paying.
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Nagyi Palacsintázója (I. Dist. Hattyú u. 16.,
M2 to Moszkva tér, and Batthyány tér
next to the shopping mall): Palacsinta
is equivalent to pancake or crepe. Great
prices, wide variety of palacsinta.
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Ráday utca Budapest
Ráday utca is a street which starts at Kálvin
tér and ends at Boráros tér. There are a lot
of bars and restaurants where you can sit
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outside in summer. At night time some
parts of Ráday utca are closed for cars so
you can walk on the street between the
bars and restaurants.
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 40
Party Places & Pubs
If a foreign student goes abroad to study
in another country, he/she also wants to
discover the night-life. Of course we can
help you with it! There is a wide choice
of great pubs where you can spend
your evenings together with Hungarian
and international students. Here are
some places that you should visit before
leaving:
Szimpla Kert
The Szimpla kert is a mixture of an open air
place, a pub and a cinema. From the street
you almost miss the entrance because it
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looks like a regular door entrance (watch
out for a small yellow sign) but inside it is
amazing. The furniture in there is unique.
It looks a little bit run-out but that makes
the special Szimpla Kert flair. The prices
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are reasonable.
Address: VII. Dist., Kertész utca 48.
Szóda
An immediate hit following its opening
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in May, the success of Szóda (or Soda)
is down to its slick presentation. Like the
bar’s customers, Szóda is cool. The large
windows are emblazoned with its space-
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age logo and lined with (you got it!) empty
soda bottles. Inside, the walls are topped
with action shots from Japanese Manga
cartoons and the furniture is a mix of 1970s
armchairs and coffee tables. The popular
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drink is beer, despite the fact that a glass
of soda is free. There’s a kitchen serving
breakfast and hot and cold snacks.
Address: VII. Dist., Wesselényi u. 18.
Gödör Club
Look underneath Gödör, and you
will find that you are not mistaken; the
club is actually on the top level of an
underground car park. A dive however,
it most certainly is not. Wide steps
flanked by contemporary sculptures lead
down to a spacious interior. Its glass
roof is a minimalist ornamental pool at
ground level. The club plays host to art
exhibitions, varied live music and DJs.
Address: V. Dist., Erzsébet tér
Living Room
It is a place in the heart of Budapest.
From outside you might not realize living
room because it is in the cellar of a regular
house. But downstairs is a massive club
with more than 1000 square meters, many
rooms and different places to party. A
unique thing that there are little separated
rooms where you can hang around, close
the curtains and talk, party or just drink.
The people in Livingroom Budapest are
relatively young but nevertheless you can
make good party there.
Address: V. Dist., Kossuth Lajos utca 17.
Tel.: (30) 992 9932
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Morrison’s Music Pub Szilvuplé
It is close to the Opera at Andrassy út. It’s a nice place if you like dancing salsa.
You have to go down some stairs and Address: VI. Dist., Ó utca 33.
there you are. Morrisons has a very long
bar with 4 or 5 different types of beer, Folk Music Dance and Handicraft
cocktails, long-drinks, wine and more. in Hungary
Sometimes they have karaoke nights
where many people go to and have fun. Táncház, an evening of Hungarian folk
Who is not drinking or singing at the music and traditional dance, is great
moment can dance on the large dance entertainment and, as it is participatory
floor of Morrison’s. (but not mandatory) a great way to meet
Address: VI. Dist., Révay utca 25. Hungarians. You will seldom find táncház
outside the capital though.
Morrisons Music Pub2 www.tanchaz.hu/start_en.html
“Nice concerts in Fonó and Trafó for
Same like the other Morrison’s. This
people who like all kinds of music:
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one was the most popular pub among traditional, oriental, jazz …”
exchange students in spring 2008. (Thomas Guizard, exchangee)
Address: V. Dist., Honvéd u. 40.
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Shopping
In Hungary, shops are usually open from the main pedestrian
Monday until Saturday, on weekdays thoroughfares and
between 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., on Saturday perhaps the most
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until 1 p.m. But you can find so many famous street of
big stores and malls which are open every central Budapest.
day, late evening or 24 hours long. It features a
large number of
Fashion street – Váci utca restaurants and
freetime
fashion outlets
World brands in the heart of the capital, catering primarily to
in Deák Ferenc street, this is the Fashion the tourist market.
Street. After renovating the imposing
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buildings situated on the uneven side Shopping malls in Budapest
of Deák Ferenc street neighboured by
Deák Ferenc square and Bécsi street the You can find so many malls in Budapest,
street offers the enjoyment of purchase usually they do not have the same shops
again. Váci utca (Váci street) is one of and brands. So if you are looking for
 42
something special, it’s worth visiting
more. Most of them open between
Mon–Sat 10:00–21:00, Sun 10:00–18:00.
To mention some of them: WestEnd
City Center, Campona, Mammut, Csepel
Plaza, Pólus Center, Árkád, Arena Plaza
These shopping malls also have a
cinema.
Big hypermarkets and supermarkets: You
can find them alongside the motorways,
but also in some shopping malls.
Auchan
The French owned Auchan hypermarket
is well laid out and with a huge choice of
goods, it can be compared (for those from
England at least) to the hypermarkets
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of Calais. Extended opening hours are
a boon too, while there’s also a petrol
station next door. Very good.
Spar Supermarket
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Germain store, high quality, medium
prices.
Kaiser’s Supermarket
Found within the Corvin Áruház
(department store) on Blaha Lujza Square,
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this downtown Kaiser’s supermarket is an
excellent place in which to stock up on
essentials, fruit ‘n’ veg, wines, chocolate,
etc. Of course, with Kaiser’s being a
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well-known super-
market chain in
Hungary, they have
a number of stores
dotted around the
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city. To find your
nearest one, visit
their store locater
at: www.kaisers.hu.
Tesco Hypermarket
Tesco (the British supermarket chain) has
an excellent presence here which, as well
as being well laid out, has top-notch meat
and cheese counters plus lots of ex-pat
friendly goodies.
Some others: Cora, IKEA and some
smaller ones like CBA, Reál, Match,
Penny, Profi, Plus, Lidl, Aldi. But if you
really want to get fresh vegetables, meat
and brad, wake up on the early morning
on Saturday, and go to the Fehérvári úti
vásárcsarnok (tram number 4 the last
station, Fehérvári út)!
Market halls
Central Market Hall (Nagyvásár-
csarnok) (V. Dist., Vámház körút 1-3.) In olden
times this most famous of market halls
was connected to the River Danube by
a tunnel so that goods could be directly
offloaded from barges and taken inside to
the stalls for sale. Upstairs is a stunning
- although sometimes pricey – range of
folk art inspired goods. Click here to see
the short video of Central Market Hall!
Fehérvári úti Vásárcsarnok (XI. Dist.,
Kőrösi J. u. 7-9.) Closest to the University.
Just take the tram number 4 to the last
station (Fehérvári út) to get the best taste
of Hungary! Fresh fruits, vegetables,
brad, meat etc you can find everything,
for a low price. Upstairs you can get great
but cheap Hungarian food. Yummy!
Sports
You can do any kind of sports in Hungary.
It’s possible to go for fishing, boating/
sailing, windsurfing, horse riding, hiking,
skating, roller skating. In the countryside
you can even go for bird-watching …
Swimming
BME’s swimming pool (XI. Dist, Bogdánffy
út 12., Open: only on weekdays 6:00–7:30
and 14:30–20:30) is at your disposal.
You can get a pass arranged for you at
a price of 12 000 HUF for a quarter and
20 000 HUF for half a year.
It’s a bit shallow and you can touch the
floor with your hands.
Some of the best places to go: Rudas
Baths (walking distance from BME,
in Buda by Erzsébet Bridge), Komjádi
Swimming Pool (get onto bus # 86 in
front of Gellért Hotel, and get off at
Margit Bridge).
Cycling
Hungary’s flat terrain makes it perfect
for bicycles, and some towns and regions
(Budapest, Szeged, parts of the Danube
Bend, around Lake Balaton) have systems
of bicycle lanes. But bicycle rentals are
hard to come by in Hungary. You can
buy an old used speed bike for 10 000 –
20 000 HUF.
The national tourist office publishes a
useful pamphlet called Cycling Tours
43
in Hungary with 38 recommended
routes including sketch maps. Hungary
by Bicycle, in Hungarian, German and
English, can be found in some Budapest
bookshops.
Hiking
Tourist Department of the Hungarian
Association of Friends of Nature (VI.
Dist., Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 31. II/3.)
“How about rock climbing within city
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borders? Not impossible.
Take tram # 19 to Batthyány tér. Take
either bus # 86 or # 60 as far as Kolosy
tér. From this place bus # 65 will take
you to Fenyőgyöngye where you can get
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off and walk down the hill. On your right
you will see many trails. Follow the path
parallel to the road and take the first right
up into the woods. We all four enjoyed
it a lot, and went climbing regularly each
day.” (Bob Blunt, American exchangee)
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freetime
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 “Help cleaning Budapest!
Eat a pigeon every day!”

HUNGARY

Content

Health 46
Religious Services in English 47
Travelling 48
Telecommunication 51
Media 52
Useful Links 53
Public Holidays 53
Practical Information 54
Greetings & Civilities 56
 46 47

Health Religious Services in English

Doctors and dentists who see patients
outside their jobs at government clinics or
hospitals keep very abbreviated schedules-
usually only a couple of hours a week.
Your embassy can provide you with a list
of recommended specialists. Dental work
is usually of a high standard and cheap by
western standards Many dentists (come
licensed to practise abroad) advertise in
Budapest Week.
Most large towns and Budapest’s 23
districts have all-night pharmacies open
every day: a sign on the door of any
Presbyterian
Emergency numbers: Rev. Otto Pecsuk (Tel: (70) 294-7635)
Church of Scotland,
24-hour medical assistance: (1) 200 0100 VI. Dist., Vörösmarty u. 51.,
24-hour dental assistance: (1) 267 9602 Sunday 11:00
24-hour emergency medical service Roman Catholic
Tel: (1) 312-3430, (1) 311-1666
F. R. László Marosfalvi S. J., John Adam
(Ask for the “főorvos”.)
S. J. (Tel: (1) 318-3479)
Ambulance: 104
Church of the Sacred Heart,
VIII. Dist., Mária u. 25.,
Health Center of BME, Gyógyír Kht.
Saturday 5:00.
XI. Dist., Fehérvári út 12. Tel: (1) 279-2157,
International Church
(1) 279-2158
Rev. Glenn Ford Tel: (1) 212-9428,
Danube International Church
Mathias Corvinus Collegium
XI. Dist., Somlói út 51
Sunday at 10:30
www.danubechurch.org
The Bible Speaks Church of Hungary
VIII. Dist., Golgota u. 3.
The English Language Community of
Szent Antals Roman Catholic Church
II. Dist., Pasaréti tér
Sunday at 16:00
Golgotha (Calvary Chapel)
Hiradó Theatre at VIII. Dist., Blaha Lujza tér
Jewish Synagogue of Budapest

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www.church.hu
pharmacy will help you locate the closest
Pharmacies on night duty Óbuda Társaskör, III. Dist., Kiskorona u. 7, VII. Dist., Sip utca 12
24-hour service. Tel: (1) 342-1335;
Sunday 10:30
Pharmacies on night duty in Budapest International Baptist Anglican-Episcopal Church
operate on rota-system. Those, in the Rev. Lee Powell (Tel: (1) 431-0033) VII. Dist., Almássy utca 6.
centre of town that are usually open late Móricz Zsigmond Gimnázium Sunday at 10:30 at St Margaret’s Church

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are at: Buda II., Frankel Leó u. 22. Tel: (1) 212- netministries.org/see/churches.exe/ch12609
II. Dist., Törökvész út 48-54.,
4406, Buda XII., Alkotás u. 1/b, Tel: (1) 355- Sunday 10:30 Jehovah’s Witnesses
4691, Pest IV., Pozsonyi u. 19. Tel: (1) 379-3008, XIII. Dist., Röppentyű utca 55.
Anglican
Pest VI., Teréz krt. 41. Tel: (1) 311-4439. Magyar Szentek Temploma, XI. Dist., Saturday at 17.30
New Covenant Church

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Goldman György tér (Tel: (1) 209-2224),

XIII Dist., Dózsa György út 152.
Sunday 10:30
Jewish Sunday at 10:00
Dohány utcai Zsinagóga, Centre of the Hunagrian Muslim
VII. Dist., Dohány utca 2., Community

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magyariszlam@freemail.hu
Saturday 21:00.
Bible Baptist Church Tel: (30) 272-9865.
XVII. Dist., 502 u. 19
Close to the university, on XI. Dist., Bartók
Béla str. 29. there is a Mecset (Masque)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Tel: (30) 9330145.
Saints

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XII. Dist., Hajnóczy utca 14

Sunday at 13:00
 48
Travelling
Travelling in Budapest
Public transport
If you want to use public transport, you
need to have a ticket or a pass. These are
valid for all tram-, metro- and trolleybus
lines, on the Millennium Underground
and the cogwheel railway, but on HÉV
(suburban railway) only within the
administrative boundaries of Budapest.
On bus lines: tickets are valid on the
whole length of the lines, but Budapest
all-line passes (for example the monthly
passes) are valid only to the first stop
registration
outside Budapest.
(Budapest unified/combined passes
(BEB passes) are valid on all lines of
BKV Ltd. (Budapest Public Transport)
and on allotted lines of MÁV-START
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Zrt. (Hungarian Railways) and VOLÁN
(yellow buses beyond Budapest.)
Where to buy
Single tickets can be purchased from
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ticket vending machines, at the cashiers’
at metro – and HÉV stations and on
the main traffic points in Budapest, at
newsagents’ and at every Post Office in
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Budapest and in the suburb.
Pre-purchased one-day travel cards, three-
day travel cards, seven-day travel cards,
family tickets and passes can be redeemed
before the starting day. You also have to
pay a handling charge of 200 HUF.
The monthly passes can be purchased
with any starting day and are valid until
24.00 on the previous day of the starting
day in the next month.
If holders of monthly passes are
controlled without their passes on them,
they have only two opportunities a year
to show their passes afterwards in BKV
offices, if they have no outstanding debts
on previous fines (holders of the yearly
passes have no limitation in showing their
passes afterwards).
The passes shown
have to be valid one
day before and on
the day of fining.
NOTE: Single tickets, transfer tickets,
tickets of the discount coupon book,
family tickets and the conurbation tickets
cannot be used on the night service
network. The single tickets bought
on the spot / ticket for night service
(350 HUF) are valid at night too, they
can be purchased from the employees at
the entrances of the stations, from ticket
controllers, from vending machines and
at the cashiers. The monthly passes are
valid on the night service network too.
49
Controllers on the board
On the busses, trams, etc. can be 6 X 6 Taxi 06-1-666-6666
controllers. If you’re travelling without City Taxi 06-1-211-1111
a valid ticket or pass or not keeping to Tele 5 06-1-555-5555
Terms and Conditions of Travel, you Fõtaxi 06-1-222-2222
are obliged to pay a Rádiótaxi 06-1-777-7777
fine: Budataxi 06-1-233-3333
• 6000 HUF paid Taxi 2000 06-1-200-0000
on the spot
• 12 000 HUF paid Getting to Ferihegy Airport
afterwards on postal
cheque The simplest, and best way is via the
• 24 000 HUF paid beyond 30 days Airport Minibus Service (Tel: (1) 296-
With a valid Student Card you can get the 8555, www.bud.hu), which picks you up
monthly pass much cheaper. Now it costs at whatever address in Budapest you give
3250 HUF. The prices of other tickets them and takes you to the airport in about
and passes you can read on this page: an hour. Be sure to order it in advance.
registration
www.bkv.hu/english/jegyek/index.html If more people travel together to the
The starting day can be chosen at airport, then Zona Taxi is the cheapest
purchase. solution. (They have fix price to and from
TIP: If you want to go somewhere, but the airport.)
you didn’t know how to get there, you
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can easily use this line planner: utvonal. Public transportation: Take the blue
bkv.hu First 3 heads: from where do you metro line (3) as far as Kőbánya–Kispest
start 1. city, 2. circle, 3. street and house (end station) and get on to bus 200
number. The second 3 heads apply for (Reptérbusz). Note that Ferihegy 1 and
Ferihegy 2 are two different terminals and
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the place where you want to go (the
same order as by starting place). If you they are 10 minutes far from each other
snap down “MEHET”, it will show you by bus.
how to get there, which bus, tram, etc.
you have to use.
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Taxis
Taxis are abundant, but it is good to check
whether they have working meters as some
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drivers may overcharge unsuspecting
foreigners. Better, determine price to
your destination before entering taxi,
if possible. Taxis with reasonable rates
included:
 50
Travelling in the Country
Trains
Showing your Student Card at the time
of purchasing train ticket, you can
travel anywhere in Hungary with 50%
discount.
The train schedule (menetrend) is available
at www.mav-start.hu . You can also find
schedule for all trains in Hungary as well
as international trains to Prague, Vienna
and other cities in Central/Eastern
Europe.
There are three main train stations:
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university
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Nyugati=West; Keleti=East;
Déli=South. If you are planning to buy
the ticket at the train station, it is a good
idea to arrive early, because the lines are
often long and English is rarely spoken.
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Most international trains depart from
Keleti station.
In buying tickets for international travel,
be sure to have your passport with you
even, if you are paying in forints.
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Buses
With a Student Card, there is a 50 %
discount on bus travel throughout
51
Hungary. The main bus terminals for
Volánbusz are Népliget (on blue M line), Telecommunication
Stadionok and Árpád Bridge (in Pest).
For a longer stay here, it is best to buy
TIME TABLES on the Internet
a mobile phone. Customers can choose Long-Distance Call in Hungary (for
to either prepay for their phone usage example form Budapest or from your
• MÁV, Hungarian Railway Co.
www.mav-start.hu or purchase a monthly payment plan. mobile to other Hungarian cities or other
Both payment methods have advantages mobile phones): 06 + area code + phone
• VOLÁN, Long-distance coaches
and disadvantages. You should check number
www.volanbusz.hu/en
which one suits your needs better. The
• MAHART, Passanger Shipping Ltd.
major mobile phone providers: T-Mobile, Area codes:
www.balatonihajozas.hu/en/main.htm
Pannon and Vodafone. These mobile Budapest 1
• BKV, Public transport in the capital
phone companies often have an offer, T-Mobile 30
www.bkv.hu/english/home/index.html
you should check them. Pannon 20
• MALÉV Hungarian Airlines
www.malev.hu/BP/ENG/index.asp Vodafone 70
To make an international phone call, the Green numbers (free) 80
registration
Every timetable is available at cheapest way is to buy an international Raised calling fee 90
www.menetrendek.hu calling card.
(menetrendek=schedules) Budapest area code: 1 (+7-digit
Telecard www.telecard.hu number)
Rent a car: Neophone www.neophone.hu Cell-phone numbers are 9-digit, after
university
• EUrent: Private Talk www.privatetalk.hu dialing 06, the first two numbers depend
V. Dist., Deák Ferenc tér 3. No Limits www.nolimits.hu on the telephone company: 20, 30 or 70.
Tel: (1) 328-6464,
(1) 421-8333 You can also find some public phones International calls: 00 + country code
www.eurent.hu in the city. They take 10, 20, 50 and 100 + area code + phone number
esn bme
and • World Wide Rent a Car Forint coins and give instructions in
XII. Dist., Sas u. 10-12. English, French and German. Most public Hungary’s country code: 36
Tel: (1) 302-0431, Mobile: (20) 991-8506 phones are being converted to use phone
www.rentacar.com cards ONLY. Phone cards are available at Important phone numbers:
• Fox Autorent: your hotel, post offices, petrol or railway 104 Ambulance
freetime
XXII. Dist., Nagytétényi út 48-50. stations, and newsstands. 105 Fire department
Tel: (1) 382-9000 107 Police
www.fox-autorent.com,
112 Emergency call
• Hertz Mercur Rent-a-car To make a call:
198 Directory Assistance
www.hertz.hu
hungary
Local Calls (for example from Budapest 199 International Directory
to Budapest, or from a mobile phone
number to the same company’s mobile
phone number): dial the 7-digit number.
 52 53

Media Useful links

There are quite a few English-language Quarterly, which examines a wide variety Culture in Budapest: Itineraries/Travel plans:
newspapers in Hungary at present, of issues in great depth and is a valuable www.festivalcity.hu www.startlap.hu
all of them weekly. The oldest of the source of current Hungarian thinking Travelling: www.shellgeostar.com
independents is Budapest Week, which in translation. Another is the Budapest www.utak.hu Mobile phone services:
www.pannon.hu (pannon)
has ample coverage of news and cultural Review of Books, the English-language Lawyers:
www.t-mobile.hu (former westel)
events but sometimes reads a bit like a edition of the popular quarterly Buksz. www.lawyers.com www.vodafone.hu (vodafone)
college newspaper. It recently merged House of the World Press is the biggest World papers:
with its sister paper, the Hungarian newspaper shop in Downtown where you www.thepaperboy.com
Times, which deals with economics and can find 1200 foreign papers (address: V. Weather forecast:
politics. The Budapest Sun is trying to Dist., Városház u. 3-5.) www.weather.com
compete but appears to be saturated. Oxford University Press is situated in the Internet providers:
www.alarmix.net/axe
The Budapest Business Journal devotes fifth district as well: V. Dist., Gerlóczy u. 7.
www.irisz.hu
itself to financial news and features. The The Hungarian Television has several www.matav.hu

registration
registration

Daily News (in stations (M1, M2, Duna TV, etc.), and www.hotspotter.hu/en
fact a weekly) is the Hungarian Radio has three named
little more than after Lajos KOSSUTH, Sándor PETŐFI
a news bulletin and Béla BARTÓK. There are news Public holidays
published by the and cultural programs on Kossuth (in

university
university

Hungarian news Hungarian), classical music on Bartók,

agency MTI. and modern music on Petőfi.
Western newspapers in Radio Bridge (102.1 MHz/FM)
English are available on has hourly Voice of America 1st January New Year’s Day
the day of publication at news broadcast in English, 15th March National holiday – Anniversary of the war of independence

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many large kiosks and at news features at 8 am and 1848–49

expensive hotels in Budapest 8 pm weekdays and a late- 13th April (in 2009) Easter Monday
include the International night jazz show. Radio 1st May Labour Day
Herald Tribune, the Budapest (6110, 7220, 9385 31st May (in 2009) Whit Monday
European edition of the and 11910KHz) has nightly

freetime
freetime

20th August National Day/St. Stephan’s Day – Anniversary of the

Wall Street Journal and The
Financial Times.
Other English-language periodicals
include the Hungarian Observer published
English-language programmes foundation of the Hungarian State by St. Stephen
at 11 pm.
23rd October Republic Day –
TVs equipped with satellite dishes and
Anniversary of the outburst of the revolution and war of
the relevant decoders can receive Sky TV,
independence 1956,

hungary
hungary

sporadically throughout the year, and CNN, BBC and others.

Day of acclaiming the 3rd Hungarian Republic (1989)
the monthly Hungarian Economic Besides, several commercial radio and TV
Review from the Hungarian Chamber stations provide 24–hour programs (e.g. 1st November All Saint’s Day
of Commerce. The most erudite of all Sláger Rádió, Juventus Rádió, RTL Klub, 25th–26th December Christmas
publications in English is the Hungarian TV 2, etc.).
 54
Practical information
Addresses
Hungarian addresses look like this:
Budapest V., Kossuth utca 107. II. 6.
The town/city comes first (Budapest
addresses begin with the district in Roman
numerals), followed by the street name,
building number, floor (Roman numerals)
and apartment number. Postcodes are
4-figure numbers.
TIP: In Budapest, the post codes start
with 1, and the two middle number
marks the district. This way you are able
registration
to guess where the place is what you’re
looking for. Like 1024 – Budapest II.
district.
university
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Electricity in Hungary
freetime
The voltage is 230 V/50Hz with European
two-prong plug.
Electrical equipment of 110V/60Hz
requires the use of an adapter and/or
voltage converter.
hungary
Floor numbers
To avoid an old tax law that penalised
buildings with more than four floors, there
is an assortment of extra levels between
the ground floor (földszint) and first, such
as magasföldszint (‘upper ground floor’)
and félemelet (‘half floor’).
Forest tick
There are no troublesome snakes or
creeply-crawlies to worry about; the
biggest complaints among travellers are
insect bites. One insect that can bring
on more than just an itch is the forest
tick (kullancs), which burrows under
the skin causing inflammation and
even encephalitis. You might consider
getting an FSME (meningoencephalitis)
vaccination if you plan to do a lot of
hiking and camping.
Money, Exchange
The unit of currency is Hungarian Forint
(HUF). In Hungary the abbrevation of
Forint is Ft.
Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 HUF. Bank
notes: 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10 000,
20 000 HUF. (Always check how many
zeros you have there! Like don’t pay 20
000 instead of 2000.)
Since February 2008, we have no more
coins of 1 and 2 forints. But in shops,
the prices can still end in 1,2,3 etc. They
round 1 and 2 to 0 , and 3,4,6 and 7 to
5, and 8 and 9 to 10. (So if you want to
buy something for 312 HUF, you pay 310
HUF. Instead of 419 HUF, you pay 420
HUF.) With credit card you pay the exact
amount.
Names
Surnames first, Christian names second:
so Éva Pintér is in Hungarian Pintér
(surname) Éva (first name).
Tap water
Tap water is reportedly safe everywhere.
Time
Time is always measured in
terms of time to come, not
in time past. 1/2 8 or f8 is
actually 7:30, as in German.
Think of it as half to the hour, not half
past it.
Also dates have other order: year/month/
day
Tipping in Hungary
Restaurant prices in Hungary generally
do not include a service charge and
it is therefore customary to give a tip,
generally equivalent to 10% (15% for
exceptional service) of the bill. Do not
leave the bill on the table, always pay the
server directly.
55
VAT refunding
If a non-EU citizen foreign traveller
purchases new, unused goods in Hungary
when the value of an invoice – including
V.A.T. – exceeds the limit of 50 000 HUF
and takes them out of Hungary he/she
is entitled to claim for the refund of the
value of V.A.T. The goods must be taken
out of the country within 90 days from
the issuance of the invoice, and V.A.T.
refund can be asked within not more
than 183 days from the date of customs
clearance.
Travel Tips and Experiences (by an
exchange)
registration
• Check for cheap deals on last minute
packages ($150 for a flight & one week
apartment in Crete).
• Check airfare prices! Discount airlines
(WizzAir, EasyJet, GermanWings, etc.)
university
offer cheaper tickets to major European
cities than the railway companies. The
sooner you book in, the cheaper the price
could be. Online booking is available.
• Always check to see, if you need a seat
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reservation.
• Carry euros and dollars with you, and
wear a money belt.
• Take advantage of travelling within
Hungary.
freetime
“A very good place to do some wine
tasting is Villány and its area (Southern
Hungary), which is one of the best
wine region in Hungary. Very friendly
host, also speaking good German and
hungary
a bit of English as well. Excellent wines
and food and also good rooms at a
reasonable price. Go there, if you like
wine !” (Tuomas Siekkinen, Finland)
 56

Greetings & Civilities

Hello Does anyone here speak English?

Szia (familiar) Van itt valaki, aki angolul beszél?
Goodbye Where are you from?
Viszontlátásra (formal) Honnan jön?
Szia (familiar) How are you?
Good morning Hogy van? (form)
Jó reggelt Hogy vagy? (fam.)
Good afternoon I am fine, thanks
Jó napot (most common greeting) Köszönöm, jól.
Good evening Excuse me
Jó estét Legyen szíves (for attention)
Please I am sorry
Kérem (asking something) Sajnálom
registration

Tessék (handling something) Bocsánat(stepping on someone’s toe)

Thank you (very much) Elnézést
Köszönöm (szépen) Mennyibe kerül?
Köszi (fam.) How much does it cost?
You’re welcome Where is ...?
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Szívesen Hol van ...?

Yes I’m lost.
Igen Eltévedtem.
No Can you help me?
Nem Tudna nekem segíteni?
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Maybe I burned my tongue on the potatoes!

Talán Megégettem a nyelvem a krumplival!
I (don’t) understand
(Nem) Értem A tounge-twister for fun. ☺
I don’t speak Hungarian Mit sütsz kis szűcs, talán sós húst
freetime

Nem beszélek magyarul sütsz kis szűcs?

The BME Survival Guide 2008 was published by the Study Abroad Office of BME. Project coordinators::
Eszter Kiss (Study Abroad Office), Melinda Jambrich (ESN BME). Editors: Eszter Kiss, Ágnes Dvorszki,
hungary

Melinda Jambrich. Text: The original material was fully compiled by Eszter Kiss, the current update was
fully made and parts were rewritten by the members of ESN BME: Boglárka Boros, Leyla Horváth, Nóra
Jambrich, Péter Sándor, Melinda Varga. Layout editors: László Bacsárdi, Melinda Jambrich. Cover page:
Eszter Ozsvald Manuscript closed: Jul 16, 2008. Feedbacks: Eszter Kiss (ekiss@mail.bme.hu), Melinda
Jambrich (jambrich.melinda@wigner.bme.hu) Printed in Hungary, Aug 2008. Copyright 2008.