Balaton Essentials
Flights
Low-cost direct to Lake Balaton, or low-cost to Budapest and drive down the fast new M7 motorway. A direct train service runs from Budapest to the south shoreline of Lake Balaton. Hire a car at Lake Balaton or in Budapest.
Ryanair fly direct
The low-cost airline RyanAir flies direct to Lake Balaton making the region more accessible to UK visitors. Check the links below to compare costs and routes between the UK and Hungary.
Flights to Budapest
The new M7 means Lake Balaton is 1-2hrs from Budapest. The train takes longer, but great value (Take taxi from airport to Deli Pi station where direct lines go to Lake Balaton) (see public transport).
Even BA is worth checking for off-peak low cost fares (with a snack!).
To Budapest in Hungary
Lake Balaton |
London Stanstead |
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Budapest |
Bristol, London Gatwick, |
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Budapest |
London Luton |
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Budapest |
London Heathrow |
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Budapest |
London Stanstead |
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Budapest |
London Heathrow |
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Budapest |
Manchester |
Near to Hungary
Graz(Austria) |
London Stanstead |
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Vienna |
London Heathrow |
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Vienna |
London Stanstead |
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Vienna |
London Heathrow, Manchester |
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Vienna |
Heathrow |
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Ljubljana |
Stanstead |
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Zagreb |
London Luton |
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Bratislava |
London Stanstead , Manchester |
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Bratislava |
London Luton |
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Bratislava |
London Stanstead |
<<See when you arrive
Before you go
Visas and Passports
From the UK you will require a valid passport however many European countries can just use their citizenship ID. The police can stop you and demand to see your passport. British citizens do not need a visa unless they are staying in Hungary for over six months (after the first 90 days contact the local regional agency of the Hungarian Immigration and Nationality Office - see Hungarian Embassy link below). Before traveling to Hungary it is often sensible to photocopy your passport and other insurance details and leave these copies at home.
http://www.huemblon.org.uk/hungarian_embassy_consular.htm
Embassies
The UK embassy in Hungary can be found at; V Budapest, Harmincad utca 6. Or contacted on 1 266 2888 (Mon-Fri) (www.britishembassy.hu)
The Hungarian Embassy in the UK can be found at; 35 Eaton Place, London, SW1X 8BY. 020-7235-5218 (consulate 0207 7235 2664), office@huembrom.org.uk
http://www.huemblon.org.uk/index.htm (See Consular Affairs for visas etc.)
Health Insurance
No special vaccinations are needed. Your travel insurance company may expect you to carry the new European Heath Insurance card (E111 replacement) so that you can be treated at the Hungarian Government’s expense under the reciprocal country agreement (read the small print on your insurance). Emergency ambulance service - phone 104.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAdviceForTravellers/fs/en
follow links to European Heath Insurance card, or Getting treatment around the world)
European Heath Insurance card: you can get treatment only from doctors and dentists that have a sign saying they are contracted with the National Health Insurance Fund (Országos Egészségbiztosítasi Pénztár or OEP). Doctors' consultations are free, and emergency dental treatment is generally free. Any charges you pay are not refundable.
Hospital treatment: in-patient and out-patient hospital treatment is normally provided through a referral from a GP. Treatment is free of charge. Charges for extra services are not refundable. Ambulance travel is free of charge.
Cash ATMs
Visa / Mastercard / Switch / Delta cards seem to work everywhere, with plenty of ATMs throughout the country. It is likely to be cheaper to get you cash at ATMs rather than before you go. Several machine are available in the arrivals hall at Budapest airport.
Electricity
220 volt European socket types. Use an adaptor the same a France, Spain etc.
When you arrive
Balaton Airport
Ferihegy International Airport, at the west end of the lake.
Budapest Airport
Budapest airport is small and modern. It has ATM cash machines and car rental desks.
Hire a car, or go to the city centre.
Getting to Lake Balaton from Budapest
The new M7 means Lake Balaton is 1-2hrs from Budapest. (See driving, maps and car hire)
Lake Balaton is 1.5 to 2hrs by train from Budapest Deli Pi station ( see Trains ). Get to he station in the city centre by taxi, shuttle bus, or bus.
Budapest Airport to Budapest city centre
There are 3 option to get to Budapest city centre:
Take an airport taxi (£22-25), or phone Fo Taxis from airport tel.2222222 (7 twos) (£15). Its cheaper as it avoids the high airport charges
Budapest Airport’s Authority operates a minibus from the airport which will take you to anywhere in Budapest (£7-10). It is slower than a taxi as they drop others off along the way. Tickets can be bought just outside the arrivals barrier.(A taxi may be better if there are 2 of you!)
Take the 93 express bus (every 10 -15 mins) outside the terminal building to the end stop (Kobanya Kispest) which is a terminus for the Budapest Metro System. (Costs 2 travel tickets £1.50p - available on sale at newsagents in the airport or sometimes on the bus)
Budapest Deli Pi station has trains to Lake Balaton ( see Trains )
Useful Info while in Hungary
(see also driving/car hire and places of interest)
Tipping
Tipping: Hungarians often give tips (a throwback to low state wages). They tip waiters, hotel porters, bath attendants, bar staff, taxi drivers, hairdressers and tour guides. Generally 10-15% is an acceptable amount for a tip. Don’t leave a tip on the table in a restaurant, they think it’s strange! Instead, tell the waiter exactly how much you want to pay, including the tip. If you expect change when paying the waiter, be careful how you say ‘thank you’ as they may assume you don’t want the change - Locals tip by rounding the bill up!
Eat early
Many restaurants stop serving at around 9pm.
Loos
Expect to pay a little to use toilets in Hungary (especially the clean ones). Most provide paper, although it may be sensible to have some spare.
Weather
Hungary is in the centre of a very large land mass, and so the Summers can be hot and the winters cold. www.met.hu
Museum Prices
The majority of main state-run museums do not now charge an entrance fee, however you may have to pay to enter some temporary exhibitions.
Public Holidays
During the following days, most things in Hungary will close down;
January 1st (New Years day), March 15th (Independence day), Easter Monday, May 1st (Labour day), August 20th (St Stephen’s day - big celebarations throughout Hungary, fireworks...), October 23rd (National holiday), November 1s (All Saints Day), December 25th and 26th (shops may also be closed on the 24th all day or half day).
Embassies
The UK embassy in Hungary can be found at; V Budapest, Harmincad utca 6. Or contacted on 1 266 2888 (Mon-Fri) (www.britishembassy.hu)
The Hungarian Embassy in the UK can be found at; 35 Eaton Place, London, SW1X 8BY. 020-7235-5218 (consulate 0207 7235 2664), office@huembrom.org.uk
http://www.huemblon.org.uk/index.htm (See Consular Affairs for visas etc.)
Electricity
220 volt European socket types. Use an adaptor the same a France, Spain etc.
Public Transport
Rail, Boat, Bus, ( Motorways or Roads(without M7) )
Don't want to drive? The great thing in Hungary is the sheer variety of transportation options (and not at UK prices!). Because many people still do not have a car, public transport is still mostly good; although at the Balaton in winter the frequencies and number of services reduces.
MAPS Country map on Multimap,
Detailled road map: http://lazarus.elte.hu/moterkep/mb.htm
Rail : Rail travel is cheap and convenient – although some of the slow (“szemely”) trains are old and cleanliness is sometimes similar to older UK stock. The prices however are cheap – a day return to Budapest is only around c£10 from the Balaton – and there are further reductions for children and families. Please note that on named express trains you MUST have a reserved seat (usually obtainable up to departure time) – failure to have a reservation on these trains (or a ticket generally) will involve hassle and a fine. Look at the on-line timetable site: www.elvira.hu/elvira.dll?language=2
Price of train tickets will vary depending on the distance travelled and the type of train you are using. If you get caught with out a ticket a fine of could follow. Tickets do not need validating on the Railways - the conductor will check them. Bikes can be carried on passenger trains however they will require an extra ticket (25% charge).
You must ‘validate’ tickets on the Budapest trams, buses and Metro (stamp them in the machine when entering). Not necessary for main line rail.
Boat : In the summer there are regular services running across and around the Balaton – these allow an excellent and cheap way to observe scenery from many angles. The most used boat service is the ferry from Szantod to Tihany – beware of the queues in peak summer if you have a car. In winter services are much reduced and often cancelled for long periods (when the lake freezes over!!) see www.mahart.hu (under construction at present).
Bus : There are regular (mostly hourly) bus services in each direction around the main towns and villages of the Balaton. These are cheap – but at the wrong times can be crowded. See www.balatonvolan.hu/bv3.htm - though as this is in Hungarian do get in touch for a translation
Driving/Car Hire
Driving Laws
Drink driving is prohibited 100%! ... and they will prosecute. They can hold you for 48 hours if they think you’ve driving on drugs. For more minor offenses the Police issue fines that are paid at the post office and not to the police officer.
Police also expect you to obey these rules; use seat belts, have dipped headlights switched on at all times, carry a breakdown triangle, spare bulbs and first aid boxes, and never allow children under twelve to ride in the front seats.
The speed limits are: 130km/hr on motorways. 110 km/hr on dual carriageways, 90km/hr on most other roads apart from 50km/hr in urban areas.
Other points include: trams always have right of way, using your horn in urban areas is illegal unless for an emergency, vehicles coming for the right have the right of way at crossroads (unless signs show otherwise), never overtake on the right, and using a hand held mobile is illegal. Pedestrian crossings are regularly ignored by local drivers! Hungarian police can be strict and issue on the spot fines. They stop drivers and check credentials at random, so carry your passport, driving licence, and car details (the European style picture driving licence is acceptable). If you are involved in an accident then you must call the Hungarian motoring department 1/466-8800 within 24 hours, and if someone has been injured then the police must be notified by ringing 107 . English speaking tourist and police hotline is 1/438-8080, or 068063 0800. (Contact the UK Embassy in Hungary if you have problems)
Car Rentals
Competitive prices with local personal car hire: www.anselport.hu
Avis www.avis.co.uk
Budget www.budget.co.uk
Eurpocar www.europcar.co.uk
National www.nationalcar.co.uk
Herts www.hertz.co.uk
Holidayautos www.holidayautos.co.uk
Motorways
Currently in Hungary there are five main motorways. Of these the M1, M3 ,M5, and the M7 require a toll sticker (vignette) displayed on the car windscreen (not required on the M0 Budapest ring road) . Buy the stickers from post offices or petrol stations before you reach the motorway, as failure to do so could result in an on the spot fine (number plate readers are in operation). Stickers are valid from 4 days, 10 days etc., and are not normally provided with rental cars.
Budapest:
Balaton:
Motorway details http://www.motorway.hu/Engine.aspx
MAPS Country map on Multimap,
Detailled road map (bur doesn't show the new M7 Balaton-Budapest motorway): http://lazarus.elte.hu/moterkep/mb.htm
Journey planner http://www.utvonalterv.hu/