Practical Information

• » About the journey

  Sign up

  When you have signed up and paid for a journey, we will send you the Sterk Helse information package

  Air ticket

  This information currently being updated.

  Journey from Norway

  We meet at the Budapest airport where we have people waiting for you with a sign of Sterk Helse. A bus will bring the group to the hotel.

  Passport

  Hungary is part of the Schengen space and it is therefore not necessary to show the passport when travelling within this area. You must however bring your passport for the journey.

  Travel companion

  Those who are in need of nursing services or special aid need to bring a travel companion.

  Travel insurance

  We recommend all our guests to have a travel insurance.

  Travel guarantee

  Sterk Helse is a member of Reisegarantifondet. This is a guarantee that shall cover any claims that may be advanced pursuant to Pakkereiseloven (the Package Tours Act) of 25 August 1995, no 57. Read more about Reisegarantifondet at www.rgf.no

• » About Hungary

  Climate

  Temperate zone, continental climate, four seasons. Hottest months: July, August (temperatures can reach 28–35°C) Coldest months: December, January (temperatures can fall as low as –15°C) Budapest has a relatively high number of hours of sunshine per annum. It exceeds 8 hours per day between April and September.

  Time zone

  Budapest is on Central European time (CET). GMT +1 hour

  Electricity

  Hungary’s electricity network operates at 230 Volts. Plugs are the regular continental type.

  Currency

  Forint (Ft or HUF)

  Exchanging money

  Money can be exchanged at the hotel, airport, banks and at any bureau de change. Most banks have 24-hour banknote exchange ATMs. Besides this there are many credit card and cash card ATMs in operation day and night. Broadly speaking, the best exchange rates are to be found close to the rail stations and in the city centre (Petôfi Sándor Street). Do not exchange money on the street as you risk being cheated.

  Credit cards

  The most commonly used credit cards – AMEX, Diners Club, Cirrus, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard, JCB, VISA – can be used to obtain cash from ATMs in banks and on the streets as well as to pay bills in hotels, restaurants and shops. Emblems on the door of the establishment detail which credit cards are accepted.

  Postal services

  The hotel reception can offer stamps and mail postcards and letters.

  Internet access

  There is wireless internet acces in the hotel. Internet cards can be bought in the reception.

  General opening times

  Shops: food shops are open from 7 am–6 pm, clothes shops between 10 am–6 pm Mon. to Sat. Most shopping centres are also open on Sun. Tesco is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  Office hours: generally from 8 am–4 pm Mon. to Fri.
  Post offices: Mon–Fri: 8 am–6 pm, Sat: 8 am–1 pm (for details, see Postal services section)
  Banks: Mon–Thur: 8 am–3 pm, Fri: 8 am–1 pm

  Security in Budapest

  The general public security situation in the capital can be said to be good on an international average, and still it is better if tourists are prepared for certain situations so that they do not end up feeling cheated. In general the tourist’s wallet is in greatest danger, and so it is advisable when using public transport, at shopping centres, markets or any other busy area where people are jostling around, to pay extra attention to wallets, purses and bags. Taxis are best pre-booked by phone; they are cheaper and there is no chance that you will pick up the one or two private taxis’ who charge outrageous fares. Always ask for a menu showing all the prices before choosing which restaurant to eat at. This way you can rule out any unpleasantness caused by overcharging. Never get mixed up in changing money or gambling on the street. Carry documents, money and credit cards in a closed, inner pocket, and don’t carry a lot of cash around town.

  Budapest taxis

  Budapest taxis have yellow number plates and a taxi sign in yellow. (Any vehicle without these features is operating illegally.) We recommend you to call a taxi yourself or ask the hotelreception or the restaurant you are at to call one for you. We recommend City Taxi (telephone: 2-111-111). Taxi drivers are required to give an invoice on request. Tipping: in general 10% of the fare is acceptable, but this naturally depends on how satisfied the passenger is with the service. Taxi company call centre staff speak foreign languages. Every taxi company takes full responsibility for staff employed by it.

  Public transport

  Budapest has an efficient public transport network made up of more than 180 bus, 14 trolleybus, 29 tram, and three metro lines. Maps sited at the entrances to metro stations give a comprehensive overview of the entire public transport network in Budapest. Conditions of travel are also included, in German and English.
  Tickets may be purchased at the shop in the hotel lobby, metro stations, ticket machines, tobacconists and newsagents. Tickets must be stamped on entering transport vehicle. Ticket controls: you may be requested to show your ticket on all public transport or at exit points of the metro by ticket inspectors who wear armbands and have a badge with photograph. For this reason, please keep your ticket until the very end of your journey or until you have left the metro station. If you travel without a valid ticket or pass or if you contravene the conditions of travel, you have to pay a fine.

  Budapest Card

  Launched in 1997, this city card is the tourist’s “best friend” for 2- or 3-day (48 or 72 hours) city sightseeing tours. Children under 14 travelling with the card holder are also entitled to the benefits the card offers. The card includes a colour prospectus (over 100 pages) in four languages with details of how to use the card and all the services and benefits that are available. Cards may be purchased in around 250 locations across the capital (airport, hotels, travel agencies, tourist information offices, main metro stations), and in travel agencies abroad.

  The Budapest Card provides the following services:
  
  free travel on Budapest Transport Company (BKV Rt.) public transport free admission to 60 museums and other important sites (Zoo, caves in Buda, Matthias Church) discounted city sightseeing tours by bus and boat discounted tickets for folklore and other cultural programmes discounts offered in spa baths, restaurants, shops, airport minibus, car rental and numerous other places

  Price: HUF 5200 (48 hours) HUF 6500 (72 hours)
  www.budapestinfo.hu

• » What to bring

  Air ticket and Sterk Helse information folder Passport Swim suit Rubber sandals (can be bought at the hotel) Comfortable shoes Shoes and clothing for exercising Clothing for summer and spring/fall temperatures Travel umbrella Medications A good book

  Bathrobes and towels are available at the hotel.