Foreign exchange, banking facilities
The official national Hungarian currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). All the major credit cards are accepted in Hungary in places displaying the emblem at the entrance. Though Hungary is a member of the European Union, only a few shops and restaurants accept Euros (EUR) for payment. Currency exchange booths are available in Budapest at the airport terminals, railway stations, travel agencies, banks and various places in the city. The exchange rates applied may vary.
Click here to see the actual official exchange rates.
Obtaining cash is very easy from the ATM cash machines that can be found at almost each bank office, hotel or on the street. In the field trips banking facilities will be restricted.
 
Internet
Wi-Fi is available at the venue and probably at accommodations.
 
Electricity
The electricity is 230 V, 50 Hz. Please note that in Hungary Continental European German-style CEE7/4 sockets (“Schuko sockets“) are used, which also accepts CEE7/16 “Europlugs“.
 
Telephone
The international code for Hungary is 36, the area code for Budapest is 1. To call a number within Hungary, first dial 06. To make an international call from Hungary, first dial 00, then the country code followed by the area code and the subscriber’s telephone number. To call a (Hungarian) mobile phone, from a public telephone first dial 06, followed by the subscriber’s seven-digit number starting with 20-, 30- or 70-.
 
Important phone numbers
Ambulance: 104
Fire brigade: 105
Police: 107
English is usually spoken at the emergency numbers. In case English is not spoken, dial Central help number: 112
General enquiries: 197
Inland enquiries: 198
International enquiries: 199
 
Time
Hungary is currently in the Central European Summer Time (CEST) Zone. In the summer months clocks are set at UTC/GMT + 2 hours.
 
Weather and clothing
The weather in Hungary in late summer is usually sunny and warm. Temperatures are usually in the range between 18 and 22 °C during the day. However, August can be either unusually warm (above 30°C) or rainy after 20th August. For the field trips, do not forget to bring “field trip clothes” including good shoes, a hat or a cap and please be prepared to protect yourself from sun and rain.
If you would like to check the weather forecast we suggest to visit the website of the Hungarian Meteorological Service.

Sightseeing
If you have time to spend a couple of days in Budapest, you can find useful information here.
20th August is St. Stephen’s Day in Hungary and it is a public holiday. We celebrate the foundation of the Hungarian state more than 1000 years ago. The festive close with fireworks at the Danube starting at 9 pm.
This year St. Stephen’s Day falls on Monday. Most shops, markets, services will be closed. The majority of cafes and restaurants – especially in the city centre – are open though. Museums also welcome visitors on the holiday.
Note: Public transportation services operate according to holiday schedule but with the Fireworks and other festivities changes in service – especially tram 2 along the Pest riverbank – can be expected.