INFO ON BUDDHAPEST
The city of Budapest was formed in 1873 through the joining of Buda, Pest and Old Buda (Óbuda). As the largest city in the Republic of Hungary, Budapest is the country's political, cultural and commercial center.
The beautiful Danube River both divides and connects the city, with peaceful, hilly Buda on the west, and the lively Pest on its flat, eastern coast. Seven bridges and two railways join Buda and Pest, and six islands on the Danube are located within city limits.
Basic Info
Population: 1,7 million
Currency: Forint (HUF)
Airport: Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD)
Country code: 36
Budapest area code: 1
Time Zone: Central European Time (GMT+1, EST+6), Daylight Saving Time observed
Nicknames: Pearl of the Danube, Queen of the Danube, Paris of Eastern Europe, Heart of Europe
HUNGARIAN CURRENCY,MONEY AND COST
Daily exchange rates from the European Central Bank:
USD | CAD | EUR | GBP | CHF | AUD | |
HUF | 180.88 | 190.80 | 263.80 | 299.33 | 205.28 | 194.51 |
You'll find that Budapest is a bargain compared to other European cities, because although Hungary is part of the European Union, it does not use the Euro as its currency. Hungary's currency is the Forint (Ft, HUF), which has coin denominations of 5Ft, 10Ft, 20Ft, 50Ft and 100Ft. The new 200Ft coins portray the Chain Bridge, the result of the first public vote held in Hungary to decide on the image portrayed on the face of a new coin.
You will often see prices, such as hotel rates, quoted in US dollars or in Euros.
Opening & Business Hours in BUDDHAPEST
Shops and stores
Monday-Friday: 10 am to 6 pm
Saturdays: shops close at 1 pm and remain closed on Sundays.
Shopping centers are open 7 days a week.
Grocery stores
Mondat-Friday: 7 am to 7 pm
Saturdays: stores close at 2 pm
There are several smaller non-stop shops scattered around the city and shopping centers are also open 7 days a week.
Museums
Museums are closed on Mondays, except for the Jewish Museum, which is closed on Saturdays.
Office hours
Monday-Friday: 8 am to 5 pm
Banks
Monday-Thursday: 8 am to 2 pm, OTP National Savings Bank is open from 8 am to 4 pm
Fridays: all banks are open from 8 am to 1 pm
Post Offices
Most post offices are open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm
The two main post offices near the Nyugati (Western) and the Keleti (Eastern) Railway Stations are open longer, Monday-Friday 7 am to 8 pm, Saturday 8 am to 2 pm
A 24-hour service is available at the TESCO Post Office at Pillangó utca 15 in District 14
