Useful Information-Budapest

The Currency used is Hungarian Forint. In Jan. 2016, 1 EUR = 313 HUF and 1 USD=287 HUF
​The relatively low living costs in Budapest mean that students’ money goes much further than in countries like the US or UK, enabling students to concentrate on their studies in comfort, usually without the need to find part-time employment to finance their studies.
Eating out is relatively cheap and is affordable to students on a regular basis, well-stocked supermarkets are reasonably priced, while the comprehensive public transport system connects all corners of the city for very low prices.
Cultural activities are abundant and available for all at remarkable prices. A night at Budapest’s awesome Opera House need not be reserved for a special occasion.
Cinema - Although many films are screened in English, not all of them are, so make sure to check which language the movie you want to watch is being screened in before you go.
Many supermarkets and small neighborhood convenience stores are found in Budapest and you will come to rely on both. Food stores usually open early and the larger supermarkets stay open into the evening, those at malls usually until 9:00 p.m. Some neighborhood grocery shops are open 24 hours—look for the Non-stop sign.
Open air farmers’ markets are best to visit on Saturday mornings, although many are also open during the week. The large market hall at Fővám tér near the Szabadság hid (Freedom Bridge) is a city landmark, contains all kinds of vegetables, fruit, meats, and, fish, and is a good place to show visitors.
In all types of food shopping, it is wise to have your own plastic bags in which to put your purchased foods. You can always buy a bag at a larger store, but small grocery shops and the open air markets assume you will have your own.
Transportation http://www.bkk.hu/en/main-page/news/
There's a variety of public transportation vehicles you can choose from:
- bus, streetcar, subway, electric bus, suburban railway
You need to have a pass or validated ticket to use public transportation. You can buy a Student Monthly Pass.
​There are several official Taxi companies but there are also non-registered cabs that charge much more than the registered ones.
Registered companies: FőTaxi (official airport cab company), RádióTele5 Taxi, 6x6 Taxi, Taxi4, Barát Taxi, MiniMobil
The prices are cheaper if you call the company to order the cab than if you hail one in the street. In average the prices are: 260-280 Ft/km. There’s an extra charge if the driver waits for you.
Banking: OTP Bank (www.otpbank.hu) is the leading bank in Hungary, while other important banks also offering all the usual banking services include Budapest Bank (www.budapestbank.hu), Erste (www.erstebank.hu), MKB (www.mkb.hu), CitiBank (www.citibank.hu), Raiffeisen (www.raiffeisen.hu) and UniCredit (www.unicreditbank.hu).
ATM machines are available at all banks, on major streets, and in shopping malls. You will receive Hungarian forints (officially written as HUF) at that day’s current exchange rate. Always exchange currency at banks or at designated currency exchange shops. Be sure to take your passport with you when exchanging currency at banks, and keep all receipts for exchanges since you might need to show them when obtaining your residency permit.
Never deal with any individual offering to exchange money on the street—you will be cheated, since these men usually slip less or even worthless money in with the bills they are giving you in “exchange.”
Telephones/Telephoning: For their convenience and safety students are urged to buy a mobile (cellular) phone. A “mobil” (as it is called in Hungarian) can be purchased with a debit card system installed, thus avoiding a monthly contract fee. Mobile phones can be purchased in phone stores on major shopping streets and in shopping malls. There are 3 mobile networks in Hungary at the moment:
Telenor: 20
Vodafone: 70
T-Mobile: 30
Mobile numbers and Budapest landlines have 7 figures. If you want to phone a landline from your mobile or another mobile network, you have to use +36 to switch.
E.g. if you want to phone the school, you have to dial from your mobile the following: +36 1 413 3025
There are also debit calling cards for making inexpensive (in-country and international) long distance calls.  They (for example, Neophone, EZ Phone, and Barangoló) can be purchased at larger newsstands at a minimum of 2000 forints’ worth of time and can be used from either mobile or land line phones. The caller uses an access number to begin the call, enters the card’s account number, then the desired phone number.  These cards provide flexible use, but check the various rates they charge for international calls.
​You may check the following useful links too:
Airport: Budapest Airport
Public transportation in Budapest: BKV Zrt.
Public transportation in Szeged: Szegedi Közlekedési Kft.
Public transportation in Pécs: Pécsi Közlekedési Zrt.
Trains (to Szeged or Pécs): MÁV Zrt.
Coaches (to Szeged or Pécs): Volánbusz