Important Information Before You Travel

COVID-19 related travel information:
Many regulations have changed and restrictions enforced during the coronavirus pandemic. Remember, regulations can change at any time and are often applied with immediate effect. So please, stay up to date with travel news and COVID-19 related news from all relevant countries: your country of residence, possible transit country, and Hungary. 

To stay up to date with information about arriving in Budapest, please check the Budapest Airport website regularly.

For students who have already received their student visas and are ready to travel to Hungary, please follow the steps below very carefully. 
​
Note: Quarantine regulations and other restrictions may change at any time, we will do our best to keep you updated with the latest information, however, it is the student's responsibility to keep up to date with current news. 
 
The best source of information would be the www.bud.hu website, this is the airport website and usually has the latest on travel requirements and COVID-19 restrictions.
 
Step 1 - Online Police Permit Request - 2-3 Days before Flying
The Hungarian Police Issued Entry Permit Request is Required for Everyone!
Fill in and submit your police entry permit application 2-3 days before your flight, by filling out the COVID-10 form online.
 
Step 2 - Book First PCR test at the airport - Anytime before flying
Airport PCR testing booking 

Step 3 - Book Second PCR test in the city - Anytime before flying
Second PCR testing at Whitelab or any other lab of your choice.
* You CANNOT book this PCR test at a date and time that is less than 48 hours from your first one. At the time of booking this, you will not know what time you did your first PCR test, so as a rule of thumb, calculate that you will do your first PCR test 2-3 hours after flight arrival. You need to factor in possible delays, queues at passport control, waiting for baggage, queues at the PCR testing site!
So if you land at 1pm, assume you will do your first PCR test at 3 or 4pm so book your next PCR test 2 days later at say 5 or 6pm to be on the safe side. 
 
Step 4 - Arrival
There is a supermarket at the airport, go ahead and buy what necessities you need there at the SPAR (like water, eggs, bread etc), after all you will be in quarantine!
Book an official taxi Főtaxi or take the private airport shuttle, you could share a ride too. They have a stall at the airport, or you can prebook it online: www.minibud.hu
Once home, place the red quarantine sticker provided by passport control at the airport on the door of your apartment.
Do not leave the house during the quarantine period. Order what you need online.
 
Step 5 - After Arrival - Request Permission to leave quarantine for second PCR testing
After arriving to your accommodation, on the same day, submit an online police request to leave quarantine for your PCR test by filling in the COVID-06 form online. For this permit, you will need a code number that will be provided to you on the entry permit document that you will receive at passport control at the airport. 
 
Step 6 - Exit quarantine ONLY TO the PCR location
Get tested and go straight home.
 
Step 7 - Submit both negative PCR test results
By now, you should have received the results of both your PCR tests. Submit both results online to the police website by filling in the COVID-08 form online
 
Step 8 - You should be free to go after 24 hours of completing step 7!
Remove the sticker from your door and have a great day!
 
 
PCR Testing vs Quarantine
* Please make sure to check with your airline as to whether you need a PCR test to board your flight. 
 
At the moment, international travellers are required to undergo a mandatory, strict, 10 day quarantine. If you would like to shorten the quarantine period, the only way is to take two PCR tests a minimum of 48 hours apart, after arrival to Hungary, both of which should be negative. If you would like to go through the PCR testing please follow the steps below:
 
1. We highly advise to take a PCR test prior to departure whether your airline requires it or not, so that you can rest assured that you are negative upon arrival.
 
2. Book a PCR test to be done at the Budapest airport, upon arrival. Please book your PCR test at the airport in advance, this will help you avoid long registration queues, payment can be done on arrival by credit card or Apple Pay https://bud.umedhub.com/
Please make sure to click on the PCR test, the cost of which is 19,500 HUF
 
3. Book in advance a second PCR test at a testing centre close to where you will be staying. A good and fast lab is white lab, they have locations in Budapest, Szeged and Pécs: https://whitelab.hu/
 
If you start your PCR testing at the airport and follow up properly with the second, you could possibly get out of quarantine by your 6th day. PCR testing results usually take 24-48 hours in most places unlike the 6+ hours we are used to in the UAE and the region.
 
If you do not wish to exit quarantine early, then no PCR test is required at all you just have to wait out the 10 days. If you have symptoms, then you need to get tested.

Other Useful Information - Budapest

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.

​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

Getting From Budapest to Szeged OR PéCS

If you arrive to Hungary's international airport, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport we normally recommend taking the following means of transport to get to Szeged or Pécs.
TAXI: The official airport taxi: FőTaxi can be arranged at the airport.
To reduce costs, you may want to carpool with other students arriving at the same time.
AIRPORT SHUTTLE: The airport shuttle is always a great option too, you can book it in advance or at the airport on arrival.