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. 
 
At the moment (updated April 15, 2021), the Hungarian Consulate in Abu Dhabi has confirmed that everyone who travels from a red zone to Hungary will have a mandatory 2 weeks quarantine. However, it is possible to request an exemption from the quarantine with 2 negative PCR tests made maximum 2 days apart after arrival in Hungary.
Once you arrive in Hungary, you will need to request an exemption from the quarantine from the local authority after receiving the 2 negative tests.
Note: cancellation of quarantine for showing 2 negative PCR tests is not guaranteed, the decision for which is at the discretion of local authorities.
 
Hungarian Police Issued Entry Permit Request is Required for Everyone!
Request your entry permit by filling out the COVID-02 entry permit form here. With a D-type visa or a valid residence permit students can enter Hungary without prior registration, however airlines can request police approval. Once you receive approval, please email it to the Hungarian Consulate and they will issue an English certificate within 2 days. 
 
Each European country has its own regulations, so if you are planning to travel, transiting through another EU country, make sure to check with their Embassies, about whether you are allowed to transit through that country and if there are any restrictions or additional procedures required.
 
Those students who can enter to Hungary visa free have to register only an entry permit at the police website. After arriving in Hungary, you can start the residence permit process at the Immigration Office.

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

Arriving in Budapest

Arrival in Budapest
Passengers are recommended to use Főtaxi, the official taxi partner of Budapest Airport to reach their destinations in Budapest, without need for reservation. Upon arrival simply approach the taxi counters located right outside the terminal buildings at the airport.

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

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. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, restrictions may apply and private hired transport may need to be arranged to travel directly to Szeged. To reduce costs, you may want to carpool with other students arriving at the same time.

By train or bus
If you would like to take the bus from Budapest to Szeged, you should start from Budapest Népliget Bus Station. Buses leave six times a day to Szeged Bus Station (Mars Square). You can check the schedule here: http://ujmenetrend.cdata.hu/uj_menetrend/en/index.php ​
To reach the city center in Budapest we recommend you to take the Airport Minibus. To arrange a pickup please call: (+ 36) 1-296-8555.
Travel by train
Trains to Szeged depart from Nyugati Pályaudvar (Western Railway Station) and stop at Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Railway tickets to certain destinations can be purchased at the Airport station from the vending machines placed on the platforms. To destinations which are not enlisted by the vending machines, tickets and IC supplementary tickets will be issued without extra charge by the conductor on board. Travel time to Szeged is approx. 2.5 hours.
For information on timetable for trains from Budapest to Szeged please see the following website: http://elvira.mav-start.hu/elvira.dll/
Important notice: Trains usually have an additional IC-car where seat reservation is compulsory.
For more information on the price of IC surcharge (supplement and seat reservation) please visit the following webpage: http://mav-start.hu/res/tajekoztato_20130301_en.pdf
Please note that prices are subject to change.

Getting From Budapest to 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 Pécs. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, restrictions may apply and private hired transport may need to be arranged to travel directly to Szeged. To reduce costs, you may want to carpool with other students arriving at the same time.
​​
By Train
​There are several daily trains between Budapest and Pécs. We recommend you to take InterCity trains which are faster and more comfortable. For timetables, prices and depart stations, see Elvira Online Timetable. Unfortunately, without a Hungarian student card, you are not entitled to the student discount.
By Bus
Volánbusz runs domestic coaches in Hungary, thus daily coaches to Pécs. They leave from Budapest Népliget Coach Terminal (Budapest, IX. ker. Üllői út 131). Check out the domestic timetable