|
Do not change money on the street! |
Location and public transport
Budapest is a bustling city with over two million inhabitants. Its two halves are Buda and Pest. Buda, on the right bank of the Danube, has hills and valleys, and has for centuries been the administrative centre of the country; it was formerly the royal seat. On the left bank, Pest has grown into a large, busy and modern city, spreading out on to the plain.The metro, buses, trams and trolleys in Budapest run without conductors. Tickets are valid for one ride only on any of these services, and must be validated by a "punching machine" upon entering the metro station or inside the other vehicles. Tickets should be bought in advance at metro stations, tobacco shops or ticket machines. One ticket costs ~95Ft. All-day and all-week passes for the whole city are also available.
Note that there are black and red numbered bus services: the red numbered buses are faster, as they stop less frequently, but their route often differs somewhat from that of their `black' counterparts.
Maps, telephones, shopping hours
City maps are available at Hotels, Railway Stations, bookstores, newsstands. If you drive, we suggest you to buy a detailed street map of Budapest before entering the city (e.g.\ at petrol stations).Public phones are either payphones or cardphones. Payphones operate with 10-20-50Ft coins, cardphones work with phonecards obtainable at Post offices and tobacco shops.
Shopping hours are generally from 10.00 to 18.00 on weekdays, with shorter hours on Saturdays. Most shops are closed on Sundays. Most credit cards are accepted at major downtown shops and restaurants.
Weather
Hungary is in the continental temperate zone, the weather in July is usually warm, pleasant. Daily temperatures range between 20C and 30C. Do not forget, however, to bring your umbrella.
Meals
Breakfasts will be at your hotel while the lunches will be served at the conference site. Both are included in the registration fee.The first (last) meal for the School period is the breakfast on July 2, Sunday, (breakfast, July 8, Saturday).
The first (last) meal for the Workshop period is the breakfast on July 2, Sunday, (breakfast, July 9, Sunday).
Suppers: The low end of the cost of a meal + wine or beer in a tidy and clean restaurant with good cooking is $5-$10. The upper limit is somewhat higher and our advice is to exercise selfcontrol in investigating it.