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How to Travel Around Hungary

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By eHow Contributing Writer
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Visitors have a few different options when choosing how to travel around Hungary. These options depend on budget, time constraints and itinerary, as well as personal tastes in how to absorb all that Hungary has to offer. The standard modes of public transportation all exist, in addition to unique modes like the old tram cars of Budapest. Hungary is not a small country (just under 36,000 square miles), so having an effective transportation strategy is an important element of planning your trip.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Use the Metro while your travel around Budapest, not only for transportation but also for an insight into the city's historical culture. The Budapest Metro is the oldest underground urban rail system anywhere in Europe, having been built in 1890.

  2. Step 2

    Take advantage of Hungary's excellent motorway system. The network includes 117,800 miles of paved roadways that primarily radiate out from the capital city, Budapest. This is particularly relevant if you rent a car. Some of the motorways charge a toll, so make sure you have appropriate change on hand.

  3. Step 3

    Go by train if traveling to major cities, towns and sightseeing areas of Hungary. Trains and buses usually charge a similar fare, but trains are quite a bit more comfortable. However, bus lines reach places inaccessible by train, so your selection of public transportation will depend on your itinerary.

  4. Step 4

    Use taxis in Hungary's urban settlements if you need to get somewhere quickly and directly. However, Hungarian taxi drivers are notorious for taking advantage of unsuspecting foreigners, so make sure you use a licensed taxi that displays fares in an obvious place. In addition, make sure that the driver turns on the meter before you take off in the cab.

  5. Step 5

    Look into discount travel cards, such as those found on the International Student Identification Card (ISIC) website, as this will afford you some excellent discounts on the Budapest Metro as well as on some regional buses and trains (see Resources below). Students can also get bulk passes that offer even further savings for public transportation in Budapest.

Tips & Warnings
  • Since Hungary is such a popular destination for tourists, travel bureaus and tourist offices are excellent resources when evaluating and booking transportation options. The Hungarian National Tourist Office is a good place to start (see Resources below).
  • While hitchhiking is a relatively accepted method of traveling around Hungary, certain precautions must be adopted. First and foremost, don't hitchhike at night--the odds are very small that you will be given a ride. Second, don't hitchhike on any of Hungary's highways--it's illegal.
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