General Information
Visa requirements/ Visa free entry
Citizens of the European Union (EU)- and the European Economic Area (EEA)-member states as well as citizens of the following states may travel to Hungary without a visa: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong (the exemption applies only to holders of a "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region"), Iceland, Israel, Japan, Macao (the exemption applies only to holders of a "Regio Administrativa Especial de Macau" passport), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Salvador, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, United States of America, Uruguay
Schengen States visas
Hungary is a member of the Schengen States. Visas and residence permits issued by one of the Schengen States are valid also for Hungary, on the other hand - visas issued by Hungarian representations abroad and residence permits issued by Hungarian national authorities are also valid for the entire Schengen Area.
For further details please see the leaflet from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Insurance
The Organizers of the Conference do not provide insurance and do not take responsibility for any loss, accident or illness that might occur during the Conference or in the course of travel to or from the meeting site. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the participants to check their coverage with their insurance provider.
Bank, Currency, Credit Cards
The unit of currency is Hungarian Forint (HUF), denoted as "Ft" by the Hungarians. International credit cards (AmEx, EC/MC, Visa) are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops. ATMs are available at the Airport and all over the city. (1 EUR is approx. 260 HUF)
Venue
Fourth IEEE International Conference on Self-Adaptive and Self-Organizing Systems (Budapest, Hungary, September 27-October 1, 2010) will be held in the brand new Europa Congress Center (H-1021 Budapest, Hárshegyi u. 5-7.)
The Europa Congress Center, the conference site in Budapest, Hungary, providing a modern plenary room and several session rooms with state-of-the-art technology, will be a unique venue to organize the event.
How to get to Budapest
Arrival at Budapest by air (transfer from the airport)
Most participants will arrive to Budapest Ferihegy Airport. Airport Minibus Service (http://www.airportshuttle.hu) is reasonably priced (HUF 2990/person for one way approx. EUR 11), comfortable and reliable. Another way of getting to the city is by taxi. The airport taxi (Zóna Service) has flat prices. (http://www.zonataxi.eu)
Arrival at Budapest by train
More than fifty trains a day provide direct links between Budapest and 25 other capital cities. Trains to Vienna run every three hours. International trains operate from the three largest railway stations:
- Keleti pályaudvar: VIII., Baross tér Tel: (+36-1) 413-4610
- Nyugati pályaudvar: VI., Nyugati tér Tel: (+36-1) 349-8503
- Déli pályaudvar I., Krisztina krt. 37. Tel: (+36-1) 375-6593
For further information on schedules see the timetable of the Hungarian railway.
Arrival at Budapest by car
All Hungary's motorways and most of her main roads radiate out from the capital. The M1, M3, M5 and M7 are toll highways, and you must pay the appropriate toll (either at the border or at larger petrol stations) and display the windscreen sticker before getting the road. Road signs conform to continental standards. 24-hour roadside assistance is provided by the Magyar Autóklub (Tel.: (+36-1) 345-1755), and emergency roadside is available by dialing 188.
Public Transport
Public transportation (BKV) is extensive and reliable. Tickets - valid for one ride only - should be purchased in advance (e.g. at metro stations, hotels, news-stands, tobacco shops), since drivers do not sell any. The tickets should be validated (on board or at the entrance gates), and kept, since one must produce them if requested by inspectors on board or at the exit gates.
You may consider buying a carnet of 10 tickets or a pass (for 1/7/14 days or for a month), or a Budapest Card, instead of single tickets. The junction of all the three metro lines is Deák tér. Service time is between 4:30 a.m. and 11.00 p.m. Most bus and tramlines operate until 11pm.
For current fares, please click here.
Weather
Hungary is in the temperate zone, the late September weather is usually mild but humid. Daily temperature ranges from 15C to 20C.
Voltage
"The electricity supply in Hungary is 230 V AC (50 Hz)". In Hungary the most commonly used plug is the "schuko plug" (Type F).
Useful Telephone Numbers
It can be dialed from any phone without a coin or a card.
| Ambulance: | 104 |
| Police: | 105 |
| Fire Brigade: | 107 |
| Overall Emergency: | 112 |