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BUDAPEST , Hungary |
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BUDAPEST , Hungary |
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Hungary's capital Budapest, is situated on the River Duna (Danube), down stream from Bratislava & Vienna. An impressive, majestic looking city, it's classical imperial architecture is often compared with that of Vienna & Paris. Indeed it is known as the Paris of the East. Formerly 2 cities, the older Buda is on the W side of the Danube at the heart of which is the Castle district - a World Heritage Sight. Pest, on the E side, is the newer city, and is the business and commercial heart of Budapest, but also has many tourist attractions. Many addresses listed below start with a Roman Numeral. This indicates the district location. |
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Tourist Office: Tourinform V Suto u.2 T3179800 Summer Daily 9-20, winter M-F9-19:00, SaSu9:00-16:00 National Tourism Info Centre. Knowledgeable, multi-lingual staff. List of Budget accommodation. Lots of free leaflets, some in Japanese. Sell phone cards, postcards, bus/tram tickets and the Budapest Card. hungary@tourinform.hu, tourinform@mail.hungarytourism.hu http://www.hungarytourism.hu Budapest Card: 2 day-4350Ft, 3 day-5450Ft specially designed for tourists it gives free travel on all city public transport within the city borders, free entry to many museums, 50% discount on city tours, and discounts in many restaurants, shops, cultural & folk programs, rent-a-car, airport minibus and baths |
| i | Tourist office: Nyugati pu: Train St. beside the track #10 in the main hall. T302-8580, 7-20:00, budapest2@tourinform.hu |
| i | Tourist office Keleti pu: Train St. VIII, Baross u. 11/b. T343-0748, 7-23:00, Run by Travelers Hostel. While they provide free info they also obviously promote their own accommodations. They will not tell you any other hostels but their hostels. |
| i | Tourist Information: VII, Kiraly u. 93, T352-1433, M-F8-20:00 budapest3@tourinform.hu |
| i | Charles Tourist Service: V. Szabadsajto ut 6., near Ferenciek tere and Vaci u. T266-5563, infoserv@elender.hu, private tourist information center, accommodation, tours, tickets, rent a car, maps, guides, Budapest Cards, etc. |
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Useful Publications: (from
Tourist Office) Panorama brochure - Map, monthly cultural, entertainment listings, free from government tourist offices. the Budapest Sun Summer editions of weekly English language newspapers has supplements that contain a tourists guide to Budapest. Budapest Card small book: excellent book to visit site though it covers only places which B-card is welcome. Available at tourist office. No need to buy the card. Free maps: Budapest Guide: available at toursit informations such as one at Keleti train station. It lists many official YH. very easy to see byt the street names are little small. High Tech Tourist Guide: Info touch: Terminals of the electric information system is available at Astoria passenger underpass, Blaha Lujza ter, Buda Royal Castle Funicular upper station, Deli R.St., Ferihegy Airport, Moszkva ter, Market Hall, Tourinform office at Suto u, etc. |
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Exchange: Many exchange bureaus
in the tourist area - they often list high rates and No com.
But ask the rate and com. first.Rate can be vary widely. Interchange
exchange rates can be very misleading. It seems that only OTP
Bank branches use T/C rate and other banks use cash rates for
T/C as well. Banks generally open M-Th9-15:00, F9-13:00 Best place for cash/checks is OTP Bank |
| ! | Warning: One of the exchange at Keleti station offers extreamly bad rate. Don't get cheated by the sweet word, No Commission |
| AE0 | American Express: Deak Ferenc u.10 T2668680 F2672028, Exchange M-F9-17:30, SaSu 9:00-14:00 Mail Service Cash/TC: $=227.4, 1pound=365.63, 100yen=206.90 OS1=17.65 No com.but Very low rate. lower than most money changer in town. |
| AE1 | Am Ex. Branch: I. Disz ter 8, T2240118 M-F10-18:00 |
| $ |
OTP: V. Nador u 6, M7:45-17,
Tu-F7:45-16:00 Rate cash $1=235.7, T/C rate $1=237.71 No commission Many branches though out the town. |
| $ | Budapest Bank: V, Vaci u. 3(+Istvan ter). M-F8:30-17:00, Sa9-14 Rate $1=235.13 Com 2.5% |
| $ | Budapest Bank Branch: near Keleti Station will not charge any com. Walk Rakoczi ut W from the station 3 min. on N side. T/C$1=235.6Ft, |
| $ | Money changers: many in town. Cash only the rate varies but relatively high. |
| $a | ATM: everywhere in town |
| P1 |
Foreigner Police/Immigration: V. Varosligeti Fasor 46/48,T3430034,
ext.31305, MTu8:30-18, W8:30-13, Th10-18, F8:30-12:30 Transport M. Hosok tere. |
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Police Station: V. Kecskerneti
u, next to Alfold Kisverideglo cafe. Every district has a police
station. In case of theft you must file a report at the station
in the area where the theft occurred. Emergency - T107 |
| H | Hospital: Ambulance - T104 |
| H1 | American Clinic: I. Hattyu u. 14, 5 FL , T224-9090, near M2-Moszkva ter, emergency 24hrs. |
| H2 | Falck SOS Hungary: II, Kapy u 49/b, T200-0100, outpacient service 24 hrs, near the terminus of bus #5-Pasareti ter |
| H3 | Szent Isvan Hospital: IX, Nagyvarad ter 1, T455-5700, M3-Nagyvarad ter. |
| H4 | Szent Janos Hosp.: XII, Diosarok u. 1 T458-4500, near the terminus #18 |
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Pharmacy: Many.Though not
open 24hrs, you can ring the bell any time at those with emergency
services. VI. Terez krt. 41 |
| Mail/Telephone International Direct Dialling: 00+ country code + area code + number. | |
| M0 | Post Office: V. Varoshaz u. 18, M-F8-20, Sa8-14:00 Post Restante |
| M2 | Post Office: Keleti Station VIII. Baross ter. |
| M3 | Post Office: Nyugati Station M-Sa7-21, Su8-20:00 |
| M1 | Telephone Office: V. Petofi Sandor u. 17-19 M-F8-17:30, Sa/Su9-15 Internet service (See internet section) |
| Telephone: Local calls: 20Ft. Card phones are more reliable than coin operated. Telephone cards: 50 units = 800Ft., 1000 unit 1800Ft | |
| ! | Attention: For domestic, long-distance calls must first dial 06 +area code + no. |
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Air: Ferihegy Airport 2 terminals.
(Terminal 1 is closed) Terminal 2A for most Malev airline flights. Terminal 2B(New terminal, 5 min on foot) Echange is available but the rate is 5% lower than oens in city. transport to airport: Airport Minibus to/from anywhere in town 1500Ft T2968555 Counter in baggage claim area and Central passenger hall. Airport bus from Erzsebet ter. (LRI stand, in front of Kempinsky hotel), every 30 min, 6:00-21:00. Last bus from airport 22:00. 600Ft. Metro + city bus: M3 to Kobanya-Kispest station, change to bus #93(red) Allow 80 min. from center. Total 2 tickets(190Ft), Tickets can be purchased from the orange vending machines outside Terminal 2A or at the newsstand inside of Terminal 2B Flight prices R/T London 30,000ft. Amsterdam 32,000ft. Athens 37,000ft. Istanbul 38,000ft. Cairo 29,000ft, New York 66,000ft, Airline Offices See Airline Sheet or www.vista.hu |
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Train Stations: 3 main train
stations in Budapest, all are linked to Metro stops of the same
name. !Attention. Check departure station when buying ticket, as to certain destinations - National and International there are services from all stations. All station has left luggage facilities, Cost 140ft for small and 280Ftfor large(backpack) |
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Keleti pu.: VIII. Baross
ter. T314-5010 Main station for international services and trains to the North & North East. (Express Travel - sells student cards to anybody) Left luggage, beside track #6, 24hrs Transport: M2-Keleti pu |
| T2 | Deli pu: XII, Mainly services to East Hungary and Lake Balaton. Left laggage office nest to track#1, 03:30-23:30. lockers in themain hall, 200Ft/24hrs, Transport M2-Red Deli pu. |
| T3 |
Nyugati pu. XII. Nyugati
ter, Mainly services to West Hungary. Beautiful iron work building
designed by the company of Eiffel. Left laggage to the right of the International office, 04:00-0:30. lockers in themain hall, 200Ft/24hrs, Transport:M3-Blue Nyugati pu. |
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Rail-bus service, operated by the Hungarian Railways(MAV), between
the stations(700Ft) or to any address(700-1000Ft) T353-2722 International bus tickets can be purchased at the stations or at the international tickets office. VI, Andrassy ut 35, M-F9-18:00. Information on the international services T461-5500 |
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Erzsebet ter Bus Terminals:
V, Erzsebet ter T317-2318(Information 6-21:00) Mainly international/domestic
to W Eurolines operates from here.T317-2562 M-F6-18, SaSu5:30-16:00 M1,2,3: Deak ter. |
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Nepstadion Bus Terminal:
Hungaria krt. Buses to E incl. Romania & Turkey - information
office is not always helpful. T252-4496, T252-4498(5:30, 21:00)
Information offices are not always helpful. Bus to E. incl. Romania
& Turkey, M2-Nepstadion M2: Nepstadion |
| B3 | Arpad hid Bus Terminal: Arpad hid Services to the Danube Bend T329-1450, M-F4-22:00 SaSu5-22:00. M3: Aprad hid |
| B4 | Nepliget Bus Terminal: Neplight + Etele ut, Buda, T2198080, Eurolines, toilet(60Ft), luggage dep 200Ft/p 6-21:00, Temporary terminal for international buses. Currently a new terminal is under construction at Ecseri ut (2004 info) |
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Boat(International): V, Belgrad
rakpart, T318-1704, T318-1586. mahartpass@aux.bnet Hydrofoil: international services to Bratislava & Vienna Fare to Vienna OW780AS, RT 1100AS, ISIC OW600AS RT900AS, Eurail pass 50% discount |
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Domestic to Danube bend:
V. Vigado ter. . to Danube Bend, such as Szentendre, Visegrad,
Esztergom, etc. River tours & cruises. There are two kinds, touriistic one with dinner & one without(1/3 of the price of the expensive). Ask at tourist office |
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Budapest has an efficient, integrated transport system with metro,
bus, trolley bus, tram and HEV (suburban train). www.bkv.hu/angol/home/index.html Budapest card: allows you to use all public transport in Budapest and to enter museums with free/discount fare and more. 2 day-4350Ft, 3 day-5450Ft |
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Bus/trolley/trams/HEV/Metro: 4-23:00.
After 23:00 night service Fare: Good for all city public listed above. Single tickets (vonaljegy) 145Ft, 10-ticket book 1250Ft. 20-ticket book 2400Ft, 1-day 1150Ft, 3-day 2300Ft, 7-day 2700Ft (photo required), transfer ticket 250Ft, The multi-day passes are good for night buses Cannot buy from the conductor, buy from kiosks and at stations. Tickets must be validated when you get on. 1200Ft fine. Tickets are valid on HEV as far as Budapest boundary only. Bus/Tram 'E': night service after midnight about 1/hr at night. Day tickets are valid until 24:00. Useful line is #6, runs every 15min. |
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Metro: Beside the fare listed
above, there are tockets only for metro: 3 stop ticket(szakaszjegy)
105Ft, 5
stop transferable 160Ft,
transferable ticket 240Ft 3 lines. Color coded - M1 is yellow, M2 is red, & M3 is blue. Deak Ter Metro Station is the transfer point for all lines. Warning if you plan to transfer to a second line here you must either buy a metro transfer ticket or buy a 2nd normal ticket, validate it in the orange box machines as you leave the platform. There are many inspectors on the metro, this is their favorite spot, tourists are their favorite 'customers'. Make sure that you are entering the Metro station from the correct entry, if not you may have to exit into the street, cross over the road. If you are questioned by a ticket inspector, DO NOT hand over your passport nor DO NOT pay expensive fine as he says. The fine is 1200Ft, NOT $20. Fake inspectors are reported. They don't have proper identity and they don't issue the receipt for the fine. |
| HEV: A commuter train, one of the lines runs from Batthyany ter to the Danube bend (Szentendre) the other tickets are valid on the HEV as far as the Budapest boundary. Beyond there you must buy another ticket - priced according to distance. To avoid unnecessary problem with a conductor, you may buy the ticket at the station. |
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Taxi: a last result. Drivers
often rip off tourists. Insist on them using the meter. Most
reliable company is City Taxi T211-1111, Budapest Taxi T233-3333.
Fotaxi T222-2222. Better to call them. Costs basic fee 200Ft+200Ft/km.
22:00-6:00 40% more.(ceiling prices) Complains: Budapesti Turisztikai Hivatal T266-0479 |
| Funicular Railway Cable car: from Clark Adam ter (Chain Bridge) up to the Castle area 600ft down 500Ft |
| Ferry to Szentendre and Visegrad. V. Vigado ter, M1 -Vorosmarty ter. |
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Rental Bike: Charles
Rent a bike: Hegyalja ut. 23, T201-1796, Price 1800Ft/day
after 3 days 300Ft discount. charles@mail.matav.net Also some Guest Houses have this service. |
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Vista Travel: Ctr.Andrassy
ut. 1 (corner of Bajcsy-Zsilinszky) M-F9-18:30, Sa9-14:30 Budget flight/train/bus tickets. Good info on buses to Romania & Turkey, Exchange Cash no com.TC. Down stairs: travel related shops and cafe. Ethnic art decor. STA/Campus style. Used to serving foreigners. Visa, MC, Am Ex. No extra charge. http://www.vista.hu |
| ta | Vista Visitors' Centre and Cafe: VI. Paulay Ede u. 7. New Office 100 m from old one. 8-22:00, cafe, internet, accommodation, programmes, leaflets, lockers, ATM |
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Ibusz Travel: Many branches:
1)Ferenciek tere 10, 2)Octogon, 3)Keleti Train Station. Sells transport tickets, reserves accommodation & has exchange service for cash. |
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Carlson Wagonlit Travel: Dorottya
u. 3 T2663040 F2662585 M-F9-17:00 Flight, international train & bus tickets. |
| ta | Wasteels: T2102802 at Keleti pu. Train station M-F8-19, Sa8-13. Discounts for U'26 international train tickets. |
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MAV: VI. Andrassy ut. 35
T322-9035, M-F9-18:00 State rail company.For int'l travel info 24hrs T466-5500, domestic 461-5400. Excellent place to get train info. Train reservations & info. |
| ta | Express: T?, Senneliueis utea a street opp from Htel Astoria, M-Th8-16:30, F8:30-15:00. It issues ISIC(No need to prove to be a student), IYH. |
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| Souvenir shops There are many souvenir shops and stall along the promenade area on the E bank of the river N from Erzsebet hid, and in Vaci utca the main shopping street in Budapest. Much of the stuff is mass produced for tourists, and overpriced. | |
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Markets: Nagycsarnok Central Market
Hall: IX,Vamhaz krt. just E from the bridge Szabadsag hid. M-F6-18, Sa6-14:00 Huge, distinctive brick & steel 19th C Market Hall, is the best place to get fruit and veg. It's also a tourist attraction, with many stalls displaying rows & rows of colorful, ornately arranged paprika - a popular tourist souvenir. RecM3 Kalvin ter. |
| m | Hold utca Market: V, Hold u. Fbehind USA embassy. Food, fruit & vegetables. Lively atmosphere. M2 Kossuth ter |
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Ecseri Piac: XIX. Nagykorosi
ut. 156, Bus #54 from Boraros ter to
the Fiumei utca stop. M-G8-16, Sa7-15:00 Antiques, traditional costumes, communist memorabilia. |
| m | Jozsefvarosi Piac: Chinese goods market. Tacky imports of consumer goods. Watch out for pickpockets. |
| m | Duna Plaza Mall: XIII Vaci ut 178, M3-Gyongyossi ut |
| m | Lurdy haz Mall: IX, Konyves Kalman krt 12-14, Tram #23 or #30 |
| m | Nyugati Plaza: next to Nyugati pu, new shopping mall. |
| m | Europark Mall: IX, Ulloi ut 201, M3-Hatar ut |
| m | Mammut Mall: II, Szena ter, M2-Moszkva ter |
| m | Polus Centre Mall: XV, Szentmihalyi ut 131. special bus from Kelati Station |
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Supermarkets: Are appearing
everywhere and increasingly opening on Sundays. Julius Meinl
group has many branches. Super Kozert I. Batthyany ter. 5-7 M2. Batthyany ter. M-F6-19, Sa7-16:30, Su7-13:00, |
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| s | Best Sellers: V. Oktober 6 ut. 11. Near Deak ter. M-F9-18:30, Sa10-18:0 Su10-16:00 T312-1296 Excellent stock of English books and magazines. |
| s | Branch CEU Academic BS :Nador u. 9 M-F9-18, W9-18:30, Sa10-16:00, T327-3096 |
| s | Cambridge University Press: II, Margit u. 1, T212-0214, M-F 10-18, Sa10-13:00 |
| s | Fokusz: VII, Rakoczu ut 14, T267-9205, Upper floor for English |
| s | Kodex: V, Honved u. 5, T331-0126, M-Th 9-17:30, F9-16:30 |
| Laundry: No self-service laundries in Budapest. GH's usually have laundry services. 500+ft. | |
| la | Top Clean Laundry Service: VIII, Blaha L. ter 1-3, Corvin Dept. Store |
| la | Top Clean laundry Service: XI Oktober 23 u 10, Skala Budapest Dept. M-F 7-18:30, Sa8-13:00 |
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| Panorama, Pesti Est, Open free guide to events and entertainment, movies, etc. | |
| e | Opera Hungarian State Opera House: VI. Andrassy ut.22 Seats from 400ft. buy at box office Must see. |
| e | Budapest Puppet Theater: VI. Andrassy ut. 69 |
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Cinemas: Budapest is one of the best cities in Eastern Europe
to go to the movies. Architecturally there are some impressive
buildings, prices range from 250-700ft. There are a reasonable
number of art cinemas showing art/cult movies, many have cafes
attached which are also worth visiting. Check English Language
Newspapers Budapest Week or Budapest Sun for listings. ! Warning: Hungarian write times differently - 17:30 is often written f6 - 30 min. before six, etc. |
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| c | Corvin Budapest: VIII. Corvin koz 1 |
| c | Hunnia: VII. Erzsebet krt. 26 |
| Kossuth 4: XIII. Vaci ut 14 | |
| c | Orokmozgo: VII. Erzsebet krt. 39 |
| c | Muvesz: VI. Terez krt. 30 |
| c | Europa: VII. Rakoczi ut. 82 |
| c | Vorosmarty: VIII. Ulloi ut. 4 |
| c | Toldi: V. Bajcsy Zsilinszky ut. 36-38. Tu 1/2 price |
| c | Duna Plaza mall: Vaci ut. 178, M3, Gyongyosi ut. 7 screens |
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| 1/1 | Opera House New Year's Concert: |
| 2/2-8? | Film Festival: |
| 3/16-4/1 | Spring Music Festival: Classical Music, dance, exhibition, films, performances. |
| 6/9-17 | Danube Carnival: Open-air theater performance, archaic contests, kite flying, etc. |
| 8/4-19 | Buda Fest: Classical opera & ballet festival. International festival. |
| 8/1-8 | Diaksziget Pesti Island: Diaksziget Island If you're anywhere in Eastern Europe around this time - head for this event. 7 day music festival, 'EuroWoodstock' similar to Glandstonbury and Knebworth. A wide range of music - rock, techno, folk, jazz, even Hare Krishna musicians go electric, movies, events. 1996's festival featured among others, Prodigy, Therapy, Stone Roses, Iggy Pop, Sonic Youth. In 1997 David Bowie was the main feature. info internet: http:www.pepsisziget.origo.hu Entry fee: 1500Ft/day Free camping. Cheap food (Most popular from the Hare Krishna stand - minimum donation of 50ft) and drink. MORE DETAILS CLICK |
| 8/17-19 | Grand Prix Formula 1 racing: Some of the hostels may organize trips. |
| 8/16-20 | Craft Fair/St. Stephen's Day: Fireworks display from Gellert Hill. and many other events. |
| 8/26-9/2 | Jewish Summer Festival: |
| 9/4-9 | Wine Festival: 500Ft, 40Ft for wine tasting. Highly Rec.. Here you can taste a lot of Hungarian wine. |
| 10/19-11/4 | Autumn Festival: Arts festival, featuring contemporary art, film, music, dance & theater |
| Sep/Dec | Bazilika: at Matyas Church. Organ concerts |
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English Magazine Budapest Sun 158Ft Both have good listings sections and both produce an excellent supplement with essential information for tourists. (Summer only) |
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| Tap water is drinkable. | |
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| The internet scene is unstable - cafes open and close or move address regularly. | |
| @ | Libri: Rakoczi ut 12, E from Metro Astoria(towerd Keleti pu) T254-274 150ft/30min. Need reservation.M-F10-18, Sa10-14:00 |
| @ | Westel enternet: V. Vorosmarty ter. The main square, S end. 10-21:00 free. for 15 min. If no body is waiting, you can ask another 15min. |
| @0 | Vista Visitors' Cafe: VI. Paulay Ede u. 7. New Office 100 m from old one. 11Ft/min. 5Ft /page for printing. |
| @1 | Matav Shop (telephone office): V, Petofi Sandor u. 17-19, M-F9-18 300Ft/30min. 500/1hr |
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Matav Pont: Skala Dept.store
at the S end of tram #4 M-F9:00-20:00, Sa9:00-15:00 Less crowded than one above. 300Ft/30min. 500/1hr |
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Budapest Net: V,Kecskemeti
ut.5, 350Ft/30min T328-0292,F328-0294 10:00-22:00 Excellent facilities incl Video Phone. Http://www.budapestnet.hu, info@budapestnet.hu |
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Internet Rock Cafe: Ulloi
ut 109/C, M-F9-16:00 between M:Nagyvarad ter & M3: Klinikak T2160050 e-1-mail cafe@comfort.hu 500/30min.Free drinks, coffee. only one PC but not usually busy. |
| @6 | Matav Shop: Duna Plaza M-F9-20:00 Sa10-18, Su11-18, 300Ft/30min. 500/1hr |
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Matav Shop: Europark M-Sa
9-20, Su 9-18:00 300Ft/30min. 500Ft/hr Matav Shop: Mammut Mall, M-Sa 10-21, Su 10-18:00 300Ft/30min. 500Ft/hr |
| @8 | Cyber Bridge: 1088 Rakoczi ut 51, T333-9112 9-22:00, 600Ft/hr cheapter rate for longer usage. Chinese & Japanese possible. |
| @9 | Goethe Institute Cafe Eckermann, Andrassy 24, T353 2233. 1hr free Since it is very popular, you have to book a week before, or wait for the cancellation in the cafe. |
| @10 | Cyber-sushi: II. Gabor Aron ut 74-78, (Rozsakert Hall) 10:00-02:00, 60Ft/hr |
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