Welcome to Budapest!
We hope that you will enjoy your stay in Budapest and have an amazing time together with us! This is a guide to help you get started with your trip.
Arriving at Liszt Ferenc International Airport
Liszt Ferenc International Airport is located approximately 16 kilometers southeast of Budapest’s city center. There are several ways to get to the city from the airport:
- Taxi: Taxis are available outside the airport terminal, and the journey to the city center takes around 20 minutes. Make sure to use licensed taxis, which are yellow and have a company logo and the fare clearly displayed on the side of the car. The airport is officially affiliated with one company, Főtaxi, which is a good choice. Avoid freelance taxis, even if the car is yellow. It is important that Uber and Lyft are not available in Budapest. Further details can be found in the chapter, Calling a Taxi.
- Shuttle Bus 100E: The bus 100E is an airport shuttle service that connects Liszt Ferenc International Airport with the city center of Budapest. Look for the bus stop sign labeled “100E” at the airport, which is located outside Terminal 2 at the arrivals level. Purchase your ticket at the ticket vending machine or from the ticket booth nearby. The ticket costs 900 HUF (as of May 2023) and is valid for a one-way trip. The bus makes two stops in the city center: Kálvin tér and Deák Ferenc tér. Listen for announcements or check the digital screens inside the bus to see which stop is next. The journey takes approximately 30-40 minutes depending on the traffic. Note that the bus runs between 5:00 am and 1:20 am, with departures every 20 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak hours. Make sure to check the schedule in advance to plan your trip accordingly.
- Public Transport: The bus 200E connects the airport to the metro line M3 (blue line), and you can buy a standard BKK single ticket for the journey at the airport for 350 HUF (approx. 1 euro). You need to validate a new ticket each time you board a bus or when entering the metro. Buy at least two tickets per person, but you can also opt for a 72hour ticket, which you do not need to validate before every ride opposed to a single ticket. The journey to the city center takes approximately 50-60 minutes depending on traffic and the schedule of the metro. Further details can be found in the chapter, Using the Public Transport System (BKK).
- Airport Shuttle (minivans): This is a convenient and cost-effective way to get to your hotel but it is sometimes slow. The shuttle service can be booked in advance or at the airport. The price varies depending on the destination, but it usually costs between 8-15 euros per person.
Using the Public Transport System (BKK)
Budapest has an efficient public transport system called BKK, which includes metro lines, buses, trams, and trolleybuses. Here are some tips for using public transport in Budapest:
- Purchase a ticket or pass: You can buy single tickets, 24-hour, 72-hour, and 7-day travel passes from ticket vending machines, newsstands, and at metro stations. There is a vending machine at the airport bus stop and it works fine.
- Validate your ticket: Tickets are not valid without validation. Make sure to validate your ticket before boarding a vehicle or entering the metro station. You need to validate your ticket by stamping it at the yellow machines located at the entrance of each metro station or on board for buses and trams.
Note: You do not need to validate a pass, it is automatically valid after the purchase for the selected period (24-hour, 72-hour, or 7-day).
- Check the timetable: The BKK website provides a timetable and route planner for all public transport in Budapest, or simply plan with Google. You can also download the Budapest GO app to your smartphone, which provides real-time information on the arrival times of buses, trams, metros, and you can buy digital tickets and passes.
Calling a Taxi
Taxis in Budapest are not expensive compared to other European cities. However, it is essential to use licensed taxis. Here are some tips for calling a taxi:
- Use a licensed taxi company: Always use a licensed taxi company that is registered with the city council. The taxi should have the company logo on the side of the car and a meter inside.
- Order a taxi by phone: You can order a taxi by phone, and the operator will give you an estimated time of arrival and the approximate fare.
- Agree on the fare: Before getting into the taxi ask for an estimate if you are not sure how much the journey should cost. The price should be based on the time of the ride and the distance.
- Ask for a receipt: Always ask for a receipt, which should include the name of the company, the driver’s name, the car’s registration number, and the fare.
- Note: Uber and Lyft have been suspended in Hungary due to regulatory issues, so it is not available in Budapest.
Staying at EST Grand Hotel Savoy
During your trip in Budapest, you are going to be staying at EST Grand Hotel Savoy.
The address of the hotel is 1085 Budapest VIII. kerület, József körút 16.
The EST Grand Hotel Savoy Budapest is in the heart of Budapest. The hotel is situated in a historic building that has been carefully restored to maintain its original architectural features.
The hotel features an on-site restaurant that serves Hungarian and international cuisine, as well as a bar and lounge area where guests can enjoy drinks and snacks. Other amenities include a fitness center and a sauna, as well as conference and meeting facilities.
The location of the EST Grand Hotel Savoy Budapest is convenient as it is within walking distance of many popular attractions such as the Parliament, the Danube River, and the famous thermal baths. The hotel is also easily accessible by public transportation, with tram and metro stops nearby.
Commuting from the hotel to ELTE Faculty of Social Sciences
To commute from EST Grand Hotel Savoy Budapest to Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Faculty of Social Sciences in Budapest, you can (and should) use public transport. Summary of the route:
- The hotel is between two tram stops. Walk to one of the nearest tram stops of the 4/6 tram at Blaha Lujza tér or Rákóczi tér.
- Take tram 4 towards Újbuda Központ or tram 6 towards Móricz Zsigmond körtér. Both are good, since they take the same route until the stop where you need to get off.
- Get off at the stop Petőfi híd, budai hídfő, right after crossing the Danube from Pest to Buda.
- As you get off, Walk to the university (see map below).
The journey takes approximately 20-25 minutes depending on traffic and waiting time for public transport. Make sure to purchase a valid ticket or pass before boarding the tram and if you have a ticket, validate it on the tram.
From the Petőfi híd, budai hídfő tram stop to the main entrance of the North building (2 minute walk):
Information about the venue of the conference
The conference is going to take place at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) Faculty of Social Sciences, North building, Faculty Board Room (0.100C, Kari Tanácsterem).
The address of the Faculty is 1117 Budapest, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A.
For finding the Faculty Board Room (0.100C, Kari Tanácsterem), use the following description and map:
- Enter the North building (Északi tömb) through the main entrance (closest to the tram stop).
- Keep left and go along the first corridor (left of the porter’s booth).
- Turn left at the first junction and head towards the elevators.
- Before the elevators, turn right.
- Go straight ahead until you find the room 0.100C, Kari Tanácsterem at the end of the corridor.
Path to take to conference room 0.100C inside the North building:
Contact the organizers
Márton Rakovics, organizer: marton.rakovics@tatk.elte.hu. If you need urgent (or not so urgent) assistance, you can reach Márton any hour of the day at +36704229991.
Ildikó Barna, chair of the organizing committee: barna.ildiko@tatk.elte.hu.
Diána Bartha, organizer: bartha.diana@tatk.elte.hu.
Károly Nagy, organizer: nagy.karoly@tatk.elte.hu.
Enjoy Budapest!
Budapest is a fantastic city with a rich history, culture, and architecture. There’s a lot to explore, from the Parliament building to the Buda Castle. Enjoy your trip, and don’t forget to try the local cuisine and visit one of the thermal baths!