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Kiraly u 14, Budapest, H-1061, Hungary
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Dohany utca Synagogue
View from Basilica Roof, Budapest
Arcade (ground floor) of Fishermen's Bastion
Meerkat
In Hungary and Budapest is it true that it is best to pay in Hungarian Florints rather than Euros? Also, how easy is it to exchange Australian Dollars in Budapest? Are Money Exchangers called "Kantors" or do they have another name in Hungary?
Yes, it is better to pay in Hungarian Forints. Though some shops also accept euros, but their exchange rate is very poor, and you would get your change in forints anyway.
I think (almost) all places exchange Australian Dollars as well, so don't worry about that.
Money Exchangers are called "Pénzváltó", but they usually have a "Change" sign as well. :)
You can find the highest concentration of them on the Ring road (Körút) between Nyugati station and Oktogon, or anywhere on Váci street, which is the main tourist area.
Usually there is only slight difference between their exchange rates, but NEVER go to a bank to exchange money, as their rates are much worse.
I've checked some exchange rates for you.
Today you would get about 175-176 forints for 1 AUD, and 267-269 forints for 1 EUR.
Thanks Balazs. In Australia the banks and money exchanges charge a fee of AUD$8-00 in addition to the poor exchange rate they offer. Do the Budapest money exchanges also charge a fee on top of their exchange margin?
BTW a "kántor" is a musician in a church (cantor, chorister or choir-master according to the dictionary). :)
In Poland they are called Kantors. I wasn't sure if was the same elsewhere.
Money exchanges usually don't add any additional fees, at least I haven't encountered any that do in the last time.
But it sure pays to ask, or check for signs saying "No commission"...
It is always best to use the legal currency of the country you are visiting.
Whilst you may find some places in Budapest which accept euros (such as the restaurant strip on Vaci Utca), you can be certain you are not getting a good exchange rate.
You don't need to worry about the namne for exchange booths. They all have 'Exchange' writ large upon them! :-)
Hi,
Just to mention an alternative solution you may use your bank card even for shopping/paying even for taking money from an ATM. Check your bank's conditions.
Budapestian, Tamás
Also... not all exchange booths charge a fee, but some do. Look around the window to see if they say that a fee will be charged, or best and easiest of all, ask the person before you begin your transaction. Most banks do charge a fee, and I've found that their rate is not as good as the booths (as recently as Oct. 2009). Same goes for hotels.
Have fun. Budapest is one of my favourite cities.
It is my experience that those which do not charge a fee (not only in Budapest) offer a slightly lower rate to make up for it.
They have to make their money somehow! :-)
In Budapest, "no commission" is typical. I'm sure there are places charging a pre-set fee, but as I can recall it, I haven't come across any of them.
The people, the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollars/ the British Pounds vs. Hungarian Forints... hehe
Nah, the Danube River is definitely a very memorable site... Taking a stroll along the Danube River on one side, with the Parliament Building on the other side...
The Chain Bridge (Lanchid) on 15th March. 15th March is a National Holiday in Hungary to the memory of Revolution and Independence War of 1848-1849.
On back, You can see a part of the Buda Castle and the funicular which brings You up/down to/from the Buda Castle.
In front, there is our "national lion" and on back, our "national bird", called Turul, tries to fly away.
The neo-baroque cistercitan Szent Imre church was built on Gula Rend Wälder`s plans between 1936 and 1938. You can see this churchalso in my off the beaten patch tip: in fact, it`s situated at the Feneketlen tó (Lake without a bed) and watching it from the other side of the lake (it`s also illuminated in the evenings) it very scenic!
The church has 3 naves.
the main altar represents the scene when Saint Imre, Saint Stephen`s son offers himself to Virgin Mary. The altar painting was created by István Takács while the gided neobaroque wooden statues (Saint Stephen, Saint Margareth and Saint Leslie) are Béla Markup`s work.
People in Budapest (just like everywhere else :) like to hang out if the weather is good.
One of the newest "hang out spots" in the city is the little park on Erzsebet square. You can sit down for a chat or for some relaxation, and there is still a café downstairs if you get thirsty.
The place was originally ment to be the site of the new national theatre, but after the city/government changed it's mind, it bacame a underground parking place and the part above was converted to give place to some recreational areas (park, benches, etc.) and also to an exposition/concert hall.
It's on the side of Deak ter, so all the 3 underground lines will take you there.
In Szabadsag Ter, along with many other monuments (including the famous/infamous Soviet Army Memorial) is a statue of an American Army Officer.
General Harry Bandholtz is remembered in Hungary because, in 1919, he stopped Romanian soldiers from removing treasures from the Hungarian National Museum. Possibly single-handedly, or more or less.....
I like the quote on the monument: 'I simply carried out the instructions of my government as Iunderstood them, as an officer and a gentleman of the Unitd States Army'.
An upright gentleman, most definitely!
Szerbadsag Ter, in the gardens to the left of the Soviet Army Memorial when the Hungarian TV (ex-Stock Exchange) building is on your right.
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