Where to Go - Europe (exc UK)

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Hungary

Population : 10,138,844

Literacy rate : 99%

Life expectancy at birth : male –67yrs, female –76.05 yrs

Infant mortality rate : 9.15 deaths/1,000 live births

Population growth rate : -0.33%

GDP growth rate : 4%

GDP per capita : £5,200

Unemployment : 10%

Inflation : 10%

TI index: 5.2

Climate : temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Time : GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from Mar 31 to Oct 26).

Electricity : 230 volts AC, 50Hz.

Websites

As befits a country well on its way, there are some very good sites. First of all, the Hungary homepage at http://www.fsz.bme.hu/hungary/homepage.html

News and cultural info can be obtained at http://www.hungary.com/

The Central European University is at http://www.ceu.hu/

Jobs website for Hungary and most of Central Europe http://www.centraleurope.com/ceo/jobpages/ceojob.html

Hungary has come on in leaps and bounds. It has worked off IMF debts and constraints and got a clean bill of financial health from international investment banks. Hungary has bowled into EU membership and its prospects look good.

The country is dominated by the Afold – the great plain. Oil and natural gas deposits have been discovered here. There are mineral deposits and bauxite is mined, as well as may other minerals including uranium. Half of the country is considered arable and there is still a wide variety of wild life. There are large caves in the north and the largest lake in Central Europe at Balaton. As Hungary has a border with Serbia, check before travelling to that area. On a social note, if you speak Russian, don’t try it out on the locals if you wish to remain on good terms with everyone, also, use both forenames and surnames when addressing people and at parties always return toasts (but try to avoid falling over after).

Budapest is really two towns; Buda – the old town with hills and woods and Pest (modern shopping and business centre). They are separated by the Danube. There is possibly the best and cheapest public transport system in Europe in Budapest. There are some thirty bath spas to relax in between busses.

Both slivovitz (plum brandy) and barack palinka (apricot brandy) should be enjoyed in moderation (see comment re: “toasts” above). Hangovers can be crippling. Food and drink are good to excellent, although the food does tend toward the heavy.

Entry requirements

UK and Irish citizens do not need a visa. Everybody else does.

Vaccinations

Tetanus.

Tax and Insurance

Up to 25% can go in taxes. Health insurance is advisable and should include repatriation.

Getting Around

Click here for further information on great value rail passes with an Eastern Europe Pass

Click here for further information on great value bus travel with Busabout

Gap Year Programmes

Click here to find gap year programmes and placements in Hungary

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