Listings
Airlines Aeroflot, V, Vaci utca 4 tel 318-5955; Air France, V, Kristof ter 6 tel 1/318-0411; Alitalia, V, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut 12 tel 1/483-2170; British Airways, V, East-West Business Centre, VIII, Rakoczi ut 1-3 tel 1/411-5555; CSA, V, Vorosmarty ter 2 tel 1/318-3175; KLM, VIII, Rakoczi ut 1-3 tel 1/373-7737; Lufthansa, V, Vaci utca 19-21 tel 1/266-4511; Malev, V, Dorottya utca 2 tel 1/235-3565: SAS, V, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut 12 tel 1/266-2633. Airport information Terminal 2A: tel 1/296-7000 for departures, tel 1/296 8000 for arrivals. Terminal 2B: tel 1/296-5053 for departures, tel 1/296-5882 for arrivals. The Centrum Minibusz runs from outside the terminal buildings to the Kempinski Hotel on Erzsebet ter in downtown Pest (every 30min; 5.30am-9pm; 800Ft); tickets can be purchased on board. Alternatively, the Airport Minibus service can take you directly to your address in the city: tickets (1800Ft) can be purchased while waiting in the luggage hall or when you come out into the main concourse. You can also return to the airport on the minibus - call 1/296-8555 a day in advance if you're on an early flight, and allow a couple of hours to get there. Banks and exchange There is a 24-hour exchange service at Tribus, Apaczai Csere Janos utca 1. You can transfer money from abroad through the Magyar Kulkereskedelmi Bank, V, Szent Istvan ter 11; through Interchange, the regional agents for Western Union, which have branches at the main stations and in the city centre tel 1/266-4995; and through the American Express Moneygram service (minimum $100), V, Deak utca 10 tel 1/235-4330. Money transfers allegedly take only a few minutes. The Magyar Kulkereskedelmi Bank also has safe-deposit boxes for storing valuables. Bike rental Try Charles Rent-a-Bike at Charles Apartments , XI, Hegyalja ut 23 tel 1/202-3414; and Nella Bikes off Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut at V, Kalman Imre utca 23 tel 1/331-3184. The Bike Store at VI, Nagymezo utca 43 tel 1/312-5073, and Kerekvar at I, Hunyadi Janos utca 4, at the Buda end of the Lanchid tel 1/214-8814, both sell and repair bikes. Bookstores English-language bookstores include Bestsellers at V, Oktober 6 utca 11 tel 1/312-1295, www.bestsellers.com (note you cannot order via the website); the CEU Bookshop at Nador utca 91/327-3096; the foreign language bookshop in the Parizsi Udvar at V, Petofi Sandor utca 2 tel 1/235-0380; Kiraly Books, II, Fo utca 79 tel 1/214-0972; Libri at VII, Rakoczi ut 10; Fokusz at VII, Rakoczi ut 14-16; Litea at I, Hess Andras ter 4 tel 1/375-6987; and Studium at V, Vaci utca 22. There are secondhand bookstores ( Antikvarium ) at V, Vaci utca 28 & 75; V, Muzeum korut 15; and Biblioteka on the corner of Andrassy ut and Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut. Rhythm'n'Books at the back of the courtyard at V, Szerb utca 21-23 (Mon-Fri noon-7pm), has a good range of secondhand English paperbacks. British Council , VI, Benczur utca 26 tel 1/478-4700, fax 342-5728, www.britishcouncil.hu . Library, newspapers and a noticeboard. Mon-Thurs 11am-6pm, Fri 11am-5pm; closed Aug. Camping and Caravanning Club VIII, Baross utca 21 tel 1/317-1711 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm). Can supply canoeing maps of the Danube, advise on equipment and arrange reductions for FICC members. Car rental Avis at V, Szervita ter 8 (by the Jet petrol station under the multistorey car park) tel 1/381-4685, fax 318-4859, www.avis.hu ; Budget at the Hotel Mercure Buda , I, Krisztina korut 41-43 tel & fax 1/214-0420, www.budget.hu ; Europcar at Ulloi ut 62 tel 1/477-1080; Hertz at V, Aranykez utca 4-8 tel 1/296-0999, fax 296-0998, www.hertz.hu . All these companies also have offices at the airport. Car breakdown The Magyar Autoklub runs a 24-hour breakdown assistance; dial 188. Couriers DHL, VIII, Rakoczi ut 1-3 tel 1/266-2640; Fedex, IX, Nadasdy utca 2-4 tel 216-3606; UPS, X, Kozma utca 4 tel 0640-262-000, fax 432-2210. Driving information For motoring information contact Magyar Autoklub, II, Romer Floris utca 4A tel 1/345-1800, fax 345-1801, www.autoklub.hu ; for traffic conditions in Budapest contact Fovinform tel 1/317-1173; for national conditions contact Utinform tel 1/322-2238 or 322-7052. Embassies Australia, XII, Kiralyhago ter 8-9 tel 1/457-9777; Austria, VI, Benczur utca 16 tel 1/351-6700; Bulgaria, VI, Andrassy ut 115 tel 1/322-0824; Canada, XII, Budakeszi ut 32 tel 1/392-3360; Czech Republic, VI, Rozsa utca 6 tel 1/351-0539; Denmark, XII, Hataror ut 37 tel 1/355-7320; Germany, XIV, Stefania ut 101-3 tel 1/467-3500; Ireland, V, Szabadsag ter 7, Bank Center, 7th floor tel 1/302-9600; Israel, II, Fullank utca 8 tel 1/200-0781; Netherlands, II Fuge utca 5-7 tel 1/326-5301; New Zealand, VI, Terez korut 38, 4th floor tel 1/331-4908 (by appointment only); Norway, I, Ostrom utca 13 tel 1/212-9400; Romania, XIV, Thokoly ut 72 tel 1/352-0271; Russian Federation, Bajza utca 35 tel 1/312-6608; Slovakia, XIV, Stefania ut 22 tel 1/460-9010; Slovenia, II Cseppko utca 68 tel 1/438-5600; Sweden, XIV, Ajtosi sor 27A tel 1/460-6020; UK, V, Harmincad utca 6 tel 1/266-2888; USA, V, Szabadsag ter 12 tel 1/475-4400. Emergencies Ambulance 104; police 107; fire service 105. Hospitals and dentistry There are 24-hour casualty departments at V, Hold utca 19, behind the US embassy tel 1/311-6816, and at II, Ganz utca 13-15 tel 1/202-1370. The Orszagos Baleseti Intezet VIII, Fiumei ut 17 tel 1/333-7599, specializes in broken limbs and accidents; Profident, VII, Karoly korut 1, is a round-the-clock dentist where they speak English. A private clinic with English-speaking personnel is the IMS (International Medical Services) at XIII, Vaci ut 202 tel 1/329-8423 (Mon-Fri 7.30am-7pm) and at III, Vihar utca 29 tel 1/388-8257 (24-hour). Embassies can also recommend private, foreign-language-speaking doctors and dentists. International buses and trains International train tickets should be purchased 24-36 hours in advance, at the stations or the MAV booking office, VI, Andrassy ut 35 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, until 6pm April-Sept; tel 1/322-8082, www.mav.hu ). Bookings are required on all international train routes but it may not be possible to obtain them on trains leaving from Kobanya-Kispest. This also applies to services from Zuglo Station, which sometimes handles international traffic. The Vienna-bound Wiener Waltzer often runs late, so reserve sleepers on from Austria in Budapest. Also bring drinks, as the buffet staff overcharge shamelessly. Tickets for international buses must be purchased at the bus station in hard currency, and should be booked 24 hours in advance. The majority of international bus services currently depart from the Erzsebet ter bus station (tel 1/485-2100), though this bus station will eventually move elsewhere. Internet access Smaller places tend to be cheaper but do not have such fast machines, printers or games as the larger places. Only those specified have English keyboards. Ami , V, Vaci utca 40 (daily 9am-2am; 700Ft an hour; some English keyboards), has fifty terminals, plus games available. Other options include Budapest Internet Cafe , V, Kecskemeti utca 5 (daily 10am-10pm; 700Ft an hour; some English keyboards); Castro , IX, Raday utca 35 (Mon-Fri 10am-midnight, Sat & Sun 2pm-midnight; five terminals; 500Ft an hour); Click , VI, Jokai ter 3 (24hr; twenty terminals; 700Ft an hour, or 500Ft 2-10am); Eckermann Cafe , VI, Andrassy ut 24, near the Opera House (Mon-Sat 2pm-10pm; two terminals - you'll need to go in and book days in advance, but it's free); Enternet at V, Deak Ferenc u. 15 on the corner of Vorosmarty ter (daily 10am-9pm; nine stand-up terminals - 15min only which means a fast-moving queue, and it's free, so ideal for just checking emails); Libri Konyvpalota , VII, Rakoczi ut 12, upstairs in the bookshop (Mon-Fri 10am-7.30pm, Sat 10am-3pm; ten terminals; 300Ft an hour); Vista Visitor Center , VI, Paulay Ede utca 7 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm; eight terminals, some English keyboards; 600Ft an hour); and Matavpont , Mammut shopping mall, II, Lovohaz utca 2-6, 1st floor (daily 9am-8pm; 500Ft an hour). Finally, Internet Galeria , at VI, Szondi utca 79 (daily 7am-10pm; five terminals; 300Ft an hour), is a small cheap cafe with coffee and drinks. Laundry Hazimosoda, V, Galamb utca 9 tel 1/200-5305 (Mon-Fri 8am-7.30pm, Sat 9am-1pm), offers laundry and dry cleaning; Irisz Szalon V, Varoshaz utca 3-5 (Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 7am-1pm), is one of the few self-service launderettes left in the city. Lost property For items left on public transport go to the office at VII, Akacfa utca 18 tel 1/267-5299 (Mon, Tues & Thurs 7.30am-3pm, Wed 7.30am-7pm, Fri 7.30am-2pm). Lost or stolen passports should be reported to the police station in the district where they were lost. Any found are handed to the relevant embassy. Pharmacies Details of each district's 24-hour pharmacy are posted in every pharmacy's window. Central 24-hour pharmacies include those at Alkotas utca 2, opposite Deli station, and at Terez korut 41, near Oktogon. For herbal remedies try Herbaria, VIII, Rakoczi ut 49, and V, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut 58. Photo booths Passport-sized photos are available from automatic booths in Deak ter, Kalvin ter, Nyugati ter and Moszkva ter metro stations (400Ft for 4 colour photos); Sooter's at V, Deak Ferenc. utca 22 (399Ft for 4 colour shots); and the third floor of the Corvin department store on Blaha Lujza ter. Photocopying Copy General, XI, Karinthy Frigyes utca 4-6 (open 24hr). Post offices Main office/poste restante at V, Petofi Sandor utca 13 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm & Sat 8am-2pm), and a late-night post office by Keleti Station at VII, Baross ter 11/c (daily 7am-9pm). Religious services in English Anglican: Sun 11am - ring the rectory at 0623/452-023 for details of where the service is being held; Baptist: Sun 10.30am, International Baptist Church, II, Torokvesz ut 48-54 (Moricz Zsigmond Gimnazium) tel 1/319-8525; Roman Catholic: Sat 5pm, Pesti Jezus Szive Templom, VIII, Maria utca 25 tel 1/318-3479. Taxis Citytaxi has an English-speaking service tel 1/211-1111, but other reliable companies include: Volantaxi tel 1/466-6666; Fo taxi tel 1/222-2222; Buda-taxi tel 1/233-3333; and Tele-5-taxi tel 1/355-5555. Telephones International calls can be made from any phone booth on the street or from the Telephone and Telegram Bureau, V, Petofi Sandor utca 17-19 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm & Sat 10am-4pm); the international operator can be reached on 199.
Rudas Baths - wreckedCJB says "An Article Submitted to Various Travel Mags.
A few weekends ago I went to Budapest to sample the famous 450 year old turkish baths. There are three main ones - Rudas, Rac and Kiraly. (Sorry for the lack of accented Hungarian spellings). As might be well known Hungary has recently joined the European Community and is now spending vast sums of Euros to upgrade its tourist facilities. Unfortunately this has meant that the atmospheric turkish baths - unchanged for centuries, and still with the patina of use by thousands of customers over the centuries - are now being gutted and modernised.
Certainly the Rac Baths - the only building left in the now demolished Jewish quarter by the Castle - has now been so gutted that is now resembles a bombed out shell. Gone are the baths, the steam rooms, the dry heat rooms, and everything else. The only thing that now circulates the windowless shell is the cold damp air blowing up from the frozen Danube. The Baths will now be turned into yet another clinical and sanitised 'spa' devoid of all ancient turkish history.
Unfortunately the Rudas Baths have already been given this treatment over the last two years. I was there on the opening weekend. We queued for about 20 minutes - this was a popular opening. There were three security guards at the turnstyles. There was another outside. Security guards at a turkish baths?!!! The cashier couldn't understand my request in English for admission for swimming (in the 18'th baths) and to the turkish baths. It seems that modernising for the tourists does not mean learning English (or even having any signs in English). Eventually I was sold a credit card size plastic security pass, and was grudgingly allowed to pass through the first turnstyle by a gruff looking security person. I was then directed to the turkish baths (what remained of them). There another turnstyle had to be negotiated. No towels or sheets were offered - luckily I'd brought my own. The changing rooms were all modernised cubicles just like any swimming pool. The cubicle staff were as aggressive as usual. Each cubical door was locked from the inside by using the plastic card. This released a key from the outside to be kept tied to one's swimming costume. Ah - yes - swimming costumes were mandatory - everything was co-ed now. The ancient turkish bath part that used to be for men only is now for families including screaming kids. Then I entered the turkish baths proper - and horror of horrors - the whole building had been gutted and rebuilt with garish red marble!! NOTHING remains of the original 450 year old baths except for the roof. EVERYTHING was brand spanking new. And GONE was the etheral and steamy atmosphere that had endured for so many centuries. Even the drinking fountains (taps) had been replaced by electronic proximity devices to turn the water on and off. Needless to say in the humid atmosphere these failed to work properly. The four pools of varying temperatures around the main pool had also received the dreaded red marble treatment. And believe me the newly cut marble edges were SHARP. Everything was bathed in bright light, and the coloured glass openings in the old domed roof had been removed. The dry heat rooms were tiny and now boasted plastic doors that didn't close properly. The steam rooms had been removed. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. Obviously this is how the Rac Baths were going to end up. But worse was to come. I wanted to get something to eat and drink - but nothing was available. To visit the Cafeteria I had to pass through the second turnstyle, and to do that I had to surrender the credit card pass. And - no - I couldn't re-enter the baths. Feeling VERY upset I then decided to visit the 18'th c. smimming baths. But despite having paid for this with my credit card pass I was not allowed in. What an rip-off.
I hear that the Gellert Hotel - dating from the late 1800s/early 1900s has also just had a refurbishment - so I hope that they haven't also gone for the red marble treatment too.
Luckily the Kiraly Turkish Baths nearby have yet to be refurbished. So do visit them before they too get a makeover for the tourists from the EEC."
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