Practical information
Currency
Our currency is the Hungarian Forint. For the approximate actual HUF exchange rate please click here
. In Hungary you can pay by cash or card (cheques are not in use). Most credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Amex) are accepted.
Venues
The main conference venue is the centrally located Sophianum building in downtown Budapest. It is not impossible that some sessions will be held at Danubianum on the Buda side, just 20 mins walk/10 mins bike ride/two metro or three tram stops away: as the spring semester starts unusually late to cut back on heating expenses, there will still be exams during the conference week, so we might need some extra space. Click on the building’s name to access its location on the map!
- Sophianum : Pest side, 7 mins on foot from Kálvin Square metro/tram stop. (Address: 1088 Budapest, Mikszáth tér 1.)
Accommodation
There are so many suitable hotels and apartments to let, from youth hostels to elegant (and expensive) hotels that you can really find something for all types of travel budgets. We recommend you use Booking.com or Airbnb.com., and look for places in Districts 5, 8 and 9, preferably around/within the triangle of Blaha Lujza Square, Elisabeth Bridge, Petőfi Bridge. The closest place of which we have heard good things about is a mid-range hotel, right around the corner from the university: Ibis Budapest Centrum, (1092 Budapest, Ráday utca 6.).
Public transport
Public transport in the city, especially downtown, is cheap and efficient, a single ticket costs less than 1€. However, ticket controls are frequent. The best is to always have your tickets at hand: either buy them in a 10-piece package or get your digital ticket and plan your airport transfer and public transport trips in Budapest with the BudapestGO app, downloadable for free through GooglePlay and AppleStore from here: https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/budapestgo/
Public transport is free with the Budapest Card – the official city pass. Travel without limitation during the validity period of your Budapest Card, on BKK’s tram, trolleybus, metro, bus, boat- and night services, along the suburban HÉV train line or the suburban coach lines – plus free or discounted services. Choose the suitable validity period: 24, 48, 72, 72+, 96, 120 hours, https://www.budapestinfo.hu/webshop
We have a public bike service (with puncture-proof tyres!) called MOL Bubi which is a fast and eco-friendly travel alternative of public transport – and is much fun, too! It is available from 177 lock-and-dock locations in the city, 24/7. The new MOL Bubi bikes are lighter and are equipped with a bell and a practical mobile phone holder. Download the free MOL Bubi app through GooglePlay and AppleStore from here: https://molbubi.hu/en/
Cultural programmes
Below is a collection of ideas for guided sightseeing walks, building tours etc we wholeheartedly recommend:
- Flagship of the Hungarian art nouveau: Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music https://concert.lisztacademy.hu/guided_tours (Address: 1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 8.)
- Hungarian State Opera https://www.opera.hu/en/about-us/operatour-8211-guided-tours-at-the-restored-opera-house/ (Address: 1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 22.)
- Visit the Neo-Baroque Wenckheim Palace – the gem of the Palace Quarter and a popular filming location, it is the central building of the Budapest Metropolitan Library network – only 2 mins from Sophianum. Drop us a line at esra2023@btk.ppke.hu if you are interested in a guided tour in English + a mini concert.
- Thematic sightseeing walks in English with Hosszúlépés (a company founded by former Pázmány students; the name plays on the two meanings of Hosszúlépés, it means both a long step and a kind of Hungarian wine spritzer, a summer favourite), get your tickets online! https://hosszulepes.org/en, https://hosszulepes.org/en/walks
- All the historic (Turkish, Art Nouveau etc) Budapest baths on one page in English: https://www.spasbudapest.com/baths
- Sights, walking tours, museums with discounts – the perks of the Budapest Card: https://www.budapestinfo.hu/places-of-acceptance-1