Budapest questions round 1
Jul 7th, 2015, 05:05 AM
#1
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Budapest questions round 1
We will be in Budapest in early September. We have a host of questions so let's begin.We will arrive by train and need to get local currency. We do not use ATMs so can we get our money exchanged at the station? Taxis to the hotel ( Marriott on the Danube). How best to get a taxi to ensure we will not get ripped off? Is it metered service or a fixed fee? Do the drivers understand English or do I have to write the address and instructions in their language?
More questions to follow , but for now let's cover these.
Thanks for your help,
MrsBillt and Billt
More questions to follow , but for now let's cover these.
Thanks for your help,
MrsBillt and Billt
Jul 7th, 2015, 05:12 AM
#2
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Not using ATMs is a big mistake. Changing cash (and carrying all that money) is NOT recommended - both for reasons of safety and the fact that you will be wasting about 10% of your money at an exchange booth (either fees or bad rates of exchange or both) versus about 2% in pulling money from your checking account at an ATM.
Without access to an ATM you should try to pay for as much as possible with credit cards (pick the one that has the best fees for exchange rate) - but realize that smaller places may want cash.
There is no way I would wander around europe with a whole wad of $ - just too many opportunities for loss or theft.
Many taxis drivers will speak some english but always have your destination written down - name and address - in case they don't - or pronunciation is confusing.
Without access to an ATM you should try to pay for as much as possible with credit cards (pick the one that has the best fees for exchange rate) - but realize that smaller places may want cash.
There is no way I would wander around europe with a whole wad of $ - just too many opportunities for loss or theft.
Many taxis drivers will speak some english but always have your destination written down - name and address - in case they don't - or pronunciation is confusing.
Jul 7th, 2015, 06:14 AM
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Hopefully one of my trip reports will help with some of your questions
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-revisited.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-revisited.cfm
Jul 7th, 2015, 06:23 AM
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Getting to the center from the airport is easy and reasonable, the official taxi service Fötaxi has a kiosk outside arrivals. Just walk out of the terminal to the Taxi kiosk and tell them where you’re going. You get a slip of paper with the price. Hop in the cab you are directed to and off you go. The cab driver’s GPS is networked so he already has your destination, you don’t have to tell him a thing! Our ride to Szomory Dezső Ter (close to Deak Ter) was 6,960ft, just round up to 7,000ft and it’s about $25.00.
There are lots of people inside trying to get you to take THEIR taxi service. Just ignore and go to the official kiosk outside.
Keep things simple and have your destination address written down to hand to the Taxi kiosk agent.
There are lots of people inside trying to get you to take THEIR taxi service. Just ignore and go to the official kiosk outside.
Keep things simple and have your destination address written down to hand to the Taxi kiosk agent.
Jul 7th, 2015, 06:23 AM
#5
"We do not use ATMs "
That is a very big mistake. And if you are arriving by train I would NOT expect to or try to change money at the station. If you arriving by train, you can change money in the previous country, but why bother when the banking system works so well? Which station? As always, take a taxi from the line outside the station, not a tout who approaches you inside, and insist on the meter.
Buy a good guidebook.
That is a very big mistake. And if you are arriving by train I would NOT expect to or try to change money at the station. If you arriving by train, you can change money in the previous country, but why bother when the banking system works so well? Which station? As always, take a taxi from the line outside the station, not a tout who approaches you inside, and insist on the meter.
Buy a good guidebook.
Jul 7th, 2015, 06:36 AM
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Jul 7th, 2015, 07:28 AM
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Are these any different than the questions asked by [presumably Mr.] BillT a month ago -- http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-171059-2.cfm ? Should the people who took the time to answer those questions re-write their answers?
Jul 7th, 2015, 07:32 AM
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Let's ask the important question: why don't you use ATMs? Do you have bank accounts or do you just store cash under the mattress?
This is 2015. In 1996 (when I resumed international travel) and earlier, the easiest way to obtain cash in the relevant local currency was to withdraw it from an ATM. It is quick, it is easy, it is cost-effective (see NYtraveler's post above as to some of the why). Twenty years ago travelers checks were still widely used and exchange bureaus were plentiful. Neither is true today.
So the corollary question becomes: why do you wish to make your life more difficult and more dangerous whilst traveling in a foreign country?
As to the taxis - the Marriott on the Danube is well-known. If you identify it by name and general location, writing down the street address should just be superfluous.
This is 2015. In 1996 (when I resumed international travel) and earlier, the easiest way to obtain cash in the relevant local currency was to withdraw it from an ATM. It is quick, it is easy, it is cost-effective (see NYtraveler's post above as to some of the why). Twenty years ago travelers checks were still widely used and exchange bureaus were plentiful. Neither is true today.
So the corollary question becomes: why do you wish to make your life more difficult and more dangerous whilst traveling in a foreign country?
As to the taxis - the Marriott on the Danube is well-known. If you identify it by name and general location, writing down the street address should just be superfluous.
Jul 7th, 2015, 03:00 PM
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OK, not to belabor this point but we have been traveling all over Europe and Asia and have never used an ATM. Never had a problem, I carry cash and use a security wallet.
I understand you get abetter rate when using an ATM assuming the charges the banks adds are reasonable. Can we leave this subject without any more remarks please.
Yes I may have asked about this in the past buy there are always new folks on Fodors and I want their input.
Billt.
I understand you get abetter rate when using an ATM assuming the charges the banks adds are reasonable. Can we leave this subject without any more remarks please.
Yes I may have asked about this in the past buy there are always new folks on Fodors and I want their input.
Billt.
Jul 7th, 2015, 03:15 PM
#11
Just because you personally have never used an ATM doesn't make it a sensible policy. I have a travel bank account that charges zero fees, and a back up that charges 1%, bet you have paid much more than that every time.
If you are asking a question that you have already asked in the not so distant past, it would be polite to point that out.
If you are asking a question that you have already asked in the not so distant past, it would be polite to point that out.
Jul 7th, 2015, 05:47 PM
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We never said it was a sensible policy only one that we use for our own reasons, I will not travel with my debit card, let's drop this line and agree that ATM use gets you the best rate ( there was never an argument there).
Jul 8th, 2015, 06:33 AM
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When you get to Round 2, remember that the Budapest Wine Festival is early September, 9 - 13. We were there last year and enjoyed it so much that we are booked for another stay then this year. We go each of the days there are tastings but you could just do one or two days if you'd rather. ---> http://visitbudapest.travel/budapest...wine-festival/
Pjk
Pjk
Jul 8th, 2015, 07:51 AM
#14
why not just tell us why you won't use ATMs when you travel, Mrs Bill - I'm not being nosy [well, perhaps just a bit] but you may have a good reason for not using them which the rest of us haven't thought of.
We're always willing to learn. [well I am, not sure about the rest of them].
We're always willing to learn. [well I am, not sure about the rest of them].
Jul 8th, 2015, 02:55 PM
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Maybe I am also a bit of old fashioned, but last time I was using an ATM, was 1996 in Italy. Also being a private tour-guide, I can reassure you that quite a few of my clients bring a lot of cash and have no problems at all and have of them never use an ATM. Just like that. Money belt or kinda that and it works perfectly well.
Even nowadays, especially in rural areas, quite a few places still not accepting credit cards, the excuse is usually "bank connection problem, etc., etc". Some of the few extremely popular restaurants take only cash and they can exchange your Dollars or Euros at a pretty affordable rate.
OK, now where to change. Of course avoid the train station exchange offices by any means. Along with the airport, they have the worst rates ever. Instead go to an average exchange booth, run by any of the most popular companies: Correct change - http://correctchange.hu/index.php?lang=eng (this one has the best rates in town), Asmi-Rania, Exclusive Change, Northline etc. Just Google them and you will find the location closest to your hotel. Opposite the Marriott there is an exchange office at Apáczai Csere János St. 3, only 30 yards from the Marriott's main entrance. Most of those places charge 0,003 to 0,005 % commission. So it's only 30 to 50 cents on each 100 Bucks.
Now back to station. If you arrive at the Keleti station, there is a very good exchange office on the left side off the main entrance on Kerepesi st 1. Kantor change Kft. http://www.kantorchange.hu/ If you arrive at the Nyugati station there is a place called Good Change , address: Budapest, VI. Teréz krt. 62. Another place is in the West End City center right next to the train station: Exclusive Special Change Kft. address: Budapest, VI. Váci út 1-3., Westend, Jókai sétány 57. Office hours : M-Sat: 9-21, S: 10-19
The rule of a thumb for taxi is ALWAYS hire a taxi belonging to a big company, City taxi, Radio taxi, 6×6 Taxi, Budapest Taxi, Taxi 4 (for instance you can book these two online). NEVER ever take a taxi without a company name and telephone numbers on the side. We call those "hyenas", and believe me, they are!
If there will be no traffic jam or whatever, the fare to your hotel should be within 10 Bucks. 2500 - 3000 HUF (Forint). Some companies give you a quote online.
Feel free to ask other questions.
Oh, and just a little P.S.
How about using an ATM in Greece nowadays?
Even nowadays, especially in rural areas, quite a few places still not accepting credit cards, the excuse is usually "bank connection problem, etc., etc". Some of the few extremely popular restaurants take only cash and they can exchange your Dollars or Euros at a pretty affordable rate.
OK, now where to change. Of course avoid the train station exchange offices by any means. Along with the airport, they have the worst rates ever. Instead go to an average exchange booth, run by any of the most popular companies: Correct change - http://correctchange.hu/index.php?lang=eng (this one has the best rates in town), Asmi-Rania, Exclusive Change, Northline etc. Just Google them and you will find the location closest to your hotel. Opposite the Marriott there is an exchange office at Apáczai Csere János St. 3, only 30 yards from the Marriott's main entrance. Most of those places charge 0,003 to 0,005 % commission. So it's only 30 to 50 cents on each 100 Bucks.
Now back to station. If you arrive at the Keleti station, there is a very good exchange office on the left side off the main entrance on Kerepesi st 1. Kantor change Kft. http://www.kantorchange.hu/ If you arrive at the Nyugati station there is a place called Good Change , address: Budapest, VI. Teréz krt. 62. Another place is in the West End City center right next to the train station: Exclusive Special Change Kft. address: Budapest, VI. Váci út 1-3., Westend, Jókai sétány 57. Office hours : M-Sat: 9-21, S: 10-19
The rule of a thumb for taxi is ALWAYS hire a taxi belonging to a big company, City taxi, Radio taxi, 6×6 Taxi, Budapest Taxi, Taxi 4 (for instance you can book these two online). NEVER ever take a taxi without a company name and telephone numbers on the side. We call those "hyenas", and believe me, they are!
If there will be no traffic jam or whatever, the fare to your hotel should be within 10 Bucks. 2500 - 3000 HUF (Forint). Some companies give you a quote online.
Feel free to ask other questions.
Oh, and just a little P.S.
How about using an ATM in Greece nowadays?
Jul 8th, 2015, 05:08 PM
#16
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Now that's what I was looking for and amen to the previous post! It's very valuable advice that helps me a lot!
There have been posts in the past with people having a variety of problems using their cards and we would rather just use cash to exchange even if we pay a premium over what. An ATM would give.
There have been posts in the past with people having a variety of problems using their cards and we would rather just use cash to exchange even if we pay a premium over what. An ATM would give.
Jul 9th, 2015, 03:08 AM
#17
How about using an ATM in Greece nowadays? >>
okzsi - there is in theory no limit on what tourists can take out of an ATM in Greece, save the one that their own bank imposes. HOWEVER, the UK government is advising tourists to take cash in Euros and it is likely that cash will be king in Greece for some time to come.
<<There have been posts in the past with people having a variety of problems using their cards and we would rather just use cash to exchange even if we pay a premium over what an ATM would give>>
sounds like a perfectly sound reason to me, if that's what you're comfortable with. I just find it difficult to understand why you had to be so coy about it!
okzsi - there is in theory no limit on what tourists can take out of an ATM in Greece, save the one that their own bank imposes. HOWEVER, the UK government is advising tourists to take cash in Euros and it is likely that cash will be king in Greece for some time to come.
<<There have been posts in the past with people having a variety of problems using their cards and we would rather just use cash to exchange even if we pay a premium over what an ATM would give>>
sounds like a perfectly sound reason to me, if that's what you're comfortable with. I just find it difficult to understand why you had to be so coy about it!
Jul 9th, 2015, 03:38 AM
#19
And I wondered why all this obsession on using ATM's, beyond the fact that yes you get a better rate.>>
I think that the answer is in the question. plus security concerns - do you walk round with 1000s of euros secreted about your person or leave them in your hotel room? depends on the length of the trip of course, but if you are eschewing credit cards as well, you could need a considerable sum to cover even a trip of a week or so.
and what if you are visiting a number of places with different currencies? you could end up changing notes a number of times, paying commission each time. I understand about being worried that the odd ATM won't work, but there are very few threads here from people who have been entirely shut out by them. Normally all it requires is a call to their US bank and the problem is solved.
your choice of course - and should anyone else want to change money in Budapest, they'll know where to go!
I think that the answer is in the question. plus security concerns - do you walk round with 1000s of euros secreted about your person or leave them in your hotel room? depends on the length of the trip of course, but if you are eschewing credit cards as well, you could need a considerable sum to cover even a trip of a week or so.
and what if you are visiting a number of places with different currencies? you could end up changing notes a number of times, paying commission each time. I understand about being worried that the odd ATM won't work, but there are very few threads here from people who have been entirely shut out by them. Normally all it requires is a call to their US bank and the problem is solved.
your choice of course - and should anyone else want to change money in Budapest, they'll know where to go!
Jul 11th, 2015, 06:54 PM
#20
Sounds like Mrs Billt thinks all those gypsyies won't see her reach into her bra-wallet for another 500€ note. And even if they did, they wouldn't DARE to gang up on her in a crowd to rip it from her bodice. Oh well. She apparently likes flirting with danger.
