Practical Information. |
ACOMMODATIONS
Hungary - visa free countries
Please click here for the list of visa free countries and their respective conditions.
Please click here for the list of visa free countries and their respective conditions.
Pre-negotiated accomodation prices
Links to our recommended hotels:
5 minute walk from the venue:
https://aquahotelkecskemet.hu/en/5-star-service-at-3-star-price/
https://www.fourpointskecskemet.hu/
Further hotels:
https://granadahotel.hu
https://gokarthotel.hu
https://www.hotelharomgunar.hu/
https://aranyhomok.accenthotels.com/hu
https://www.hotelcentralpassage.hu/hu/
https://www.boutiquehotelcenter.hu/hu/
https://gaiahotel.hu/en/reservation
https://hoteluno.hu/
Please note that you may encounter discounted, usually non-refundable or other limited advance rates accessible via international booking sites, but do not forget to indicate „RSAI2024” when booking via any channel.
We have now added new hotels to our list of reccomendations, in very wide ranging price categories: Gaia Hotel (stylish upper class in the cetnre) and Hotel Uno (budget but comfortable and great location). Please refer to the instructions site below, how to book and check prices.
Instructions on how to apply your discount for the recommended hotels
5 minute walk from the venue:
https://aquahotelkecskemet.hu/en/5-star-service-at-3-star-price/
https://www.fourpointskecskemet.hu/
Further hotels:
https://granadahotel.hu
https://gokarthotel.hu
https://www.hotelharomgunar.hu/
https://aranyhomok.accenthotels.com/hu
https://www.hotelcentralpassage.hu/hu/
https://www.boutiquehotelcenter.hu/hu/
https://gaiahotel.hu/en/reservation
https://hoteluno.hu/
Please note that you may encounter discounted, usually non-refundable or other limited advance rates accessible via international booking sites, but do not forget to indicate „RSAI2024” when booking via any channel.
We have now added new hotels to our list of reccomendations, in very wide ranging price categories: Gaia Hotel (stylish upper class in the cetnre) and Hotel Uno (budget but comfortable and great location). Please refer to the instructions site below, how to book and check prices.
Instructions on how to apply your discount for the recommended hotels
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT HUNGARY
About Hungary
Official name of the country: Hungary
Area: 93 030 km2
Population: 9.772.756 (2019)
Official language: Hungarian
Capital and largest city: Budapest
Currency: Forint (HUF)
Time zone: CET (GMT+1)
Major rivers: River Danube (417 km), River Tisza (597 km)
Largest lake: Lake Balaton (598 km2)
Hungary is in the heart of Europe with many natural and cultural attractions. Hills and plains, big cities and the countryside, bustling life and tranquillity, multicultural environment and Hungarian traditions… You can find here the lifestyle you wish to lead.
Emergency phone numbers
Ambulance: 104
Police: 107
Fire service: 105
Central help number: 112
Passport and Visa Requirements
Participants may need a visa. Please check if a visa is needed for your country.
More information: konzuliszolgalat.kormany.hu/en
Climate and Weather
Hungary is protected from extreme weather conditions by the surrounding mountain ranges, the Alps, and the Carpathians. Hungary has relatively dry continental climate. The yearly precipitation is 495 mm on average. The rainiest months are May and June with almost double precipitation than in January, February, and March. Average temperatures range from -1°C in January to 21°C in July. The number of sunny hours is around 2025 a year but can show great fluctuation each year.
Language
The official language of the country is Hungarian (magyar), which forms part of the Finno-Ugric language family. Like Finnish and Estonian, it belongs to the Uralic language family, with its closest relatives being Mansi and Khanty. It is one of the few languages of Europe that are not part of the Indo-European family, so it is not easy to be familiar with at the first time. Hungarian is spoken by 10 million people in Hungary but there are significant number of Hungarian speakers in Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Israel, the U.S., and Australia.
Religion
Hungary is a historically Christian country, but everyone is free to practise their own religion.
The cost of living
Partly, it depends on your own spending habits how much money you will need during your stay in Hungary. In general, living expenses are reasonable in Hungary, especially in comparison with Western European countries.
Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday 9.00-16.00. You can exchange money at any banks, travel agents and larger post offices. They may offer different deals concerning the rate of exchange and the fees charged, so you are advised to look around in the city before exchanging foreign currency. EuroCard, MasterCard and Visa Electron are the most popular bank/credit cards in Hungary, and you can easily find ATM machines in Kecskemét to withdraw money from your home account.
A Cost of Living Calculator is available for foreign students to inform them about prospective monthly expenses regarding accommodation, food, recreation and transportation on the Study in Hungary website. Prices are shown in different towns in various currencies (HUF, GBP, EUR, USD, JPY and CNY).
Here is a list of essential items to give you an idea of prices in Hungary.
Electricity
Electricity is the standard European 220 volts in Hungary. We have a plug with two round prongs and recessed sockets in general.
Shops
Most shops are open from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m on Saturday. Large shopping centres have extended hours of operation or are open non-stop. In bigger shops you can pay with your bank card.
Stores of the following chains can be found in most cities: Aldi, CBA, Lidl, Spar and Tesco.
Food shops are open Monday–Saturday 6.00 a.m.–9.00 p.m. (there might be differences in opening hours).
How to pay in Hungary?
Although large shops in the touristic areas accept credit cards, in case of smaller shops or markets it is better to pay in cash. Make sure you have enough Forints in your wallet. Exchange offices usually charge 0.03% exchange charge. MasterCard and Visa, wireless payments by Apple Pay and Google Pay are very widely accepted, while some other cards, including American Express, may incur a surcharge when used at certain retailers. Please note that the use of American Express cards is usually not possible in smaller shops, only large department stores. However, ATMs can be found everywhere, including the airport. People can immediately withdraw cash from their overseas bank accounts, however a withdrawal fee might be charged.
Traditional Hungarian cuisine
Traditional Hungarian food is often spicy since hot paprika, which gives a unique taste and a fiery colour to our dishes, is commonly used. Other essential ingredients accounting for a special flavour are sweet paprika, ground black and white pepper, onion, garlic, sour cream, cottage cheese (sometimes sweetened), smoked bacon and a variety of herbs. Though most authentic Hungarian dishes require lard, nowadays most restaurants and housewives use vegetable oil instead of pork fat. Some must-try Hungarian specialties are halászlé (Fisherman’s soup), ’Jókai’ bableves (Jókai style bean soup), Újházy tyúkhúsleves (’Újházy’ chicken broth), pörkölt (a ragout made from pork, beef, mutton or chicken with onions and paprika powder), paprikás (made in the same way as pörkölt but sour cream is mixed in the paprika and onion sauce), nokedli (small dumplings), goulash (a soup of thick consistency eaten as a main dish), túrógomboc (cottage cheese dumplings), szilvásgombóc (plum dumplings), palacsinta (pancake either with sweet filling e.g. sugared cottage cheese, jam, sugared cocoa or cinnamon powder or stuffed with meat ’Hortobágyi’ pancake), rétes (strudel with various fillings e.g. cottage cheese, apple, poppy-seed and sour cherry) and Somlói galuska (sponge cake dumplings with chocolate sauce, rum, walnut, raisins and whipped cream) etc.
Little Hungarian Vocabulary
Magyarország (ma-djar-or-saag) – Hungary
Jó napot kívánok! (yoh nu-pot khee-vha-knock) – Good morning!
Jó étvágyat kívánok! (Yoh-eht-vah-jot khee-vha-knock) – Bon appetit!
Viszontlátásra! (vee-sont-laa-taash-raa) – Goodbye!
Köszönöm! (khoe-se-noem) – Thank you!
Egészségére! (Ag-esh-sheg-eh-reh) – Cheers!
Elnézést! (el-naez-esht) – Excuse me!
Kérem! (khay-rem) – Please!
Igen (egh-an) – Yes
Nem (nam) – No
Gyógyszertár (dgodg-ser-taar) – Pharmacy
Étterem (ai-ther-am) – Restaurant
Reggeli (rhe-ghe-lee) – Breakfast
Ebéd (a-baid) – Lunch
Vacsora (va-cho-rah) – Dinner
Innivaló (in-ni-vha-lo) – Drink
Étel (ai-tel) – Food
Official name of the country: Hungary
Area: 93 030 km2
Population: 9.772.756 (2019)
Official language: Hungarian
Capital and largest city: Budapest
Currency: Forint (HUF)
Time zone: CET (GMT+1)
Major rivers: River Danube (417 km), River Tisza (597 km)
Largest lake: Lake Balaton (598 km2)
Hungary is in the heart of Europe with many natural and cultural attractions. Hills and plains, big cities and the countryside, bustling life and tranquillity, multicultural environment and Hungarian traditions… You can find here the lifestyle you wish to lead.
Emergency phone numbers
Ambulance: 104
Police: 107
Fire service: 105
Central help number: 112
Passport and Visa Requirements
Participants may need a visa. Please check if a visa is needed for your country.
More information: konzuliszolgalat.kormany.hu/en
Climate and Weather
Hungary is protected from extreme weather conditions by the surrounding mountain ranges, the Alps, and the Carpathians. Hungary has relatively dry continental climate. The yearly precipitation is 495 mm on average. The rainiest months are May and June with almost double precipitation than in January, February, and March. Average temperatures range from -1°C in January to 21°C in July. The number of sunny hours is around 2025 a year but can show great fluctuation each year.
Language
The official language of the country is Hungarian (magyar), which forms part of the Finno-Ugric language family. Like Finnish and Estonian, it belongs to the Uralic language family, with its closest relatives being Mansi and Khanty. It is one of the few languages of Europe that are not part of the Indo-European family, so it is not easy to be familiar with at the first time. Hungarian is spoken by 10 million people in Hungary but there are significant number of Hungarian speakers in Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Israel, the U.S., and Australia.
Religion
Hungary is a historically Christian country, but everyone is free to practise their own religion.
The cost of living
Partly, it depends on your own spending habits how much money you will need during your stay in Hungary. In general, living expenses are reasonable in Hungary, especially in comparison with Western European countries.
Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday 9.00-16.00. You can exchange money at any banks, travel agents and larger post offices. They may offer different deals concerning the rate of exchange and the fees charged, so you are advised to look around in the city before exchanging foreign currency. EuroCard, MasterCard and Visa Electron are the most popular bank/credit cards in Hungary, and you can easily find ATM machines in Kecskemét to withdraw money from your home account.
A Cost of Living Calculator is available for foreign students to inform them about prospective monthly expenses regarding accommodation, food, recreation and transportation on the Study in Hungary website. Prices are shown in different towns in various currencies (HUF, GBP, EUR, USD, JPY and CNY).
Here is a list of essential items to give you an idea of prices in Hungary.
Electricity
Electricity is the standard European 220 volts in Hungary. We have a plug with two round prongs and recessed sockets in general.
Shops
Most shops are open from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m on Saturday. Large shopping centres have extended hours of operation or are open non-stop. In bigger shops you can pay with your bank card.
Stores of the following chains can be found in most cities: Aldi, CBA, Lidl, Spar and Tesco.
Food shops are open Monday–Saturday 6.00 a.m.–9.00 p.m. (there might be differences in opening hours).
How to pay in Hungary?
Although large shops in the touristic areas accept credit cards, in case of smaller shops or markets it is better to pay in cash. Make sure you have enough Forints in your wallet. Exchange offices usually charge 0.03% exchange charge. MasterCard and Visa, wireless payments by Apple Pay and Google Pay are very widely accepted, while some other cards, including American Express, may incur a surcharge when used at certain retailers. Please note that the use of American Express cards is usually not possible in smaller shops, only large department stores. However, ATMs can be found everywhere, including the airport. People can immediately withdraw cash from their overseas bank accounts, however a withdrawal fee might be charged.
Traditional Hungarian cuisine
Traditional Hungarian food is often spicy since hot paprika, which gives a unique taste and a fiery colour to our dishes, is commonly used. Other essential ingredients accounting for a special flavour are sweet paprika, ground black and white pepper, onion, garlic, sour cream, cottage cheese (sometimes sweetened), smoked bacon and a variety of herbs. Though most authentic Hungarian dishes require lard, nowadays most restaurants and housewives use vegetable oil instead of pork fat. Some must-try Hungarian specialties are halászlé (Fisherman’s soup), ’Jókai’ bableves (Jókai style bean soup), Újházy tyúkhúsleves (’Újházy’ chicken broth), pörkölt (a ragout made from pork, beef, mutton or chicken with onions and paprika powder), paprikás (made in the same way as pörkölt but sour cream is mixed in the paprika and onion sauce), nokedli (small dumplings), goulash (a soup of thick consistency eaten as a main dish), túrógomboc (cottage cheese dumplings), szilvásgombóc (plum dumplings), palacsinta (pancake either with sweet filling e.g. sugared cottage cheese, jam, sugared cocoa or cinnamon powder or stuffed with meat ’Hortobágyi’ pancake), rétes (strudel with various fillings e.g. cottage cheese, apple, poppy-seed and sour cherry) and Somlói galuska (sponge cake dumplings with chocolate sauce, rum, walnut, raisins and whipped cream) etc.
Little Hungarian Vocabulary
Magyarország (ma-djar-or-saag) – Hungary
Jó napot kívánok! (yoh nu-pot khee-vha-knock) – Good morning!
Jó étvágyat kívánok! (Yoh-eht-vah-jot khee-vha-knock) – Bon appetit!
Viszontlátásra! (vee-sont-laa-taash-raa) – Goodbye!
Köszönöm! (khoe-se-noem) – Thank you!
Egészségére! (Ag-esh-sheg-eh-reh) – Cheers!
Elnézést! (el-naez-esht) – Excuse me!
Kérem! (khay-rem) – Please!
Igen (egh-an) – Yes
Nem (nam) – No
Gyógyszertár (dgodg-ser-taar) – Pharmacy
Étterem (ai-ther-am) – Restaurant
Reggeli (rhe-ghe-lee) – Breakfast
Ebéd (a-baid) – Lunch
Vacsora (va-cho-rah) – Dinner
Innivaló (in-ni-vha-lo) – Drink
Étel (ai-tel) – Food