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Linda Briggs Cosmetic Surgery in Budapest Hungary
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Useful information about Hungary and Budapest to help you plan your visit to Budapest for cosmetic surgery or dental treatment
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Is a Visa
required for a visit to Hungary when coming for cosmetic surgery or
dentistry?
Hungary
is an EU member country, and as such entry visas are not required for EU
citizens, or visitors from the USA and Canada.
Where is
Budapest?
Budapest
is the capital city of Hungary and is in Central Europe (not
Eastern Europe as many people think!) Hungary
is bordered by 7 countries - Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia and
Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. The huge Lake Balaton, is known as 'The Hungarian Sea' and is
a popular holiday destination
for Hungarians and visitors alike.
Which
area is the centre of Budapest and where should I stay?
Budapest
is divided into 23 districts (‘kerulet’
in Hungarian). Districts 5, 6 and 7 are usually referred to as
the city centre. When choosing accommodation we recommend you consider your location in relation to the clinic/s you will be visiting,
public transport, shops, etc. The
complimentary transport to and from your medical appointments provided is
only applicable to those staying close to the centre and the clinic.
Which
side of the city is better- Buda or Pest?
The Buda
side is quieter (and inhabited by expat and Hungarian families) and has more villas/houses
with gardens - and the Pest side is more bustling. All the Governmental
offices and Parliament are located in Pest – Pest is flat whereas Buda is
hilly. The World Heritage Castle District is located on
the Buda side.
Is
Budapest a safe city?
The
answer is a definite yes! Budapest is one of the safest cities in Europe (as
long as normal care is taken as would be expected in any major city
anywhere. Ladies alone can safely walk through the city without fear
of being accosted. Whatever you may have heard or read about
the dangers of Budapest is simply not true! As with any town or city, there are areas out of the centre that are not to be recommended for
anyone, but it is unlikely that you would ever need to go to these places!
What is
the Currency in (Budapest) Hungary?
Although a member of the EU, Hungary like the UK
does not yet use the Euro.
The official
currency is the Hungarian forint and you will require forints during your stay
in Budapest. The ATMs located throughout the city only dispense currency
in forints. There is an ATM at the airport that gives Euros.
The Change bureaus and offices normally give a good rate that is better
than at home and are safe to use. Be
ware - never change
money at the airport or railway stations - the rate is a rip off!
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Is Budapest an expensive city?
Budapest
is relatively cheap for western visitors, but being a capital city is more expensive
than other towns in Hungary. Certain things are on a par price wise with the UK,
but there are still bargains to be found.
Locals,
whose wages are so low, do complain though, that it is expensive.
Are tips
the norm in Budapest?
Tipping
is expected in cafes, restaurants, hotels, taxis, hairdressers, beauty salons
etc.
Normally 10-15% is expected
(although Americans tend to tip more as they do back home!).
Some restaurants add this automatically to
the bill, and it is not always obvious, so
please do check with the waiter!
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What are
the Opening Hours in Budapest Hungary?
Generally
speaking, almost all shops (with the
exception of supermarkets and other food shops) do not open until 10am and
remain open until 5 – 6 pm.
There are
places of course that open until much later including the large shopping malls
that stay open until 8 -9 pm. Museums and other tourist attractions also do not
open until 10am. Weekend hours vary so
do check.
Most museums close on Mondays (again
check first as there are exceptions).
Is it
safe to drink the tap water in Budapest Hungary?
Yes, it is
perfectly safe to drink and to use it for cooking!
What is
the Weather like in Budapest?
As with everywhere it seems at the moment, the
weather in Budapest can be unpredictable, but generally you can expect relatively cold
winters (although nothing to write home about and quite bearable!) and long hot
summers. May, early June, the end of August and September are usually the best
months being not too hot, but still very pleasant. July and August can be
extremely hot and humid. Many shops and restaurants and public buildings have
very efficient air-conditioning.
The ‘big’
trams that cross the city (Nos 4 and 6) are also air-conditioned and make
travelling around in the heat very bearable.
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What time
zone is Budapest Hungary in?
Budapest
time zones:
- Winter:
GMT+1 (GMT plus one)
- Summer:
GMT+2 (GMT plus two)
In other
words, Hungary is one hour ahead of the
UK in both winter and summer.
What is
the country and city code for Budapest Hungary to make phone calls?
The
country code is 0036, and the city code of Budapest is 1. Both cosmetic surgery and dental patients will be given a local phone programmed
with the numbers of your Linda Briggs representatives, a reliable taxi
company, and other useful numbers, and your family and friends will be
able to call you on this phone (normal charges will apply at their end)
without you having to incur roaming charges to receive calls abroad.
Please ask for the number of the phone you will be given before you arrive in Budapest
so
that you can give it to your friends and family.
How do I
contact the Emergency services in Budapest?
The main
emergency numbers are
- Ambulance:
104 (in English:
00-36-1-311-1666)
- Police:
107
- Fire
Department: 105
What
types of plug must I use in Budapest?
In
Hungary, the electricity supply is 230 V, 50 Hz. 2-pin plugs with rounded metal
rods are used here, different from the ones used in the UK. You should bring with you Euro adapters that
can be bought from Tesco, electrical shops, and at the airport.
Budapest
Taxis
You should never hail a taxi on the street as there
are many unlicensed private operators waiting outside the railway stations, bus
terminals, and shopping malls, etc to rip you off! They do not use a meter, are not properly
insured, and charge whatever they feel like – be warned! It is always recommended that you phone for a taxi as this is cheaper and more reliable–
the dispatchers speak English – and a taxi normally arrives within
a few minutes. Also taxis ordered by a hotel or restaurant (unless
you give them a specific taxi company) will be more expensive than ordering one
yourself.
City
Taxis are
highly recommended.
Which
airport do I need to fly into in Hungary?
Flights
to Budapest arrive at the newly renamed Liszt Ferenc Budapest
International Airport (it
used to be called ‘Ferihegy’). The
airport code remains the same (BUD).
The
airport is about 15 miles from the centre of Budapest and it only takes between
20 and 30 minutes to reach the city centre.
There are two Terminals – 1 and 2 – both on opposite sides of the
airport (and cannot be reached on foot – only by taxi or bus –
5 minutes away). Terminal 2 handles scheduled flights
including Malev, the Hungarian national carrier, and Terminal 1 handles
low-cost budget ‘cheap’ flights (including Easyjet, Wizz Air and Jet2/com from
the UK). Linda Briggs' patients coming for surgery or dentistry will
be met personally at the airport by one of her representatives,
and complimentary airport transfers will be provided. This norm
ally covers one patient + one friend/family member + luggage- if a larger
'People Carrier' or similar has to be used (when accompanied by more
friends or family) then there will be a surcharge.
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Are
public holidays in Hungary the same as in the UK?
No, they are different although Christmas, New
Year and Easter are similar to the UK. Everything closes down
over Christmas and New year and on the National holidays almost everything
closes with the exception of some restaurants, bars, and the odd corner
shop.
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What are
the local alcoholic drinks in Budapest?
Hungary is
famous for its excellent wines and these are very cheap (even the award winning
ones) compared to the UK and other countries in Europe.
There are the world-renowned sweet dessert
wines of Tokjai (although this region also produces other wines), but plenty of
other wines well worth tasting. Specialist wine shops are plentiful throughout
Budapest.
Hungarian
beer is very cheap but imported brands are easily available at a higher
cost.
‘Palinka’,
a fruit spirit, drunk like a shot, is also a Hungarian ‘delicacy’ – and can be
bought in small bottles to take home as a gift. ‘Unicum’ is a bitter drink with an acquired taste, but also
representative of Hungary.
What are the Public WCs like and
where are they located in Budapest?
Well.....depends
where you are!
In the centre of city, no
problem – easily located, clean (normally you have to pay between
100 – 200 HUF - for this you get a spotlessly clean WC,
toilet paper, and hand washing facilities.
In metro stations, bus terminals, sometimes OK, sometimes not - depends on
how desperate you are!
Some
coffee shops such as Coffee Heaven, McDonalds, etc require a till receipt in
order to gain access to their facilities – McDonalds will let you in without
this on payment of 200 HUF. Large city
centre hotels are always a good bet for those in need!
What is
the population of Hungary?
Something in the region of 10 million people live in
Hungary – with about 2 million living in Budapest, the capital.
The population is on the decrease due to
later marriages and less children being born.
What is
the official religion in Hungary?
The
majority of Hungarians are Christian, with the Catholic faith being the main
religion (about 65%) – the rest Protestant. Church attendance is on the
decline.
What’s
the official language in (Budapest) Hungary?
Hungarians
speak Hungarian! This is a very
difficult language, even to Hungarians, but it is always well worth learning a
few basic words, such as hello, goodbye, please and thank you, before you come
over to Budapest, as this always goes down very well with those you come into
contact with.
Most people speak at least
a little English, and of course in restaurants and shops etc in the centre
there will be no problem. English and
German are the languages most widely spoken by Hungarians.
If you need help, approach a younger person
as it is likely they will speak English well!
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Is there
a lot to do and see in Budapest?
Budapest
is a very friendly, cosmopolitan and lively
city with a fascinating history to tell! There is something for everyone and the city caters for all ages and all
interests. T he environment is very safe, and Budapest is a very walkable city
(even crossing the bridges between Pest and Buda).
The public transport system is fast,
reliable, regular and cheap and easy to use once you have a map and either a
book of tickets or better still a 5
day transport pass – both purchased from metro stations.
There is a breath-taking architectural
heritage, plentiful shady green areas (you will notice the green parks and
spaces as the plane crosses the city on its final approach to the airport.
Budapest
is world-known for its many thermal baths fed from healing springs, going back
to Turkish (Ottoman) times, wonderful buildings (the city is in a never-ending
programme of renovation and rebuilding as it suffered greatly during wars etc
and the damage and neglect due to lack of money is still very evident), great
food markets, museums covering every conceivable subject, huge shopping malls,
interesting small shops, international designer shops, flea markets, etc.
A sightseeing trip on one of the ‘Hop on, Hop
off’ buses, is always recommended (for those having surgery or dentistry, a relaxing
2 hours, seeing all the major sights of the city on both sides of the river,
gives a great overview of what is on offer in the city) and also a boat trip on
the Danube, especially at night when buildings on both sides of the river are
illuminated.
Before coming out to Budapest for
cosmetic surgery or dentistry, it is well worthwhile to spend some time online
taking a look at what the city has to offer and what is of interest to you – so
you can plan your time accordingly.
Why is Budapest a good place for
dentistry and cosmetic surgery through Linda Briggs?
Without a
doubt!
Hungary, and especially Budapest,
has gained a worldwide reputation for medical excellence, including dentistry
and cosmetic/plastic surgery, going back many, many years.
The specialists here have undergone a long
and demanding training and all the cosmetic surgeons have undergone training,
qualification/registration and experience in a general surgical field before
being allowed to continue with further training and specialisation in
cosmetic/plastic surgery.
The
medical laws in Hungary are some of the strictest in Europe and everything is
done to ensure patient safety at all times.
Linda
Briggs only works with surgeons and dental specialists who speak fluent
English, have a long and proven experience in their field, and who deliver
consistently first-class results and patient satisfaction.
The clinics
and hospitals we use are modern, up to date, and of course spotlessly
clean.
Budapest
being a large capital city offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all
budgets and tastes – from 5 star luxury with all the pampering you could want,
to small family run hotels and pensions giving a very personal service at an affordable
price. Most of those coming for cosmetic
surgery choose the self-catering option in an apartment ranging from studio
(one spacious room with kitchen and bathroom) to two-bedroomed (if coming with
friends or family). This gives a great
deal of freedom and privacy, and allows patients to eat and drink whenever they
feel like it – also it is the more cost-effective option for longer stays in
Budapest.
Once you
feel able and want to go out after your surgery or dental treatments, Budapest
is the ideal city in which to spend post-op recovery time without over-exerting
yourself. As well as having first-class
medical treatment you will return home having had a great experience and
discovered the joys of this exciting and beautiful city!
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