Venue

The Summit technical program (all the technical sessions, tutorials and the exhibition) will be held in the University Congress Centre of Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), address: Budapest, XI., Pázmány Péter sétány 1/a. (map) (N 47° 28.5100'; E 19° 3.6870')

Some of the workshops will be hosted by the Building "I" of Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and by the National Office for Research and Technology (NKTH). Both are in walking distance from the Summit venue. The address of the BME building is Budapest, XI., Magyar tudósok körútja 2., and the address of the NKTH office is Budapest, XI., Neumann János u. 1/c. See the map below.

The ELTE campus is situated in the picturesque environment of Budapest, only a few minutes from the centre of the city between Lágymányosi and Petőfi Bridge on the Buda banks of Danube. It is the heart of Infopark with great parking facility.

Legend: (1) University Congress Centre (Summit venue), (2) BME I Building, (3) NKTH Office

The preferred route by public transportation is using tram lines 4 or 6, stop "PETŐFI HíD, BUDAI HíDFŐ", which is also indicated on the map above (Goldmann György tér). This stop is located on the Buda bridgehead of the Petőfi bridge. Follow the signs from the tram stop to the congress centre. By the way, you'll travel on the longest vehicles among European trams :-)

These lines connect to the subway M3 (blue line) at the stop "ÜLLŐI ÚT", whereas the subway station is called "FERENC KÖRÚT". The same lines also connect to the subway M2 (red line) at the stop "BLAHA LUJZA TÉR" and to the underground M1 (yellow line) at the "OKTOGON" stop.

(Alternatively, bus line 103 stops on the Buda side of the Lágymányosi bridge, the stop is called "PÁZMÁNY PÉTER SÉTÁNY". However, this line won't bring you to the city centre, it connects the southern parts of the city.)

Here you can find the suggested routes from selected hotels to the summit venue.

Please note that heavy underground construction works are in progress close to the conference venue. These works imply changes in the surface traffic as well. Please look at the home page of the Budapest Transport Limited (BKV), even if you're already familiar with the public transportation of Budapest. Refer to this page for ticket information as well.

Note particularly that tram lines 2 and 2A (lines running parallel to the Danube on the Pest side) are replaced by buses between the Erzsébet bridge and Petőfi bridge. The tram replacement service is designated by "2V". Tram line 47 is not available, we recommend in both cases looking for an alternative route taking the subways and trams 4 or 6 instead.

If you arrive by car, note that both quays are closed on the Pest side near the venue. The Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) is also closed during the weekends. The traffic is restricted to one lane on the Margit bridge on the weekends.

Some useful links:

• Check out this route planner for directions (car and public transportation are available, either).
• Airport information (transfer, taxi, etc.): Budapest Airport
• Online Budapest map (with IE only)
• Budapest Portal

About Budapest

There are those who fall in love with the city at first sight and those who only warm up after a longer relationship, still everyone agrees that it is one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world. The great river Danube cuts it in two, and separates the hills and valleys of the western, Buda side from the flat, Pest side in the east. The settlement of Buda is as old as the Conquest itself (896), but it only started to develop in the 13th century when King Béla IV built a castle on the hill for protection against the Mongol attacks. The court moved to Buda in 1347, and the castle was enlarged into a palace in the Gothic style of the time. During the reign of King Matthias it became a dazzling Renaissance royal residence. Partially based upon its ruins the palace was enlarged in its present baroque style. The city Budapest was born in 1873 with the unification of Buda, Óbuda and Pest, for which a new, representative royal palace was built. Out of the seven road bridges four are part of the World Heritage.
Interactive Budapest map1 or map2
Budapest Tourism Office

About Hungary

Situated at the crossroad of East and West Europe, sustaining original traditions and culture in the course of a unique history of glories and tragedies Hungary offers special regions and monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage worth to be visited.

Map of Hungary
Hungary Tourism

Travel Information

Travelling to Budapest

By airplane: MALÉV, Hungarian Airlines connects 44 cities in 32 countries with the Hungarian capital but almost all international European airlines also fly to Budapest. Travellers can get from the airport to the city centre by bus or by airport minibus to any address within 40 minutes and at the most reasonable price.
By train: Trains from abroad arrive at three international railway stations at each of which there is a metro station.
By bus: The Hungarian bus company Volánbusz runs scheduled buses from 14 countries.
On the river: From April to October a hydrofoil runs on the Danube between Vienna and Budapest via Bratislava.
By car: All main roads marked with single digit lead to Budapest. There is a toll on certain sections of the M1, M3 and M5 motorways. Speed limits are 130 kph on motorways, 110 kph on main roads, 90 kph on other roads and 50 kph in built-up areas.

Entering Hungary: passport, visa and border-crossing information

Some forign nationals may require entry visa to Hungary. Detailed information and the list of countries are available on the web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Hungary.

Needn't visa for citizens from Japan, USA and the member countries of European Union. Please contact the Hungarian Embassy in your country and also for further information if needed.

If it is needed, the Summit Secretariat (info@mobilesummit2007.org) will send an official Letter of Confirmation (in case of written demand, if you have either an accepted paper or you have already payed the registration fee). This letter does not mean financially obligate the Summit Organizers in any way. Expenses incurred are the sole responsibility of the participant. You are kindly asked to inquire about visas early, as arrangements may take some weeks.

Local transportation

To discover Budapest you can use different means of transport such as metro, bus, tram, trolley bus and HÉV (suburban train). The city centre is linked to the City Park by the 100-year-old underground railway, the first on continental Europe. The funicular railway takes you up to the Buda Castle, and the chairlift and the cogwheel railway to the Buda Hills.
Tickets must be bought in advance from ticket offices, tobacconists', news agents' or automatic machines. Tickets must be validated on the vehicle or at the entrance to metro stations. Daily, weekly and monthly season tickets are available or you can use the Budapest Card as a ticket.

Transport to the Airport

Airport Minibuses depart from Ferihegy Airport in every 10 minutes to all destinations in Budapest and they also pick you up at any hotel on your way back to the airport. The ride takes 20-40 minutes depending on traffic and your starting point. Current cost is EUR10 one way.

Budapest Card

With the Budapest Card you can use the Airport Minibus with a discount and you can travel free on public transport in the capital. It ensures free or reduced priced entrance to museums, the Zoo, the Fun Fair and the Buda caves. Sightseeing tours and numerous cultural events are also cheaper with it and certain restaurants, cafés and shops give reductions to card holders. The Budapest Card is valid for 48 or 72 hours and is available from Tourinform offices, bus and metro ticket offices and many travel agencies, hotels and museums.

Language

Official language of the country is Hungarian, but English and German are widely spoken.

Climate

The climate is continental. The weather in July is usually warm; the average daytime temperature is 25° C.

Time zone

In July, Budapest's clocks are in CEST timezone (Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 2 hours).

Electricity

Two-pin electric outlets (230 V, 50 Hz) are provided.

Telephone

Country code for Hungary is +36
Area code for Budapest is 1

Emergency: 112
Ambulance: 104
Fire Brigade: 105
Police: 107

Public telephones operate by phone card or coins. Cards are available at post offices and at tobacconists.

Banking in Hungary

In Hungary banks are usually open between 8.00 - 16.00 on weekdays, although some close an hour earlier on Fridays. With the exception of some shopping mall bank branches, Hungarian banks are not open on Saturdays.
ATM machines and currency exchange machines are available throughout the country. However, beware of higher service charges for using ATMs that are not affiliated with your bank of origin. The credit cards used most often - Diners Club, Euro/MasterCard and VISA - can be used to withdraw cash from banks and ATM machines and to pay bills in hotels, restaurants and shops. Emblems at the entrance mark the shops where credit cards are accepted. Most banks have their own automated networks. You don't have to worry about buying Hungarian Forint ahead of time and carrying cash on you. ATM machines are widely available in major cities. You can also use your bank or credit card to get cash at post offices throughout Hungary. More than 3.200 post offices nationwide provide this service. Traveler's checks may be cashed in banks, but are not accepted in shops. They may also be exchanged at some downtown booths.

Taxis

How to choose your taxi

Taxis have the word "Taxi" written on them and have yellow registration number plates. Be careful to choose a well marked car with logos and not just a ‘Taxi' sign on the top! By far the most common complaint of tourists in Budapest is being "taken for a ride" in a taxi and charged exorbitant fees.
It is compulsory for taxis to use a faremeter that can give a receipt. The price charged is calculated according to the distance travelled and will also include a fixed booking fee and (if appropriate) a waiting fee.
It is customary to give a tip of ten percent, depending on the level of satisfaction. The total charge to be paid by the passenger is made up of 3 separate parts:

• a basic charge of maximum 300 HUF during the day and maximum 420 HUF at night,
• a per-kilometre charge based on the total distance travelled (maximum 240 HUF/kilometre during the day, maximum 336 HUF at night),
• a waiting charge if applicable
• A transfer from the airport to the centre should not be more than around 4-5.000 HUF. The larger taxi companies often charge rates far lower than the maximum listed above.

Taxis are often cheaper if you call ahead than hailing one on the street. Make a note of the following companies, many of which should have an English-speaking operator. You will need to give your name and the address or approximate location to be picked up. Alternatively, if you call from a public phone, the operator should be able to trace exactly where you are.

Taxi companies in Budapest:
City Taxi: +36.1.2.111.111
Taxi 2000: +36.1.2.000.000
6x6 Taxi: +36.1.2.666.666
Tele 5 Taxi: +36.1.5.555.555
Radio Taxi: +36.1.3.777.777
Budataxi: +36.1.2.333.333
Fôtaxi: +36.1.2.222.222

Public transportation

Budapest's network of public transport services includes buses, trolleybuses, trams, underground trains (Metró) and above-ground suburban trains (HÉV).

Schedules

Buses, trams and trolleybuses run daily from 4.30am until 11pm. Once tram and metro service has ended for the night, there are night buses running along the major routes. Frequency is about every 25 minutes.
All three underground lines connect at Deák tér station. Service frequencies range from 15 minutes late in the evening to every two minutes at peak times.
The HÉV runs to and from Csepel Island and Ráckeve in the south, Szentendre in the north, and Gödöllõ in the east. Once you get outside the Budapest city limits, you will need to buy a supplementary ticket, available from the conductor on board the train.

Ticket purchasing

Tickets have to be bought before boarding. They are available at Underground stations, tobacco and news kiosks, and from vending machines at many bus and tram stops in the city center.
A new ticket has to be validated at the beginning of each journey, and this is done by inserting it into the slot in the small orange box situated at waist height near the doors of buses, trolleybuses, trams and HÉV trains, and before the escalators at metro stations.
Tickets are valid for one single journey of any length (without changing) on all routes (including the Cogwheel Railway, but excluding those parts of the HÉV that lie outside the metropolitan boundary of Budapest).
Special tickets can be purchased that allow a change of route, and that cover the HÉV outside Budapest.
There is also a range of pre-paid books of tickets and value-for-money passes.
There are lots of ticket inspectors: some are uniformed and others plain-clothed, but they always wear a blue armband and carry a photographic identification badge. They can ask to see tickets and passes on any vehicle and anywhere on the Underground system, including after you have got off - so please remember to validate your ticket and keep hold of it! Also, inspectors are wary of foreigners "playing dumb" with the ticket-validation process. Rest assured, they will not let you get away just because they don't speak English!
You can find all the information related to public transport at www.bkv.hu.