A cold weekend coming up in Hungary

When things go wrong, they do go wrong. And when the gas is not arriving to the nation as it should, it turns really cold. At least that is what the National Meteorological Service tells us. According to them the temperatures in Hungary (which are low already) should fall even more as the weekends closes up, and some places in the nation temperatures can reach as low as minus 20 degrees. Budapest will probably not experience such low temperatures (probably the eastern parts of Hungary will), but it might turn out to be very cold in Budapest as well!

The colder it gets, the more gas we use, and when we have limited gas supplies this might become a challenge, but let’s hope not!

At our climate page it does not seem so bad on the 10-day prognosis, but I guess our international weather tool does not give as accurate information about the upcoming weather in Hungary as the National Meteorological Service do.

Gas crisis in Eastern-Europe

Since Tuesday gas is not arriving from Russia to Hungary and several other nations around Hungary. The Russians stopped sending gas, because they claim that Ukraine is "stealing" gas as it is flowing through their nation on the way to Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and several other nations.

Hungary is not the nation suffering the most, as they have gas supplies which can offer gas for quite a while to the nation. Big gas consumers in Hungary still needed to make changes, so the biggest companies and factories has had to put their work on halt, until the nation receives gas from Russia again.

Slovakia is suffering as well, and now they speak of opening up a nuclear plant at Jaslovske Bohunice. The nuclear plant had to be closed before entering into the European Union in 2004, but they speak of opening it again, if needed.

Let us hope that things will work out fast, because if things does not work out, this might become a cold winter for quite some people!

Euro in Hungary

During our guided tours we receive a lot of questions. One of the most popular questions is the following question: Is Hungary a member of the European Union. Why do people ask? If Hungary are members, why are they not using the Euro? Several other nations which joined the European Union in 2004 has already introduced the Euro in their nations, but Hungary has remained without it. The reason is that the economy is not good enough for it to be used in the nation, yet.

In 2004 after Hungary entered the European Union they had a goal of introducing the Euro from 2008, but as we all now, they did not reach that goal. From 1. January 2009 Slovakia started using the Euro as well, since 2008 Malta and Cyprus use it, and in 2007 Slovenia started using it. Time will show when Hungary joins into the Euro-club!

Forint, the currency in Hungary

New strike at Ferihegy Airport?

That is one of the questions many people have in Hungary and outside Hungary. Since the former strike was stopped on the 22 December, they gave the airport some weeks to make a new offer. The deadline for making a new offer was January 6, and the time of mercy has ended.

The airport and the employees are now discussing and trying to find a solution. If they do, nothing will happen, but if they can not make an agreement the airports of Budapest may suffer from a strike over again in a few days. Let us all hope they will come to an agreement!

We will update our pages with information, especially if a strike will occur, so come back later for more news and updates!

Strike is over at Budapest Airport

The strike at Budapest Airport is over, at least for a while. That means both Ferihegy 1 and Ferihegy 2 is in use again, and planes leave on schedule and from the planned terminals.

Both LESZ and RDSZSZ (the unions that were striking) went back to work before christmas. Even though they went back to work, they are still negotiating with Budapest Airport to get more money for their work. If the negotiations does not lead to change, they will stop working from January 6.

The train strike has also ended, so now transportation to Hungary, from Hungary and within Hungary should be going as usual!

Information from Budapest Airport
Budapest Airport opens Terminal 2A at 05:00 on Friday, 26 December. Terminal 1 opens one day later, at 04:00 on Saturday, 27 December. Until 27 December, all airlines operating from Terminal 1 are shifted to Terminal 2B.

Until 26 December, all passengers enter the transit area through terminal 2B that operates with full capacity. The check-in for some non-low-cost flights operating within the Schengen zone is at terminal 2A. BA advises all passengers to get in contact with their airlines. BA call center and flight information: +36 1 296 7000.

Strike updates Budapest - December 23

What is up in the capital of Hungary? For foreigners coming to celebrate christmas in Hungary the airport is the most important, and at the airport planes arrive and depart on time. No flights are cancelled, and though travellers report that there are some lack of information at the airport, mostly everything is working perfect. It is still recommended to be at the airport at least two hours before departure, and do not forget that all flights leave from Budapest Ferihegy 2. Ferihegy 1 is closed temporarely due to the strike.

MAV (train strike)
In the last week several hundred thousand people have been suffering because of the train strike, and we wrote last week that the trains would be going as normal between 24-26 December. But, this changed, and it longed seemed as if the trains would stand on those days as well, but now it has been decided that trains will leave as listed in the train schedules. Today (23 December) there will still be some delays, but from tomorrow all trains should leave on time!

Malev has big problems!

In these days when everyone speaks about the strike, the Hungarian flight company Malev is experiencing hard times as well. The company has great loans, and if those who have given the loans decides to not trust in Malev and their compatibility of paying back, problems are around the corner. Malev changed owner 1 1/2 year ago, and due to the problems it might change owner again. Due to these problems it might be that Malev will have to cancel more flights (they have already cancelled several flights due to the problems), and in worst case, all flights!

According to the newsportal index.hu it might be that Aeroflot will be the new owners of Malev!

Mongol in Hungary

Speaking of mongols in Hungary, most people start thinking about 1241 when the Mongols invaded Hungary and killed big parts of the population (read History of Hungary), but last week another mongol entered Hungary; the film called "The Mongol." It deals with the Mongol of all Mongols, Genghis Khan!

For those who plan seeing the film to learn more about what happened in Hungary and in other nations as the Mongolians invaded them and continued on, they might be disappointed. The reason? Many people fail to read the undertitle of the film, "The rise of Genghis Khan". But, knowing that we can understand that the film deals with the childhood of Genghis Khan and the background for the empire to be built. It speaks of how the tribes where united under one flag. And what comes after that?

We do not know yet, but as far as I am informed they are planning to make two more films about the Mongol, so in those we might get the historical parts involving Hungary as well!

Cinemas Budapest

Sziget Festival 2009

It is cold, so I thought I could share some dates when it for sure will be warmer in Budapest:

August 11 - August 17, 2009
What will happen then? Those are the dates for Sziget Festival 2009, the festival that draws several hundred thousand people from far and near to the Óbudai Island in Budapest every single year. Last year Iron Maiden was one of the hot names, and next year we for sure now that Basement Jaxx, Korn, Nick Cave, Franz Ferdinand, Morcheeba and Natalia Imbrulia will participate. It is also possible to wish for your favorite bands on the official webpage of the Sziget Festival. So if you are interested, go make a wishlist here.

More upcoming events and concerts

Snow in Budapest

Yesterday the first snow came to town, and today it continued. It is not remaining, but still it serves as proof to the fact that it can be quite cold in Hungary, and in Budapest. People from Hungary are often amazed as I tell them that Scandinavian tourists coming to Budapest often find themselves freezing. The fact is, they often do. Zero degrees celsius in Budapest can feel just as cold as minus 15 celsius in Stockholm, probably because of the wind, the Danube and so on...

So, if you are preparing to come to Budapest, rather prepare yourself for very cold, then for quite warm... if you put on to much you can just take of some clothes instead. We have a site presenting the average temperatures in Budapest, so you can use it for some help, but it can not be trusted to much.

The forint is gaining strength

Last week we wrote about how the financial crisis is impacting the forint. The bottom point was when 1 Euro was equal to 285-286 forints. This week the forint has again been gaining strength, and this morning at 9:30 (you can see the clock) my Windows Vista desktop told me that 1 Euro is equal to 255,5 forints. For the Hungarians these are good news, and hopefully the forint will grow further in strength. For tourists it is not that good, as you need to use more money to buy the products in Hungary!

To read more about the currency, changing of money in Budapest and so on, check out our updated currency page.

23 October tomorrow - National Day

Not long ago we wrote an article about the history and the background for the 23 October, a national day in Hungary. Tomorrow the day will be here, and already from this evening several roads will be closed, and tomorrow there will be several roads closed for traffic and programs going on at several spots. So if you are planning to go to Budapest tomorrow, use your legs or public transport :)

In 2006 and 2007 there has been some trouble in the streets of Budapest the 23 October, but the police is prepared this year, and hopefully there will be no violence to be seen in the streets.

23 October - The Hungarian Revolution

The financial crisis weakens the Forint

The Forint has experienced some serious changes in the last months. Earlier this year one Euro could be bought for 230 Euros, but in these days the value has changed to approximately 280 Euros. The dollar, which earlier could be bought for around 150 forints, can now be bought for 200 forints.

Because of this, your money (Euro, Dollar) as a tourist will be more worth in Budapest in these days. For how long the Forint will be as weak as now is not possible to tell.

Even though it is so, some changing shops are still charging a lot as you change your money, so be sure to check that the difference between what they are selling and buying your currency for is not to big. For example: It they sell Euro for 285 Forints, they should sell Forints for 270 Forints. If the difference is like this, it is okay, but if it is bigger, you should look for another place. If you are lucky, you will find better places as well!

Currency and money in Budapest

23 October 1956 - The Hungarian Revolution

The three big national days in Hungary every year are 15 March, 20 August and 23 October. The 23 October is the day when Hungarians remember the spontaneous revolt against the communist government in Hungary in 1956. It started peacefully with a big student demonstration, but as the State Security Police (communist) started firing upon the demonstrators it turned into a violent revolution. After some days it seemed as if the Hungarians had won, but it all turned worse as a large Soviet Force entered the nation 4 November and overrun the Hungarian forces. More than 2500 Hungarians died during the battles, and more than 200.000 had to flee the country.

A sign of the revolution was the Hungarian flag, from which they cut out the Soviet symbol, and because of that a big hole was in the middle of the flag.

Today
During the national day most shops are closed in Budapest, but museums, thermal baths, zoo and so are open. Restaurants are open as well, but it is recommended to reserve a table beforehand, as several people eat outside on days such as this.

The 13 Martyrs of Arad - Clinking of beer mugs

October 6. 1849 was a date still to be remembered and commemorated in Hungary. On that day 13 of the generals from the 1848-1849 revolution in Hungary against the Habsburgs were executed in Arad (in Romania today). At the same day Count Lajos Batthyány was executed as well, the first Hungarian Prime Minister. Today a square near the Liberty Square has an "eternal light" named after him (located at the placed where Count Lajos Batthyány was killed).

The famous Lajos Kossuth (whose statue can be seen at for example the Heroes Square and outside the Parliament) managed to escape to USA before they caught him as well.

It is said that after executing the 13 generals in Arad the Austrian generals clinked their beer mugs together celebrating and making fun of the Hungarians. Because of that a "promise" was made that the Hungarians would not clink their beer mugs for 150 years. Those years have passed away, but the people still don't clink their mugs in Budapest or in Hungary.

It must be said that most historians claim this to be just a legend, and that written records do not support this theory!

History of Hungary

The 13 Martyrs of Arad

Nice weather and a peaceful weekend

The demonstration at Saturday was successful (peaceful) with several thousand people participating. Yesterday the Budapest Marathon took place, and except from some angry cars (who does not like lines and closed roads) it all went perfect. The weather has been really nice lately in Budapest, except from the fact that it was quite shady Saturday.

Often people ask how cold it is in Budapest during winter, and normally we answer: "It is much colder than the temperature tells you." Somehow the wind in Budapest can make life really cold, even when it is 5-10 degrees, so therefore if you arrive to Budapest between October and March it is always useful to bring a warm jacket, just in case!

For the upcoming ten days it is though said to stay quite warm (15-18 degrees during daytime), but there might be some clouds and maybe some rain sometimes!

Climate in Budapest and Hungary
Average temperatures in Budapest

The crowd walking towards the Heroes Square

Nicolas Cage coming to Hungary in November

Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage is to reunite with director Dominic Sena in a supernatural thriller set in the Middle Ages, entertainment industry press reports said Monday.

Cage, whose recent films have included "Bangkok Dangerous" and "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," has signed to star in "Season of the Witch," according to Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter.

The film chronicles 14th century knights charged with transporting a girl suspected of being the witch responsible for spreading the plague.

Filming is due to get underway in November at locations in Austria and Hungary. Cage, 44, previously worked with Sena on the 2000 car-racing caper "Gone in Sixty Seconds."

Where in Hungary the recordings will take place we still dont know, but if we hear something, we will for sure tell you!

Pictures from the Critical Mass Demonstration and some more!

Yesterday was the Car Free Day in Budapest, and it was also the day for the Critical Mass Bicycle Demonstration, and on that occasion we just recommend you all to visit this page for some nice pictures from the bicycle demonstration.


We also read that a new airport is coming up in Hungary, the Alba Airport. The airport will be near Szekesfehérvár, a city between Budapest and Balaton. Read more about this at Budapestagent.

Two videoclips from Hungarian Idol (Megasztár)

In these days a new season of Megasztár (Idol) has started in Hungary, and then lots of videos are always added to the internet for people around the world to enjoy them. Below you will find two funny videos (one of them is a couple of years old though), and we hope they will bring a smile on your face as you see them.