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Travelling to Hungary- 5 tips to start your studies right bic_2021_admn 2022.09.01.

Travelling to Hungary- 5 tips to start your studies right

Travelling to your study abroad destination is an exciting step. There are many things to think through, from documentation to clothing, so we collected a couple of tips to help you set up your new life in Hungary.

  1. Have all your documents with you
    Moving and studying abroad comes with a lot of paperwork, so don’t forget anything home. Be careful with packing your docs, and have your original copies for everything. Your passport with a visa is obvious, but you’ll need much more than that. To enroll to your chosen university, you’ll need the originals of your application documents (diplomas, transcripts etc.) but other official papers you might have also can come in handy, e.g. housing contract, proof of COVID vaccinations, copy of your travel insurance etc.
  2. Double-check your appointments
    Make sure to check your emails that you receive from your university, your accommodation provider, the embassy and so on. Some important dates you should keep in mind: enrollment date, university orientation, first day of semester, dormitory / flat move-in date etc. Also, once you arrive in Hungary, make sure to head to the Immigration Office (officially: National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing) to get your residence permit sorted out.
    Also, if you arrive later to the country, make sure to check with your university regarding your enrollment and classes, so you can catch up with your class quickly.
  3. Pack layers to wear
    Fall season starts in Hungary, which means slightly colder- rainier weather still mixed with warm late summer days, so make sure to be ready for at least the first weeks. Pack lighter clothes, such as shirts and shorts but also warmer pants, jumpers and jackets. The actual cold weather is expected only from the end of the year, then you’ll need proper winter apparel as well.
  4. Make sure to have a plan once landing in Budapest
    Chances are, you’ll arrive in Hungary by plane. The airport of Budapest is located a couple of kilometers away from the city, so you’ll need to get to your accommodation. You can travel by bus or by taxi. The 100E shuttle bus arrives to the city centre (Deák Ferenc tér) and costs around 2,5 EUR. This is a very affordable option, but less comfortable as you’ll need to transfer to your final destination. Taxis are more expensive (approx 20 EUR to downtown) but it’s a much more comfortable way to travel. At the ariport you can find an official ‘Főtaxi’ booth, where you can order a taxi by telling the operator your final destination. Important: travelling by taxi is safe in Budapest in general, and you can download taxi apps to order your ride quickly. However, always keep to official taxi companies (such as ‘Főtaxi’, ‘Bolt’, ‘City Taxi’, ‘Taxi 4’ or ‘6×6 Taxi’) and don’t ride with generic cabs saying only ‘taxi’ on the top of the car, as these are freelance taxi drivers where the price and quality are less favourable.
  5. Familiarize yourself with public transport
    Public transport in Budapest (called BKK) is very comfortable and efficient, you can get to anywhere in the city swiftly by buses, trams, trolleys or metros. You can download the Budapest Go application to your phone, where you can purchase tickets and check the timetables. Important! If you purchase a ticket through the app, you must read a QR code at the doors of the vehicle to validate your ticket. If you buy a paper ticket from a vending machine, you must punch it inside the vehicle to validate it.
    Also, if you want to see how to get somewhere, you can use Google Maps travel planner, which will give you clear indication on the public transport options.

5+1. Get familiar with your surroundings and the city
In the first couple of days, make sure to discover the surroundings of your accommodation, so you know where to shop groceries, food, medicines and anything else you might need in your everyday life. Also, make sure to visit the most famous locations of the city in the first couple of weeks, so you’ll learn the city quickly so you can navigate wherever, whenever.

5+2. Pack your medicines
This is important for those of you, who need to take some kind of medication regularly. Make sure to bring as much as possible with you, because the healthcare system is different in every country, so the more you have with you, the better.

 

And finally: Enjoy! Starting a study abroad journey might be a bit scary but it’s so much fun and it comes rarely in life. Make sure to enjoy every second of it, and make the most out of your time abroad.