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Getting There By Road
| Traffic drives on the right. Motorways are marked by ‘M’ and international roads by ‘E’. Minor roads are designated by two or more digit numbers. Most motorways are toll-free, with the exception of the M5 from Budapest to Kecskemét, the Gyor-Hegyeshalom stretch of the M1 and the M3 between Budapest and Füzesabony. In 2000, motorway vignettes (passes) were introduced on the M1 and M3. An annual vignette costs Ft24,000, a monthly vignette Ft2600 and a nine-day vignette costs Ft1500. Vignettes are available at the Hegyeshalom border crossing point, at the former motorway gates and at filling stations near the motorways. Fines for not possessing a vignette can be as high as Ft100,000.
The minimum age for driving in Budapest is 17 years. Speed limits are 120kph (74mph) on motorways, 100kph (62mph) on dual carriageways, 80kph (50mph) on main roads and 50kph (30 mph) in built-up areas. Seatbelts are compulsory in the front seats and outside built-up areas for passengers in the back seats. There is a total alcohol ban when driving – licences are withdrawn if drivers are found to be under the influence of alcohol. On-the-spot fines can be up to Ft10,000 and the police officer must provide a receipt. Fines for other offences can reach Ft30,000.
The pink format EU licence is accepted but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required if a green UK licence is held. A car registration document and country sticker are also necessary. Third-party liability insurance is compulsory. For drivers based in Hungary for over six months, customs clearance must be sought.
There are 24-hour emergency phone lines located every two kilometres (1.25 miles) along motorways M1, M5, M7 and Road 5. Magyar Autóklub (tel: (01) 345 1800; website: www.autoklub.hu) has reciprocal agreements with many automobile associations and provides a 24-hour breakdown service.
Emergency breakdown service:
Magyar Autóklub (01) 345 1755
Routes to the city: Hungary has eight main routes, seven of which start from Budapest. The road numbering goes clockwise from the west towards the south. The M0 ring road around Budapest eases access to destinations in the city. Approaching Budapest, the two main highways are the M1 (from where the E65 and D1 to Brno lead to the D1 to Prague) from Gyor and Vienna, and the M7 along Lake Balaton. The A4 from Vienna leads to the Austro/Hungarian frontier at Hegyeshalom, from where the M1 toll road leads to Budapest. The M3 connects Budapest with eastern Hungary. Warsaw is reachable on the E77.
Approximate driving times to Budapest: From Prague – 7 hours 40 minutes; from Vienna – 2 hours 45 minutes; from Warsaw – 11 hours 30 minutes.
Coach services: Volánbusz Rt (tel: (01) 485 2162; fax: (01) 485 2163; e-mail: ticketoffice@eurolines.hu; website: www.volanbusz.hu or www.volan.hu) operates international services to 18 countries – Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and the UK. Erzsébet tér coach station, Erzsébet tér (tel: (01) 485 2162; fax: (01) 266 5419) provides information on services to Western Europe, while Népstadion coach station, Hungária körút 48-52 (tel: (01) 252 1896), provides information on services to Eastern Europe. Volánbusz also operates 108 services to Hungarian towns and resorts. Services to the west are provided from Erzsébet tér coach station, while services to the east are from Népstadion coach station and services to the Danube Bend from Árpád híd coach station, Árpád híd (tel: (01) 320 9229).
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