Hungary Info
Joined: 20 Apr 2007
Posts: 16
Home Country: hungary
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 Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 8:33 am Post subject: SHOPPING IN HUNGARY / HUNGARY SHOPPING GUIDE |
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SHOPPING IN HUNGARY
General
Imported brand-name clothing and electronic goods in Hungary tend to be overpriced. On the other hand, flowers and wine are a steal. Special purchases include embroideries, Herend and Zsolnay porcelain and national dolls.
Whether you want to experience East Asia meets Eastern Europe or you just want to buy an astonishingly cheap pair of socks, the Chinese market is worth a visit. Consisting of three to four narrow 600m-long aisles, this market is literally packed with just about every item of clothing and household appliance you could imagine, though the range is surprisingly limited. The quality of some produce is worthy of the 'Made in China' label and haggling is a must. 10 minutes from Blaha Lujza tér on tram N°28.
Petőfi Csarnok Bolhapiac flea market is one vast Magyar garage sale. Pirated CDs, old books and records, badges, coins and stamps. A fun place for souvenir hunting, or just looking through some of the collected consumer detritus of the past 20 years.
Shopping hours
Department stores are open from Mon-Sat 1000-1800. Food shops are open from Mon-Sat 0700-1800. Some shops open on Sundays.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 1030-1400 (Hungarian National Bank); Mon-Thurs 0800-1500, Fri 0800-1300 (merchant banks).
Currency
Hungarian Forint (HUF) = 100 fillér. Notes are in denominations of HUF20,000, Ft10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500 and 200. Coins are in denominations of HUF100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. A large number of commemorative coins in circulation are legal tender.
Currency exchange
Currency can be exchanged at hotels, banks, bureaux de change, airports, railway stations, travel agencies and some restaurants throughout the country. Automatic exchange machines are available in Budapest and other main tourist centres. Credit and debit cards can be used to withdraw money from ATMs, which operate 24 hours. Visitors should retain all exchange receipts, as it is illegal to change money on the black market.
Credit & debit cards
It is possible to withdraw cash by credit card at more than 3200 post offices. American Express, Cirrus, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, Eurocard, JCB and EnRoute are accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Traveller's cheques
Accepted in some stores and banks, but not all. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions
The import of local currency is limited to Ft200,000, provided the amount is declared on arrival. The export of local currency is limited to Ft200,000 and must be declared. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided amounts greater than Ft1,000,000 are declared. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on import and should be made no longer than three months after import. There is no compulsory money exchange. Hungarian currency can be re-exchanged for up to 50 per cent of the officially exchanged sum (but not more than US$450) at any authorised office or branch of the National Savings Bank. |
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