Getting to Károlyi Kert
Getting to Apartment Max Heszlmann Imre utca 9 Corner of Henzslmann & Magyar utcas [NOTE: There is a stiff fine for using the public transit system without a validated ticket; it is enforced by a potentially surly platoon of plainclothes functionaries; see below. You should read the Outside FAQ on public transit before getting on a train, tram or bus.] We recommend: that you take a taxi to the apartment, and that you use the driver we use ourselves, Alajos Pulai. Alajos is an independent taxi driver associated with the major airport taxi co-op; he does not work for us, but we can easily schedule him to meet you on arrival (by plane, train, or otherwise). Alajos charges two Euros more than the standard fare for getting to and from the airport (24 Euros one-way; 46 Euros roundtrip; the flat rate for pickup at the train station is 20 Euros one-way, 38 roundtrip). But for that fee he will meet you inside the terminal or train station with a sign with your name on it, and will wait however long is necessary if your arrival is delayed. Alajos speaks a bit of English (which has been helpful in dealing with things like lost luggage), and he has a key to the apartments in case we or Ilona run into any problems meeting you there. We recommend that you use Alajos not only because he is very good at what he does (and very honest and reliable) but because he stays in touch with our manager Ilona Molnar and with us in case you are delayed, to coordinate our meeting you at the apartment and showing you around. And we stay in touch with him in case there are any glitches on our end (thus far, knock on wood, we’ve never had need of the latter). You can reach him at +36 20 574-4546 or alajos@bvr.hu. In general, if you wish to use him it’s best to ask us to schedule your arrival so that we can coordinate meeting you at the apartment, and it is probably best if you make your departure arrangements with him directly (either when he drops you off at the apartment or several days in advance of leaving Budapest), so that you and he directly confirm your plans, but keep us in the loop. But there are several other options: You can also take a shuttle bus (about the same in cost for 2 people, more costly than a taxi for 3+), or a private taxi other than Alajos’. See below for more detail. Alternatively, public transit from the airport in Budapest is like it is in New York City, which is to say that it is manageable but awkward, indirect, and time-consuming. From the train stations it tends to be excellent, but can be a bit difficult to maneuver if you have a lot of luggage. Here are more detailed directions to the apartment via public transit. From the Airport Via public transit: Take the #200 bus from the Airport (stops at both Ferihegy 1 -- used by most of the lowcost carriers -- and Ferihegy 2 -- used by most of the transatlantic carriers) to the Kobanya/Kispest Metro station (the end of the bus line; it takes about 24 minutes from Ferihegy 2, 12 minutes from Ferihegy 1).  At the Metro station you will take the Blue Metro line to Ferenciek tere. You need to validate your tickets for the bus or tram immediately after entering the bus/tram and immediately before heading down the escalator to the Metro; as a result, the simplest thing to do if possible is to purchase either a several day unlimited ticket or a discount book of single tickets before starting out from the airport.  If you buy single tickets you will need one each for the bus and the Metro.   There is more detailed advice on the ticketing process in the Survival Skills letter, which is repeated in our EverythingBudapest website.   FROM THE BLUE METRO AT FERENCIEK TERE: you will be coming up an escalator. As you come up, look sharply to your left, turning back to look at the wall more or less behind you. That wall will have an exit up onto the street, marked by orange signs. The exit on that wall towards your left should have three lines, and the top line should read Károlyi Mihaly utca. Go up those stairs:  As you emerge, you will be on a paved square with a church on your left and a Match supermarket on your right. Ahead there will some trees and beyond them cars coming up out of an underpass. Walk straight, bearing to the left side of the underpass  [On the other side of the street, behind you, you will see a very large building. That’s the Parizsi Udvar, and at its corner is a large bakery (the Jeg Bufe, about which I have strong, positive, even addicted, feelings). The Parizsi Udvar is near collapse, but architecturally astonishing. If you don’t have too many bags, you may want to cross back under the large street and take a look in the interior arcade of the building as you head for the apartment. And as long as you’re there, try the somewhat daunting communist era management style of the Jeg Bufe (pay first at the cashiers, describing in Hungarian or pointing at what you want or copying their names down and bringing them over; then bring your receipt to the counter). Or just wait till you get to the apartment…Ilona should have obtained some small goodies from there to welcome you. Early in the morning it’s hard to beat their Turos Taska (sweet cheese purses), and I’m a sucker for their Marcipan Torta any time of day. Here is a map of the area (the Metro symbol M at the top is the Ferenciek station, the H at the right center is the apartment).  As you can see, you want to walk along Karolyi Mihaly utca three short blocks to Henszlmann Imre utca on your left. Go left on Henszlmann, pass the side of the Literature Museum, and there’s a small park. Keep walking, almost to the end of the block, to the last building on your right, #9. Press the buzzer on the intercom marked Farago/Martin/BVR. Look up while you’re waiting for Ilona to buzz you in: that balcony above your head is yours. Via shuttle bus:  There are also shuttle buses from the airport to major hotels, and there is, conveniently a major hotel not very far away. The Astoria Hotel is 2-3 blocks away (on the corner where Lajos utca and Muzeum Korut intersect). A smaller, slightly closer, 3-star hotel, the Hotel Erzsebet, is a block and a half away on Karolyi Mihaly iutca and the shuttle might drop you there as well. The pricing of the shuttle is such that if there are two of you the taxi fare is about the same; for 3 or more taxi is cheaper. Again, we recommend Alajos, but if you choose to take the shuttle, ask to go to the Erzsebet and ask the bus driver or doorperson at the Hotel to aim you at Henszlmann utca.  It’s just down the block. Or ask to be dropped at the Astoria and have someone point you at Magyar utca, which is a tin y street adjacent to the hotel. Walk down that street two blocks so that the park is on your right and behind you and you are at Henszlmann utca. #9 is right there, across from the park. From the Keleti train station: By Taxi: It is an easy Metro ride from Keleti; even so, we recommend that you use our driver, Alajos Pulai (see above). He charges a flat fee from the train stations, the same as from the airport – 20 Euros one way, 38 roundtrip – because meeting passengers at the train station inevitably involves considerable waiting time for him…the scheduled arrival and departure times are, shall we say, inexact. Alajos will wait for as long as it takes even if your train is seriously delayed, and he knows exactly where the apartments are and stays in touch with Ilona Molnar, our manager to let her know the status of the train’s arrival. If you don’t want to spend as much as Alajos charges, be aware that there is a cottage industry of unscrupulous cab drivers who prowl Keleti and charge exorbitant fares.   You should instead call a taxi when you have arrived and arrange a location where the driver can find you and pick you up, usually within 10 minutes; we recommend City Taxi: 06 1 211 1111; the dispatcher speaks some English.  The fare should be around 1000 HUF, depending on traffic, roughly 5 Euros or less.     Via Public transit:  It’s extremely easy, though there’s a fair amount of jockeying your luggage up and down stairs. You need to purchase tickets for the Metro before boarding; the simplest thing to do if possible is to purchase either a several day unlimited ticket or a discount book of single tickets.  If you buy single tickets you will need to validate the ticket once you board enter the Metro station.  There is more detailed advice on the ticketing process in the Survival Skills document and in the EverythingBudapest website. There is a Metro station below the train station.  It’s on the Red Line and you take the train headed for Deli Palyaudvar.  Go two stops and get off at Astoria. FROM ASTORIA METRO STATION: There is only one escalator up from Astoria and it will put you out onto a concourse with stores, just below ground. Continue walking straight ahead all the way to the other end, where you will be able to exit up to the right or left. Go to the left, where the orange sign says Kossuth Lajos utca on the right and Muzeum Korut on the left (as opposed to the right, where the orange signs say Kossuth Lajos on the left and Karolyi korut on the right). Take the right hand stair of these two left side staircases, to Kossuth Lajos utca. Here’s a map (the Metro station at the center top, towards the right, is Astoria, you will exit across Muzeum Korut from the blue M on the map, and then follow Magyar utca down to the large blue H):  Exit up onto the street. Kossuth Lajos utca is a very wide street that leads to a bridge over the Danube in one direction, and off into the business district in the other. You want to be walking towards the Danube and the Elizabeth Bridge (you will be walking along the side of the Astoria Hotel, past windows that look into its restaurant). It’s a very brief walk to a very narrow street … Magyar utca. Take a left onto Magyar utca, and walk about two blocks and you should be facing a gated park (Károlyi Kert); keep walking straight ahead, one more block, to the other side of the park. There’s a street to your right, fronting on the park, Henszlmann Imre utca. The corner building, #9, is your destination…walk across the street and about 3o feet to the right and you are in front of your front door. Ring the bell for Jeanne Martin/John Faragó. As you do so, look up…the balcony directly above your head is yours.      From the Deli train station: By taxi: It is an easy Metro ride from Deli; even so, we recommend that you use our driver, Alajos Pulai (see above). He charges a flat fee from the train stations, the same as from the airport – 20 Euros one way, 38 roundtrip – because meeting passengers at the train station inevitably involves considerable waiting time for him…the scheduled arrival and departure times are, shall we say, inexact. Alajos will wait for as long as it takes even if your train is seriously delayed, and he knows exactly where the apartments are and stays in touch with Ilona Molnar, our manager to let her know the status of the train’s arrival. By public transit, it’s extremely easy: There is a Metro station below the train station.  It’s the last stop in Buda on the Red Line and you take the train headed for Ors Veser ter.  Go five stops and get out at Astoria.  Follow the directions from Astoria above in the Keleti arrival section. You need to purchase tickets for the Metro before boarding; the simplest thing to do if possible is to purchase either a several day unlimited ticket or a discount book of single tickets.  If you buy single tickets you will need to validate the ticket once you board enter the Metro station.  There is more detailed advice on the ticketing process in the EverythingBudapest website. From the Nyugati (West) train station: By taxi: It is an easy Metro ride from Nygati; even so, we recommend that you use our driver, Alajos Pulai (see above). He charges a flat fee from the train stations, the same as from the airport – 20 Euros one way, 38 roundtrip – because meeting passengers at the train station inevitably involves considerable waiting time for him…the scheduled arrival and departure times are, shall we say, inexact. Alajos will wait for as long as it takes even if your train is seriously delayed, and he knows exactly where the apartments are and stays in touch with Ilona Molnar, our manager to let her know the status of the train’s arrival. For public transit, it’s extremely easy: There is a Metro station below the train station.  It’s on the Blue Metro line. Take the train in the direction of Kobanya/Kispest and get off at Ferenciek tere, three stops away. Follow the directions from Ferenciek in the airport section, above. You need to purchase tickets for the Metro before boarding; the simplest thing to do if possible is to purchase either a several day unlimited ticket or a discount book of single tickets.  If you buy single tickets you will need to validate the ticket once you board enter the Metro station.  There is more detailed advice on the ticketing process in the EverythingBudapest website. From the Népliget Bus Station Take the Blue Metro at the NÈpliget station, in the direction of Ujpest. Go five stops to Ferenciek tere (Nagyvarad, Klinikak, Ferenc korut, Kalvin ter, Ferenciek tere); follow directions from Ferenciek in the section on public transit from the airport, above). From the Hydrofoil dock: If you are taking the hydrofoil from Vienna, the dock is about a 5 minute walk from the apartment, but Alajos can meet you at the dock if you need help with your bags or don’t want to puzzle out the route. Here is a map of the area…the dock is at the very left side, at the bottom of the map, on the water (of course); the apartment is at the large letter H on the right; as you can see, you walk four blocks in from the river to Karolyi Mihaly utca (right by the large blue C), take a right one or two blocks to Henszlmann Imre utca (at the bottom right corner of the red u-shaped building on the map) and then a left onto Henszlmann to #9 (at the big blue H):  By Car (and parking and car rental advice): If you will be arriving by car, one of the apartment’s great pleasures – the way that the streets around it are laid out in a manner that discourages cars from driving under your window – will become a minor annoyance. Look at the map below:  Coming from the airport and other southerly starting points, you will likely be able to get onto Ülloi ut. Follow the Blue arrow to Kalvin ter. There is massive construction, but you want to get onto the street to the left of the Mercure Korona Hotel (which fronts on Kalvin ter). That’s Kecskemet utca. Go a tiny distance, just past the Korona’s parking garage entrance, and take a right onto a street that looks more like an alley or a driveway. That’s Magyar utca. You will be able to drive (following the blue arrow) one block. Then the street becomes one-way in the wrong direction. Turn left (the only thing you can do) and you are on Henszlmann utca, immediately in front of the building (it is on the corner of Henszlmann and Magyar, across from the park, entry on Henszlmann:    Alternatively, coming from the north along the korut, turn right at Astoria intersection (following the dark red line), go a tiny distance and make a left onto an infinitesimal street…that’s Magyar utca. Continue two blocks to the end of the park and turn right on Henszlmann. Once again, you will be directly in front of the building which opens onto Henszlmann at the corner of Henszlmann and Magyar. PARKING: If you are arriving by car, you probably recognize that parking in the center of any large city can be a serious challenge. Parking near Apartment Max is like looking for a spot near Times Square in New York, on Charing Cross road in London, or in the Marais in Paris…well, perhaps it’s not quite as bad as any of these, but it’s close. And it’s been made much worse of late by a combination of massive infrastructure construction projects, ranging from the building of a fourth Metro line, to the closing of one of the major bridges over the Danube for a 2-year renovation, to a range of new water, sewer, and cable-TV projects that have all the city-center streets torn up.  Recently, a third less costly garage has opened up very close to the apartment; like the other two it is about 15 Euros/day, but by the week it is only the about 45-50 Euros:  Having said all that, the good (?) news is that there is a 24-hour indoor parking garage a block away (and the unequivocally bad news is that parking garge rates nearby have doubled recently to at least 25 Euros/day, and this close one at the Mercure Korona Hotel charges 550 HUF per hour, or more than 2 Euros, for a total of about 50 Euros per day; if you’re willing to spend that on your car I’d like to renegotiate the rate for the apartment!); there are other garages scattered around the area, two less expensive ones are across the Körút in the VIIth district (on a weekly basis they are less than 15 Euros/day). During the day (8:00am to 18:00 pm) street parking is theoretically not available without a residence permit on almost all streets in the very center of the city (in the area roughly between the Elizabeth and Chain bridges, which almost touches (but doesn’t quite) Henszlmann utca; on-street parking elsewhere requires payment (230-265 HUF/hour) at a Muni-Meter, whose instructions are (a) in Hungarian and (b) unintelligible. Parking is free from 6:00pm to 8:00am and on weekends. There is a map with prices and restrictions at (Henszlmann is basically at the exact center of the light blue zone): http://www.fkpt.hu/english/3operation/tariffs.html This is part of a decent English language website with detailed information and instructions on the use of the machines: http://www.fkpt.hu/english/3operation/machines.html Car rental is, of course, available at the airport. It is also available at a lower cost in the city itself. The Avis office is in the parking garage directly across the street from our Szervita ter apartments, about a 5 minute walk from Apartment Max. Internet reservations with Avis can sometimes be a bargain but be certain to print out the exact terms of your reservation and take into account Avis’ exchange rate for the local currency of European reservations (8% or so the last time I cecked). We use Fox Autorent, which is lest costly and which operates out of the lobby and garage of the Intercontinental Hotel. You call and make your arrangements, and then go sit in the lobby until a Fox representative finds you and takes you to the garage. It’s a bit like trying to buy letters of transit at Rick’s Café Americain in Casablanca, but the service is good and the cars are fine, and the hotel is about a 5-10 minute walk away from Szerita, ten to fifteen minutes from Apartment Max. http://www.foxautorent.com/ Europacar is also nearby, but more costly. mailto:alajos@bvr.huhttp://everythingbudapest.euhttp://everythingbudapest.euhttp://everythingbudapest.euhttp://everythingbudapest.euhttp://www.fkpt.hu/english/3operation/tariffs.htmlhttp://www.fkpt.hu/english/3operation/machines.htmlhttp://www.foxautorent.com/shapeimage_6_link_0shapeimage_6_link_1shapeimage_6_link_2shapeimage_6_link_3shapeimage_6_link_4shapeimage_6_link_5shapeimage_6_link_6shapeimage_6_link_7