If you’re spending time in Budapest, chances are you’ll be taking public transportation at some point. As one of Europe’s oldest transportation systems, the Budapesti Közlekedési Vállalat (BKV) has many fascinating and unique elements about it. Here’s a photo gallery with a bit of history and background information.

The public transportation system in Budapest is operated by the company Budapesti Közlekedési Vállalat (BKV). The service includes buses, trolleybuses, trams, underground trains (Metro) and above-ground suburban trains.

The underground metro consists of three lines and are each designated by a number and a color. Line 4 is currently under construction; the first section is scheduled to open in 2014. Line 5 is in the early planning stages.

Passengers on Line 2 which was constructed from 1950 to 1963.

Deák Ferenc tér transfer station for the M1, M2, and M3 lines.

A passenger inserts a ticket in the validating machine. Tickets are validated at the station entrance before taking the escalator, and must be retained until leaving the metro.

Passengers waiting on the platform of Deák Ferenc tér.

Passengers exiting a long escalator in the Metro underground.

The Metro 1 also known as Millennium Underground Railway or M1 is the oldest line of the Budapest Metro system. It was built from 1894 to 1896. In 2002, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The original line followed a northeast-southwest route along Andrássy Avenue from Vörösmarty Square to the City Park. There were a total of eleven stations, with nine underground and two above ground.

Passengers waiting for a tram. There are over thirty tram lines stretching along the city and connecting almost all districts of Budapest.

The articulated bus is a hallmark of Budapest; both diesel and ETB bendy vehicles have been running since the late 1950s.

A blue urban bus in the Buda district.

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Skype phone booth at the Tallinn's Leni Merrart International Airport. Photo courtesy of Enterprise Estonia.

Tallinn’s Leni Merrart International Airport has become home to the word’s first Skype phone booth last month.

The booth is a silver-colored cabinet which features a 22-inch touch screen and lets passengers see the person they are talking to, with a headset on offer for privacy.

A platform sensor on the floor also changes color when customers log into or out of their Skype accounts.

The project is a collaboration between Enterprise Estonia, which promotes Estonian companies abroad and Estonian ad agencies AdTech and Brilliant.

Skype software was originally developed in Estonia, giving nod to the nation’s flourishing tech sector which has become known in recent years as the “Silicon Valley of the Baltics”.

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On the platform of the Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbahnhof (long distance railway station) in Germany which was opened in 1999. It features a system of high-speed trains known as ICE that connect within Germany and other neighbouring countries.

Here are six great reasons why you should travel by rail.

1) Accessibility

Most major cities have railway stations right within the city center and are easily reachable by public transit or sometimes even within walking distance. This includes popular destinations such as Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Munich, and Warsaw.  So there’s less time spent traveling to the station and more time enjoying the destination.

2) Affordability

In many cases, taking the train is the most affordable way to travel. Unlike flying, there are no additional fees such as fuel or baggage surcharges. When traveling to multiple countries, you can buy flexible select rail passes for greater discounts and there are also special reduced rates for students and seniors. You won’t find those options by flying!  As well, air travel prices can vary greatly depending on how far in advance you book making traveling on a whim or quick last-minute travel plans by plane costly – up to three times as much as the normal rate or more. Train tickets, on the other hand, are known to remain stable; changing very little from week to week or even day to day. As a traveller, its easier to plan your journey in advance knowing that the rail rates for trains are set and don’t fluctuate as you reach closer to your date of travel.

3) Flexibility

Except on unique long-haul or infrequently traveled routes, trains tend to offer travelers a great deal of flexibility, especially in comparison with other mass transit systems. Many major destinations have multiple routes and various types of trains ranging in speed and comfort. Need to travel overnight? No problem – take a couchette or sleeper car. Miss a train and in most cases you can always hop on the next one – at no additional charge. Most short trips do not require prior reservations and you can simply show up at the station even on the day of your trip, get your ticket and go.

4) Eco-friendly

Aside from biking or walking to your destination, taking the train is the most eco-friendly way to travel. So, if you’re concerned about the environment, this is a great way to help reduce carbon emissions.

5) Comfort

Unlike other modes of mass transportation, trains are very comfortable. Seats are generally large and have the ability to recline. There’s also plenty of leg room. You can get up from your seat and walk around or even stand by a window to get a great view of the scenery. Many high speed trains have full-service restaurant cars offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. Others trains offer light meals, snacks and drinks in a buffet car.

6) Scenic Views

If witnessing the splendor of Central and Eastern Europe in on your agenda, then traveling by train is the way to go. In Hungary, one of the most spectacular routes is the Danube Bend which consists of a string of small riverside towns just north of Budapest. A train ride from Berlin to Prague will take you through the majestic Erzgebirge mountains, surrounded by rocky escarpments.

For more information about train travel including tickets, visit Eurail.com.

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3. Best airline travel websites

There are numerous websites that feature information about air travel. So, even if your planning a trip anywhere in Central and Eastern Europe, these websites are a great resource. Here are just a few of the best.

Air Line Quality

Find out what people are really saying about airline travel. Air Line Quality is the world’s largest airline and airport review site. Browse through the latest news and information about airlines.

Seat Guru

Check out this website before you book your tickets! Seat Guru will help you find the best seats and more importantly avoid the worst. It includes more than 700 airplane seatmaps from nearly 100 different airlines.

AirlineMeals

Ever wonder what type of meal you’ll be served on your flight? Airlinemeals publishes actual photos of inflight meals submitted by travelers. You can search by airline, class, or even select the type of meal your seeking such as vegetarian or gluten free to see what’s out there.

Mile Maven

Mile Maven features a comprehensive database of frequent flyer programs with the latest offers. The database is updated daily.

World Airline Awards

If you are trying to choose a top quality airline for your next trip, why not check out which airlines were the winners at this year’s World Airline Awards. With millions of passengers across the globe voting for these awards, World Airline Awards gives real guidance on just who is best in the industry.

Sleeping In Airports

Sleeping In Airports will let you know every detail about spending the night in a airport. Written by a young travel professional that has personal experience with bunking her way through airports around the world.

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Some of the most popular iPhone applications involve travel topics and information.

Here is a list of iphone apps best suited for travel to Central and Eastern Europe.

Getting There

Airline Seat Guide will help you find the best seats and more importantly avoid the worst. It features over 1200+ aircrafts from around the world including Air Berlin, Austrian Airlines, Czech Airlines, German Wings, LOT Polish Airlines and Lufthansa. ($1.99)

There’s also iFly Pro which is an extensive guide to airports. You can track thousands of global flights and get information about terminals, gates, & baggage claims. ($6.99)

Travelling by rail? iRail European Rail Timetables will help you plan your route for train trips. Just enter the departure and destination stops and iRail will display the times of the next couple of train services to take you to your destination from anywhere in the UK and Europe. ($2.99)

 Currency

Although, most countries in Europe have converted to the Euro. There are many countries within Central and Eastern Europe that are still using their own currency. MOMPF Currency Converter allows you to easily switch among currencies and to store favorites on your iphone. ($0.99)

Currency is also another great app for up-to-date exchange rate information. (Free)

Accommodation

Hotels.com has built an app that lets you search for hotels and book rooms by city, airport, landmark, address, or your current location. (Free)

For backpackers and students, there’s the HostelWorld app which allows users to enter their dates, length of stay and desired city. The app then lists all the available hostels in the area. Users can sort the results by price, availability or rating. (Free)

Getting Around

There’s no need to carry around paper maps when exploring a new city. iMetro has a comprehensive guide to over 90 cities including Budapest, Prague, Berlin, Warsaw, Moscow, Kiev, and more. ($1.99)

Language

Trying to learn another language can be a nightmare especially in Central and Eastern Europe. Babelingo helps to translate over over 300 useful phrases and words in 11 languages including German, Russian, and Czech. Each and every phrase is carefully translated by highly skilled professional translators. ($1.99)

There is also iBalkans which is the first multi-lingual multimedia phrasebook for all the Balkan languages of South Eastern Europe. It features Albanian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Greek, Macedonian, Romanian, Serbian, Slovene, and Turkish. ($14.99)

Getting Organized

Even the most experienced traveler sometimes forgets a mobile phone charger or a hair dryer. Packing Pro helps you create packing lists for an upcoming trip.  If you’re not in the mood to customize your own list, an assortment of templates are tailored such as women or men, kids or no kids, where you’re going, and for how long. ($2.99)

Customs & Cultures

Unsure about the customs of Central and Eastern Europe? Worried about strict laws? World Customs & Cultures is an interesting app that lists customs, cultural information, and facts of over 165 different countries. It provides a straightforward and an easy interface to browse through the basic customs of several countries across the globe and understand a few appreciative expressions or gestures which can go a long way. (Free)

Weather

The Weather Channel gives you information for any city as well as 10-day forecasts, video news, severe weather warnings and more. (Free)

There’s also Weather Pro which features high-quality forecasts for over 2,000.000 locations worldwide. ($3.99)

Other Stuff

You never know when you have to go. Literally! SitOrSquat helps you find the nearest free toilet based on your selected location. It generally works best in larger cities in Central and Eastern Europe like Berlin, Vienna and Prague. (Free)

Show your friends and family exactly where you are in the world with IAmHere, which sends an email with a Google map link to your location. (Free)

For travelers looking for a web connection on the go, there’s Wi-Fi Finder, which is designed to find free and paid hot spots at nearby restaurants, cafés, and hotels. (Free)

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Cyclist on the Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest.

Now there’s no excuse to miss your exercise route even if your travelling aboard. MapMyRun.com, is an interactive website that helps users find and chart exercises courses from around the globe. Whether your seeking the perfect place to run, walk, ride or hike, you can enter your desired location and be able to see detailed maps and information about your routes.

After you’ve mapped out your exercise route, enter your vitals (sex, age, weight, and height) and your time, and MapMyRun outputs your pace, speed, and calories burned. The website is also a social network that allows people to make friends and share their workouts.

So, if your thinking about travelling to Central and Eastern Europe. How about doing a run on Margaret Island in Budapest or maybe walking through one of Vienna’s grandiose Imperial grounds? There’s also hiking in Germany’s vast Bavarian forest if up for a real adventure. Whatever it is you’re seeking to do for exercise you’ll have the technology to make it happen anytime anywhere, so that’s one less excuse that you can use for not getting in shape.

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The Danube Express which takes takes travellers to some of the most vibrant and contrasting cities in Europe including Istanbul, Prague, Vienna, Transylvania, Moravia and Bulgaria. Photo courtesy of the Danube Express.

Operating since 2008, The Danube Express is one of the newest train travel services in Europe. Yet, this emerging rail company is quickly getting a reputation for its high class service and distinct itineraries.

The luxury “hotel on wheels” offers travelers a journey across some of the most spectacular areas of Central and Eastern Europe.

Tours include the Istanbul Loop, a 7-day excursion from Budapest through Sighisoara & Brasov, Veliko Turnovo & Kazanlak and Istanbul as well as the Transylvanian Tour which entails a 4-day journey encountering stunning scenery and ancient architecture in Transylvania and rural Bulgaria. There is also The Hapsburg which takes travellers on 3-day journey through the heart of Europe including Vienna, Salzburg and the majestic mountains of Berchtesgaden.

Deluxe compartment with it's nostalgic and elegant decor. Photo courtesy of the Danube Express.

Tours start in either Budapest or Frankfurt with London St Pancras International or Heathrow for fully escorted holidays including hotel stays at various destinations. A professional tour manager  accompanies guests for the entire duration of the trip.

The carriages of the Danube Express were originally built for the ruling elite of Hungary’s government in the 1950’s and visiting dignitaries. Most recently, the train has been fully refurbished and restored to its original splendor. Its brass-fitted deluxe sleeping compartments offer two lower berths and have private ensuite bathrooms with showers. All meals are included and complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks are served in the restaurant and lounge cars.

Passengers will enjoy the excitement and intrigue of this luxurious train. Just imagine the thought of boarding in London to waking up to the exotic landscape of Istanbul or the Great Hungarian Plain. There are few things that can compare to such an unforgettable experience.

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Buda District. Photo courtesy of stock.xchng.

Hungarian is a very unique and complex language. It belongs to the Finno-Ugric language group related to Finnish, Estonian and a number of other minority languages spoken in the Baltic states and northern European Russia eastward into central Siberia. However, it’s origins are still in matter of dispute.

Although, Hungarian may not be an easy language to learn for foreigners especially for English-speaking people. A few basic Magyar phrases can make a big difference while travelling in Hungary. Hungarians are very proud of their language and will be pleased to hear others speaking it.

The following is a list of common Hungarian words and phrases.

Words & Phrases

Yes                                                               Igen
OK                                                                 Jó
No                                                                Nem
Good morning                                        Jó reggelt kívánok
Good afternoon                                     Jó napot kívánok
Good evening                                         Jó estét kívánok
Good night                                              Jó éjszakát
Thank you (very much)                    Köszönöm (szépen)
Good bye!                                               Viszlát!/Viszotlátásra!
Cheers!                                                      Egészségedre!
Today                                                        Ma
Tomorrow                                               Holnap
Yesterday                                                Tegnap
What is your name?                             Mi a neve?
What is this?                                            Mi ez?
What is the time?                                   Mennyi az id?
How are you?                                          Hogy van?
I don’t understand                                Nem értem
Do you understand?                            Érti?
I beg your pardon                                Elnézést kérek
I can’t speak Hungarian                     Nem beszélek magyarul
How much?                                             Mennyi?
ATM                                                           Bankautomata
A cold beer please                               Egy hideg sört kérek
The bill please                                       Kérem a számlát
I’m sleepy/tired                                   Álmos/fáradt vagyok
Help!                                                         Segítség!
Sorry                                                        Bocsánat
I love you                                               Szeretlek
See you tomorrow                              Holnap találkozunk

Directions

Where’s the…?                                      Hol van a….?
How do I get to..?                               Hogy jutok el..?
Airport                                                   Repülötér
Departure                                              Indulás
Arrival                                                   Érkezés
Hotel                                                       Szálloda
Railway Station                                  Vasútállomás
Bus Station                                            Buszállomás
Ticket                                                      Jegy
To the left                                               Balra
To the right                                           Jobbra
Towards                                                 Felé   
Straight on                                            Egyenesen

Numbers from 1 to 10

One                                                           Egy
Two                                                          Ketto
Three                                                       Három 
Four                                                         Négy
Five                                                          Öt 
Six                                                            Hat
Seven                                                      Hét
Eight                                                       Nyolc
Nine                                                        Kilenc
Ten                                                          Tíz

Days of the Week

Monday                                                    Hétfo
Tuesday                                                    Kedd
Wednesday                                             Szerda
Thursday                                                Csütörtök
Friday                                                      Péntek
Saturday                                                 Szombat
Sunday                                                    Vasárnap

Months of the Year

January                                                    Január 
February                                                  Február
March                                                        Március
April                                                           Április
May                                                            Május
June                                                           Június
July                                                            Július
August                                                      Augusztus
September                                              Szeptember
October                                                    Október
November                                              November
December                                               December

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