XXIII International Congress of History of Science and Technology

Ideas and Instruments in Social Context

28  July -2 August 2009
Budapest, Hungary

 

General information

General information

Travel   

Hungary and Budapest

   

 

General information

Congress Venue

Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), Building K
Address: H-1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3-9.

Weather, Clothing

Hungary is in the temperate zone, the late-July weather is usually nice and warm. Daily temperature ranges from 20°C to 35°C (68F to 100F), and the relative humidity is below 50%.
With regard to the evening programs, there is no dress-code, casual clothes are suitable.

Getting to Budapest

Regular international flights to Budapest (Ferihegy) Airport arrive at and depart from Terminal 2A or Terminal 2B (these terminals are just in a short walk from each other), or Terminal 1 in case of arriving by low fair airlines.

The airport mini-bus service will take you anywhere in Budapest. Information desk (operator) for minibus service is found in the center of the arrival lobby. This door-to-door Airport Minibus Service is reasonably priced (one-way ticket: approx. EUR 10, go- return ticket: approx. EUR 16.)
The minibus service is located outside of the customs area. Those scheduling  a round-trip transportation, are requested to call to reconfirm their return trip, at least 24 hours in advance of their flight. For a ride to the airport, you may contact the hotel reception desk.

Another way of getting to the city is by taxi. The recommended company is airport taxi (Zóna Service).

Public Transport

Public transportation (BKV) is extensive and reliable. Tickets - valid for one ride only - should be purchased in advance (e.g. at metro stations, hotels, news-stands, tobacco shops), since drivers do not sell any. The tickets should be validated (on board or at the entrance gates), and kept, since one must produce them if requested by inspectors on board or at the exit gates.

You may consider buying a carnet of 10 tickets or a pass (for 1/7/14 days or for a month), or a Budapest Card, instead of single tickets. The junction of all the three metro lines is Deák tér. Service time is between 4:30 a.m. and  11.00 p.m. Most bus and tramlines operate until 11pm.

Registration Desk

The registration desk operates in the Aula of Building K.
On-site payments may be settled in cash (EUR or HUF) only.  "In-house" ATMs are available in the university building

Opening hours:

Monday, 27 July:

16.00 – 18.30

Tuesday, 28 July:

07.30 – 18.00

Wednesday, 29 July:

08.00 – 18.00

Thursday, 30 July:

08.00 – 18.00

Friday, 31 July:

08.00 – 18.00

Saturday, 1 August:

08.00 – 18.00

Sunday, 2 August:

09.00 – 13.00

Credit Cards

International credit cards (EC/MC, Visa) are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops. ATMs are available in the university building and in many locations nearby and throughout the city.

Speakers’ Instruction

The lecture rooms are equipped with a beamer and a laptop. Presenters are requested to upload their presentations to the room laptop if possible by using a USB stick. Laptops are equipped with Windows XP Professional, Powerpoint, Adobe Reader, Windows Media Player and VLC Video Player. Technical assistance will be provided in the meeting rooms.

Internet Access

Computers with Internet access and WiFi are available from 28 July during the congress hours in the Internet Room on Level D.

Field Trips

On July, 30 morning special visits will be organized to places of interest (history, science and culture). The shuttle buses will start at 9.30, meeting point in the registration area. The list of the trips is available on the website.

Optional Programs and Tours

Tours start at 9.00 or 14.00 (the afternoon tour on 27 July) and the expected time of return of the full-day tours is approx. 17.30 to the Congress Venue.
All tickets will be handed over upon registration on the spot.
Limited number of tickets will be available at the Registration Desk.

Medical Center on Duty at the University

In minor emergency cases examination and medical attendance will be provided by an English speaking physician on duty, free of charge.
Important notice: Congress participants are requested to make sure with their health insurance provider to have health insurance coverage valid for Hungary.

Personal Insurance

The Organizers of the congress do not provide insurance and do not take responsibility for any loss, accident or illness that might occur during the congress or in the course of travel to or from the meeting site.

Calling taxi in Budapest

The most popular and reliable companies in Budapest are: 6x6 Taxi, Buda Taxi, City Taxi, Főtaxi, Rádiótaxi, Taxi 2000 and Tele5 Taxi., and between the airport and the city, the airport taxi (Zóna Service).

6x6 Taxi

+36

1-2666-666, 1-4666-666, 1-6666-666

Buda Taxi

+36

1-233-3333, 20-933-3333

City Taxi

+36

1-2111-111, 20-9211-111, 30-9211-111, 70-2111-111

Főtaxi

+36

80-222-222 (free green number), 1-2222-222, 20-9222-222, 30-2222-222, 70-2222-222

Rádiótaxi

+36

1-3777-777, 20-9777-777, 30-9777-777

Taxi 2000

+36

1-2000-000, 30-2000-000

Tele5 Taxi

+36

1-3555-555, 20-9355-555

Zóna Service

+36

1- 365-5555

Never sit in a taxi without having the official fares indicated and provided or in a taxi without one of the company names above.


Useful Telephone Numbers
(can be dialed from any phone without a coin or a card)

Ambulance: 104
Police: 105
Fire Brigade: 107
Overall Emergency: 112

Voltage

The electricity supply in Hungary is 230 V AC (50 Hz).

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Travel

Budapest (Ferihegy) International Airport is ten miles south-east of the city centre. Budapest Ferihegy Airport has two terminals: Terminal One for the low-cost carriers, Terminal Two for the national flag carriers. Terminal Two is divided into two: Terminal 2A the departure and arrival point for flights of Malév Hungarian Airlines and Terminal 2B hosting all international carriers’ flights, including some of the budget airlines. The simplest means of transportation to any place in Budapest is via minibuses. This door-to-door Airport Minibus Service is reasonably priced (approx. EUR 8), comfortable and reliable. Another way of getting to the city is by taxi. Recommended company is the airport taxi (Zóna Service). Beyond the above mentioned types of approach the centre you can also use the public transportation.

For many European participants, Budapest can easy be reached by train, by coach, by car and by river as well.

There are three international railway stations in Budapest which are part of the Budapest Underground system (Metró). The Déli and Keleti are stops on the Red (Number 2) line and the Nyugati is on the Blue (Number 3) line. (further information: www.mav.hu)


 

Where is Hungary?

 

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Hungary and Budapest
 

Hungarian culture, music, art, architecture, spas, unique flora and fauna, national parks, cuisine and wine attract millions of visitors every year.

 

Despite its small size, Hungary has an abundance of natural attributres. In the 10 national parks there are wild river areas, rolling hills, expansive lakeside areas, mountains ridges covered with thick forests, endless plains and the unrivalled treasures of the limestone region.

 

The country boasts 8 sites, which the UNESCO has recognizes as being worthly of protection and conservation as part of the World Heritage. Four of them, the national parks of the Aggtelek karst with Central Europe's largest cave system, Lake Fertő, the wine region of Tokaj and the grass plain of the Hortobágy, are natural treasures. Other parts of our cultural heritage include the ancient Christian cemetery in Pécs, the one thousand-year-old functioning monastery in Pannonhalma, the view of Buda with the Castle and the Citadel on Gellért hill and Andrássy Street with its surrounding historical area, and the little village of Hollókő, which has preserved its medieval layout, folk architecture and traditions.

 

Budapest, one of the most beautiful historical capitals in Europe, is situated on the banks of the Danube. The city actually consists of three cities: Óbuda, the oldest section, with Celtic and Roman ruins, Buda in hills on the western bank, famous for its historic Castle Hill and beautiful residential area, and bustling Pest with its shopping, government and commercial districts on the flat plain of the east bank. 

 

Only Budapest can boast of having Europe's largest Parliament, largest functioning synagogue and the continent's first underground railway. Architectural beauty with its monuments from neo-classic through baroque to eclectic art nouveau is prevalent in the city. Budapest is also world famous for its abundance of concerts, operas, rectials, galas and exhibitions.

 

The city is also well known for one of Europe's largest bath complexes, in fact there is no other capital city in the world with almost 100 thermal springs and 12 medicinal baths within its boundaries, where 19 million gallons of thermal water rise to the surface each day. The atmosphere of Roman bathing culture may be felt in its light, spacious pool halls, while Greek bathing culture is reflected in the tub baths, but traces of Nordic traditions may also be found in the heat chambers, saunas and dipping pools.

 

Last but not least, one may unwind over strong coffee and sweet cake in an old, cosy café. There were more than 400 coffeehouses in Budapest at the turn of the 20th century, attracting everyone, and some of the best are still in business today.

 

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