Gastric Bypass Surgery in Hungary

Gastric Bypass Surgery in and around Hungary

About Hungary

This land-locked country in Central Europe, steeped in history, is one of the 15 most popular tourist destinations in the world. Rich in UNESCO World Heritage sites, it’s famed for its stunning architecture and thermal baths and spas, with the most famous being the Szechenyi baths in the capital, Budapest. With just one JCI accredited facility, Hungary relies on the local accreditation board licensed by the Hungarian Ministry of Health and the State National Health Commission and Medical Service. Hungary welcomes an ever-increasing number of medical tourists each year, many of which travel for Gastric Bypass Surgery procedures. Popular procedures include dental and cosmetic, where the prices can be the lowest in Europe.

Popular Parts of Hungary

Hungary has a population of under 10 million people spread across an area of around 93.030 square kilometers. The country is relatively small in size, but it is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as countless beautiful attractions.

• Budapest is the capital of Hungary. From beautiful boulevards, extraordinary architectures, an abundance of hot springs, to sophisticated food and an electric nightlife. Budapest has everything to satisfy everyone. Castle Hill is one of the most visited places in Budapest with beautiful buildings dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries.
• Eger is known for its castle, historic buildings, and thermal baths and also for its red wine. There are many festivals and celebrations centered around wine and remember to enjoy the wine-tasting when visiting Eger.
• Debrecen is an important city in Hungarian Protestantism. The city has many religious sites and museums. Tourists should visit the Great Church, St. Anne Cathedral, and the Deri Museum. Debrecen also has a lot of bars and nightclubs.
• Siofok is located at the southern coast of Lake Balaton. The small town also has beautiful beaches, making it one of the most popular summer holiday destinations. The town has many entertainment options, tourists can spend a lovely day on the beach next to Lake Balaton or enjoy the food in beachside bars and restaurants.
• Szeged is known as ‘The City of Sunshine’ because it has wonderful weather. The city offers beautiful parks, cultural scenes, and amazing street side cafes. Szeged has a youthful vibe as it is a university town. In the summer, there are many festivals such as the Open Air Theater festival.

Weather and Climate in Hungary

Hungary has four distinct seasons.

• The summer is usually very warm and nice, starting from June to August with the average temperature ranging between 23 to 28 °C (73 – 82 °F), but it can rise to as high as 35 °C (95 °F). Tourists should wear lightweight clothing for summer. Summer is usually the busiest time for tourism in Hungary.
• Spring and autumn tend to be pleasant with mild temperatures. Spring can also be the best time to visit Hungary as the Green Parks and fields in the country start to reach full bloom.  
• Winter in Hungary is usually very cold, the average temperature is -3 to -7 °C (27 to 19 °F). The temperature can drop to -10 °C (14 °F) and winter is not the best time to visit rural areas, but bigger cities are still enjoyable.

Getting Around in Hungary

Hungary has five large airports, but international flights usually land at Ferenc Liszt International Airport. The airport is still commonly called “Ferihegy.” It offers international connections mainly to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and North America. Several budget airlines such as Wizz Air, EasyJet, and Ryanair operate many flights from this airport. Flights to/from Schengen countries use Terminal 2A (also known as the Schengen terminal), while flights from non-Schengen countries use Terminal 2B. Another year-round international airport is Debrecen International Airport. The airport serves Wizz Air and Lufthansa along with several seasonal airlines. There aren’t many domestic flights in Hungary because traveling to one city to another usually only takes three hours by train or bus.

Visitors can get into the city from the airports by bus or taxi. If you wish to travel by taxi, make sure to use regulated taxis such as Főtaxi, the company has trained and experienced drivers to ensure passengers’ safety. The fare is 300 HUF/Km (1.03 USD). A ride to Budapest from Ferenc Liszt International Airport should cost around 7200 HUF (24.8 USD).

Buses are another easy option to get to the city center. Bus tickets are relatively cheap, single tickets are 350 HUF (1.30 USD) and can be purchased at the airport post office, BKK customer points in arrivals halls, the newsagents, and from the ticket machine at the bus stops. Drivers also sell tickets for 450 HUF (1.60 USD). It is recommended to buy daily or multi-day travel-cards and passes which are valid for an unlimited number of trips within their validity periods. The multi-day pass costs 1650 HUF (6.15 USD)

Hungary has a highly developed transport system. To travel to another city, tourists can use Intercity (IC), the fastest trains that link major cities with Budapest. Buses are a more economical way to travel inter-city. Buses are efficient. Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver.

Taxis are good, but make sure to always inspect the change that taxi drivers give you. Drivers commonly give tourists outdated Romanian currency that looks similar to Hungarian currency but has no value. Hiring a car is another good option if you want to travel to many destinations, most roads are two lanes and the main roads are in good shape.

Tourist Visas in Hungary

European Union, American, and Canadian passport holders can stay in Hungary without a visa for up to 90 days, as long as the passport is valid for at least three months. Citizens of EU/EEA member and 33 countries are granted visa-free entry for a maximum period of 90 days.

Hungary is also a part of the Schengen Agreement. The Schengen Visa allows the holder to travel to any member countries using one single visa. The Schengen Visa is only issued to citizens of countries who are required to obtain a visa before entering Europe.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Although the Hungarian government wants to use the Euro as Hungary’s currency, the official currency is still Hungarian Forint (HUF).  1 USD is equivalent to 290 HUF.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are easily available within the country. Hotels, shops, and restaurants accept credit cards, especially, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express. Several taxis in Budapest also accept credit cards. Many hotels and guesthouses that give their rates in euros will accept payment with euros or forint. Tipping is not mandatory but will be appreciated.
3. Local Language: The official language is Hungarian. English is widely taught in schools and universities, so many young people can speak very good English. German is almost as widely spoken as English.
4. Local Culture and Religion: More than half of the population follows Christianity as it is a historically Christian country. Jewish, Buddhist, and Muslim are freely practiced and are in the minority.
5. Public Holidays: Hungary celebrates Christian holy days. The country hosts many annual festivals such as Hollókő Easter Festival, Busójárás, and Balaton Festival. Note that on national and public holidays, most businesses including shops and restaurants are closed. Public transportations also run less frequently.