Arrival process
An AIT representative will meet you upon arrival if we know the time, date, and location of your arrival (airport or rail station). Therefore it’s very important that you let us know your arrival information well in advance, making sure you also add your carrier, flight number, and departure city which makes it easier for us to find your arrival terminal. Once you arrive at the airport hall, look for the "AIT Budapest” sign! Someone from the AIT staff will be there waiting for you.
If anything unforeseen happens in your travel plans, or if your flight arrives earlier or you are lost in the airport terminal, you can call AIT staff cell phone numbers that will be shared with all students before arrival. If your luggage gets lost during your flight and the carrier asks you for your address in Budapest where to deliver it later, the best option is to give the address of the AIT Office (AIT-Budapest, 1031 Budapest, Záhony utca 7.) because they are delivered during the daytime when you probably won’t be at home to receive it.
The AIT representative will take you to your apartment in Budapest, will meet with you and your landlord to help you finalize the lease agreements, and will provide you with an orientation of your neighborhood.
Money matters
Some important things to make money matters easier and safer:
Bring a bank card (MasterCard, Maestro, or Visa). It gets the best exchange rate. Check with your home bank about charges for withdrawals abroad. ATM machines can be found everywhere. Most supermarkets and shops accept MasterCard and Visa.
You can bring some American cash as well. Do NOT change money in the US, as the exchange rate is much better at Hungarian banks and exchange counters. The little exchange booths in the center of the city usually offer better rates than banks. Do NOT change money on the street!
Traveler’s checks are not generally accepted in Hungary so we recommend you prefer your bank card.
Public transport and cabs
Public transportation (bus, tram, trolleybus, and the subway system) is well organized in Budapest. You can reach every part of the city also during the night, thanks to the great night bus system.
Fares (within Budapest):
Single ticket: 350 HUF (approx. $1)
Monthly student pass: 3450 HUF (approx. $10)
For more information and the map of the public transport system of Budapest see this website.
Taking a cab is always safe with major cab companies. Avoid cabs not displaying the logo of a known company. The easiest option is to use Uber or Bolt.
Cell phones
We highly recommend you get a Hungarian cell number as soon as you arrive in Budapest. The simplest solution is to purchase only a SIM card if you have an unlocked cell phone, but you can also buy a phone if needed.
Food and drinks
On the AIT campus, you will find 3 cafeterias and 4 snack bars with a great offering of warm food, snacks, and drinks. A huge supermarket called Auchan is a few minutes walk from campus. Each student apartment has an equipped kitchen so you can also cook at home.