The University of Szeged
Faculty of Law and Political Sciences
Welcomes you to
Szeged!
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I. ARRIVING IN HUNGARY
Most people would agree that the easiest way for a foreigner to get to Szeged is via
a Budapest route since the capital city also acts as an infrastructural centre –
buses, trains etc. to Szeged are far easier to be found, and there’s also a higher
probability for you to find someone who speaks English if you need help.
Flights: The Liszt Ferenc Airport (or Ferihegy) is Hungary’s biggest
international airport. It is located near Budapest, the capital city.
Coming from abroad via a plane is probably the most time- and cost-
effective way.
Please do yourself a favour and neglect the other airports as it is very complicated
to get to Szeged from Debrecen, for example. Timisoara Airport (Romania) seems
to be close but choose only this option if you hired a transfer. By public transport,
it is a nightmare to get to Szeged!
Trains: There are quite a few international trains to Budapest. Their
destination is usually the Eastern Railway Station (Keleti Pályaudvar)
or the Southern Railway Station (Déli Pályaudvar).
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However, you should know that if you’re going to Szeged by train, they depart from
the Western Railway Station (Nyugati Pályaudvar) and Szeged, you also arrive
here.
Please check the website for the schedule for trains:
https://www.mavcsoport.hu/en
You can buy tickets at the stations and also you can use the MÁV
application, search for this symbol! It can be found on both Android
and iOS devices’ app stores. It has an English interface, and tickets
are cheaper if you buy them through the application. If you’re under
26 you may get another discount on your ticket, but you have to prove it with an
ID card or passport!
Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hu.mavszk.vonatinfo&hl=en&gl=US
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/hu/app/mav/id969467518
Be careful! Szeged-Budapest trains are intercity trains which means they have at
least two types of wagons: ordinary ones where you can sit wherever you want, and
you have to add to the basic ticket only a supplementary speed train ticket and
those which require an IC-seat ticket reservation (there are the nicer ones of course
with air conditioning, and it is only around 1 EUR pricier than the ordinary ticket)!
If you have an IC-seat ticket reservation, too, then you don1t have to buy the
supplementary speed train ticket. The application easily guides you during the
purchase so as the automat (no worries, you get multiple small papers, keep them
all!) If you buy your ticket at a cash desk, you better have a piece of paper with
your destination to show to the lady/gent at the desk: Hungarian names of cities
are tricky for foreigners
The compartments with seat reservations are always either at the end or the very
beginning of the trains, the speaker will announce it (Hungarian and English)
where you find it before the train arrives. When it arrives, try to get on it close to
the seats to avoid crossing the whole train but if you cannot, just get on the train
and you will find your compartments just it will be a bit uncomfortable to drag
your luggage through the non-seat ticket compartments.
It may happen that the person selling the tickets is not good in English and you
have no Wifi to use google translate. In this case, here is the sentence you need: Jó
napot kívánok! Egy teljes árú menetjegyet szeretnék Szeged
Nagyállomásig, helyjeggyel. Köszönöm!
It means that you want a full-price ticket with IC-seat reservation until Szeged
Train Station.
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You can also arrive in Budapest, Hungary by bus but the final
destination varies according to bus companies. The central station
in Budapest is the Budapest Népliget autóbusz-pályaudvar
which is also a reference point for traffic.
The metro also has a stop there, so by using it, you can reach all destinations in
Budapest and also in different parts of the country.
Here you can see the timetables and other travel information:
https://www.volanbusz.hu/en
You can also buy here tickets online or with the help of your phone via an
application!
BEFORE YOU PLAN YOUR JOURNEY TO HUNGARY AND EVEN BEFORE YOU LEAVE
HOME, PLEASE CHECK THE NEWS ON THE CURRENT MIGRATION RULES AND
POSSIBLE ENTRY RESTRICTIONS:
HTTPS://U-SZEGED.HU/ENGLISH/ARRIVAL
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III. GETTING TO SZEGED
a) From Budapest airport
Most probably you are going to arrive at the 2A terminal if you came by plane. If
you arrive in 2B, don’t worry, it is the same building just you must walk to the
other side of it either in the building or on the pavement in front of it.
To get to the Ferihegy Railway Station (our airport used to be called Ferihegy, that
is why the stop is also called this way) there’s a bus that goes there from the
Airport, the 200E. A ticket costs 350 HUF at the terminal at a newsagent or from
the automat, however, if you choose to buy it on the bus bear in mind that it costs
450 HUF. The bus driver does not accept any currency but Hungarian forint (Ft).
The easiest way to get a ticket is to use one of the ticket machines at the airport
with a credit card, so you don’t have to hassle with exchanging cash at a high price.
On the bus, you will find a screen that shows the name of the stops, and a speaker
also announces them. You have to get off at Ferihegy – vasútállomás. Don’t forget
to validate your ticket and don’t forget to signal your intention to get off,
otherwise, the bus probably won’t stop. The ride to the
Bus schedules may be found here: https://bkk.hu/en/
Ferihegy – vasútállomás (Ferihegy train station) is approximately 10-15 minutes
from the terminal you arrive to, depending on the number of persons getting off at
different airport stops (the airport itself is big and for those who work there) and
you get off the bus, you need to cross the motorway via the bridge over it. The
elevator is usually out of service, sorry! When you go along the bridge, at the end
you will find two stairs to go down, choose the second, which is at the end of the
bridge, that will lead you to the platform where all the trains that go to Szeged
stop. At the stop, there is no railway station just a kiosk where you can buy your
ticket or a machine. However, it is far easier for a foreigner to buy a train ticket
via the MÁV application.
There’s a train every hour, the last one is usually at 20:13. The journey to Szeged
takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. However, shorter delays are quite
regular, so don’t be surprised! Sorry for that.
Here you can find a video on how to get to Szeged by train from
the Budapest Airport.
If you wish to travel more comfortably, you can order a transfer previously your
journey. Many companies circulate between Szeged (and surrounding areas) and
the Ferihegy/Liszt Ferenc Airport. It picks you up at the airport and drives you to
your home. They all have online formats to fill, you can pay previously or at the
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driver, and they send you feedback and a short message with the phone number of
the driver, so language barriers are usually successfully solved.
The University of Szeged website gives you help with suggestions:
ZÖLDTRANSZFER https://zoldtranszfer.hu
PEGAZUS TRANSZFER http://pegazustranszfer.hu/en_EN/fooldal
You can check out the following sites:
https://www.transzferszeged.hu/services-en.html
https://www.airportshuttle.hu/
https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Szeged/Budapest-Airport-BUD
https://www.suntransfers.com/budapest-airport-to-szeged
b) Szeged from the Budapest Railway Stations
In general, international trains arrives at the Eastern Railway Station (Budapest-
Keleti). However, there is also another central railway station, the Southern
Railway Station (Déli pályaudvar) So, if you wish to continue your journey to
Szeged, you have to go to Budapest-Nyugati
Budapest is a large city and there are lots of means to get from one train station
to the other, however, since the situation of traffic may change quite quickly, the
easiest way to get to the Western Railway Station (Nyugati
Pályaudvar/Budapest Nyugati) is to use either Google Maps or Apple Maps to
get your directions, since it is constantly updated – there might be ongoing
constructions, delays or other circumstances that may affect public transport.
Most of the stations usually have a ticket machine. These need to be validated
on the vehicle or if you use the metro, then at the entrance of the station; you
cannot miss the validating machines!
c) Szeged by bus
As there are trains every hour from starting from approx 5- 21:00, the bus
connection is less favourable from Budapest to Szeged, but check the timetable if
it is suitable for you!
If not, by metro, you can easily reach Nyugati Pályaudvar, where you can catch a
train every hour! All train stations can be reached by metro, that is the quickest
and least complicated means of transfer in Budapest.
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You can find this map and all relevant information on the website of BKK
(Budapest transport centre) here: https://bkk.hu/en/
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IV. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN SZEGED
One of the things you need to get acquainted to when coming to Szeged is the local
public transportation system. Szegedi Közlekedési Társaság/SZKT
(https://szkt.hu/en/) provides bus, trolleybus, tram lines all over the city and it is
responsible for everything that is public transportation related.
There are various means of transportation in Szeged therefore it would be difficult
to collect all the information about the public transportation here, but this guide
has everything you need to know in order to get to somewhere within the city.
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You can find this map and other useful transport information here:
https://szkt.hu/vonalhalozat
The main crossing points for all means of public transport is Szeged are the
following places:
1 Main Train station/Szeged Nagyállomás: 6725 Szeged, Indóház tér 2.
It is important to keep in mind that this is the only train station in Szeged which
is connected to the line that goes to Budapest, the stations in Újszeged and
Rókus are not!
Rókus Pályaudvar is connected to the Nagyállomás, the main station, but only
trains to the southern-eastern parts of the country are going through it.
However, the train station in Újszeged is not connected to either of the stations.
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2 Mars tér/ square – here you can find the Main Bus Station (and also the big
city market)
3. It is important to discover the building which is currently the main faculty
building: Bocskai utca/street 10-12. 6721 Szeged, Bocskai utca 10-12.
4. City centre: Széchenyi tér/square – the park that is the heart of Szeged
Although it is being renovated now, it is essential to mention the symbol of the
Faculty of Law and also our main building at Tiszta Lajos körút/avenue 54. It is
in the absolute city centre but now, it is closed from public.
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Tickets
To travel you need a validated ticket or pass. You can buy tickets and passes from
vending machines, sales points. In that case when you purchase a pass from sales
point you have to pay attention to fill the pass with your student card ID. Single
tickets – valid for one ride – can be bought onboard by your card. It is recommended
to always travel with validated ticket or pass because of ticket controllers.
For further information about tickets, passes, sales points, etc. click on this link:
https://szkt.hu/en/penztarak-en.
Apps, websites
There are a lot of public transportation-related apps and websites
you can use daily in order to choose the quickest route to your
destination, but Google is also very reliable guide for getting from
one place to another.
Taxi
There are taxi services in the city but there are not any Ubers. The drivers may
not speak in English, but they should be able to take you to your desired
destination if you show them the address. A trip usually costs between 1000-3000
HUF in the centre. The public transportation is recommended because it costs less
and when arriving to Szeged the Tram 2 takes you directly to the city centre (and
everything can be reached from there).
Uber does not operate in Hungary.
Tram-train
Szeged has a new public transport achievement which connects Szeged
Nagyállomás to the city centre of Hódmezővásárhely, a neighbouring city. It is
being tested but once it operates full time, it will open a new horizon in the public
transport of the the cities!
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V. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR STAY IN SZEGED!
Szeged
Szeged has an official website for tourims: http://szegedtourism.hu/en/home/ It
collects all what you need to know: where to stay, what to see, what to taste what
to do and what is good to know when you spend some time in the city!
Hungary is, for example, is
rich in thermal water with
medical effects and in
Szeged, the Anna
fürdő/bath is a great
place to experience it!
Located in the heart of the
city, the building is a gem
of Szeged.
You can find more information about the spa here:
https://www.termalfurdo.hu/furdo/anna-gyogy-termal-es-elmenyfurdo-94/arak ,
http://www.szegedsport.hu/intezmenyek/anna-furdo
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If you are interested in the culinary features of this part of
Hungary, you should know that Szeged is famous for its
fish soup as the river Tisza offers a wide range of fish
material.
Szeged has many great programs for you, depending when
you stay here: wine festivals, fish soup festivals, music
festivals…you are never bored, check the webiste about the
current events!
If you wish to have a long walk in
nature but have limited traveling
options or just wish to stay in
Szeged, the Botanical Gardens
(Füvészkert) is the place for you:
https://fuveszkert.u-szeged.hu/en/
Beuatiful flowers, interesting
plants from all over the world and
many programs to enjoy the pure
air and the twittering of birds!
However, if you wish to have an
excursion in the nature, the
Szeged Zoo is also a great place
to spend a couple of hours.
Elephants, a wide range of big
cats, giraffes are waiting for you
here: https://fuveszkert.u-
szeged.hu/en/ The zoo is a very
animal friendly park, so, be
prepared with comfortable
footware!
Both places are easily accessible by public transport and from the city centre, both
is no more than 20 minutes by tram/bus.
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If you wish to get home some traditional souvenir,
check the paprika and the szeged papucs (floklore
slippers). They are so called Hungarikums and
very attached to Szeged!
Check our for further famous Hungarian values
and souvenir tips from Hungarikums:
http://www.hungarikum.hu/en
Close neighbourhood of Szeged1
Ópusztaszer Heritage Park
If you wish to learn about the history
of Hungary and how our ancestors
lived, visit the Ópusztaszer! It is
located 25 kms northwest of Szeged
and it is said to be the venue for the
first parliament and law-making
session. The Árpád-memorial near
was built for the millennium in 1896
and later, the Ópusztaszer Heritage
Park was established in the XXth century. The Feszty-panorama representing the
arrival of the Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin can be seen here and the
heritage park offers all day programs in addition to the panorama, several
exhibitions, an open-air ethnographic museum showing the folk architecture of
Csongrád county, a nomadic park and horse shows evoking the life of the ancient
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All places can be direclty reached by bus, check the bus schedule here:
https://menetrendek.hu/mobile/?lng=en
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Hungarians make our visit a memorable experience. In all seasons of the year the
park awaits its guests with various spectacular programs. It can be reached by bus
from Mars tér!
Se more information: https://opusztaszer.hu/english/
Mórahalom
Mórahalom is a small town located around 30
kilometres away from Szeged. Basically, it is
about to take 30 minutes to get there by bus
from Mars tér.
It is mostly remarkable for its spa
(https://erzsebetfurdo.morahalom.hu/en/index) and the Mini Hungary Park
(https://ezerevparkja.hu/en/home-2/) where you can see the small version of Hungary’s
main sights!
Hódmezővásárhely
Hódmezővásárhely is very
close to Szeged and by the
new tram-train, you can
easily reach the city centre
in approximately 30
minutes! As it is a tram, you
can choose from multiple
stops to gen on and off! This
town has many possibilities
where you can have fun,
and also, you are able to
find excellent accommodations if Szeged cannot offer you what you are looking for. As all
cities of Hungary, Hódmezővásárhely also has a spa, and many interesting programs and places
worth visiting. See details: http://www.szeporszag.hu/Tourinform+Iroda+-
+H%C3%B3dmez%C5%91v%C3%A1s%C3%A1rhely.latnivalo
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We wish you to have a
wonderful time in Szeged!
Prepared by
Erzsébet Csatlós, PhD with the contribution of Evelin Bordás, Kíra Daniella Sindel, Arnold-
István Szabó trainees
Szeged, 2021
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