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You are invited to join us in a trip to Romania in mid-August. Typically, the group departs O’Hare International on Friday afternoon/evening and arrives in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday around mid-day. For those leaving the US from other parts of the country, it is not necessary to depart from Chicago. It is advisable to plan to arrive in Budapest on the same day in order to facilitate the movement into Romania as a group. Ferihegy International Airport is modern and easy to navigate. All the major airlines serve the facility. Most major airlines with access Budapest with a stopover in London, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfort, etc. Of late, MALEV – Hungarian National Airlines – has a direct flight from O’Hare to Budapest. COSTS: Airfare will range from $850 to $1,250 USD. Lodging will run around $300 USD. Food will run about $250. Train from Budapest to Oradea is around $44 one-way. Personal expenses will vary by individual. There are sightseeing buses, entertainment expenses, etc. in Budapest.
MONEY: ATMs are readily available in Budapest and in Ordea for currency needs. You will need to know your PIN. Hungary uses the Forint HUF and Romania the Lei RON ($10 USD equals about 2,000 HUF or 30 RON.) Most restaurants accept credit cards.
Budapest is located about 4 hours west of the Romanian border. We enter Romania either by train from Budapest East railway station (Kileti) or by car from the airport. We typically arrive in Oradea, Romania, a city of about 350,000 around 7 or 8 p.m. on Saturday night. Often we are met at the airport by Alex Stroie and he drives the group into Romania. Housing while in Romania is generally “frills free.” Often, we use the dormitory of Emmanuel University. They have suites of 2 or 3 rooms, which share a bath and kitchen. We have also used the hotel facilities at the nearby spa area. You should budget around $30 per night for lodging in Romania. Lodging in Budapest should be budgeted at around $100 per night. (Lodging for the trip around $300.) TIME CHANGE: Budapest will be 7 hours ahead of US Central Time Zone. Romania will be 8 hours ahead. (Noon in Central Time Zone, it will be 8:00 p.m. in Romania)
INTERNET ACCESS: There are internet cafes in Oradea and Budapest. Some hotels have internet service. We also have internet access at the home of Alex Stroie.
Budapest is a world-class city of just under 2 million residents and vies with Vienna for charm and interest, but without the expense. The Danube River cuts through the heart of the city (separating Buda and Pest) and provides one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the world. Vaci is a pedestrian street which gives you a great time for experiencing the flavor of the city. There is a great marketplace for souvenir shopping.
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