1. Why should I choose Budapest over other popular stag do destinations?
Whilst other cities may be over-hyped, even known as clichés, Budapest is still considered a charming and very fresh place to celebrate the most exciting weekend of your life in. Whether it's a stag do, a birthday party, or a promotion, anything and everything can be celebrated delightfully and satisfyingly in Hungary. Not only is its history magnificent, with amazing buildings blending the modern with the antique, but it also has an air of mystery and surprise about it. The beautiful scenery is paired with the glorious display of striking women, who are notably the main source of our growing tourist interest. Prices are also much lower than other neighbouring countries, so you won’t have to worry about spending a fortune in a matter of days.
2. What should I expect from Budapest?
As mentioned earlier, Budapest is a very two-sided city. You can draw a line between Buda and Pest, as both are very different in terms of scenery and recreational options. Buda is the hilly side, where families hope to settle down in, as it is definitely quieter and calmer than Pest. Whilst there are many options for going out in Buda, it is mainly a place for sightseeing and relaxation. If we consider Buda to be the heart of Budapest, then Pest is pretty much everything else, but mainly, the senses. The breathtaking sights, the amazing scents, the ludicrously delightful tastes, the wonderful sound of laughter and singing after sunset, the alluring voices of beautiful women all over town – it can be anything and everything.
3. What are the most common misconceptions about Budapest?
Although people have gone as far as to say that people in Budapest still ride horses to get from point A to B, and that we live in small huts next to our chicken and cows, we hope that the main misconceptions about our city are not as far-fetched as that. It is true that we may not be as westernized as many popular Western countries, but the allure of our city derives from our wish to stay close to our roots, to always stay a few steps behind complete globalization that makes one city look identical to the next one. One thing is definite – Budapest is not just a city like any other, but you won’t know what we’re talking about unless you experience its magic for yourselves.
4. What are the prices like in comparison to other stag party destinations?
Hungary boasts fairly cheaper prices in comparison to other neighbouring countries, such as the UK or Ireland. The main reason Budapest has become a focal point for celebration comes down to the fact that we offer the same services and experiences as anywhere else, but at a more wallet-friendly price. You don’t have to worry about lashing out weeks before the wedding, since you are much better off coming here and doing the same things you would back home, without leaving a huge void in your bank account. Thanks to the discounted flights arriving to Hungary several times a day, there is no easier and quicker way to get where you want to go.
5. How do Hungarians relate to the growing number of British stag groups visiting their capital?
How do Hungarians relate to the growing number of British stag groups visiting their capital?
Hungarians are known for their great hospitality and politeness. It may be more obvious outside the capital, but it is still very much apparent in Budapest as well. Tourists of all nationalities are more than welcome and appreciated, since every country enjoys having people taking an interest in their city. People from all corners of the globe visit us every year, such as from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Holland, France, Germany, Spain, Norway, the USA and many, many more.
6. What languages do Hungarians speak besides their native language?
What languages do Hungarians speak besides their native language?
A prerequisite to passing primary and secondary school is gaining a basic language skill in one world language at least, usually English or German. This depends on the type of school the students visit, but nonetheless, Hungarians do speak either English or German, some better than others. The important thing is you won’t find yourself in a position where you can’t ask for directions or information on the street where no one can help you. At restaurants, bars and clubs, everyone working in an official position speaks English very well, so you won’t have to worry there either
7. What currency do they use in Hungary?
We use the forint (pronounced foe-reent). You may check the current exchange rate on our homepage at the right corner. We will be converting to the euro in the foreseeable future, but until then, the forint is our main currency. You may pay with euros at selected stores only, so always have forints on you.
8. What time are shops and money exchange shops open at?
Shopping centres such as Westend, Mammut, and Árkád are usually open from 10:00 am until 20:00 pm on weekdays, 10:00 am to 17:00 pm on Saturdays, and they are usually closed on Sundays, but it varies from store to store. Some stores may be open until lunch time on Sundays as well. This is true for money exchange shops as well.
9. When does the nightlife get going and when does it finish?
People start gathering between 19:00-20:00 pm for first drinks, and don’t head off to a party before 23:00. Bars and clubs get going by 23:30 pm, and by midnight, everyone is ready to do some serious dancing. Closing times range between 04:00-05:00 am, and there are several after-party locations to go to for those still hungry fore more.
10. How do the taxis work?
Like anywhere else, taxis are at a discounted price if you order them. You will find safe, reliable taxi company phone numbers on the website, where English speaking operators will help you get where you want to go. If you do not know where you are, ask a waiter or receptionist to dial you a cab, and give your surname to make sure the driver can identify you as the previous caller. If you hail a cab on the street, you may be ripped off by two or three times the usual price. If you are unable to call a taxi company, you may be lucky enough to spot a safe cab, which has phone numbers on the car doors and a big header on the top of the car with a taxi company logo. Those ones are usually fairly priced, but ones with only taxi written on the top header, with no phone number anywhere on the car are the most dangerous ones. Make sure you keep an eye out for a company logo and a phone number
11. How do I get tickets for public transportation?
Ticket operators are available at metro underground stations such as Nyugati Pályaudvar and Blaha Lujza Tér, where you can purchase weekend tickets or single ones. Single ticket dispenser machines are located all over the city, mainly along the yellow tram line stops. A single ticked is valid for one trip, a weekend one for unlimited use. They may be used for the tram, all metro lines, the bus, and the trolley bus. The single tickets need to be validated upon entering the bus, tram and metro, and the weekend ticket is valid on its own. Ticket inspectors occasionally check for valid tickets, but they are not very frequent.
WHY STAGSEMPORIUM?
What can we offer compared to stag party organizing companies based in the UK?
Since our company is about taking care of people coming to Hungary, it is a vital that we know the ins and outs of our country. We are both bilingual Hungarians, who speak Hungarian and English at a native level, and despite our several long-term stays abroad, we are locals in all respects. We do the same kind of things on the weekend that you will be doing, so we know what the best places are for anything and everything. We have tried and tested every restaurant and company we work with personally, so you can’t get a much better guarantee than that for satisfaction and safety, whilst UK based operators, and many other ones from different countries may only give you promises on the best places based on hear-say. Our prices are also much more discounted than British, Irish or other companies’, since we are on a personal, good-term basis with all of companies we collaborate with, who in return offer us more friendly prices.
What can we offer compared to other Hungarian stag party organizing companies?
Our prices are generally better than the ones offered by other Hungarian companies, which is probably a good enough pull-factor if any to help you decide to choose Stag’s Emporium.