Venue of the conference and how to get there:
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HUN-REN Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science (EPSS) Sopron, Hungary
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About Hungary
The prices are only given for information purposes and are subject to change.
The official currency in Hungary is Hungarian forint (HUF). You can use an online currency converter to check the actual exchange rate (www.xe.com). You can pay using your bank/credit card (Visa, Master, Maestro) at many shops and vending machines, however it is good to have some cash with you just in case. A pizza costs 5-7 EUR worth HUF, a full common dinner costs less than 15 EUR in a restaurant. Service fees are usually not included in the price. If you are satisfied, adding about 10% of the sum as a tip is typical.
Electricity in Hungary is 230 V, with a frequency of 50 Hz, plug types C and F can be used. For more information see www.power-plugs-sockets.com.
The weather in Hungary at the end of May is usually a warm (around 20°C daytime, and ~10-15°C during the night) and can be rainy, however, large variations may occur. Check the actual weather/forecast here: www.wunderground.com
About Sopron
The city of Sopron is located in the westernmost part of Hungary, near the Austrian border in the vicinity of Lake Neusiedl/Lake Fertő, at a distance of 60 km from Vienna (the capital of Austria) and 220 km from Budapest (the capital of Hungary). The history of Sopron dates back to ancient times and nowadays it is frequented tourist destination.
Some recommended places to visit:
- Botanical Garden with Ligneum visitor center
- Sopron Castle Wall Promenade
- Firewatch tower (opening hours and ticket prices)
- Central Museum of Mining
If you have one more day to visit:
- Harrer Chocolate Workshop And Confectionery
- Lookout towers (e.g. Károly, Sörházdomb)
- Sopron Toboggan Park
Information of other sites can be found on the website of the Tourinform.
How to get there?
To reach Sopron from Vienna
The fastest and probably the most convenient way to reach Sopron is via Vienna International Airport (Schwechat).
From the airport direct train connection is available to Vienna Hauptbahnhof (travel time: 15-20 min, price 4.20 EUR). Search connection between VIE (Vienna International Airport) and Vienna Central Station on this page: https://www.oebb.at/en/
There is a ticket office of the Austrian railway company (ÖBB) at the airport but tickets are also available from the ÖBB Ticket Machines. One machine is located next to the ticket office and there are two more next to the platforms (usually the queue is shorter there).
There are many trains coming to Sopron from Vienna. Use the route planner here to find connection between Vienna Central Station and SOPRON: https://www.oebb.at/en/
There are several options but choosing direct trains (REX) is suggested. The journey takes 1 h 19 minutes and costs 17.30 EUR. Tickets can be purchased in the ticket office or from vending machines. Both cash and bank/credit cards are accepted.
Note (1) that the destination of those trains is Deutschkreutz, you should look for trains to Deutschkreutz on the passenger information boards. Sopron is not the last stop, so be sure to get off the train in Sopron.
Note (2) that if you purchase a ticket in Sopron to Vienna on your way home, that ticket (costs also 17.30 EUR) includes the fare from Vienna Central Station to VIE Airport using the Railjet service within one hour from arriving at Vienna.
When participants are travelling together as a group, taking a taxi is a comfortable way to reach Sopron from Vienna. If you are interested, please visit for example this webpage. Note that "Bécs" is Vienna in Hungarian and "Pozsony" is Bratislava in Hungarian.
Other transfer possibilities from Vienna Airport to Sopron:
1. Gettransfer.com: search route from "Vienna International (VIE), Wien-Flughafen, Schwechat, Austria" to "Sopron, Hungary".
2. Jakabbus.hu: the webpage is only in Hungarian but you can send an e-mail to the
up to 4 people: 22 000 HUF (~68 EUR)
4-8 people: 32 000 HUF (~98 EUR)
8-17 people: 45 000 HUF (~138 EUR)
To reach Sopron from Budapest
Take this route if you would like to spend some time in Budapest which is the capital and the most famous tourist destination of Hungary. Direct trains from Budapest to Sopron depart every second hour from Budapest-Keleti railway station which can be reached from the airport either by the local transportation system, by shuttle buses, or by taxi.
A convenient option to reach Budapest-Keleti railway station directly from the airport is to take the MiniBUD shuttle service (check fare to “Budapest, Budapest-Keleti, Hungary”, it costs 17.50 EUR or 4900 HUF). Note that you may need to wait some time for other passengers to gather for the ride.
A much cheaper as well as adventurous option is using local transportation. From the Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD), bus 100E (100E) takes you to the center of Budapest. Please note that one has to purchase a so called “airport shuttle bus single ticket” in the BKK ticket office, from ticket vending machines or from the driver for about 3 EUR (900 HUF), the ordinary single ticket is not valid on this bus. If you want to go directly to Budapest-Keleti railway station you need one additional ordinary ticket (350 HUF). Take off from bus 100E either at “Kálvin square” and use Metro line 4, or at “Astoria” and take a bus (5,7, 8E, use the google travel planner from Astoria to Keleti railway station), or at “Deak square” (end stop) and use Metro line 2 toward “Örs vezér tere” to get to Budapest-Keleti railway station.
Note that you need to validate a new ticket each time you change vehicle. Validation means either stamping or punching the ticket depending on the validator device. Do not be surprised: controllers often simply tear your ticket upon inspection. That is normal.
From Keleti railway station you can take a train to Sopron. Search connection between Budapest* and Sopron on this page: https://www.mavcsoport.hu/en
We suggest to take a direct (intercity, IC) train (~6000 HUF, ~18.50 EUR, travel time is about 2 h 30 min).
Please note that the price of the ticket depends on the time of the journey and that of the purchase and on the type of the train, too. Expect to receive a base ticket and a combined seat reservation+supplemental ticket separately. Tickets can be purchased from MAV ticket office or from vending machines. Cash and most bank/credit cards are accepted.
The address is: Sopron, Csatkai Endre u. 6, 9400 (HUN-REN Földfizikai és Űrtudományi Kutatóintézet or HUN-REN Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science (EPSS)).
Local transportation in Sopron
Sopron is a small town. The city center and most of the recommended hotels are within 1000 m from the railway station. Taxi rides within town cost usually less than 2000 HUF.
Parking in Sopron
Parking in the downtown of Sopron is not cheap. Some hotels offer on-site parking, please ask at booking. Limited number of parking places are available in the courtyard of our institute. Please let us know if you would like to use one of them.
Accomodation (recommendations)
There are several accomodation possibilities in Sopron, as well as in walking distance to the venue (EPSS). Here we provide some recommended hotels nearby. For other options please check booking.com or other alternative accomodation booking sites.
Please note that the prices do not include the tourist tax: 450 HUF (~1.4 EUR) /person/night.
Hotel Pannónia
Address: 9400 Sopron, Várkerület 75.
Nearest local bus stop: Sopron, Várkerület, Ötvös u. (1 min. walk)
Distance from EPSS: about 15 min. walk
Prices (can change with the exchange rate of EUR-HUF):
- 1 person/4 nights 82 220 HUF (~256 EUR)
- 2 people/4 nights 87 280HUF (~272 EUR)
Contact:
Web: https://www.pannoniahotel.com/index.php/en
Hint: Check actual offers and packages on the website.
Hotel Civitas
Address: 9400 Sopron, Rákóczi u. 33.
Distance from EPSS: about 2 min. walk
Prices:
- 1 person/ 4 nights 55200 HUF (~ 172 EUR)
- 2 people/ 4 nights 73600 HUF (~230 EUR)
Contact:
Web: http://www.civitashotel.com/en/
Hotel Palatinus
Address: 9400 Sopron, Új u. 23.
Distance from EPSS: about 10 min. walk
Prices:
- 1 person/ 4 nights 55200 HUF (~ 172 EUR)
- 2 people/ 4 nights 73600 HUF (~230 EUR)
Contact:
Web: http://www.palatinussopron.com/en/
Hotel Wollner
Address: 9400 Sopron Templom u. 20.
Distance from EPSS: about 10 min. walk
Normal room:
- 1 person/night 20 600 HUF (~64 EUR) --> 4 nights: 256 EUR
- 2 people/night 23 300 HUF (~73 EUR) --> 4 nights: 292 EUR
Superior room:
- 1 person/night 22 400 HUF (~70 EUR) --> 4 nights: 280 EUR
- 2 people/night 25 100 HUF (~78 EUR) --> 4 nights: 312 EUR
Contact:
Web: https://www.hotelwollner.com/
Machatsek Gyula Hotel and College Student (Hostel of the University)
Address: 9400 Sopron, Baross út 2-4.
Distance from EPSS: about 10 min. walk
Prices:
- 1 person/night 25 EUR --> 4 nights: 100 EUR
- 2 people/night 38 EUR --> 4 nights: 152 EUR
Contact:
Web: You can find pictures about the rooms on following pages:
- https://szallas.hu/soproni-egyetemi-kollegiumok
- Booking.com
(The prices of the hotels are only given for information purposes and are subject to change.)
