Where are we staying?
The exact location will be revealed closer to the time of the conference. It is on the “Pest” side and is five metro stops away from the Great Synagogue.
Your conference fee covers the conference, lodging, most meals, and a guided tour.
When should I arrive at and depart from Budapest?
Please arrive in time for dinner, about 5:00 p.m., on December 29, 2025, and depart any time on January 4, 2026.
What should I know about Hungarian money?
The Hungarian currency is the forint, not the euro. You can exchange money at change booths and ATMs. While the exchange rate changes regularly, the average exchange rate is 400 forints to one US dollar. Please check the current exchange rate for your own country. Make sure you leave the Budapest airport with some forints, including small bills and coins.
When should I book my plane ticket?
With the global increases in air travel, we highly suggest that you purchase your tickets to Muchan no later than September. This will help you find a decently priced ticket. Budapest is a popular destination, and prices will increase drastically the closer you get to December.
How should I travel from the Budapest airport to the hotel?
You will need to travel from the airport to the hotel on your own. The easiest and quickest way is by taxi. At the airport, look for the taxi line. They will ask for the address and give a set price (around $25+). There is also a bus that takes you to the city center, and from there you can take the Metro Line 1 (around $8). Budapest also has Uber and Bolt taxi services.
A note about the Budapest transportation system.
The Budapest metro system is very efficient as well as the buses and trams. We recommend you buy either a three-day transportation pass or a booklet of ten tickets. The entrance to Budapest’s transportation system is the honor system, so you either need to have your pass, validate your ticket, or purchase a ticket before riding. There are spot checkers who will give you a large fine if you are traveling without paying. The metro closes at 11 p.m. each evening! There are efficient night bus and tram routes that will still function.
Fun Fact: Metro Line 1 is the oldest in Europe (1894) and still looks the same. Enjoy the ride!
What kind of electric plugs/outlets are in Budapest?
Make sure you use either an adapter or a converter for your electronics. Hungary uses Plug C (which is the same as Plugs E, F, J, K, and N). This plug is the same type found in Europe and Israel.
A converter will change the current or voltage for your specific device, but most modern devices like cell phone chargers and laptop power cords only need an adapter. You DO NOT need a converter if your equipment says “110-220 Volts”; you will only need an adapter. Do not hesitate to ask questions.
Is WiFi included at the hotel?
Yes! WiFi is free and works well.
Are meals included with the registration cost?
Most meals will be served at the hotel ‘buffet style,’ with the exception of two or three that you will need to purchase yourself during your free time. The meals are “kosher style,” meaning there will be a selection of meat and dairy options on the buffet counter to choose from. While there may be pork and ham on the buffet counter, due to us sharing the meals with other hotel guests, there will always be an alternative selection. We encourage you to choose according to your dietary convictions. We apologize if this arrangement is not suitable for you, but unfortunately this is out of our control. However, we encourage you to send an email to [email protected] with your food allergies and preferences. We will do our best to accommodate your needs, but we also ask for flexibility when necessary. There is also a small refrigerator in your room, so feel free to bring and buy extra food.
Passport and Visas
Please confirm your country’s visa requirement to enter Hungary. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after this trip.
Can I use my cell phone in Budapest?
Your cell phone may work in Budapest, but it is guaranteed to be very expensive. We suggest you call your phone company and buy a data/phone package for your travels or purchase a SIM card for your phone while you are in Budapest. Also, there are Wi-Fi hot spots available for free online use.
We will have a WhatsApp Muchan Budapest group for announcements and information. It is easy to stay in touch with friends while in Budapest via WhatsApp.
Is Budapest a safe city?
We put much thought into the Muchan city choice for 2025/2026. With all the anti-Israel demonstrations and threats in many countries, we found eastern Europe is not as volatile. We choose Hungary because it is listed as a “green” country to visit on Israel’s travel warning list.
Budapest is a lively, beautiful city with a hip Jewish neighborhood and hundreds of Jewish/Israeli visitors. Regardless, we always recommend that you travel in groups, watch your wallet, and be aware of your surroundings.
Will there be free time?
There is free time built into the schedule of the conference so you can explore Budapest. We encourage you to make plans with new friends and visit places not included in the group tour. Budapest at this time of year is very busy, so if you want to buy an entry ticket, do it online soon. Please do your own research before the trip and scope out the places you want to see, the restaurants where you want to eat, etc. This way you can make sure you experience all you intended for your trip!
There will also be a private guided tour of Budapest’s famous sights and history scheduled for the conference. This city has incredible Jewish history, and our guided tour will take the time to explain important places to remember. All other entrance fees are at your expense. Please account for this in your financial planning.
Can I arrive early/stay late?
Of course you can. You will need to arrange and pay for your own housing if arriving early or staying later. We recommend you take advantage of being in Europe by visiting other interesting places! Vienna is a short train/bus ride away. There are also many other cities—like Prague, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Krakow—which are under an hour-and-a-half plane ride away.
What should I pack?
Budapest will be cold, so dress accordingly. Bring warm shoes, socks, a hat, scarves, gloves, and clothes which are easy to layer. We will be outside for a two-plus hour walking tour and you will have additional free time to explore during the day and night, including New Year’s Eve. Dress warm!
- Bible, pen, notepad
- Passport and a copy of it simply for precaution
- Water bottle—one that keeps liquids hot or cold is a great option!
- Toiletries (keep your medicines in your carry-on bag while you travel)
- Comfortable and warm walking shoes
- Hand and foot warmers
- Weather-appropriate clothing for 23–32ºF [-5–0°C] at night, 32–40ºF [0–5°C] during the day, with the possibility of snow.
- Dress is casual, but we often dress a bit nicer for Sabbath eve (Friday evening).
- Money for exchanging with zloty and/or credit card for purchases
- Electricity converter or adapter (most items like cell phones only need adapters)
- Snacks from your country to share (optional)
- Do not bring your whole closet!
- There is a refrigerator in your room if you have special dietary needs and need to purchase foods you can eat from a local grocery store
What about the thermal spas in Budapest?
Bring your bathing suit and flip flops! Budapest is known for its thermal spas—yes, you can swim outside in 38ºC waters in 0ºC temperatures! The four largest bath houses are built with stunning Neo-Baroque, Turkish, or Art Nouveau architecture. If you plan to visit a thermal spa during free time, please plan at least three hours to enjoy the indoor and outdoor waters and saunas. You should buy your tickets online in the fall as New Year’s Eve season books up quickly.
Visiting the Great Synagogue
We will have a tour of the beautiful Great Synagogue in Budapest. Inside, it has historical exhibitions, memorial gardens, and pictures of Budapest from the past. After, please take time to explore the Jewish area surrounding the synagogue.
Fun Fact: the Great Synagogue is the second largest in the world after the Temple Emanu-El in New York City.
How do I register for this conference?
In order to register for the conference, you must first submit the preliminary information form. After you are approved, our team will send you a code to finalize your registration for the conference. This conference is intended for young Messianic adults and those involved in intentional Jewish outreach ministry. Children are not able to come.
Interesting Books, Movies and People to Know About Before Arriving in Warsaw
Film
The Pianist (2002)—Roman Polanski: The biographical story of Polish-Jewish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman, who survived WWII in occupied Warsaw. (Szpilman also wrote an autobiographical book.)
The ZooKeeper’s Wife (2017)—Niki Caro: The real-life heroism of Jan and Antonia Zabinski, who saved 300 Jews by smuggling them from the ghetto to the Warsaw Zoo during WWII.
(This is a book and a movie.)
Schindler’s List (1993)—Steven Spielberg: The true story of Oskar Schindler, a businessman who tried to make his fortune in Krakow during the Second World War by exploiting cheap Jewish labor, but ended up penniless, having saved over 1000 Polish Jews from near-certain death during the Holocaust. (Also, a book called “Schlinder’s Ark.”)
Literature
Mila 18 by Leon Uris: Tells the story of one of the most heroic struggles of modern times, the uprising of the Warsaw ghetto against Nazi Germany in 1943.
Rising ’44 The Battle for Warsaw by Norman Davies: A history book about the major Polish underground resistance operation to liberate Warsaw from German occupation. Written by an Oxford University professor who is one of the top historians on Poland.
Important People to Research
Irena Sendler—smuggled 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto. A movie is being made about Irena, played by Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman).
Janusz Korczak—was the director of an orphanage for Jewish children in the Warsaw Ghetto, where he used very modern educational principles and was dearly loved by all. He refused to be freed and willingly went with his children to Treblinka where they were all murdered.
Mordechai Anielewicz—was the leader of the Jewish Fighting Organization, which led the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; the largest Jewish insurrection during World War II, which inspired further rebellions in both ghettos and extermination camps.
Pope John Paul II—helped revitalize Polish Catholicism, which greatly contributed to the fall of Communism. He also significantly improved the Catholic Church’s relationship with Judaism, as well as Islam and the Eastern Church.
