28 October 2019

​At GOOSE Recruitment we are actively recruiting for several Pilot job opportunities to be based in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. We wanted to bring you some exclusive insights into what Pilot life is typically like living in Budapest and the things you will need to consider before making the move.

1. What language do they speak in Hungary?

Most of the population in Budapest will speak Hungarian, however, a large proportion of people also speak German and English. If English is your primary or second language, you will no doubt find it easy to navigate around the city, shop and get acquainted with the locals.

When speaking to Pilots who are considering a role abroad, no matter where the role is based, we always advise them to make the effort to learn some commonly used phrases of the country they are moving to – even if it’s just how to greet people or order a meal in a restaurant. You don’t need to be able to speak fluent Hungarian but a little will go a long way in helping you feel both settled and welcome.

If you are interested in doing so, there are several ways to do this, including signing up to a local language school, attending informal conversational meetups and even taking online courses- these are great for learning on the go and fitting around your busy flying schedule.

2. What is the cost of living like in Hungary?

In general, the cost of living in Budapest is inexpensive in comparison to many other European cities. If you have lived in a city like London or Paris, for example, you will find your general outgoings a lot less. However, as Budapest is the capital of Hungary it is more expensive than other cities in the country.

Depending on where you want to live, renting an apartment can cost anything from €250 to over €1,500 per month. Rental accommodation in the heart of the city can be very expensive, therefore depending on how close you want to be to the action and what budget you have in mind, you will need to be selective about the area you choose to live in.

For example, a 900 square foot furnished apartment in an expensive area of Budapest will cost you just over €800 per month. The standard rate of an apartment is approximately €550, and of course, a studio apartment will be a lot cheaper. When it comes to choosing where to live it is always worth doing some extensive research online and even contacting a real estate agent who will be best suited to advise you on everything you need to know.

3. Getting around the city

Budapest offers a great public transport system to get in and around all areas of the city. There are a number of options to choose from, including; trams, an underground and overground service, buses, taxis and even public boat. There really is no reason to drive in Budapest and if you are planning to use public transport a lot, it is definitely worth purchasing a monthly ‘city card’, which will cost you approximately €30.00.

4. What is the food like in Budapest?

Being a European city, food options in Budapest offer something for everyone. Whatever your food preferences are, you should find it easy to source the food that you like in Budapest. There are many local and larger supermarkets dotted in and around the city, including Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Coop, Rossman, SPAR and many more.

If you are looking to try some of the Hungarian delicacies, why not head to a local and authentic restaurant, where you’ll be able to choose from dishes such as Fisherman’s Soup (Halászlé), Goulash, Lángos (deep-fried dough with toppings) and desserts such as sponge cake.

Food prices in authentic Hungarian restaurants tend to be moderately priced, and if you are looking to eat out on a budget, you can buy a meal for as little as €5.00. Needless to say a meal in a fine dining restaurant will be a lot more expensive and can cost anywhere from €50.00 to €150.00 per person.

5. What is the weather like in Budapest?

The climate in Hungary is typically European, meaning summers are mainly dry with temperatures reaching as high as 30 degrees. In the winter months, temperatures can drop as low as -2 degrees.

If you are used to taking off and landing in less seasonal climates, you will need to adapt to flying in all weather conditions across the year. This can vary from heavy rainfall to snow and even thunderstorms.

6. What is there to do outside of flying?

In Budapest itself, expats will be spoilt for choice with things to do outside of flying. Whether you are interested in visiting museums, learning about the local heritage or checking out the city’s beautiful architecture – there is something to suit everyone. Here are a few of our favourite things to see and do in Hungary:

  • Take a tour of the Parliament Building

  • Watch an Opera at the Hungarian State Opera House

  • Visit Fisherman’s Bastion

  • Eat local cuisine at an authentic Hungarian restaurant

  • Enjoy a relaxing spa day at the famous thermal baths

7. How safe is it to live in Budapest?

The city has a low level of crime and is considered one of the safest places to live and visit in Europe. Whether you are walking around during the day or at night, there is typically no need to be concerned about your level of safety, due to its overall safety ranking of 27th out of 113.

8. Education

If you are a pilot with a young family, a good education will be a top priority when moving to a new country. In Hungary, all children from age 6 to 16 are required to attend compulsory education. There are a variety of international schools to choose from but Hungary also offers a well-regarded selection of state schools.

9. Is your next pilot role awaiting you in Hungary?

We are recruiting for non-type rated and type rated First Officers to be based in Budapest, Hungary, on behalf of LOT Polish Airlines; the national airline of Poland.

LOT Polish Airlines have selected our recruitment experts to source Pilots for the following positions;

  • First Officers B787 Dreamliner

  • First Officers Embraer 170/190 with fast track to Captain

If these roles sound of interest and you are eager to find out more, please don’t hesitate to contact Charlotte Charman.

GOOSE loves to talk to Aviation Professionals from across the world

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