Venue: Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Károly Róbert Campus
The 2023 Agroecology Forum is hosted at the Károly Róbert Campus of the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences (MATE) in Gyöngyös, Hungary.
Gyöngyös is a familiar Hungarian town bounded by the Mátra mountains, the highest in Hungary. This peaceful location was chosen for the Forum to experience first hand the urban-rural connection at the heart of agroecology. Only an hour away from Budapest, Gyöngyös is a unique place to discover with rich local biodiversity, culinary and farming traditions—foraging for mushrooms and medicinal herbs besides mixed farming practices—and viticulture on volcanic rocks dating back more than 700 years. In addition, 90% of the town’s electricity comes from solar energy.
Soak in the views of the Mátra mountains after rich exchanges and later enjoy a dip in one of the nearby thermal baths. We hope to offer a fully regenerative experience beyond the conference room!
Transportation options
Gyöngyös is about 90 km from Budapest. We encourage you to use public transport to arrive at the venue to minimize the emissions footprint of the conference. It is easy to reach from Budapest. There are frequent bus and train rides from Budapest to Gyöngyös, and we will organise a paid shuttle service upon demand expressed at registration. The venue is a 15 minute walk from the central Gyöngyös train and bus stations.
Car
- From Budapest city center via M3 freeway, approximately 1 hour
- From Budapest Airport via M0 and M3 freeways, approximately 1 hour
Train
- Hourly train from Budapest Keleti railway station (accessible with Metro lines M2, M4)
- To Gyöngyös railway station, 1 hour 23 minutes
- 15 walk from the station to the Campus
- Option to take bus 3655/3656 from Gyöngyös vasútállomás (railway station) to Mátrai úti ABC (2 stops)
Bus
- From Budapest Puskás Ferenc Stadion (accessible with Metro line M2)
- To Gyöngyös bus terminal, 1 hour 10 minutes
- 15 walk from the station to the Campus
- Option to take bus 3656/3664 from Gyöngyös autóbusz-állomás (bus terminal) to Mátrai úti ABC (1 stop) or bus 1045 to Gyöngyös, Főiskola (1 stop)
Accommodation options
The Forum organisers partnered with the hotels below to ensure your comfortable stay. We suggest checking these options and making your reservation as soon as possible. You will find information about the hotel services, transportation connections, pricing, and booking instructions.
We can only guarantee that these locations are reserved for the Forum up until one month before the conference. Please book as soon as you are able.
The full duration of the conference is from 10:00 on Thursday, 16 November to 18:00 on Saturday, 18 November.
Please note: original prices are in Hungarian Forints (HUF), approximated, and the prices in EUR are an indication.
Hotel Opál Superior
It has been operating as the only hotel in the town centre since 2012 in Gyöngyös, also called the gate to the Mátra Mountains. The hotel is situated in a quiet, peaceful area, about five minutes’ walk from the centre. Owing to the central location, the internally and externally renewed hotel is easily accessible, since it is situated only 9 km from the M3 motorway close to the city centre of Gyöngyös, yet in a quiet and peaceful environment. It is about a 13-minute walking distance from the venue. There is a city bus service that takes about 6 minutes to travel to the venue. Available capacity is 70 persons (34 rooms).
The 3-star hotel represents a modern but cosy style through its image and interior. All rooms are spacious and nicely equipped. In addition to the standard double rooms, there are connectable family rooms, fully equipped apartments, and barrier-free rooms. Quality services include 24-hour front desk, closed, camera-monitored parking facility, taxi and shuttle service, wake-up service, laundry, free WIFI, drink bar (0-24), ample buffet breakfast, fax and photocopy, wellness and fitness room, inclusive towards people with disabilities. There wellness and fitness rooms are open 6:00-22:00 daily. Access is included in the price.
Prices:
for 1 person: weekday €49,20/night (19,900 HUF), weekend €45 (18,000 HUF)
for 2 persons: weekday €59/night (23,900 HUF), weekend €54 (21,900 HUF)
Booking: Request your booking by emailing info@hotelopal.hu, with your name, dates of stay, and any additional requests, referencing the Forum.
Payment: upon arrival, with cash in HUF or card.
Hotel Avar
The 4-star Avar Hotel was rebuilt in 2020 and it is located at the foot of the Mátra mountain in the nearby village, Mátrafüred, which is a popular resort. It is a little more than an hour walking distance from the conference venue. The regular municipal bus service takes about 12 minutes to travel to the venue.
Hotel Avar offers a garden, wellness center, 24-hour front desk, room service, and luggage storage. All rooms at Avar Hotel are equipped with flat screen TV, free WiFi access, safe, and a kettle and have a balcony. The restaurant serves international and local cuisine with a wide selection of wines and an ample buffet breakfast (07:00-10:00). The property offers wide range of facilities such as a modern fitness and spa center (open 07:00-21:00 free for guests).
Prices:
Superior room for 1 person: €112/night (43,500 HUF)
Superior room for 2 persons: €140/night (54,500 HUF)
Superior room for 3 persons: €180/night (70,500 HUF)
Breakfast is included with reservations. This is a buffet breakfast with vegan / vegetarian, lactose- and gluten-free options.
Booking: Book online at the link below using the code AEEUFORUM2023. You will receive an email confirmation of your reservation.
Payment: upon arrival, with cash in HUF or card.
Károly Róbert Dormitory
Károly Róbert Dormitory is located at the foot of the Mátra Mountains, just a 15-minute walk or a 7-minute bus ride from Károly Róbert Campus in Gyöngyös. Total capacity is 436 persons. In Buildings A and B, there are rooms with 2-3 beds and en-suite bathrooms. The double and triple rooms of Building B are equipped with a sink, shared showers, and toilets. Each bedroom is equipped with a refrigerator. There is a 24-hour reception service at the dorm. Internet access is available in all rooms, a parking lot, fitness room, and laundry service are available as well. We recommend that you share a room with others, as space is limited here.
Prices:
Group room for 2-3 persons: €16/person/night (6,500 HUF)
Individual room: €23/night (9,000 HUF)
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast can be ordered separately for €6/person (2,200 HUF), suitable for standard vegetarian/vegan choices as well. For special lactose- or gluten-free breakfast there is a surcharge, for about €8.5 euros (3,300 HUF). Book breakfast in advance.
Booking: Request your booking by emailing Mrs. Noemi Demenyne at info@krhotel.hu indicating your arrival time and date, how many nights you wish to stay, with whom you would like to share a room, and if you wish to have breakfast. Within 24 hours, you will receive a confirmation of your booking by email.
Payment: Upon arrival, with cash in HUF or card
Völgyhotel
It is a small, cozy hotel in Mátrafüred. The majority of the rooms are for 2 persons. There is also a wellness center with a jacuzzi, small swimming pool and sauna, which is open 08:00-20:00. This hotel is a two-minute walk from Avar Hotel that has a bus connection (see above).
Prices:
Two-person room: €54/night (21,000 HUF)
One-person room: €43 euro/night (17,000 HUF)
Breakfast is not included and can be added for approximately €13.
Payment: Upon arrival, with cash in HUF or card
Erdeihotel
It is a small, four-star hotel in Mátrafüred. The majority of the rooms are for 2 persons. There is also a wellness with jacuzzi, small pool, and sauna open 08:00-20:00. This hotel is a two-minute walk from Avar Hotel that has a bus connection (see above).
Prices:
Two-person room: €173 (68,000 HUF)
Single room: €140 (55,000 HUF)
Breakfast is included.
Payment: upon arrival, with cash in HUF or card.