Travel in Hungary: the complete practical guide

In short: Hungary means Budapest first, split in two by the Danube, with its thermal baths and its Parliament, then Lake Balaton and the Tokaj vineyards. The currency is the forint, not the euro.

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When to go to Hungary

• Spring (April to June) and September–October: ideal for exploring Budapest on foot.
• Summer: the season for Lake Balaton and festivals; it can be hot.
• Winter: Christmas markets and open-air thermal baths, enjoyable even in cold weather.

Entry requirements

• EU and Schengen citizens: a valid ID card or passport is enough.
• Other nationalities: check the entry rules with the Hungarian embassy or your foreign ministry.

Arriving in Budapest

• The 100E express bus runs straight to Deák Ferenc tér, where three metro lines meet. It has its own ticket: ordinary tickets are not valid on it.
• By train: Budapest has direct trains to Vienna and Prague.

Getting around Hungary

• In Budapest: metro, trams (including line 2, along the Danube) and buses; central Pest is easy to explore on foot.
• Trains (MÁV) serve Lake Balaton, Eger and the main cities.
• By car: an electronic vignette (e-matrica) is required on motorways.

Money, internet and practicalities

• Currency: the Hungarian forint (HUF). Cards are widely accepted. If a terminal or cash machine offers to charge you in euros, choose forint.
• Mobile: as an EU country, roam-like-at-home applies for European plans.
• Language: Hungarian; English is common in tourist areas.
• Electricity: type C and F plugs, 230 V. Time: UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer).

What to see in Hungary

• Budapest: the Parliament, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, the Széchenyi and Gellért baths, St Stephen’s Basilica, the Great Synagogue and a Danube cruise. The banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Danube Bend: Szentendre, an artists’ town, the citadel of Visegrád and the basilica of Esztergom.
• Lake Balaton: beaches, villages and the Tihany peninsula.
• Eger: a castle, baths and red wines.
• Tokaj: home of the sweet wine of the same name, a UNESCO-listed wine region.

Suggested itineraries

3 days: Budapest (Pest, the castle district, thermal baths).

5 days: Budapest and a day on the Danube Bend (Szentendre, Visegrád).

10 days: Budapest, the Danube Bend, Lake Balaton and Eger, or Budapest, Vienna and Prague by train.

What to eat in Hungary

• Gulyás, a paprika beef soup, and pörkölt, a thick stew;
• lángos, fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese;
• kürtőskalács, chimney cake baked on a spit;
• wines from Tokaj and Eger.

Culture and etiquette

• At the baths, bring a swimsuit, towel and sandals; a swimming cap may be required in lap pools.
• Tipping is customary in restaurants; check whether service is already included in the bill.
• In churches and synagogues, covered clothing is required.

Health and safety

Budapest is a safe city. Watch out for pickpockets on public transport and unofficial taxis. EU citizens can bring their European Health Insurance Card.