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Hungary Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 23, 2023

a colorful town in Hungary

Hungary is one of the many underrated gems of Europe . Compared to pricey Western Europe, Hungary offers incredible value. It boasts beautiful landscapes, rich history, hearty food, and affordable nightlife ( Budapest is one of the best nightlife spots on the continent).

You’ll also find fewer crowds, cheaper prices, beautiful national parks, historic city centers, and friendly people.

It’s one of my favorite places to explore in Europe!

While most visitors only visit Budapest, there is so much to see elsewhere around the country. It always surprises me that, for a country in the middle of Europe, so few people actually bother to explore it!

This travel guide to Hungry can help you visit the country on a budget and ensure you have an epic trip without breaking the bank.

Table of Contents

  • Things to See and Do
  • Typical Costs
  • Suggested Budget
  • Money-Saving Tips
  • Where to Stay
  • How to Get Around
  • How to Stay Safe
  • Best Places to Book Your Trip
  • Related Blogs on Hungary

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in hungary.

A bright orange sunset over the Danube in beautiful Budapest, Hungary

1. Explore Budapest

With its cheap accommodation, a multitude of thermal baths, and historic castles, Budapest is always a big hit with travelers. On a visit to Hungary’s capital city, you can explore underground caves, marvel at the stunning architecture, and enjoy the incredible nightlife. Cruise the river Danube on a riverboat to check out the views during the day, and then dance the night away when the boats turn into some of the city’s best late-night clubs. It has lots to do, cheap food, and a lively atmosphere. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world!

2. Visit the ruin bars

After World War II, many buildings in the city were left ruined and abandoned. Squatters, then artists, and now hipsters moved into them and have turned them into eclectic “ruin bars” that even the locals love. The atmosphere is grungy and unique with rundown exteriors that open into hip spaces for dancing, performance art, and theater. Decorated with reclaimed materials and quirky antiques, the ruin bars are an iconic part of Hungary’s nightlife. Szimpla Kert and Fogasház are among my favorites.

3. Soak in the largest thermal lake in the world

Hévíz is located near Lake Balaton and is home to the largest swimmable thermal lake in the world, Lake Hévíz. Whatever the season, the lake remains a perfect temperature for taking a dip in the therapeutic waters which are rich in minerals like magnesium, calcium, sulfur, and hydrogen carbonate (Hungary’s thermal waters have been used for thousands of years for their health benefits). In the early 1900s the area became a popular spa resort destination, with visitors flocking from all around Europe. There isn’t much to the town beyond this, but it makes for a neat day trip if you’re in the area. Single entry tickets are 3,500 HUF for three hours and there is a range of spa services available too.

4. Hike Gulács Hill

This inactive volcano stands around 400 meters (1,312 feet) high and makes for a wonderful hike. The path is rugged and often covered in dense forests or fallen trees, so it’s not ideal for children. Various trails snake up the mountain, and on the way, you can visit other landmarks like an old, abandoned quarry. Mysterious paths continuously intersect and lead to nowhere, so it’s easy to get a little lost, and dense woods add to the mystique of the hike. From the first observation point, you can see all the way to Lake Balaton. You’ll get stunning views of the entire area and it’s only a 3-kilometer (2-mile) trek. It makes for an easy day trip from Budapest.

5. Take a trip to Eger

Tucked away in northern Hungary near the Bükk Mountains, this town dates all the way back to the 10th century. It is known for its historic castle, which was originally a manor house and chapel that overlooked the valley. Throughout the 11th and 12th centuries, the castle suffered major damage and was rebuilt and fortified multiple times until the church began to demolish the structure in the late 1700s. Luckily, the demolition was stopped, and archeological digs and excavations began in the 20th century. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the medieval bishop’s castle for 2400 HUF. Eger is also famous for its stunning Baroque and architecture and Turkish ruins, thermal baths, and the best red wine in the country. You can buy wine directly from those who make it, so this is a good place for souvenirs — or to stock up for yourself!

Other Things to See and Do in Hungary

1. dance at the sziget music festival.

The Sziget Music Festival is one of the largest music festivals in Europe. It takes place every August for one week on Margaret Island in Budapest, right on the Danube River. Because of its size and international popularity, tourists and locals alike flock to Budapest to take in the scene. With over 1,000 performances, there is something for most musical tastes. You can book tickets online. Prices start around 132,000 HUF for a full festival pass.

2. Relax at Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is the biggest freshwater lake in Central Europe and is known affectionately as the Hungarian inner sea. It’s a popular tourist destination both for visitors and nationals thanks to its beaches and volcanic hills. In Tihany, you can visit a Benedictine Abbey that dates to 1065 CE (admission is 2,200 HUF). Towards the north of the lake is a wine-growing region, wetlands, and some epic hiking trails. For those looking for more relaxation, you’ll find over 1,000 hot springs famed for their medicinal properties here. One of the most popular is Héviz Lake (mentioned above) which also offers visitors a whole range of different spa treatments. Treatments start from 3,900 HUF for a 35-minute massage.

3. Cruise along the Danube

The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe (the Volga is the longest). The river runs through the entire country and you can visit many of the small towns that line its coast by taking a boat cruise (you can even cruise into Germany if you have time). Expect to pay around 22,000 HUF for a full-day cruise that includes lunch. For a shorter 4-hour cruise without food included, prices start at 4,000 HUF.

4. Visit the Necropolis in Pécs

Located just a couple hours from Budapest, this UNESCO World Heritage Site dates to the 4th century. It’s the largest necropolis in Europe, with several burial chambers open to the public, including multi-level chambers. Admission is 1,700 HUF. It’s currently closed for renovations and expected to reopen in early 2023.

5. Take a food tour

Hungarian cuisine is both delicious and hearty. If you’re a foodie like me and want to sample the country’s most popular dishes (while learning about their cultural importance), take a food tour. Food Tour Budapest runs in-depth guided tours around Budapest that can introduce you to the region’s best dishes and teach you how they came to be. Tours last a few hours and start at 18,200 HUF.

6. Admire the National Gallery

Established in 1957 and located in the Royal Palace in Budapest, the National Gallery is home to works from prominent Hungarian and European artists. There are a lot of paintings and sculptures here, as well as a collection of altarpieces from the 1400s. You can also tour the building’s dome for views of the city. It’s not a huge gallery, so you only need a few hours to take it in. Admission to the gallery is 3,400 HUF per person and an audio guide is 1,100 HUF.

7. Go birdwatching

Hungary is home to a surprising number of bird species. Hot spots for birding include Hortobágy, Lake Ferto, Kiskunság, Lake Tisza, Bükk, and the Zemplén Mountains. In these places, you have a fair chance of seeing great bustards, sakers, imperial eagles, pygmy cormorants, woodpeckers, and even Ural owls. There are several companies that can arrange small group trips to these places (often combined with other activities, like wine tastings). Tours aren’t cheap, though — multi-day tours cost upwards of 240,000 HUF — so consider a self-guided trip if you’re on a budget.

8. Visit the House of Terror museum

Hungary is infamous for the brutality of its leaders under the Nazi and Soviet regimes. This building is both a museum and a memorial paying homage to the thousands of people who were tortured and brutally killed here. It’s not a light way to spend your afternoon, but you’ll get heaps of insight into Hungary’s complex history. Admission is 4,000 HUF.

9. Cycle the countryside

There are over 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) of cycling paths in the Hungarian countryside (and 200 kilometers/125 miles around Budapest). Lake Balaton has a popular cycling route that runs all the way around its perimeter. For those looking to go further afield on a multi-day excursion, the paths in Hungary also connect with routes in Germany and Austria . The routes are easy to navigate, though if you prefer to take a guided tour there are plenty available. A one-day guided tour costs between 22,220-55,550 HUF per person. If you are traveling with a bicycle, it can be transported by train within Hungary.

10. Explore Tengerszem Nature Preserve

This nature preserve is in an old stone mine, which closed in 1907. Nature has slowly reclaimed the area and water has filled the massive gorge. The site was declared the most beautiful area in all of Hungary in 2011. It’s a unique location to spend the day as its protected status means there are all kinds of incredible flora and fauna to be seen. The preserve is near Sarospatak in the northeast of the country (it’s just 20 minutes from the border with Slovakia ).

11. Soak in the baths

Thermal baths are a big part of Hungarian culture. Whether you’re relaxing in the famous Szechenyi Baths in Budapest or checking out a small hot pool in the countryside, you can’t leave Hungary without partaking in this local pastime (there are over 1,300 thermal baths in the entire country). Weekday admission is around 3,800 HUF per person, with prices rising slightly on the weekend.

12. Visit the Royal Palace (Buda Castle)

They call it a castle, but the Royal Palace in Budapest is more of a palace complex than a proper ‘castle.’ Though it was originally constructed in the 13th century, the huge Baroque complex you see today was built between 1749 and 1769. The palace’s days of being a luxurious living space ended in World War II when Nazi (and then Russian) troops looted it. Today, it’s home to a collection of museums. Beneath the castle, there is a spooky labyrinth that tourists can explore for 3,000 HUF.

13. Wander the Great Market Hall

At the head of Budapest’s Vaci Utca, the kitschy shopping street in town, is the Great Market Hall. Built in 1897, this is the oldest and largest indoor market in the country. Its incredible exterior is covered in the same ceramic tiles as are on the roof of Matthias Church on the top of Buda Hill. Walk the aisles and check out local produce and artisanal crafts, buy local spices like paprika, and sample the tasty food stalls. This is the perfect place to people-watch, have lunch, and pick up souvenirs. Food tours are also available at 11am every Saturday and cost around 13,300 HUF for a two-hour tour. The market is open Monday-Saturday.

14. Soak in the Cave Bath

If you enjoy spas and are in need of some pampering, the Cave Bath at Miskolctapolca is a must. Located within a natural cave system two hours east of Budapest, here the water is rich in natural minerals and is said to contain healing properties. The water is a relaxing 30°C (86°F) and there are several different pools to enjoy as well as reasonably priced spa treatments available. The baths are open year-round (except January) and admission starts at 3,500 HUF.

15. Attend the Busójárás Festival

This slightly scary festival happens annually in the lead-up to Ash Wednesday in the town of Mohács. During this time, locals parade through the town dressed in traditional clothing and wearing demonic face masks. No one is 100% certain where the tradition comes from as there are two very different stories, so it really depends on who you ask. One story is that it stems from an attempt to frighten off the Ottoman invaders. The other is that it’s part of a pagan tradition to frighten away the winter. Either way, it’s an interesting festival to witness. The dates of the festival change each year to coincide with Easter.

16. Tour the wine region

If you are a wine fan, the region of Eger in northern Hungary is where you’ll find the country’s best wines. There are many vineyards here where you can take a tour as well as sample and buy wine. A private wine tour and tasting costs upwards of 60,000 HUF so if you are on a tight budget keep an eye out for special wine-tasting evenings. Here you can tour the cellars and enjoy plenty of samples at a discount. Two of the most popular wineries to visit are the Gál Tibor winery and Bolyki Pincészet.

17. Explore the Caves of Aggtelek Karst

The Caves of Aggtelek Karst are part of Aggtelek National Park, one of the only UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. There are 712 caves spread out over 138,000 acres that run along the border of Hungary and Slovakia. The site is made up of seven areas with five in Hungary and two in neighboring Slovakia. Within the caves, you can see some of the largest stalactites and stalagmites in Europe. You can also book a tour that takes you across the border to see the caves in Slovakia. To enter the caves, you must be part of a guided tour. Admission is 2,200 HUF. For more information on tour times check the official website .

18. Go hiking in Hortobágy National Park

Located in the eastern part of Hungary, this is the largest protected landscape in the country. The park was created in the 1970s and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The grassy plains (also known as a steppe) are home to all sorts of domestic animals, including cattle, horses, and water buffalo tended to by traditional herdsmen. Some of the rarest animal breeds can be found here, including great bustards, lesser white-fronted geese, white-tailed eagles, and falcons. The landscape is incredibly stunning.

19. See the Bokod Floating Houses

Bokod and Oroszlány are two towns located outside Budapest. The towns are home to a collection of cottages and cabins on stilts that line the coast of Lake Bokodi. The cabins and cottages are popular with the locals in the summer months, though there are some fishermen who spend time here in the winter as well (the lake is famous for almost never freezing, even though Hungary has cold winters). It’s an off-the-beaten-path destination that few tourists visit.

20. Visit the Hungarian Versailles

Eszterháza is a vast palace located near the border with Austria and is often considered the Hungarian version of France’s Versailles . Constructed in the late Baroque style, the palace was built throughout the 18th century after being commissioned by Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, who wanted a palatial getaway for his hunting expeditions. There are 126 rooms in the palace and the library houses over 22,000 books. Daily tours are available in English if you want to see this decadent getaway with your own eyes. Admission is 6,000 HUF and guided tours are 7,300 HUF.

For information on specific cities in Hungary, check out these guides:

  • Budapest Travel Guide

Hungary Travel Costs

a colorful and historic town in Hungary, with a reflection over the calm waters

Accommodation – Hostels are incredibly affordable in Hungary, costing around 3,200 HUF per night for a bed in a dorm with 6-8 beds. Private rooms can be found for as little as 9,000 HUF per night. Free Wi-Fi is common, and a few hostels also offer free breakfast. Most hostels have kitchens if you plan on cooking your own meals.

Campsites can be found around the country, usually costing 3,500 HUF for a basic tent plot for two people without electricity. Wild camping is not legal.

Budget hotels can be found for as little as 9,800 HUF per night. For a double room with Wi-Fi and free breakfast, expect to pay closer to 15,300 HUF.

Airbnb is available around the country, with private rooms starting at 7,000 HUF per night (though they average 15,000 HUF). For an entire home or apartment, expect to pay closer to 15,000-20,000 HUF.

Food – Traditional Hungarian food is inexpensive and hearty. It’s very much a “meat and potatoes” country, with popular dishes being meat stew, smoked meats, casseroles, and dumplings. Túró is a popular local cheese and fruit pastries are a popular (and traditional) dessert. Be sure to try halászlé , a hot and spicy fish soup with paprika.

A meal at a restaurant serving traditional cuisine costs around 2,000 HUF. For a multi-course meal and a drink at a restaurant with table service, expect to pay closer to 6,000 HUF. In the larger cities, fast food (think McDonald’s) can be found for around 2,200 HUF.

You can find pizza for around 2,100 HUF for a medium while Chinese food costs around 2,900 HUF. Beer costs around 500 HUF while a latte/cappuccino is 450 HUF. Bottled water is 275 HUF.

If you plan on cooking your own meals, a week’s worth of groceries costs around 12,000 HUF. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, seasonal produce, and some meat.

Backpacking Hungary Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of 11,500 HUF per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook most of your meals and eat a little fast food, limit your drinking, use public transportation to get around, and do mostly free activities like walking tours and hiking. If you plan on drinking, add another 600-1,200 HUF to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 29,500 HUF per day, you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb, eat out at cheap restaurants serving traditional cuisine, have a few drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting museums and lounging in the thermal baths.

On a “luxury” budget of 48,000 HUF per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink as much as you want, rent a car for day trips, and do more guided tours and paid tours. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in HUF.

Hungary Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Hungary is a very affordable destination. It’s hard to spend money here unless you’re out partying all the time or splashing out to visit spas. That said, it never hurts to save more money! Here are some tips to help you make the most of your budget in Hungary:

  • Take a free walking tour – Free walking tours are available in Budapest and are the best way to get the lay of the land for cheap. You’ll learn a lot about the city and get access to an expert local guide who can answer your questions. Be Original Tours runs an interesting tour to get you started. Just be sure to tip your guide!
  • Stay with a local – Staying with a local via Couchsurfing is a great way to save money and meet a knowledgeable local who can share their insider tips and advice.
  • Cook your own meals – While eating out isn’t too expensive here, if you’re on a budget it’s cheaper if you cook your own meals. Head to a local grocery store and save money!
  • Rideshare – Ridesharing apps like BlaBlaCar allow you to share rides with locals in order to get around the country (it’s best for medium and long distances). Everyone is registered and verified so it’s quite safe, and while it isn’t free it’s likely more interesting (and faster) than taking a train or bus.
  • Walk everywhere – Most cities in Hungary are quite walkable (even Budapest). Plan your days strategically so you can limit your use of public transportation and capitalize on the opportunity to explore on foot.
  • Get the Budapest Card – The Budapest Card is a travel pass that provides discounts and deals on attractions and activities in the city. You get free public transport, entry to the Lukács thermal baths, and entry to 17 museums. A 24-hour card costs 11,870 HUF, a 48-hour card costs 17,600 HUF, and a 72-hour card costs 23,000 HUF.
  • Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Hungary

Hungary has lots of hostels in its major cities. Here are some of my suggested places to stay in Hungary:

  • Vitae Hostel (Budapest)
  • Carpe Noctum Original (Budapest)
  • Wombats City Hostel (Budapest)
  • Tisza Corner (Szeged)
  • Active Hostel & Guesthouse Keszthely (Keszthely)
  • Nap Hostel Pecs (Pécs)

How to Get Around Hungary

A view overlooking Budapest, Hungary from above, featuring historic buildings and the beautiful Danube

Public transportation – Public transport is well developed in Hungary. Most cities have buses and trams, and Budapest has an underground. Single-journey tickets vary by city but expect to pay around 350 HUF, while a day pass costs around 1,650 HUF.

When using the local public buses in Hungary, you need to validate your ticket when you board. Traveling without a ticket is a fineable offense so be sure to validate your ticket before you ride.

Train – Hungary’s train network is still being modernized and there is a big difference in comfort between local trains and long-distance and international trains. As the Hungarian rail network was built around Budapest, most long-distance journeys take you through one of the capital’s three train stations (Keleti, Nyugati, or Deli).

When traveling by rail in Hungary you can choose to take the cheaper and slower local trains, or pay extra for more modern and faster InterCity rail services (be sure to reserve a seat in advance if you’re taking the InterCity train).

From Budapest to Lake Balaton, the train takes around 90 minutes and costs 3,000 HUF. From Budapest to Pécs, the journey takes around 2.5 hours and costs just 4,000 HUF. If you want to take the train into Slovakia, the train from Budapest to Bratislava takes around 2.5 hours and costs 3,500 HUF.

Bus – Volánbusz is the main bus company in Hungary. It’s cheap and is sometimes even faster than the train. Flixbus also has routes that connect to nearby countries like Austria, Czechia, and Slovakia.

The ride from Budapest to Pécs takes around 4.5 hours and costs around 3,500 HUF. The 2.5-hour bus from Budapest to Bratislava costs around 3,200 HUF.

Flying – Flying around Hungary will not save you any time or money compared to the train so I’d avoid it. You can fly to nearby countries though, such as Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and Poland, for under 18,000 HUF with Ryanair or Wizz Air (if you book early).

Car rental – Car rentals can be found for as little as 6,500 HUF per day for a multi-day rental, though this isn’t necessarily the most economical way to get around as the buses and trains here are super affordable. If you’re driving, make sure to bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) — you’ll need one for any car rental.

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Hungary

The most popular time to visit Hungary is June-August. Temperatures hover around 23-29°C (73-84°F) and Hungary (especially Budapest) experiences an influx of visitors. Prices increase during this time as well, but the cities are lively and there are lots of events and festivals.

Winter stretches from November to March. Expect rain and snow, with many tourist attractions shutting down for the season. Temperatures drop below freezing so it’s too cold for hiking and exploring on foot. That said, November-December brings Christmas markets galore, so it’s a fun time for shorter city trips.

Personally, I think the best time to visit Hungary is the shoulder season in the spring and fall. Temperatures hover between 10-17°C (50-62°F) so it’s still warm enough to hike and explore but prices are a little lower and there are fewer crowds.

How to Stay Safe in Hungary

Hungary is a safe country and travelers shouldn’t worry about violent crimes here. However, in the tourist areas of Budapest (as well as on crowded public transportation), scams and pick-pocketing can occur. Avoid flashing your valuables around and always keep an eye on your things when on the bus or train.

If you head out to the ruin bars, only bring enough cash for the night. Take a taxi home if you’re intoxicated.

For more information on potential scams in Hungary, here is my list of common travel scams to avoid

Solo female travelers should feel safe here but will want to take the standard precautions (avoid walking alone at night while intoxicated, keep an eye on your drink at the bar, etc.).

If you rent a vehicle, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Members of the LGBTQ community will want to be mindful here as the government has been cracking down on the LGBTQ community in recent years.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Hungary Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

  • Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
  • Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
  • Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
  • HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
  • Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
  • The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
  • Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
  • FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
  • SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
  • LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
  • Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
  • Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
  • BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Hungary Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Europe and continue planning your trip:

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The Best eSIM for Traveling Europe

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Bordered by countries as diverse as Austria, Serbia and Ukraine, Hungary is a crossroads at the centre of the continent - what was once known as Mitteleuropa – and it fuses old Europe and new in its mix of Hapsburg grandeur and Communist-era grittiness. There is a Central European solidity to its food, buildings and culture, but the more exotic, and undeniably romantic, founding myth of the nomadic, warrior Magyars from the Central Asian steppe is also key to Hungarians’ fiery national pride.

Where to go in Hungary

Budapest , the capital, is a city of imposing scale and wide Danube vistas, split by the river into historic Buda and buzzy Pest, and offering both the old (imperial-era boulevards, Art Nouveau coffeehouses, bubbling Turkish baths) and the new (quirky warehouse bars and summer riverboat clubs). A few hours’ travel beyond Budapest is enough to access Hungary’s other key charms, from Serb-influenced Szentendre , a short way north along the Danube bend, to the lush wine-growing Badacsony region on the shores of Lake Balaton to the southwest. Balaton, the “nation’s playground”, also plays host to crowded summer party resorts such as Siófok , or gentler Keszthely . Hungary’s three most culture-rich towns beyond Budapest are scattered across the country but not to be missed: Sopron , close by the border with Austria; Pécs , on the far southern tip, ringed by alpine hills; and Eger , just northeast of Budapest, a mellow, historic city famous for its Bull’s Blood wine. Across southeast Hungary stretches the enormous Great Plain, covering half the country and home to some beautiful national parks and the cities of Szeged , Kecskemét and Debrecen .

Whilst Budapest deservedly takes centre stage, there is much more besides; gorgeous Baroque towns stand cheek by jowl with ancient castles and fortresses, while nature asserts itself spectacularly in the form of Lake Balaton, the thickly forested Northern Uplands, and the immense sweep of the Great Plain, not to mention one of the grandest stretches of the great Danube River. Aside from the country’s extraordinary concentration of thermal spas, there is a wealth of other activities available, including watersports, horseriding, cycling and hiking, while nearly two dozen wine regions offer the chance to sample a range of quality wines little known beyond its own borders.

Budapest and around

Top image: Parliament building, Budapest © photo.ua/Shutterstock

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Budapest from the Gellert hill © Resul Muslu/Shutterstock

Population 10 million

Language Hungarian

Currency Forint (Ft)

Capital Budapest

International phone code t 36

Time zone GMT 1hr

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 26.04.2021

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  • 1.1 Inner city
  • 1.2 Outer Buda
  • 1.3 Outer Pest
  • 2.1.1 Antiquity
  • 2.1.2 Early Middle Ages
  • 2.1.3 The 19th-century - formation of Austria-Hungary and Budapest
  • 2.1.4 The world wars
  • 2.1.5 From communism to contemporary times
  • 2.2 Climate
  • 2.3 Quality of life
  • 2.4 Official tourist information
  • 3.1 By plane
  • 3.2.1 Railway stations
  • 3.3.1 Bus stations
  • 3.4 By boat
  • 4.1 Orientation
  • 4.2 On foot
  • 4.3.1 Tickets and passes
  • 4.3.2 Metro
  • 4.3.5 Trolley-bus
  • 4.3.6 Suburban rail
  • 4.3.7 Other
  • 4.3.8 Night services
  • 4.5 By taxi
  • 4.6 By bicycle
  • 4.7 By scooter
  • 4.8 By skateboard
  • 6.2 Performing arts and classical music
  • 6.4.1 Traditional public baths
  • 6.4.2 Modern baths
  • 8.1 Non-speciality shopping
  • 9.1 Coffee houses
  • 9.2.1 Chains
  • 9.3 Vegetarian/vegan
  • 9.4.1 Cooking class
  • 13.2 By night
  • 13.3 Tourist traps
  • 14 Stay healthy
  • 16.1 Embassies
  • 17.1 Day tours
  • 17.2 Further away

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary . With a unique, youthful atmosphere, world-class classical music scene, a pulsating nightlife increasingly appreciated among European youth, and last but not least, an exceptional offer of natural thermal baths, Budapest is one of Europe's most delightful and enjoyable cities. Due to the exceedingly scenic setting, and its architecture it is nicknamed "Paris of the East".

The modern-day Budapest results from the amalgamation of two historic cities lying right opposite each other over the Danube river. Buda is the western (left) bank side, with the high hill atop which the Buda castle sits. Pest is the relatively flat eastern (right) bank side, with the Parliament, numerous other stately buildings, and busy streets retaining all their 19th century architectural heritage.

Districts [ edit ]

Although Budapest is administratively divided into 23 numbered districts (always written in Roman numerals) it is colloquially often divided into parts, roughly corresponding to the two major cities of Buda and Pest, which it comprises.

Listings of particular points of interests - museums, historic monuments, restaurants, bars, hotels, shopping opportunities and such - can be found in the following articles:

Map

Inner city [ edit ]

Outer buda [ edit ], outer pest [ edit ].

Of course, quarters often offer their own atmosphere due to their history and inhabitants. Roughly speaking, areas near to, especially inside of Nagykörút (Great Boulevard or Ringroad, served by Tram 4 and Tram 6) are considered central, even if some of these are in less than perfect condition and not typically frequented by tourists. In Pest, Kiskörút (Small Boulevard) is traditionally considered as the border of the centre proper, including some highly touristed areas.

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Informally, quarters are known under their own historical name which are often referred to by the locals. The names are often linked to members of the House of Hapsburg or - in fringe areas - the names of villages or towns which later became part of Budapest. Particularly interesting quarters are Belváros (Inner City) and Lipótváros (Leopold Town), together form the Belváros district (a bit confusing but usually the biggest or oldest quarter gave its name to the entire district), the heart of Pest, including a number of major sights but also beautiful squares and cafés. With the Parliament, a number of ministries and banking houses, Lipótváros is also a major political and business centre of the country. The name refers to the Hapsburg Emperor Leopold I whose coronation to the King of Hungary in 1790 gave rise to the name of the then-new quarter.

Újlipótváros (New Leopold Town) The inner part of the XIII. district (so called Angyalföld), just outside of the Great Boulevard north of Leopold Town with the marvellous Margaret Bridge at its corner, was built between the 1910s and 1930s. It is considered as one of the finest residential areas in Budapest with a relaxed, inviting atmosphere and a number of restaurants, cafés and small shops. It also comprises the Vígszínház (Comedy Theatre) and a few tiny off-mainstream cinemas. The quarter is traditionally home to a population with Jewish background as the activity of people such as Raoul Wallenberg, Giorgio Perlasca, and Carl Lutz was linked to this area (see history).

Terézváros (Theresa Town) VI. district. Among others, it contains Nyugati pu. (Western Railway Station), an architectural sight, and areas neighbouring districts V. and XIII. The then-developing quarter was named after a visit of Habsburg Empress and Queen Maria Theresa in 1777.

Erzsébetváros (Elisabeth Town) VII. District. While parts of it are not yet renovated, it contains the famous Synagogue in the Dohány street. The quarter was split off from Terézváros and asked for permission to be named after the wife of Franz-Josef I, popularly called Sisi , in 1882.

Understand [ edit ]

History [ edit ], antiquity [ edit ].

The first settlement on the territory of Budapest is accounted to Celtic tribes. During the first century CE, the Roman fortification on the territory of present-day Óbuda (now part of Budapest) gradually developed into the town of Aquincum which became the capital city of the province of Lower Pannonia in 106CE. The Romans founded a fortress known as Contra Aquincum on the other side of the river which is assumed to have developed into the later town of Pest. This was part of the Limes, marking the eastern border of the empire, and was gradually given up by Rome during the early fourth century, becoming part of the Hun empire for a few decades. The Huns were a confederation of various nomadic nations and tribes inhabiting the Eurasian steppe, and not Magyars, but Attila, the King of the Huns, is considered a national hero and Attila is a common given name in Hungary.

Early Middle Ages [ edit ]

Once the horse-riding Magyar (Hungarian) tribes arrived in the Carpathian Basin in 896CE, Óbuda served as the seat of the Magyar high-chieftain (or prince) Árpád. After a century marked by frequent raids on Christian western Europe, the erstwhile Hungarian prince Géza realised that converting to Christianity was the key to survival in Europe. The Christian Kingdom of Hungary was founded by the crowning of his son, Szt. István (Saint Stephen) on 1 January 1001 (or possibly Christmas Day of 1000). As visitors will quickly realise, Saint Stephen became an omnipresent national symbol, as did the artefact known as Saint Stephen's Crown (the Holy Crown of Hungary) which was regarded as a legal entity that was by law equivalent to the country itself during medieval times. It is still unclear whether the millennium-old crown used in this function for many centuries and shown in the Parliament today, was used by Saint Stephen.

In the following centuries, Buda emerged as the most important royal seat. In 1241/42 the Mongol Empire conquered the territory along with large parts of Europe - this short but devastating conquest of the country is still remembered as Tatárjárás - the name reflecting the erroneous confusion of Mongols and Tatars at the time. Medieval Hungary reached its zenith under King Matthias (Matthias Corvinus), the vividly remembered Renaissance ruler whose patronage of arts and sciences made Hungary, a notable power at the time, the first European country to adopt the Renaissance from Italy. However, after residing in Buda for decades, he moved his seat to Vienna in 1485 for the last five years of his life after defeating the Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III.

In 1541, Buda and Pest fell to the Ottoman Empire and were taken back 1686, when the Hapsburg Empire centred in Austria conquered the country on its way to becoming a major European power. Marks of these two cultures are still part of everyday life in Budapest.

The 19th-century - formation of Austria-Hungary and Budapest [ edit ]

After the anti-Hapsburg revolution in 1848–49 (defeated through the decisive help of the Russian Czar) the 1867 Compromise (Kiegyezés) with a weakened Vienna made Buda the capital of a near-autonomous Hungary, a large, multi-ethnic kingdom comprising half of the newly created Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary . In this peculiar double-state the monarch was Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, two autonomous realms.

The following half century marked by peaceful development counts among the most successful times in the history of the country and its capital. With the 1873 unification of Buda, Pest, and Óbuda , the city of Budapest was created. It saw a leap in terms of industrialisation, urbanisation, population, and the development of a capitalistic society. It even aimed at rivalling with Vienna, the Millennium in 1896, marking a thousand years of Hungary, offered the perfect excuse for large-scale projects such as the Parliament, Vajdahunyad Castle, or the Grand Boulevard (Nagykörút) the first electric underground railway in the world (now Metro yellow line). Budapest was transformed to a world city during these decades, enriched by Austrian, Jewish, Slovakian, Serbian, Croatian, Roma and other cultural influence. This age is remembered as the 'Monarchia' (or as 'K. u. K.', abbreviation for Imperial-Royal in Austria and other parts of the Empire) and associated with the rule of Franz Joseph I. (I. Ferenc József) who died in 1916 after 68 years on the throne.

In this period, the city was the home of two world-famous Hungarian inventors -- the father of the electric locomotive, Kálmán Kandó, and inventor of the match, János Irinyi -- and of two renowned composers, Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály. There is no other European city which had given so many Hollywood filmmakers in the early 20th century, such as Budapest.

The world wars [ edit ]

Neither the Habsburg empire nor Hungary survived World War I in their previous form - leaving Budapest as the capital of a now independent Hungary which lost two thirds of its territory, most of its non-Magyar population, and a few million Hungarian speakers, to neighbouring countries. The city's population reached one million around 1930. During the interwar years under the rule of regent Miklós Horthy, a former Admiral of the Austro-Hungarian fleet, Hungary became an ally of Germany. Near the end of World War II, Nazi Germany occupied Hungary after it attempted to negotiate separate peace with the Allies, and eventually installed a bloody dictatorship putting the hitherto fairly unimportant Nazi Nyilaskeresztes (Arrowcross) party in charge. While practically all of the 400,000 Jews in the countryside were murdered by German Nazis and their Hungarian nyilas sympathizers, roughly 60% of Budapest's Jewish community was saved during the Holocaust . People who are remembered for helping the local Jewish community include Raoul Wallenberg , the famous Swedish diplomat, who organised the distribution of Swedish passports by his embassy to as many Jews as possible, and the Italian Giorgio Perlasca , who – pretending to be a Spanish diplomat – rescued many thousands of Jews, but there were many other foreigners and Hungarians who participated in this effort. Air raids and a terrible three-month siege towards the end of World War II resulted in the death of over 38,000 civilians and the destruction of much of the once so lively city.

From communism to contemporary times [ edit ]

After the war, Budapest slowly recovered and became a showcase for the more pragmatic policies of Hungary's hard-line Communist government under the dictatorial rule of Mátyás Rákosi. The city was, however, also the main site of the 1956 uprising which was successful in installing a reform-oriented (albeit communist) government of Imre Nagy . This was swept away before long, after the Soviet leader Khrushchev decided to send in the tanks feeling that Hungary was slipping away from under Moscow's control. The Soviets installed János Kádár as the leader of the communist state who, after over thirty years of controversial rule, was voted out of leadership 1988 by the central committee due to health issues, and died in 1989.

Since the peaceful 1989 'system change' ( Rendszerváltás ) which was achieved as a compromise between reformist party forces and the opposition (notably including a younger self of the current prime minister, Viktor Orbán), Budapest transformed in appearance and atmosphere, a process further accelerated by the country's long-awaited joining with the European Union in 2004.

Climate [ edit ]

Winter (November until early March) can be cold and there is little sunshine. Snowfall is fairly frequent in most years, and nighttime temperatures of −15°C (5°F) are not uncommon between mid-December and mid-February.

The spring months (March and April) see variable conditions, with a rapid increase in the average temperature. The weather in late March and April is often very agreeable during the day and fresh at night.

Budapest's long summer - lasting from May until mid-September - is warm or very warm. Budapest has as much summer sunshine as many Mediterranean resorts. Sudden heavy showers also occur, particularly in May and June.

The autumn (mid-September until late October) is perhaps the best season for tourists as it has little rain and long sunny days with moderate temperatures. At the end of October the weather often turns abruptly colder.

Quality of life [ edit ]

For those with a reasonable budget, Budapest offers a rather high quality of life. In terms of culture, cuisine and general 'vibe', Budapest is comparable to other major European cities (see dedicated sections), while prices are lower.

It's just as well that prices are lower because local pay is significantly lower than in western Europe (for example, a skilled worker earns a minimum of 161,250 Hungarian forint (Ft) per month in 2017 before tax, while unskilled labourers earn a minimum wage of Ft127,650 per month.

There is a rise in the number of homeless people seen in metro stations doorways in Buda and in Pest. While this does trouble locals who often grew up without seeing explicit homelessness (before 1989), this issue usually does not present a safety risk to travellers.

Official tourist information [ edit ]

Get in [ edit ], by plane [ edit ].

The Budapest International Airport serves the city. If no flight is suitable, you can check flights to Vienna , Zagreb , Debrecen or Bratislava and arrange to take a train or bus to Budapest.

Destinations: Budapest has direct flights to most major European cities. Many of these are operated by the budget carrier WizzAir , which is based here and is now in effect Hungary's national airline. Other budget operators include Easyjet, Ryanair, Jet2, Norwegian and Vueling. This competition holds down prices on the traditional airlines such as KLM and Lufthansa.

Direct destinations around the fringes of Europe include Reykjavik, St Petersburg, Moscow, Kyiv, Kutaisi, Baku, Astana, Tel Aviv and Agadir. Gulf carriers connect via Doha and Dubai to the Far East, Australasia and Africa. There are no direct flights between Budapest and North America: connect via London, Amsterdam or Paris.

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At the airport: the central information number is +36 1 296-9696 or +36 1 296-7000. Luggage services can be contacted on +36 1 296-5965.

All flights use Terminals 2A and 2B. Terminal 1 closed in 2011 when the flag-carrier Malév Hungarian Airlines folded.

There's no practical distinction between Terminals 2A and 2B, and they're freely connected landside by corridors and airside by "SkyCourt" food & retail area. (Originally 2A served Schengen Area destinations, and 2B the rest of the world, but this has been dropped.) Check-in and bag-drop desks 1-30 are in Hall 2A and desks 31-60 in Hall 2B, but do not correspond to the gates. This means that if 2A has a long line for security, you can get airside through 2B (and vice versa), as both lead into the SkyCourt.

There are several small cafes in Skycourt and in 2A & 2B near the gates. Duty-free stores are operated by Heinemann [dead link] . They're seldom a bargain - by all means blow away your last local currency here. But if you're looking for something in particular (eg Tokay wine), check prices in advance on their website and compare with downtown supermarket prices. You can usually only buy duty-free if you're taking a direct flight: if you're transiting another European airport, security there will confiscate liquids.

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Getting between airport and city: the main options are bus, bus & metro, bus & train, and taxi / transfer.

  • Bus line 100E Airport Express
  • Train + Bus line 200E
  • Taxi: the only licensed taxi operator at the airport is Főtaxi - don't accept offers from drivers or touts waiting around Arrivals. However, you can order via phone/app a taxi to the terminal from other company, too. A trip inbound to central Budapest will cost from Ft10000. Queue at the taxi stand first to receive a written quote for your fare, then pay it when you arrive at your destination. Pre-ordering by phone may get you a better price.

Note that Főtaxi does not provide child seats of any kind, whereas MiniSud shared shuttle does.

  • Shared Transfer: the official shared shuttle for the airport is MiniBud . From a central hotel fares would be around Ft5000 single, Ft9000 return for one person, plus Ft1000 per extra person. Check prices and make reservations on the company's website.
  • Private Transfer: to the city with Meet and Greet service is by ATB . One to three people will cost Ft7200, pay the driver in cash. Online booking is possible up to 16 people, beyond that contact them for a quote.

By train [ edit ]

wiki travel hungary

Direct trains connect Budapest with much of central and eastern Europe. For timetables and fares, the easiest system to navigate is Deutsche Bahn .

  • Berlin : one direct train (11 hr) from Budapest Nyugati via Brno, Prague and Dresden, continuing to Hamburg. Several indirect services from Nyugati or Keleti take 12-15 hours, usually changing in Prague.
  • Munich : five direct trains (7 hr) from Budapest Keleti via Vienna, Linz and Salzburg; indirect services changing in those cities.
  • Vienna : direct trains every 1-2 hours (2:37 hr) from Budapest Keleti. Also several from Budapest Déli changing at Györ. Change in Vienna for Venice. There is also a daily first-class ÖBB-UZ sleeper through-car (147/749) to Vienna coming from Kyiv via Budapest Kelenfold and Budapest Keleti, but may be quite expensive.
  • Graz : one direct train (6 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise change in Vienna.
  • Zürich : one direct train (11 hr) from Budapest Keleti, otherwise change in Vienna.
  • Prague : five direct daytime trains (6½ hr) from Budapest Nyugati via Bratislava, Breclav and Brno, plus one overnight train (10 hr) from Keleti.
  • Bratislava : eight direct trains (2½ hr) from Budapest Nyugati.
  • Košice : seven direct trains (3½ hr) from Budapest Keleti.
  • Warsaw : one direct daytime train (10 hr) from Budapest Nyugati and one overnight train (13 hr) from Keleti.
  • Bucharest : two overnight trains (16 hr) from Budapest Keleti via Arad, Deva, Sibiu and Brasov in Transylvania. Daytime connections are via Timisoara. Bucharest is nowadays the best route for Istanbul.
  • Ljubljana : one direct train (8 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise change in Zagreb or Salzburg.
  • Zagreb : two direct trains (6 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise change at Zidani Most. Change in Zagreb for Split.
  • Belgrade : this line is closed until 2025 because of engineering work in Serbia. Normally there are two direct daytime trains and one overnight (8½ hr) from Budapest Keleti via Novi Sad. Change in Belgrade (spelt "Beograd" on DB) for Sarajevo, Podgorica and Bar. This is also the usual route for Sofia and Istanbul, but it's slow and with unreliable connections.
  • Lviv : one direct train (14 hr) from Budapest Nyugati via Debrecen and Chop. Other indirect services from Keleti or Nyugati. Change at Lviv for Kyiv and Odesa. This is probably also the simplest route to Moscow, but look for other means of transport. There is also a daily first-class ÖBB-UZ sleeper through-car (147/749) to Kyiv coming from Vienna via Budapest Kelenfold and Budapest Keleti via Chop, but may be quite expensive.

Railway stations [ edit ]

Stations in Budapest, as elsewhere in Hungary, are frankly a bit rough. The fabric of the buildings is in poor repair, stations and trains are hard to access for people with disabilities, and passenger facilities are very limited. Do not expect luggage trolleys or clean toilets. English is rarely spoken by staff except at international cash desks. If you haven't pre-booked online, be prepared for long queues at the ticket office. Hazards include bad exchange rates, predatory taxi drivers, aggressive drunks, and pickpockets.

There are three large terminus stations for long-distance trains: Nyugati (west), Keleti (east) & Déli (south). These are surrounded by decent cafes, fast food places, and other facilities.

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On their way to the terminus, long-distance trains may also stop at two smaller stations: Kelenföld (west) and Kőbánya-Kispest (south near the airport).

By bus [ edit ]

Hungary’s national bus network is operated by Volán Association . To get to Budapest from another Hungarian city, bus is often the best option. For services, discounts, schedules and on-line booking possibilities check Hungary#Get around .

International bus routes are operated by Eurolines +36 1 318-2122. Most connections run two or three times a week; connections to/from Austria and Slovakia run daily. Incomartour [dead link] operates a connection to/from Chop in Ukraine four times a week.

Eurobusways [dead link] offers direct, door to door transfers from/to any place in Central and Eastern Europe

Flixbus offers multiple connections per day mostly from German-speaking cities.

Bus stations [ edit ]

Budapest’s long distance bus stations are outside the city centre, but are very well connected to the rest of the city. The main stations are:

By boat [ edit ]

Get around [ edit ].

Map

Orientation [ edit ]

wiki travel hungary

Orientation is not a big problem in Budapest. The river Danube splits the city into two areas: Buda and Pest . Aside from the very centre, the city's structure is quite logical. Landmarks in Buda as the Royal Castle or Citadella Castle also help you to find your way. Besides the Danube itself, the best reference points for orienting yourself are the bridges crossing the river. From north to south, they are:

On foot [ edit ]

Many of Budapest's highlights are easy to approach walking, and in the centre you find more pedestrian zones from year to year. Car drivers tend to respect pedestrians and often give advantage on a cross-walk even if there is no traffic light. Due to the lack of bike lanes, cyclists have to weave around pedestrian traffic; be prepared. Don't wear high-heeled shoes in the centre as there are lots of stone pavements, especially in the Castle Hill.

Public transport [ edit ]

You'll find several points of interest within walking distance, but Budapest is a sizeable city, so unless you drive your own car (or bicycle), you will inevitably use some form of public transport. The good news is that the urban area is well covered by four metro lines, blue urban buses, yellow trams and red trolley-buses, and the whole system is fairly easy to understand. On the other hand, schedules are not quite as reliable as in, say, Vienna, vehicles are not always the cleanest, and tickets have become increasingly expensive.

Citizens of Hungary or other EU, EEA Member States or Switzerland aged 65 or older can travel free. ID card or passport is sufficient to justify your age. Children under 14 years of age also traveling free on Budapest public transport.

Public transportation in Budapest is run by Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK) , which has some useful English-language pages on their site including current schedules and fares . Vehicles run from around 05:00 to 23:30 (or, on Christmas Eve, to 16:00). After that an extensive night bus network is available.

There is also an online route planner and informational service .

Connections are shown on Google Maps .

If you only visit Budapest for a few days as a tourist, you may find the following lines particularly useful:

  • Tram 2, 2B, 23 runs along the river Danube on Pest side.
  • Trams 4, 6 follow Nagykörút (Grand Boulevard) offering service up to every 3 minutes at peak times.
  • Trams 19, 41 along the Danube on the Buda side.
  • Bus 7, 8E, 107, 108E and 133E connect Keleti railway station with the city center and many points of interest in Buda and Pest.
  • Bus 16, 16A, 116 and 216 go to Buda castle.
  • Bus 105, 210, 210B connect Hősök tere (Hero's Square), goes up and down Andrássy avenue to Deák square/Erzsébet square before it goes across the Chain Bridge to Buda.
  • Bus lines 100E and 200E serve the airport. Special fare applies on 100E.

Public transport maps are displayed in all metro stations, city centre tram stops and underpasses.

Very useful free apps include BudapestGO ( iOS , Android ) and SmartCity Budapest ( iOS , Android ) which provide public transport routes. BudapestGO allows you to track public transport and buy tickets, and SmartCity Budapest provides routes without requiring an internet connection.

Tickets and passes [ edit ]

If you intend to travel a lot, and you probably will, travel cards are far less expensive than single tickets. As of September 2023 most useful tickets and travel cards for tourists include the following:

  • Block of 10 tickets (10 db-os gyűjtőjegy): Ft4,000 (10 tickets for the price of 8.9)
  • Monthly Budapest-pass (havi Budapest-bérlet): Valid for 30 or 31 consecutive days. Valid also on MÁV trains and suburban yellow Volán buses . Ft9,500 (Ft317 per day)
  • Monthly Budapest pass for students : Valid for 30 consecutive days, with a student ID, 3,450 Ft. There are some rules of using non-Hungarian student IDs: paper or card-based, photo, name of student and name of university, expiry date.
  • 15-day Budapest pass (félhavi Budapest-bérlet): Valid for 15 consecutive days with a photo pass (take a passport size photo to the ticket office). Valid also on MÁV trains and suburban yellow Volán buses Ft6,300 (Ft420 per day)
  • Time-based tickets (Időalapú jegyek): Available only with mobile ticket . Unlimited number of transfers within the time limit, within the city limits . 30 minutes: 530 Ft, 90 minutes: 750 Ft. The last travel can be finished after the time limit is over. Validate the ticket each time you board.
  • 24-hour travel card (Budapest 24 órás jegy): Valid for 24 hours after purchase 2,500 Ft, or 5,000 Ft for 2-5 people travelling together.
  • 72-hour travel card (Budapest 72 órás jegy): Valid for 72 hours after purchase Ft5,500 (Ft1,833 per day).
  • Budapest Card (Budapest kártya): allows you unlimited free travel in the city, and also gives you discounts at museums and restaurants. There are available cards for 24h, 48h or 72h. All of them are valid from the first use and free for a child under 6 years (with a cardholder). Every card give free entrance to the Budapest Zoo and valid for 2 walking tours in Buda and Pest. One-day card 11,990 Ft, Two-day card 17,990 Ft (Hop on Hop off bus and boat included), three-day card 22.990 Ft.
  • Annual Passes (Éves bérletek)
  • Quarterly passes (Negyedéves bérletek)
  • Semester passes (Szemeszterre szóló bérletek)
  • Ferry tickets (Révjegyek): valid for a single trip on ferry line D14. 170 Ft (110 Ft for pupils under 15 and pensioners with pensioner certificate)

To have a care-free trip throughout Budapest, always have a public transport ticket, pass or a Budapest Card, when using this service. The fine is 25,000 Ft, or 12,000 Ft if paid on the spot. You may run into ticket inspectors , especially in trams and buses on Sunday, but mostly they are busy guarding the entrance and exit to some of the metro stations. They hardly speak English and some were reported to be extremely keen on checking tourists. Ticket control inspectors can ask for your ID, however they are indeed not considered police officers under Hungarian law.

Metro [ edit ]

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Budapest's underground network is an excellent way to get around, it connects the suburbs with railway and autobus stations, several centrally located hotels, museums and sights. The system consists of four lines. Line 1, 2 and 3 cross at Deák tér station (Deák square, in Pest centre), while Line 2 and 4 cross at Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station) and Line 3 and 4 cross at Kálvin tér (Kálvin square). Metro lines are well represented on maps scattered on platforms.

Usually ticket inspectors guard the entrances of the downward-moving escalators and they only let those passengers move further who show them their validated tickets or passes. Passengers pass by the ticket validation machines before they reach the guards and the downward-moving escalators. It is best to purchase a discount booklet of 10 tickets. Do not separate the tickets and punch one ticket prior to each boarding of a subway train.

Tram [ edit ]

wiki travel hungary

Budapest's 35 tram lines are a tourist-friendly way of getting around. They are slower, but more scenic than the metro and particularly useful on the nearly metro-less Buda side of the river. Be careful with doors, they open on different side of the tram on different stops.

Particularly useful lines for tourists are:

  • Tram 4 and 6 run along Nagykörút, Pest's inner ring road, providing access to all four metro lines at multiple stations, and crossing over to north Buda ( Hegyvidék and Óbuda ) on Margaret Bridge (Margit híd) and south Buda ( South Buda ) on Petőfi Bridge – another beautiful view. Lines 4 and 6 only diverge for their last two stops that the tourists are unlikely to visit.
  • 19 / 41 in Buda passing Víziváros and South Buda
  • 2 , 2B and 23 in Pest passing Belváros .

All these are considered a part of the cityscape. Both offer beautiful view of the opposite side.

Bus [ edit ]

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Budapest has a dense bus network, which also connects the agglomeration and suburban zones with several metro and train stations and the city center. The numbering system is easy to understand. Numbers below 299 indicate regular bus routes. Numbers with an added 'E' (for example 7E) indicate express services that don't stop at all stops (however, lines without the letter 'E' may not stop at all stops either). Numbers with an added 'A' have shorter routes than their regular counterparts (for example bus 30 has a longer itinerary than 30A). Numbers above 900 indicate night services. (Numbers between 300 and 899 are suburban services provided by Volánbusz. BKK tickets and most tourist passes are not valid on them, but daily, weekly and monthly travel cards are.)

Particularly useful lines for tourists include:

  • Bus 7, 8E, 107, 108E, 133E – all connect Keleti railway station with Blaha Lujza square (Blaha Lujza tér, junction with tram 4, 6), Pest city center and many points of interest in Buda. Beware of the pickpockets!
  • Bus 16/16A/116 go to Buda Castle from Széll Kálmán tér (former Moszkva tér). Bus 16 starts from Deák Ferenc tér, the main metro line hub.
  • Bus 200E runs to Ferihegy Airport from Kőbánya-Kispest Metro 3 station.

Trolley-bus [ edit ]

Budapest's 14 trolley-bus lines run in Northeast and Central Pest. Unless you are a trolley buff, you're unlikely to use them frequently. However, some of them pass through the City Park (Városliget) and cross Andrássy avenue (Andrássy út), giving you beautiful views while using this eco-friendly mode of transport. Line 70 from Kossuth square (Kossuth tér, next to the Parliament) to City Park (Városliget) also passes through the lively Nagymező utca, Budapest's "Broadway".

Suburban rail [ edit ]

Green suburban railway lines (called hév ) connect central Budapest with several suburbs, but most of them are of little use to visitors. Your tickets and travel passes are valid only within the city boundaries, otherwise you should purchase a supplementary ticket (kiegészítő jegy) at a ticket office.

Other [ edit ]

wiki travel hungary

Some other means of public transport can be useful if you get tired of regular buses and trams, or if you want to escape from the hustle and bustle to the lush green hills surrounding Budapest.

  • 47.495434 19.048261 14 Boat , Vigadó Square . Mahart Passnave (and other companies) offer boat tours in and around Budapest. Most services run at reduced frequency (or not at all) in the winter off-season. ( updated Apr 2023 )

Night services [ edit ]

Budapest is covered by 43 night bus lines and tram 6 operating non-stop. Numbers are triple-digit, starting with '9'. Buses run every 15–60 minutes from around 23:00-04:00. The main linking points of the night bus network are Széll Kálmán tér (former Moszkva tér) in Buda and Astoria (junction of Kossuth Lajos utca–Károly körút) in Pest. Daytime tickets and passes are valid.

Most useful night routes are:

  • Tram 6 – Running along the Nagykörút, Pest's inner ring road, every 10–15 minutes at night, usually very packed.
  • Buses 907, 973, 973A – Substitute buses 7 at night
  • Bus 979, 979A – Runs on Andrássy út as metro line M1 does during the day
  • Bus 956 – Covers most of the route of metro line M2
  • Buses 914, 914A, 950, 950A – Cover the route of metro line M3

On-line maps and schedules are available on BKK's home page . Real time traffic updates are posted on BKK Info [formerly dead link] There are a few Android/IOS apps for timetables, search for the word "bkk". BpMenetrend is one of them: Android [dead link] , iOS [dead link] .

Most night buses require boarding through the front door. Security guards or the driver inspects the tickets or passes prior to boarding.

By car [ edit ]

Apart from the summer holiday, Budapest has heavy traffic with long-lasting traffic jams in the morning and in the afternoon. If you don't want to spend your visit to Budapest in a traffic jam, leave your car in the hotel's garage, and use the public transport.

If you drive across city centre, plan your journey, otherwise you can get into tough situations. For example you cannot turn left in most of the crossings of the inner ring road (Nagykörút) or on the main avenues like Andrássy út, Váci út, Üllői út or Rákóczi út.

By taxi [ edit ]

Budapest's taxi drivers mostly are not fluent in English or any other foreign language, but it does not necessarily mean that they intend to overcharge their foreigner guests. Use one of the major taxi companies with English speaking switchboards to avoid problems. Most companies' websites now have pages in English.

Do not accept offers from taxi drivers waiting in the airport terminals or railway stations. Use your common sense, sit only in taxis logoed by bigger companies.

If possible, as stupid as it may sound, try to pick a taxi with the meter in a place where the driver can't fiddle with it while driving. While the fare per kilometre stays the same, apparently it's possible to "bump" the price by adding extra basic fees.

Most taxis parked in the central areas do not belong to radio taxi companies and charge much more than the usual Ft200 per km. Ask about their price in advance or call any of the taxi companies above.

After dark it is often best to negotiate the fare at the beginning of the ride as drivers often charge exorbitant rates to unwary travellers. Be sure to make sure your change is in Hungarian forint or euros and not in another country's currency. Most taxi drivers only take cash payments but some of the larger taxi companies now equip their cars with POS terminals (allowing you to pay by plastic).

Be very careful when taking taxis to or from nightclubs. There are multiple reports of drivers taking passengers to a different location (one that pays them a commission) and charging a fare up to 10 times the normal amount.

If you would prefer a luxury taxi, like a Mercedes, they can usually be found at the upmarket hotels. Fares, of course, are higher in these cars but the drivers are more reputable and more likely to speak English or German.

Calling your own taxi will be less expensive than having one booked for you in a hotel; it's also almost always cheaper to call a taxi than to enter a waiting one or to signal one that drives by you.

Ride-hailing is available in Budapest:

  • Bolt . ( updated Jul 2020 )

By bicycle [ edit ]

Budapest may be one of the most exciting places of Europe, but it's still not a cyclists' paradise. Generally, the city is not prepared for cyclists' presence, although the situation is slowly changing. Budapest has been home to Europe's biggest cycling demonstration, Critical Mass [dead link] , where in 2008 more than 80,000 people participated. Bike delivery is becoming a common job (you'll see NetPincér and Wolt cyclists everywhere), and there are more than a few gem bike paths, along either side of the Danube river traversing all the way to Szentendre on the Buda side.

Bike lanes of varying quality exist but are not universal and don't form a good network. In many places, the bike lane is a part of the pavement, with only a yellow line separating it from the pedestrian zone; in some places (e.g. on the upper quay on the Buda side of the Danube, between the Chain bridge and the Elisabeth bridge) the bike lane and the pedestrian pavement even swap sides with no warning.

In the city centre (e.g. Andrássy út), expect cars parking on bike lanes, and drivers opening car doors recklessly; on pavements, expect pedestrians wandering into the bike lane.

Many native cyclists regard cycling not as a means of transportation but a form of extreme sport. You can see them zigzagging between pedestrians in bike lanes, ignoring red lights (but, thankfully, not traffic), cycling along one-way streets in the wrong direction, alternating between using the road and the pavement where no cycle lane exists, at speeds of more than 30 km/h (20 mph). Quite a few cyclists don't have any lights; when cycling after dark, be prepared for surprise encounters.

If, while walking, you hear a shout, be prepared to get out of the way quickly. Many cycles don't have bells, and pedestrians are not used to bells either; if you're cycling, expect many pedestrians to ignore your bell. Also, beware of pedestrians wandering onto marked bicycle paths, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.

Large parks like the Városliget, the Margaret island and the Hajógyári (a.k.a. Óbudai) island are pleasant for cycling.

Cycling is forbidden on the lower quays on both sides, but the upper quays mostly have bike lanes; however, in many parts pedestrian traffic is so high that cyclists can't make good speed.

Cycling is typically forbidden on most hiking trails of the Buda hills, but mountain bikers tend to ignore this.

If you think you are ready, renting a bike is easy but not cheap. Expect to pay Ft2000-3000 for a day.

Budapest has a number of bike rental companies. Some of them are:

  • Budapest Bike [dead link] , +36 30 944-5533. Rent a bike starting at Ft2000 for 6 hours.
  • Yellow Zebra Bike , Régi posta utca 2, Budapest 1052 , ☏ +36 70 56 56 115 . Daily 09:00-21:00 . Bike range from 3-speed cruisers to trekking and road bikes (at higher prices). ( updated Jan 2024 )
  • Bikebase , +36 1 269-5983. Bike rentals available for Ft2,000 for 24 hours.
  • Dynamo Bike +36 30 868-1107. Cute bike rental shop and bakery cafe. Bike rentals starting at 3,000 per day.
  • For the centre, consider buying a "ticket" (1/3/7 days, and longer passes) for city's Mol/Bubi bikes. This municipal initiative allows riding up to 30 minutes for free, and then you can just park and get a new bicycle for another half an hour. They have useful mobile app which shows all the parking lots (about 70 around the city). Extremely convenient and cheap compared to buses.

By scooter [ edit ]

Although not as fancy as in Rome or Paris, scooters are becoming more common in the streets of Budapest. Inside the city scooters can be driven on the tram and bus ways, often buzzing in between traffic. Although most car drivers are quite used to the scooters around them, some can still be slight irresponsible. Ignore their pushiness and drive conservative and you should not experience any problems. The best roads are the main ring roads as these have plenty of space and good asphalt. The smaller in between roads and roads in hilly Buda can be of lesser quality with some unexpected potholes or tough to see speed bumps.

A limited number of companies offer scooter rental and scooter tours inside the city centre. Expect to pay around Ft6,000 for a day. Some companies that offer scooter rental are:

  • Retro Robogó [dead link] , +36 70 432-0444. Rent a scooter starting at Ft3,600 per day (week rental).

In Hungary scooters with an engine up to 50cc can be driven without license plate and only a regular car drivers license. However these 50cc scooters cannot be driven with a passenger. Helmets are compulsory. For scooters and motorcycles with an engine size above 50cc a licence plate and motorcycle driver's licence is required. If you are experienced with driving a scooter, it is a great way to experience the city

By skateboard [ edit ]

Pest is ideal for skateboarding. Pavements are wide and smooth without too many pedestrians to avoid. Police won't pay you any attention as long as you are using your skateboard for transport and not trying to do tricks.

See [ edit ]

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The Danube . This is what's unique about Budapest, the urban river landscape. This feature can be admired in several ways: from panoramic points, such as Fisherman's Bastion or Gellért Hill's Citadella in South Buda , promenading along the river banks, or from the river's perspective, from a boat. For romantic views of the city, go at night. There is a number of bridges (see Orientation above ) that arch over the river and define Budapest. Most famous is the Chain Bridge ( Széchenyi Lánchíd ), owing its name to the suspension structure: the bridge is made of chains whose links are huge dog-bone shaped metal bars linked by pins at their ends. And there is also the magnificent Elisabeth bridge ( Erzsébet híd ) and the Liberty bridge ( Szabadság híd ). To get away from all the hustle of the city visit Margaret Island ( Margitsziget ), reachable from the Margaret bridge. Its large parks (see Buda ) are a very pleasant place to relax and wander, perfect for a sunny afternoon.

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Most of Budapest's famous sights are concentrated on Castle Hill on the Buda side, in downtown so called Belváros and along the riverside walkways.

On Budavár the main highlight is the Royal Palace ( Királyi palota ), which is the most popular attraction on the hill. It is home to the National Gallery and the Historical Museum of Budapest , with exhibits about medieval Budapest and history of the Royal Palace. To the north you can find the funicular on a big square southestern corner, while in the eastern part there are some medieval excavations and castle ruins from 14-17th century. Towards the north, by the Dísz tér corner, is the Golden Eagle Pharmacy Museum (Arany Sas Patikamúzeum), with a collection of pharmaceutical objects from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Near there is the Café Ruszwurm, or 'the Heaven for coffein and sweets addicts'. A hundred meters east is a local pride, the Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom), which is a Neo-Gothic church crowning Budapest's cityscape, and the 'Fisherman's bastion', ( Halászbástya ), a lookout terrace with impressive views across the Danube to Pest. In the next building is the Marzipan Museum, which is a children's favourite. On the castle northwest corner is the Military Museum if you interested for uniforms, weapons, maps and other Hungary-related military objects from 11th century until nowadays. If not, you must to go there because the view from there is worth a short detour. Almost all of west Buda hill is visible from here.

Central ( Belváros ) of Pest is the administrative and business centre of Budapest and the whole of Hungary. Visiting first the Parliament Building ( Országház ) is good choice. A Neo-Gothic jewel, it is beautifully situated overlooking the Danube. It is very much worth going inside. Opposite the Parliament, the Museum of Ethnography is located, and just couple hundred metres is St Stephen's Basilica [dead link] , the main church of Budapest and an important example of Neo-Classical architecture. Take 2 stops by M3 to Astoria station and visit the Jewish quarter (part of Unesco World Heritage), the main Hungarian Jewish holy place the Dohány Street Synagogue and Jewish Museum (Dohány utcai Zsinagóga), the largest and certainly among the most beautiful ones in Europe. Take the underpass toward National Museum , on the way admire the Eötvös Loránd University on Múzeum körút. It is worth dropping by for a short visit. Visitors can rest in the lush Trefort Garden or have a refreshment in the popular Bölcsész Terasz , an open-air cultural garden that has musical performances as well as food. If you take metro to Kálvin tér, you can visit another important museum which is the Applied Arts museum . Outside the centre towards the south take tram 2 to visit the famous Zwack Unicum, a type of alcoholic spirit, company museum, and the new culture hub near to Lágymányosi bridge include the Ludwig Museum of Modern Art .

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On Buda side north from castle you will find the Gül Baba Türbéje , a shrine where Gül Baba (literally Rose Father, from whom the Rózsadomb (Rose Hill) was named) lies. Take H5 to Szentlélek square, which is the heart of Óbuda (Old Buda) district. Near to the square is Victor Vasarely Museum showing many works of the famous Hungarian-born post-modern painter Vásárhelyi Győző (1908-1997), and the Kassák Museum at the Zichy Castle showing works of the modern Hungarian artists as well as modern Hungarian art. Also near the square is the Kiscelli Museum , the Budapest Picture Gallery. More one stop on H5 is the city biggest archeological site: the Aquincum , a city in the Roman times, where there are some ruins of thermal baths, built on stone and decorated with mosaics and paintings.

Far to west ( South Buda ) is the Memento Park , an open air museum in Budapest, dedicated to monumental statues from Hungary's Communist period (1949–1989).

Southward from the Castle is the Budai Vigadó (Hungarian Heritage House) . Between 1898 and 1900 winners of an architectural competition faced a demanding project: build a theater and library to suit the needs of the residents of Buda on the site of a former arsenal. Aladár Árkay and Mór Kallina worked to change the pre-existing building into a cultural center. The Vigado’s outside is constructed in a relatively simple, eclectic style, but the interior boasts an impressive Art-Nouveau hall with a marble staircase and pillars and a spacious, ornate theater. Today, it is also known as the Hungarian Heritage House and is the home theater of the Hungarian Folk Ensemble .

Music related museums are also in the city: the Kodály Museum , the Liszt Museum , former home of Ferenc Liszt, the most famous Hungarian composer, where a collection of his personal objects and instruments can be visited. Bartók's House and the Music Museum , includes a collection of musical instruments and the Bartok archive.

Do [ edit ]

  • Hungaria Koncert , ☏ +36 1 317-1377 , [email protected] . Operates cruises with lunch or dinner daily at 14:00, 19:00 and 20:00. This service is 90 minutes with hot buffet lunch or dinner. During the cruise, the Parliament, Chain Bridge, Royal Castle, Palace of Arts, etc. can be seen.  
  • Rent a bike. Rents are around Ft1,800 for half a day. Szentendre is a 2 hours ride from the centre and you get to see nice places, much of the way is at the Danube. If you prefer more organised ways, a guided bike tour gets you some exercise and introduces you to the local geography. For example, staff at Buda Bike [underground garage at the plaza in front of St Stephan's Basilica] are very friendly. They also rent bikes. Bike map on the Net
  • Walk in the City park (Városliget) with your children. Walk around the lake and feed the ducks. See the statue of Anonymus at the Vajdahunyad Castle, a fairy-tale-like building. Széchenyi Spa, right next to the lake, is also enjoyable for children (see also the Baths section).
  • In the winter, the same lake is transformed into the large ice-skating rink with an astonishing view during winter. It is a popular place for children and teenagers.
  • The nearby Circus (Fövárosi Nagycirkusz - Great Circus of the Capital) offers performances with international artists.
  • Next to it, the Budapest Zoo - one of the oldest in the world - offers more than 800 animals to be seen in a historic atmosphere.
  • Experience an opera at Budapest's beautiful State Opera House or a performance of folklore or classical music at any of Budapest's many concert halls (details under Performing arts).
  • Budapest River Cruise is an option to discover the city with Danube boat which takes 75 minutes and you can visit the most popular places with it.

Events [ edit ]

  • Firework above Danube River ( Tűzijáték ) ( Between Petőfi Bridge and Árpád Bridge ). 21:00 on 20 Aug . National Holiday. Sound & light show with fireworks. Around half hour open air show. Free except if you wish to see from the air .  
  • Jewish Summer Festival . Another array of cultural and music events, with a Jewish touch.  

Performing arts and classical music [ edit ]

Apart from a renowned music scene, Hungary has a surprisingly rich theatre and art scene and, not surprisingly, Budapest is the epicentre of it. The season begins in mid-September and ends in June. Productions range from classic dramas and traditional operas to post-modern dance performances. The following venues can be particularly interesting for non-Hungarians. Tickets are bookable about one month beforehand at Interticket , the Hungarian theatres' official booking engine with a booking fee of 10% + Ft50.

Cinema [ edit ]

In spite of increasing funding difficulties, high quality cinema has remained alive in Budapest. For contemporary non-mainstream European and Hungarian titles turn to Budapest’s excellent art house film chain, Art mozi , most of their branches are provided with a café or pub and offer pleasant atmosphere to spend your evening. A few selected cinemas of this chain: Uránia National Cinema | Uránia Nemzeti Filmszínház where you can see the mainstream European artistic films with new Hungarian ones, the latter sporadically subtitled in English; Cinema Puskin (Puskin Mozi) an elegant, decorated multiplex offering quality, but generally easy-to-watch Hungarian and foreign films; Cinema Művész (Művész Mozi) is probably the most popular “Art Mozi” theatre in Budapest; Film Museum Örökmozgó (Örökmozgó Filmmúzeum) is your best choice if you’re in mood to see a film from the times when Leonardo DiCaprio was a child, mostly film in original language and are subtitled in Hungarian. Mainstream cinemas mainly show subtitled or dubbed Hollywood films and Hungarian romantic films. After the shopping centre revolution in the late 1990s, more than two thirds of the city’s cinema screens are operated by international chains and franchises. Two examples are: Corvin [dead link] , one of the oldest, although completely modernised cinema in the city. The most centrally located cinema is the Palace Westend in Pest.

Thermal baths [ edit ]

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Budapest has many thermal springs and its fame is still rising as a major European Spa location. The baths are among last vestige of Turkish culture in Budapest; some baths indeed date back to Turkish times. However, Hungarians have modified and moulded this tradition into something of their own during the last four centuries.

Thermal baths contain several thermal pools. They are usually complemented with multiple steam baths, massage services and other therapies including drinking cures . Unlike in some Scandinavian or German baths, Budapest baths mostly require you to wear your bathing suit. Among foreigners, Russians seem to be most frequent visitors to Budapest's baths, followed by Italians and Americans.

A tradition of night bath parties has evolved, often revolving around various branches of electronic music, see e.g. Cinetrip [dead link] .

Traditional public baths [ edit ]

Traditional public baths used to have a slightly outdated but nowadays improving service and admission system and allow an authentic bathing experience with locals around you. At the cash desk, you sometimes have to select treatments in advance, often they are offered in distinct places of the building. Bathing time is not restricted, and, depending on the system, if you're finished earlier, part of your fee is repaid. Towels and sometimes bathrobe can be rented either at the entrance or inside. Changing clothes can be done either in a common area with lockers (gender segregated) or in cabins (kabinok) which may come in different size and is highly useful for families. While newer systems may be introduced, according to the proper ancient ritual you're handed a token with a number, which is also written on a blackboard inside the cabin door as a security code: you must remember cabin number. To access your cabin again, show your cabin and a token to attendant, and s/he'll open the door and check the number inside. In swimming pools, swimming caps are sometimes obligatory, and are often available for sale or rent.

Modern baths [ edit ]

Modern baths, such as Danubius Grand Thermal Hotel, are usually called spas, although their central component are thermal pool and multitude of steam baths/saunas, which is not always typical for spas in other parts of the world.

Sports [ edit ]

  • Football: the Hungarian national soccer team play at Puskás Aréna in Zugló district, completed in 2019. Several professional clubs play in the city - those in the top tier ( Nemzeti Bajnokság or NB 1) are Ferencvárosi, Újpest and MTK Budapest. Honvéd since 2023 play in the second tier.
  • The city has many health clubs, yoga & pilates clubs, riding schools, swimming pools and squash and tennis courts. On Margaret Island you will find joggers, and swimming in the Hajós Olympic Pool. Sports facilities are inexpensive in Budapest.

Caving [ edit ]

  • Caving in Budapest ranges from well-lit and renovated Szemlőhegyi cave, where you can go to parts of the cave in a wheelchair, to some of the more extreme tours in the Pál-völgyi–Mátyás-hegyi cave system, where you have to squeeze through several metres long passages with no room to spare. The Pál-völgyi–Mátyás-hegyi cave system is recommended for the adventurous (and non-claustrophobic) who wants "proper caving" instead of the more "tourist friendly" alternatives. The tours lasts between 2½–3 hours and much of the time is spent crawling or climbing, so some degree of fitness is needed. The guided tour includes a helmet, headlamp and overall so bring good shoes . Guides are professional. English guided tours are usually on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays late in the afternoon, but can be pre-booked by groups at other days as well. Bookings need to be for at least 4 people.

Please do not litter, write your name on the cave wall or damage the cave in any other way. Part of the experience is the feeling of being in unspoiled nature.

Work [ edit ]

  • Teaching English is a popular profession for travellers and people moving to Budapest.

Generally speaking, finding a full-time job is fairly difficult unless you speak Hungarian. You should also be prepared that Western standards at job interviews regarding personal life and diversity issues do not always apply. Do not be surprised if you are asked about your smoking habits. Also, companies are not always prepared to fully understand and accept people from diverse backgrounds. You should be prepared that most places won't hire you until you speak at least a little Hungarian. Restaurants with a specific country's cuisine, such as Italian restaurants and pizzerias, tend to hire people from that country to make the food more authentic.

Buy [ edit ]

When receiving change from a taxi journey, make sure that the money is actually Hungarian. Some taxi drivers have been known to give unsuspecting passengers obsolete Romanian banknotes (lei).

wiki travel hungary

Many reliable exchange bureaux can be found in the city centre near Deák Ferenc tér metro station. For example, there are two shops next two the tourist information. These shops as well as other shops in the area offer a better rate than other banks at tourist spots such as international bus stations and the castle hill. The rate might be even better than getting cash from ATMs. There is also no extra charge. If you're looking for money exchange in the Keleti station, be sure to check exchange rates at all the three money exchange shops along the platforms; they offer differential prices. See Hungary#Money for information on currency and exchange rates.

wiki travel hungary

Most of the visitors from far away end up shopping in Pest in the middle of the city: Váci utca and nearby. It is historically the most expensive part of the city. You'll find Hungarian linens and lace, pottery, and other items, in souvenir shops.

You definitely want to visit the Great Market Hall ( Nagy Vásárcsarnok ) at Fővám tér , the renovated market hall with essential atmosphere (it's at the south end of Vaci). Prices for the same items vary a lot between sellers and aren't set in stone so be sure to compare and bargain.

Non-speciality shopping [ edit ]

Also, chain stores can be found along the Váci utca (C&A, H&M, Clinique, Estee Lauder, New Yorker, etc.)

The shopping malls locally known as "Plazas" are usually good for buying clothes, but prices may vary wildly even in shops next to each other. For electronics, the cheap supermarkets like Electro World and Media Markt are good targets, but the quality is on par with the prices. Due to the low cost of labour, a tradition in repairing mobile phones and other appliances exists, and buying second hand electronics is normal. This service is usually offered in smaller private shops.

Absinthe is available for purchase at common liquor stores, a must-have purchase for the European traveller. Many brands available in the Market Hall and liquor stores are of poor quality (or not even "real" Absinthe).

Eat [ edit ]

Hungarian food deserves to be (and often is) mentioned among the country's main sites. As in other cultures, the Hungarian approach to food combines pride in their own traditions with a readiness to accept outside influences. The result is a vibrant restaurant scene where an Asian-Hungarian fusion restaurant may well be of genuine interest. Luckily, prices are significantly below western Europe's with around €4 for a budget lunch, and around €8-14 for a nice evening meal in a mid-range restaurant, depending on place and appetite. Above €20 per person is definitely considered expensive, but there are enough lavish places above this price range for those looking for something special.

Local specialities often revolve around meat (pork, beef, veal, or poultry), often involve liberal use of paprika, however not necessary of the hot kind. Due to a historical translation error, "goulash soup" is indeed a soup, not the "goulash" that visitors may be familiar with from home which is known as "pörkölt".

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Major specialities include:

  • gulyás (leves) usually translated as 'goulash soup' - a filling meat soup (usually beef) with potatoes and paprika, among other ingredients. Served as main dish or as a (heavy) starter. The name refers to the Hungarian version of a cowboy taking care of a 'gulya' (cattleherd).
  • paprikás veal or chicken cooked in delicious creamy paprika sauce (not spicy)
  • pörkölt a stew with of sautéed onions and - paprika. Similar to what is served as 'goulash' abroad.
  • halászlé - fishermen's soup served differently depending on region
  • töltött káposzta - stuffed cabbage, the cooked cabbage leaves are filled with meat and in a paprika sauce, served with sour cream (similar to crème fraîche or crème acidulée)
  • Balaton pike-perch (fogas)
  • gyümölcsleves - fruit soup - cold, creamy and sweet, consumed as a starter.

From the desserts, you may not want to miss

  • Somlói galuska , a poem on biscuit dough, cream and chocolate sauce, invented by Károly Gollerits at Gundel
  • Gundel palacsinta - Gundel pancake (crepe) - with a filling prepared with rum, raisin, walnuts, and lemon zest, served with a chocolate sauce, and the careful reader may guess its birthplace.
  • Kürtőskalács , (chimney cake) a delicious sweet dough pastry which is cooked on a chimney shaped spit and coated in butter and sugar to form a crispy crust. After the cakes are cooked they can be rolled in a variety of toppings such as cinnamon sugar or chocolate.
  • There is also a great variety of wonderful pastries/cakes ( Torta ), some of which you will recognize if you are familiar with Viennese pastries. You may want to try Dobos torta (Dobos cake, named after József Dobos), and Rigó Jancsi a light chocolate-cream cake.

In addition to traditional Hungarian fare, which is recommended, there are numerous other cuisines available in Budapest. The adventurous gourmand can enjoy a different cuisine each meal for a week. Restaurant prices in Budapest are very reasonable by American and Western European standards with a general rule being that you would pay twice as much for a similar meal in New York, London or Paris.

Coffee houses [ edit ]

Coffee houses ( kávéház ) were a traditional Budapest institution, somewhat resembling Viennese lifestyle. Visit to one should be on every traveller's agenda. These are places are great to spend some time at a cup of coffee and a delicious cake, but some of them (especially in the higher price range) offer meals as well. With dozens of places in the city, the best-known, landmark coffeehouses (and among priciest) are: Gerbeaud (Vörösmarty tér 7-9), Művész Kávéház (Andrássy út 29), New York Kávéház (Erzsébet krt. 9-11). Other Kávéházs worth visiting include the cafe at the Hotel Astoria, Cafe Central, the Cafe Mozart, Wall Street and the oldest in Budapest, the Ruszwurm in Buda castle.

Restaurants [ edit ]

Hungarian cuisine and restaurant experiences are happily remembered by visitors, even if the Hungarian diet may seem rather meat-based to many western visitors. The city has large variety of great places to eat at prices quite reasonable for western-Europeans. Like in some other cities, a number of restaurants see tourists as scapegoats. It is a good idea to avoid restaurants in the heart of the most touristic areas like Váci utca, especially if all customers seem foreigners, as you'll likely be served mediocre food with a high bill padded with number of bizarre charges. In some restaurants anything you don't explicitly ask for, but appears on your table, is likely to be charged for. Don't take restaurant tips from suspicious individuals on the streets, ask at your hotel or local friends.

A wide variety of decent food for not reasonable prices can be found at the lively Ráday utca, venue of a number of cultural events, near Kálvin tér. But simply strolling the more central areas, e.g. near the Great Ringroad (Nagykörút), or the Pozsonyi út, will be enough to bump into nice places to test local cooking skill (though not necessarily with a menu available in English). Top-notch quality food (1st category restaurants) charge a wide range of prices (from starters around Ft1,000, main courses Ft3,000-10,000, and menus from Ft5,000). Perhaps the most reputed among top restaurants is the Gundel near Városliget. Check the prices before you decide to go, but it offers a good value Sunday brunch for around Ft5,000.

Walking along the Danube on the Pest side, you see a lot of restaurant and bar boats . Most of them serve traditional Hungarian and international dishes, some of them are function more as bars. Thanks to the beautiful panorama across the Danube and the castle, these places provide an unforgettable experience.

Of special note: Hungarian law does not require restaurants to forward either the (included) service charge or the added tip to the wait staff. Dubious restaurants, especially those favored by tourists, will simply pocket the extra Forint into their private coffers. While it is customary to tip 10% of the bill, it is important to ask your waiter if the service charge is included in the bill and if the staff receives either the service charge or any additional tip. Obviously, it is better to frequent restaurants which treat their staff well, but you may not know in which kind of establishment you are dining until you receive the bill and inquire.

Chains [ edit ]

Only cross-district chains are listed here; see district articles for individual restaurants.

  • Trófea Grill . The best among all-you-can-eat (buffet) and all the alcohol you can drink. Best to book a table in advance. Has 4 locations. 1 on Buda downtown by Margaret Bridge (Margit körút 2)  
  • Leroy Cafe , Pest (5 locations), Buda (3 locations) . (See district article Pest for details) Mid- to high-priced restaurant chain that offers Hungarian classics with other Italian and European cuisine. Very fashionable interiors and popular with the well-paid white collar crowd. Reservations are recommended during traditional peak times. When eating here, always make sure that you won't be slapped on an extra 100% service charge. Read the menu before entering the restaurant carefully and insist on talking to someone who speaks English.  

Vegetarian/vegan [ edit ]

  • Govinda . M–F 11:30–20:00, Sa 12:00–21:00 . Great vegan/vegetarian restaurant in Budapest. You can choose from different menus every day or just order separate dishes; moderately priced. The Govinda chain has three restaurants in Budapest. The main restaurant is at Vigyázó Ferenc utca 4, Govinda Vega Corner is at Papnövelde utca 1, and the Govinda-Buda is at Árpád fejedelem utca 33. See maps , Vigyázó Ferenc utca 4  
  • Edeni Vegan , Iskola utca 31 ( 1 block from Batthyány tér metro station ), ☏ +36 6203 0775 75 . Daily 08:00-20:00 . Cafeteria-style restaurant, large portions, relatively cheap. Food may vary depending on day, time, and dishes chosen. Tofu goulash recommended. Staff are very helpful at explaining the dishes so ask what they are if you don't know. Cash only. There is an ATM at the bank across the street. ( updated Jul 2017 )

Grocery shopping [ edit ]

If you want to take home some Hungarian paprika, Pick szalámi, or Tokaji wine, grocery shops are naturally cheaper than specialised souvenir kiosks.

In the central areas, you will find smaller grocery shops such as the Hungarian chains GRoby shops , CBA shops , and the usual European suspects Spar [dead link] and Tesco Express shops .

Further from the centre, you can find foreign-owned hypermarkets like Auchan & Tesco with the usual range of goods.

Cooking class [ edit ]

The best way to get to know a culture is through its food! Join a Hungarian host in cooking a Hungarian menu in an authentic Hungarian home.

Easy Cooking Budapest offers the perfect program: shopping at a local market, then cooking together in a small group at an apartment, while tasting some wine and Pálinka. www.easycookingbudapest.com

Kosher [ edit ]

  • Hanna's Kosher Kitchen , VII. Dob utca 35 , ☏ +361 342-1072 . Features classic Hungarian food, but Kosher.  
  • Kinor David , VII. Dohány utca ( next to the big Dohány Temple ), ☏ +36 1 413-7304 , +36 1 413-7305 .  
  • Salamon glatt kosher restaurant , 1072 Budapest, VII. Nagydiófa u. 27 ( next to King's Hotel ), ☏ +36 1 413-1487 , +36 1 413-1488 , +36 30 743 6938 (Cell), +36 20 966 6160 (Cell) .  
  • Rothschild Supermarkets (located throughout the city centre) offer Kosher goods too.

Others [ edit ]

Halal food is not traditional for Budapest but a number of places are available. Check this Muslim site for meat shops (húsboltok) and restaurants (Éttermek).

A version of döner kebab (as known e.g. in Germany) is sold under the Greek name "gyros" (often by Turks!). Translated from Turkish döner, gyros means "rotate" or "spintop" in Greek - a reference to the meat being rotated on a stake.

One good moderately priced Turkish halal place is Szeráj on Szt. István körút opposite to the theatre building of "Vígszínház", between Nyugati tér Margaret Bridge.

Drink [ edit ]

Budapest offers plenty of places to drink, from cool and ultra-hip to rowdy and down-market. If you are in the mood for a particularly Hungarian experience, visit a so-called borozó (wine pub). These offer cheap yet tasty Hungarian wine on tap at outright hilariously low prices if you manage to find one outside the tourist circuit.

Hungary is famous for its wines produced at Balaton area and Eger. Among red wines the best are Kékfrankos, Egri Bikavér "Bulls Blood” and white wines the Szürkebarát and Chardonnay are popular. One of the most favorite is the Tokaji, a sweet white wine.

You should try not to miss out on the Hungarian spirit, palinka , made from fruits such as plum, apricot, cherry or Williams pears.

Unique Hungarian soft drinks to try are Traubi Szoda (a white grape soda) and Márka (a sour cherry soda).

Sleep [ edit ]

Budapest offers a wide range of accommodation in all price classes from the hostels which start at €7 per night, to small cheap pension, to the luxurious 5-star hotels, although the costs of staying here are notably higher than elsewhere in Hungary.

Arriving trains are often met by touts offering free rides to hostels, as well as little old grannies offering their apartments for rent. Try to figure out exactly where you're going before you choose - or, better yet, visit any of the many travel agencies to browse the many options in a more comfortable environment.

The most expensive are on or near Castle Hill , dozens of reliable backpacker hostels are mostly across the river in Pest . However, Buda has better air quality due to the closeness of the hills and the forests lying to the west from the city.

Apartments may be a cheap alternative for those making extended stays.

Learn [ edit ]

Budapest's universities are sufficiently well-regarded and draw exchange students from near and far. There are a number of universities and other tertiary institutions in Budapests. Many of them offer degrees or courses in English, German, or French. Particularly popular, even though not cheap, are the medical university courses offered in German and English.

Stay safe [ edit ]

  • Central Emergency: dial 112
  • Ambulance: 104
  • Police: 107

Crime [ edit ]

Budapest is potentially one of the safest cities in the world for its size. There are no slums or districts you should avoid, particularly not in the touristy areas or nearby. As a traveller, you should take only normal precautions: don't show off your money and don't wear flashy jewellery. Magyars tend to be friendly with foreigners; racism or xenophobia against tourists is practically unknown.

As in most other big cities, pickpocketing is the most common crime against tourists. The rate of picked pockets is relatively low by Western European and U.S. standards, and you're unlikely to have any problem if you follow some basic rules you wouldn't forget in Paris, Brussels or Vienna. The most important rules are that you never wear a backpack or purse on your back in public transportation or other places with a lot of people, and make sure that you have your wallet in one of your front pockets.

Younger Hungarian policemen mostly speak some basic English. Tourists have no reason to be afraid of them unless they break the law.

During the peak tourist season, police patrolling major tourist areas are accompanied by bilingual or multi-lingual students who assist with problems or complaints. Police have also opened a 24/7 TourInform office in one of Budapest's busiest areas. It is located at Sütő Street 2, District V, and they are able to receive complaints and render assistance in English and German.

By night [ edit ]

wiki travel hungary

Mostly there's no reason to have concerns about Budapest by night. In practice, the whole city , including all the touristy areas, Pest within the inner ring road (the line of Szent István körút–Teréz körút–Erzsébet körút–József körút–Ferenc körút , popularly known as Nagykörút ), and Buda are safe even before dawn. Most locals avoid walking alone by night in outer zones of districts 8th and 9th in Pest, as these are shady, though not particularly dangerous areas. Areas in 8th district behind Népszínház utca - József körút can be a bit risky, although the district is CCTV monitored by the police. If you don't have special thing to do there, try not to have a walk at night at Lujza, Dankó, Magdolna Streets and their surroundings: also, it's not a very attractive area. Népszínház utca itself is not a very nice place after dark but usually not risky.

Some big panel areas on the outskirts of the city (parts of Újpest and Kőbánya, residential areas unknown by tourists) also not the best places to have a walk without knowing where to go. The area around Keleti pályaudvar is also not very friendly, but usually nothing happens. Avoid homeless people asking for money or selling something in the big underpasses. The subway at Nyugati tér collects different types of people; it is generally not risky because of heavy traffic day and night, but try not to look very "lost" there.

Beautiful during the day, bigger public parks like Városliget , are better avoided at night. Don't take a healthy walk at Népliget after dark. The famous 'chill-out' place at Római part (3rd district) can be deserted especially after 01:00 and in the winter season, although it's usually safe. Don't go to the dark paths alone around Citadella at night.

Night buses and the tram no.6 passing through the city centre can be very crowded at peak socialising times on Friday and Saturday nights. You may come across aggressive drunk youngsters on the vehicles or at the stops. Keep a low profile or avoid the public transportation system on weekend nights. Major night lines are now guarded by security staff.

Tourist traps [ edit ]

Like in several cities of the world, in Budapest the major scams for the inexperienced visitor are taxis and restaurants . Much of the following would apply to a number of highly touristed cities in Europe.

In the past the airport taxis used to be a traveller's nightmare. Now, things ave gotten better: Főtaxi - contracted partner of the airport - is so far reported to be reliable and works according to advertised prices; for details read the Airport transfer section. Főtaxi has a stand outside the terminal building, enjoying the exclusive right to wait there, though other companies can come to pick up passengers if called by phone. Sometimes scam taxi drivers will still solicit services inside the terminal to take you for a ride with a very hungry meter. Fixed price information on the internet .

Alternatives to Főtaxi include calling another trusted cab firm (saving €5-10), or to use the Airport Minibus service. Airport Minibus has a booth inside the terminal and they will allocate you to a minibus with several others who are going to the same area of the city. Depending on how lucky you are, yours may be the first destination or the last. However, it is only cheaper than a taxi if you are travelling alone. If you travel the from the city to the airport, pre-order your taxi on the chosen company's phone number or call for the Airport Shuttle . The Airport Shuttle is reasonably priced, reliable and an efficient way to get to the airport.

The situation around railway and bus stations is still not regulated. The worst is probably Keleti Pályaudvar: never trust drivers hanging around the arrival side; rather, order a taxi by phone (some cars display their company's number). If that's not possible, take only taxis with a logo of the bigger companies, and with a proper sign on the roof and taxi licence plate. As a general rule, make sure the taximeter is on (and not set to the special "extortionate rate for unwary tourists") or agree the price with the driver beforehand. Many cases have been reported in which taxi drivers have extorted hundreds of euros from unwary visitors. Smaller crimes include being given change in worthless, obsolete Romanian or other currency, which is not instantly recognizable by tourists as non-Hungarian currency. Other drivers take a longer route, which means a higher price, if you don't have an agreed price. If you have an agreed price, you can be sure to arrive to your destination in the shortest route possible. A typical taxi drive within the central zones should be in the range of Ft1,200-3,000 as of early 2014.

Similar abuses have also happened in restaurants and bars, almost all of them in the vicinity of Váci utca in the touristy heart of Pest. You should avoid the eateries and bars of the zone. However, these are not typical, the majority of restaurants and pubs in Budapest are reliable. In Hungary it's compulsory to put the menu card outside the entrance; if it's not the case, don't enter.

Don't take any tip on the streets, especially if the person is apparently a gift from heaven and is being very, very nice to you.

Don't befriend the girls hanging around Váci utca, and never accept any invitation for a drink from them: you can be sure that they will lead you to fake Champagne, but you will be left only with the bill, and it's unlikely that a small conversation with them will be worth the hundreds of euros. You'll find the same sort of girls in erotic and topless bars; avoid them unless you're ready to pay your monthly salary for a glass of wine. The standard trick is to produce a menu with small print at the bottom stating that the first drink costs Ft15,000 and consumption is compulsory. This modified menu might be produced only when the bill is presented. Most of the erotic bars in Budapest are tourist traps.

A common scam is for attractive women to walk up to men and ask for directions to a particular bar. If you respond "I don't know", they will ask you if you have a map and say "let's go together" they commonly tell you a story such as "I just got in from Bratislava and am just looking for a good place to get a drink...".

The most popular scam involves a blond girl and a shorter girl with dark hair. They always act together and ask for a cigarette or the time. Next, they invite single men for a drink, in a bar at Váci utca only accessible by an elevator from the street. Once there, each drink costs around €50, but you only find that out at the end when you receive the €500 bill. So never go to the elevator bar (Városközpont) at Váci utca .

Travellers are cautioned to avoid any establishment offering "adult" entertainment. A common scam in these places is for an attractive woman to join you at your table and ask for a drink. The problem is that her drink will cost €250 or something similar. You will not be allowed to leave until you pay. If you threaten to call the police you will probably be informed that the bouncer is an off duty police officer.

TopBudapestOrg maintains a list of blacklisted clubs and bars .

Money conversion: like in other places, even if a restaurant or bar accepts euros, it's better to have forints since their conversion rate is usually way worse than the rate at exchange offices. It is better to avoid exchange offices inside airports and railway stations, those in the centre of the city offer a much better exchange rate.

If you see people gambling on the streets, usually in popular tourists' destinations like Buda Castle, stay away. The modus operandi usually involves a guy playing the classic "shell game" . This involves covering a ball (or small trinket) with either a bottle cap or a match box and swirling it around with two other bottle caps asking people to guess the position of the ball. The game is set in a way that you can easily see the ball's position. This is done to lure the unsuspecting person into placing a wager. There are usually two main players and, between them, they will lose and win money back and forth to give the appearance that it is a fair game: do not be tricked. They are from the same gang. Once you get greedy and get lured in, you will surely lose your money. The person in control of the bottle caps will remove the ball from their position through sleight of hand and you will never see your money back. Besides the two or three other players involved, there are usually at least two lookouts: one on each side of 'stage'.

On the other hand, Hungarian people are usually friendly, welcoming and interested towards foreigners, and nothing should happen to you unless you put yourself in harm's way. If you don't bother them they won't bother you, and nothing should get in your way of having a great holiday.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

  • Emergencies , ☏ 112 (free call) .  
  • Ambulance , ☏ 104 (free call) .  
  • For pharmacies, see each of our district articles. Each of Budapest's 23 districts has a pharmacy that is open in the evenings, on a varying rotation.
  • Emergency treatment centres (Hungarian: Orvosi Ügyelet ) are open 24/7. Read more in our various district articles.

Connect [ edit ]

As of Sept 2021, Budapest has 5G from Telecom, Telenor and Vodafone, and 4G from Digi. Wifi is widely available.

Cope [ edit ]

Embassies [ edit ].

The Consular Service site maintains a complete searchable database of Honorary Consuls in Hungary .

Go next [ edit ]

Day tours [ edit ].

  • 47.11337 19.08772 35 Apaj ( 50 km from Budapest ). Take a tour in the Upper Kiskunság Plain which is part of the Kiskunság National Park, the closest Puszta . ( updated Sep 2021 )

wiki travel hungary

  • 47.42577 18.60256 36 Arboretum of Alcsút ( Alcsúti Arborétum ), Fejér County, Alcsútdoboz ( West 40 km - take M1 highway turn south after Bicske or By bus line 1253 to Felcsút from Népliget bus station and walk ~2 km (daily 3-5 times) ), ☏ +36 22 353219 , [email protected] . W-Su 10:00-18:00 . This Nature reserve is part of the Danube-Ipoly National Park. Sights: Habsburg castle remains, Castle Chapel, Palm House ruins, House of Research, Dollhouse, Bear's House, Gloriette, Grotta, The Lion Fountain, Crowned Bridge, giant plane tree, giant thuja. Ft700, guided tours 2-hr-long Ft7000 per group .  
  • Budakeszi (take city bus #22 from M2:Széll Kálmán square) Located in a green area. The north gate of the Hegyvidék is a good excursion place. There is a significant German minority with own church and museum. Also famous for the Wildlife Park.
  • 47.377 18.923 37 Érd , Pest county ( the first train stop from Budapest/South Buda ). - a suburb of Budapest, the biggest village in all Europe  
  • 47.795629 18.742622 38 Esztergom ( 50 km north - intercity buses from M3 'Árpád híd'/'Újpest-Városkapu' or train from Nyugati Railway Station (1 hour, ~Ft1500) ). Site of the biggest basilica (church) in Central Europe include the world's largest altarpiece which painted for a single canvas, the richest collection of Hungarian ecclesiastical treasures, the only Renaissance memory, of Hungary, the red marble Bakócz chapel. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.  
  • 47.61812 19.19032 39 Fót , Pest county ( 17 km north of the edge of Budapest ). Visit the Reformed church, a beautiful example of the Hungarian Romantic architecture painted boarded ceilings, sculptures of its made Carrara 's marble. The other main sight is the Károlyi Palace (1850)  

wiki travel hungary

  • 47.606 19.354 40 Gödöllő , Pest county ( by MÁV suburban rail – Keleti pályaudvar or HÉV ("local/suburban trains" supported by BKV ) from M2: 'Örs vezér tere' to Gödöllő (to Csömör is wrong direction, be aware of the splitting of HÉV lines H8 and H9).30 km east ). A town full of parks, and home to Grassalkovich-kastély (Grassalkovich Palace), formerly a Royal Palace also here is an Arboretum. This palace was the occasional residence of Sisi, Habsburg Empress Elizabeth. Visit the European rarity, a working, 200-year-old Baroque Theatre in the Palace. The great royal park became special with its old trees which could see Sisi in the 19th century. Take a walk in the Gödöllő Landscape Protection Area with lot of historical and cultural memories such Sarmatian, Scythian and Avar places: remains of cemeteries, earthworks, trenches in the neighborhood of Valkó, Szada, Pécel settlements and here is a part of the famous the Devil's Dykes (Hungarian: Ördög/Csörsz árok or the Limes Sarmatiae). Also there is one of the biggest pilgrimage place , the Shrine Temple in Máriabesnyő village.  
  • Mogyoród ( east toward Gödöllő ). The Formula 1 racetrack is located here. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to enjoy the event. Kart driving all year round at the nearby Hungarokart Centre. ( updated Jul 2023 )
  • 47.6474 19.02699 41 Pomáz , Pest county ( Danube Bend east side ). Teleki-Wattay Palace and the Stone Hill  
  • 47.17128 19.50108 42 Pusztavacs , Pest county ( 54 km south-east of Budapest ). Equestrianism.  
  • 47.161 18.943 43 Ráckeve , Pest county ( take suburban rail from 'Vágóhíd' terminal ). Famous for being the only standing Gothic Serbian cathedral in Hungary and Savoya Castle.  
  • 47.668 19.076 44 Szentendre , Pest county ( Danube Bend west side. From M2: Batthyany Square, take a suburban train 'HÉV' (supported by BKV ) to Szentendre - 19 km north ). A picturesque town, the Mediterranean atmosphere of its thanks to Greeks Dalmatians and Serbs who are settled since the 14th century. At city limit can find the biggest open-air ethnomuseum of Hungary. The most visited small town of Hungary. Also known for exquisite marzipan products.  
  • 47.779 19.129 45 Vác , Pest county ( on the Danube bend east side - reached from Budapest by MÁV suburban rail – Nyugati pályaudvar , 32 km north ). Visit a beautiful square, all houses of its are national level protected monuments. Also must-see is Memento Mori, this exhibition is a unique in all Europe in the Dominican church crypt you can see naturally mummified corpses in coffins. Otherwise, the Arc de Triomphe , built for visit of Empress Maria Theresa, is here this is only one of ths kind in all Hungary and only place in the country where you can walk on a Baroque bridge which decorated sculptures  
  • 47.710833 19.235278 46 Vácrátót , Pest county . There is the richest botanical garden of Hungary and the Manor of the Vigyázó Castle  
  • 47.65046 19.28299 47 Veresegyház , Pest county . Sight of its the bear sanctuary, Roman Catholic Church: built in 1777, Roman Catholic cemetery: in 1806 and 1849, Reformed Church: was built in 1786.  

wiki travel hungary

  • 47.7847 18.9712 48 Visegrád , Pest county ( Danube Bend west side ). Famous for its former royal palace partially rebuilt in Renaissance style, medieval residential tower, and impressive citadel. remains of a 13th-century fortification system can be see here, including hexagonal, five-storey residential tower, which like nowhere to be found along the Danube River. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Suburban bus service by Volánbusz - Take a biking or walking tour to Visegrád Mountains (sights of its: Illuminated ditch (Holdvilág-árok), Rám Cleft (Rám-szakadék) titled as one of top nature sights of Hungary the last one started from Dömös village  
  • 47.55 18.716667 49 Zsámbék ( 30 km west of Budapest along the M1 motorway. Take a suburban bus from M2: 'Széll Kálmán Square' ). This village famous for its 13th-century church ruins . The building is ruined by a 18th-century earthquake, but the tower and wall sections remains provide a unique backdrop for summer outdoor concerts and to theatrical performances. Another interesting feature of the village is the country's only museum of light .  

For more on Pest County's places, see: Central Hungary .

Further away [ edit ]

  • 47.907137 20.376098 50 Eger ( 150 km northeast ). A small and charming town, a possible one-day tour  

wiki travel hungary

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Hungary Travel Guide

Your ultimate hungary travel guide, with tips, and things to see and things to do in hungary. great for first-time and returning travelers..

After WW2 in 1949, Hungary was declared a people’s republic and was ruled by communism.

The iron curtain fell in 1989 but when you tour Budapest, you will see that there are reminders of the Communist regime scattered throughout the city today. 

This Hungary travel guide will help you plan your next vacation.

Popular City Guides

  • Remarkable Pictures of Budapest

Our Highlight

Table of contents.

Table of Contents

Fast Facts about Hungary

  • Hungarian power voltage is 230 V 50Hz;  Plug C & F
  • The Hungarian currency is the  Hungarian forint  and is around 280 HUF to 1 USD.
  • The signature national dish is gulyás, which you probably know as goulash. Make sure to try a bowl or attend the annual goulash festival held in September in Szolnok.
  • Sip on some tokaji or tokay wine from the Tokaj wine region. In fact, tokaji is so good that Louis XIV of France called it the “Wine of Kings the King of Wine.”
  • Although Hungary is a Schengen member state, you will need to have a return ticket or proof of funds to purchase a visa when you enter the country.

Things to See and Do in Hungary

  • Thermal Lake of Heviz – This is the second-largest thermal lake in the world and a great place to spend the day outdoors in the summer.
  • Segway tour – Take a tour of Budapest and other larger cities by way of a Segway tour.
  • Visit Budapes t – It truly is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities on the continent.
  • Take a history tou r   – The iron curtain fell in 1989 but when you tour Budapest, you will see that there are reminders of the Communist regime scattered throughout the city today.

Hungary Travel Guides

  • Budapest Bamako Rally – The Ultimate Overlanding Adventure
  • 23 of the Best Things to do in Budapest (Hungary)
  • Budapest Communist Tour

Accommodation

Budget – You can stay in budget hotels in Hungary starting at $10 US. These often have safes, free Wi-Fi, and TVs.

Mid Range – Mid-range hotels can be found in Hungary starting at $50. They often have family suites available, a breakfast buffet, and a pool.

High End – Luxury hotels begin at $100 and may include balconies with a view, minibars, restaurants, and a fitness center.

Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com , Tripadvisor and Air B&B for the best deals on accommodation in Hungary.

  • Lángos – This tasty snack is made of fried dough and topped with cheese and sour cream, garlic sauce, or ketchup.
  • Palacsintas – If you love crepes, you’ll love palacsintas. They are often filled with meat, fried onions, and paprika sauce or sour cream.
  • Rétes – This is similar to a strudel and a popular dessert filled with poppyseed, cherry, or apple filling.
  • Töltött Káposzta – This stuffed cabbage dish is often filled with meat, rice, cabbage, and sour cream.

The Best Ways to Get Around Hungary

Getting to hungary.

Flights: There are 6 airports in Hungary, with the most popular one being the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. You can fly direct from many countries in Europe.

You can check for the best flights to Hungary on Skyscanner .

Transportation:

Buses : A one-way bus ticket costs around 350 HUF, or one euro.

Taxis / Uber : Taxis in Hungary have a base price of 700 HUF plus a mileage rate of 300 HUF/km. There are no Ubers in Hungary.

Car Rental:  Car rentals in Hungary start at $40 for a basic car and increase with the make and model. You can also compare prices here .

When to go To Hungary

  • The best time to visit Hungary is between April and May or September or October.
  • These are the times the weather is still pleasant, but accommodations can be cheaper, as there are fewer tourists.
  • But November and December are also great times to visit as the Christmas markets are in full swing and it is a magical time to be in places like Budapest.

Where to Stay in Hungary

  • Hotel Palazzo Zichy – This Budapest hotel is close to a tram stop and located in a 19th-century palace. There is free breakfast each morning, a lobby bar, and a fitness center.
  • Malom-tó – This beautiful hotel is a great place to stay when you’re looking to relax. The hotel offers rooms with terraces, family suites, and many nearby attractions.
  • Danubius Hotel Gellért – This luxury hotel is close to the Danube River and many restaurants. Some rooms have balconies, breakfast is free, and a spa is available.

What to Pack for Hungary

Hungary has four very distinct seasons, a very warm summer from June to August, a very cold winter and spring and a mild autumn. Rain falls during the whole year with snowfalls in winter.

  • Swimsuit  – Hungary has more than 1,000 natural springs in the country and the largest thermal lake at Hévíz. There are around 118 natural springs in Budapest alone so make sure to bring along a swimsuit and towel.
  • Classic Basic items  – You do not need to be a fashionista to blend in. The key is in embracing neutral toned items that can be mixed and matched easily. Avoid logos, baseball caps, shorts, hoodies, flip-flops and running shoes as these items scream  tourist!
  • Leave your heels at home  – Cobblestone streets are common in many cities and towns across Hungary. Heels and cobblestone do not mix so opt for flats, boots and/or sandals.
  • Footwear  – Pack a pair of lightweight, durable and comfortable shoes. Known for its outside activities, including breathtaking hiking trails in the countryside, travellers eager to hike should also pack a pair of hiking boots or trainers.

Hungary Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources

Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.

We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.

  • Booking.com : This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
  • Trip Advisor :  What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
  • VRBO : is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
  • Hostelworld :  With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
  • Skyscanner : This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
  • Rome 2 Rio :  If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
  • Get Your Guide:  For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
  • World Nomads Insurance:  When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.

Hungary Travel Guide: Related Articles

To browse all our articles and guides about Hungary click here.

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Budapest Travel Guide

Home / Budapest Travel Guide

Budapest Travel Guide

Budapest is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and is ideal for those who want to relax at high-class  spas, enjoy the Hungarian cuisine, shop and live luxuriously without having to spend a fortune.

Budapest is a city that is very close to my heart, partly because I have family from Hungary, but also thanks to all the city has to offer. 

In this travel guide, I share my best advice both before and during the trip.

Tourist Attractions in Budapest

Hungarian parliament.

The Hungarian Parliament is one of the world’s most famous landmarks, and daily guided tours are available that showcase all the sculptures, statues, paintings and the beautiful interior and exterior.

It is also here that you can have a look at the holy crown of St. Stephen and the Hungarian crown jewels. The best views of this magnificent building can be seen from the other side of the river, at the Fishermen’s Bastion.

Address: Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3. Metro station: Kossuth Lajos ter. Line M2.

Heroes Square

Heroes’ Square is a beautiful attraction that’s also included on the UNESCO list of world heritages. On this square stands the Millennium Monument with statues representing the seven chiefs who founded Hungary in the 800s.

In the middle of the monument stands a giant statue depicting the archangel Gabriel. On the same monument, you can see 14 sculptures of various compatriots who have made great contributions to Hungary throughout history.

Metro station: Hősök tere. Line M1.

Matthias Church

Matthias Church in Budapest is one of the most beautiful churches I’ve put my foot in. The church was founded in 1015 and offers a dreamlike architecture, both on the inside as well as the outside.

Matthias Church is located on the Buda side next to the Fisherman’s Bastion; about 5 minutes walk from the castle. It costs about 40 SEK to go into the church, but it is well worth it if you like old buildings.

It is a magical feeling and certain calm that hangs over this church which is still used by locals, both for praying and weddings.

Address: Szentháromság tér second

St. Stephen’s Basilica

St. Stephen’s Basilica is one of Budapest’s most visited tourist attractions. The basilica is Hungary’s main church building and located right in the heart of the city, near Vaci Utca. This church is also where they keep King Stephen I’s mummified hand.

St. Stephen’s Basilica offers a fantastic architecture, including a beautiful spiral stair leading up to the dome. For about 4 Euros, one can go to the top of the church and enjoy an excellent view of the city.

Address: Szent István tér first Metro: Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út. Line M1.

St Stephen's Basilika

Great Market Hall

The Great Market Hall in Budapest offers a classic marketplace that attracts both tourists and locals. People come here to buy Hungarian sausages, fruits, vegetables and other local delicacies.

In addition to food, there are also plenty of crafts, porcelain, and lots of souvenirs. If you get hungry, there are plenty of food stalls serving traditional Hungarian dishes at reasonable prices.

The large market hall is a must place to visit, and although there are a lot of people, there’s still a homely atmosphere and mood.

Address: Vámház utca 1-3. Metro station: Fovam ter. Line M4.

Hungarian State Opera House

Classical Music and Opera is not my personal favorite, but if there is anywhere in the world to go to the Opera, it is in Budapest. The Hungarian State Opera House was built in the late 1800s and is considered one of the best and most beautiful opera houses.

Best of all is perhaps that it’s so cheap, but still give you a five-star performance.

Address: Andrássy út 22nd Metro Station: Opera. Line M1.

Buda Castle

Budapest Castle is located on the other side of the river, more precisely, on top of a hill on the Buda side.

This tourist attraction is also a part of the Unesco world heritage, and on the castle grounds awaits royal architecture, great views and fun activities such as crossbows and traditional Hungarian archery.

For those who are more interested in what’s inside the castle, there are guided tours to attend

The fastest way to get here is by cable car which goes all the way up, but it is just as easy to walk (about 10-15 minutes). It is free to enter the castle grounds, but it costs if you want to get into the castle itself.

Address: Szent György tér second

Buda castle

Spa & Thermal Baths

With over one hundred different thermal springs, it is not surprising that Budapest is nicknamed “the world’s spa capital”. Budapest is a city that will make your body and the soul smile.

Here are everything from old Turkish baths to traditional Hungarian spas and thermal baths, which both offer a great bathing experience, but also history and beautiful architecture.

Király Bath and the Rudas are two Turkish baths that I highly recommend, both built during the 1500s where much of the old architecture has been preserved.

Gellért

This bath opened up its gates as early as 1918 and is perhaps the most famous Spa in Budapest. Here awaits a magnificent bath house in pure Art Nouveau style. Gellért has both outdoor pools and indoor pools at different temperatures.

The water comes from a mineral-rich spring that is particularly rich in magnesium, calcium, sulfate, and chloride, to name a few. The water is said to heal several ailments and will be particularly effective for people with musculoskeletal, metabolic disorders and nerve pain.

Besides swimming, you are also offered a wide variety of treatments and massages. It is also possible to book a romantic spa experience with a private pool for two people.

Address: Kelenhegyi out 4. On the Buda side.

Szechenyi bath

In another part of Budapest, you will find another famous spa – The Szechenyi Bath, which is at least as impressive as Gellert. Szechenyi Bath is a bit outside the center, thus offers a more local and traditional experience.

There are many pools to choose from, just as it is with their spa treatments: mud baths, foot massage, and medical healing massage just to name a few.

In the summers you’ll also see old Hungarian men playing chess in the pool area.

Address: Állatkerti körut 11. Just next to the metro station. Metro station: Szechenyi Baths. Line M1.

Szechenyi Bath in Budapest

Budapest has a broad range of stores and shopping centers and has in recent years emerged as one of fashion cities in Europe. Here you’ll find everything from exclusive designer boutiques to local designers and international chains.

When it comes to shopping, Budapest has something for everyone, regardless of taste and budget.

A popular pedestrian street lined with shops and international restaurants. H & M, Pull & Bear, and Zara are some of the stores located here. Personally, I’d rather go to one of the shopping centers, but a walk along Váci Utca is always nice.

Metro station: Ferenciek tere. M3 line.

Andrassy ut

Do you have a slightly more upscale taste than what is offered on Vaci Utca? Then you should go to the Andrassy Avenue. Here are all the major fashion houses represented along with luxury designer jewelry and other branded stores.

Andrassy Avenue runs all the way from the Hungarian State Opera to Heroes’ Square, but the majority of shops are located in the part that lies closest to the State Opera.

Andrassy Avenue is also one of the World Heritage sites of Budapest, in addition to shopping, you can also go and admire the beautiful architecture and the well-preserved houses.

Metro Station: Opera – Opera. Heroes Square – Hősök tere. Line M1.

Westend City Center

WestEnd is one of Europe’s largest shopping center and, with its 400 different shops, it offers a broad range of shopping to suit all tastes. Here is everything you can imagine including a food court with various restaurants. Metro line number 3 stops just below the mall.

Address: 1062 Budapest. Váci út 1-3. Metro station: Nyugati Pályaudvar. M3 line.

Arcade shopping center

Arcade is not as large as WestEnd, but virtually all international chains are represented, such as H & M, Mango, Zara, and Bershka just to name a few.

Address: Örs vezér tér 25th Metro station: Örs vezér tér station. Line M2.

Arena Plaza

This shopping center has a similar range as WestEnd and Arcade. Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but most of the clothes I purchased in Budapest have been found at Arena Plaza.

Address: Kerepesi út 9th Metro Station: Keleti pályaudvar (Train Station). Line M2. Next one, or take bus 178 or 95th

All around Vaci Utca and the central parts, it is easy to get around by foot, but if you want to go to attractions in the outer part of the city, it’s better to use public transport.

Public transportation in Budapest is both efficient and well-developed. You can choose between the metro, bus, and tram that takes you around to the different parts of the city. If you know that you’ll use public transportation a lot, it pays to buy 24 or 72-hour ticket.

Tickets cost about 6 and 13 Euros.

The underground system is easy and goes to most places of interest. Hungarians are generally very helpful and kind, so even if it’s unlikely to get lost, you can always ask someone who walks by.

Taxis, however, should you be used with caution. Always use an official taxi company such as Buda Taxi or City Taxi. Or even better, get an Uber, it’s both cheaper and more convenient.

Recommended hotels in Budapest

Four seasons hotel gresham palace.

A luxury hotel that opened its doors already in 1906. The hotel is located just in front of the Chain Bridge and offers a beautiful view of Buda and the Danube. Rooms at the Gresham Palace are spacious and nicely decorated. The staff also does their utmost for their guests. Nor should I forget to mention the hotel’s luxurious spa, indoor pool, and sauna.

From here you have walking distance to most of the city sights. The hotel restaurant is of high class and serves Italian and Hungarian cuisine.

Looking for a luxury experience in Budapest? Then Gresham Palace is an excellent choice.

Price level: Luxury. Star rating: Five.

Click here to see photos, reviews, and prices

Eurostars Budapest Center

A relatively new hotel that has existed since 2010. The Eurostars Budapest Center is close to Vaci Utca and the Ferenciek Tere metro station. From here you can enjoy most attractions within walking distance while staying at a budget hotel with high standards.

The hotel’s restaurant serves Hungarian and international gourmet dishes at reasonable prices. Eurostars is a hotel that I highly recommend.

Price level : Medium. Stars : Four.

Queen’s Court Hotel & Residence

This hotel is located near all the famous sights in Budapest. Queen’s Court Hotel & Residence is the perfect choice when you want to feel pampered without having to empty your wallet.

The hotel’s suites are spacious and fresh decorated. As if that were not enough, you also have access to the spa, featuring an indoor pool and whirlpool.

Price level: Medium. Star rating: Five.

Click here to see photos, reviews and prices

K9 Residence

For those who prefer to travel cheaply and put the money on experiences and other things, K9 Residence is a great option. The hotel is about two minutes away from the metro station Deak Ferenc Ter and has everything you could possibly need when traveling to Budapest.

The hotel is centrally located and all the rooms have a kitchen, bathroom, and free wireless Internet access.

The standard is admittedly simple, but to be a budget hotel so keep K9 Residence a high budget class, which is also reflected by all the top reviews from previous guests.

Price level: Budget. Star rating: Three.

Food and Drinks

Hungary has a strong food culture that goes way back in time, all the way to the mongols and the seven chiefs. The most famous dish is goulash, which of course is a must to eat when visiting Hungary.

But Hungarian cuisine has a lot of other good dishes to offer, including my personal favorites: Pörkölt, paprikáscsirke, langos, Hortobágyi palacsinta, rántott Csirke and Töltött káposzta.

Besides great food, there are also good wines to enjoy. The finest Hungarian wines come from Tokaj region, but also Egri Bikaver and Törley is popular. If you prefer beer, there is no reason to be disappointed.

Hungary, has a whole bunch of domestic beers, of which the best known are: Dreher, Kaiser, Borsodi and Arany Ászok.

Last but not least are two liquors that Hungarians are very proud of. These are Palinka (a kind of brandy) and Unicum (liquor made from herbs). Palinka is a personal favorite that comes in several varieties of flavors, with peach, plum and pear the most famous ones.

Drinking pálinka is definitely one of the must things to do when you travel to Hungary.

Hungarian Goulasch

Good things to know

Budapest: GMT +2.

Average temperature in Budapest

From April to October the average temperature is between 15-25 degrees. During the summer months it can be up to 30-35 degrees. From November to February, the temperature drops and lies about 5 degrees with some days around 0 degrees and some days with temperatures upwards of 10 degrees.

The climate of Budapest is pleasant for most of the year and the best time to visit the town according to me is from May to June and September to October. When it is less tourists, yet comfortable weather.

Currency and debit cards

Hungarian Forint (HUF). Cards are accepted in many shops and at most major hotels and restaurants.

Visa & Passport Conditions

Hungary is a member of the EU and thus no visa is needed if you’re from Europe. For other nationalities please check current visa status. A valid ID card should be enough, but I still recommend everyone to bring your passport to be on the safe side.

Electrical outlets

220 volts. No adapter needed if you have a standard European plug.

Tap Water in Budapest

It’s fine to drink the tap water in Budapest. Tap water is safe to drink, but can contain a different bacterial flora that cause a minor reaction for sensitive people, such as diarrhea. However, it will be just fine for most people.

Approximately 1.7 million people.

Hungarian. English is also widely spoken, at least among younger people. Older generation often speak less english, but within the city most people speak basic english.

Christianity (Catholic).

Hungary - Wooden Dolls Souvenir, Hungary

Introducing Hungary

About hungary.

  • Images of Hungary
  • History, language & culture
  • Weather & geography
  • Doing business & staying in touch

Plan your trip

  • Travel to Hungary
  • Where to stay

While you’re there

  • Things to see & do
  • Shopping & nightlife
  • Food & drink
  • Getting around

Before you go

  • Passport & visa
  • Public Holidays
  • Money & duty free

Book your flights

  • Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport

Hungary travel guide

Culturally and linguistically distinct from all of its immediate neighbours, Hungary is very much the ‘odd one out’ in Central Europe, but for all the most honourable reasons.

This is a nation whose capital, Budapest, can hold up a mirror to classical Vienna; it’s a world of well-preserved castles, seductively good wines and quiet stoic pride; a landscape of low-lying mountains, oak forests and thermal springs.

The Romans were the first to make use of the hot waters, originally for medicinal purposes. Today, the pursuit is relaxation and over time the bathhouses have grown into splendid architectural affairs, most notably in Budapest.

The capital is an elegant, stylish and lively city made up of two separate settlements clustered on either side of the Danube River: hilly Buda has a wealth of graceful Habsburg and neoclassical buildings, while sprawling Pest is its commercial centre with a generous scattering of art nouveau architecture and an ad-hoc party scene.

The city has long been the focus of Hungary’s artistic, musical and literary community and is by far the best place in the country for a choice of bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

Smaller cities are equally architecturally fascinating and deserving of a visit in their own right: Pécs for its museums; Eger for it’s fortifications and infamous Bull’s Blood Wine; and Györ whose grand Basilica houses the golden herm of László.

Beyond these urban centres, Hungary’s bathes in natural delights. South west of Budapest is Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest body of freshwater, where locals spend hot summers cooling off in waters that average 20°C (68°F).

In winter, Hungary freezes, and thrill seekers head north to the Bakony Hills for the chance to ski through the forests before unwinding with a dip in the thermal spa.

It may be landlocked, but Hungary is a country content on ploughing its own furrow no matter what seeds its neighbours are sewing and is all the better for it.

93,028 sq km (35,918 sq miles).

9,821,318 (UN estimate 2016).

106.4 per sq km.

Parliamentary Republic.

President Katalin Novák since 2022, resigned in February 2024.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán since 2010.

Travel Advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

  • advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
  • information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK , for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Hungary set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Hungary’s embassy or consulate in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

Countries may restrict travel or bring in rules at short notice. Check with your travel provider.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative. You may also need to get treatment there.

You should also read TravelHealthPro’s general COVID-19 advice for travellers .

Passport validity requirements

To travel to Hungary, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements .

To enter Hungary (and all Schengen countries) your passport must:

  • have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive. Passports issued after 1 October 2018 are now valid for only 10 years, but for passports issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added if you renewed a passport early
  • have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave

Contact the  Hungarian Embassy in the UK if your passport does not meet both these requirements.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document, or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Checks at border control

From 21 October, temporary border checks have been introduced at Hungary’s borders with Slovenia. You should allow extra time for crossing the land border between Hungary and Slovenia, and be ready to show your passport or residency card if you are asked to do so by the border police. Checks may also involve vehicle inspections.

Make sure you get your passport stamped

If you’re a visitor, your passport must be stamped when you enter or leave the Schengen area (which includes Hungary). Border guards will use passport stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for stays in the Schengen area. If your passport was not stamped, border guards will presume you have overstayed the visa-free limit.

If your passport was not stamped, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.

If you live in Hungary, read our Living in Hungary guide for passport stamping information.

At Hungarian border control, you may also need to:

  • show a return or onward ticket
  • show you have enough money for your stay
  • show proof of accommodation, for example, a hotel booking

Visa requirements

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area (including Hungary) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:

  • as a tourist
  • to visit family or friends
  • to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
  • for short-term studies or training

If you’re travelling to Hungary and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Hungarian government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Hungarian Embassy in the UK .

If you stay in Hungary with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Extending your visa

To extend your visa, see guidance from the Hungarian government National Directorate General for Aliens Policing .

Unpaid fines

If you have an unpaid fine in Hungary, you may be denied entry. Contact the Hungarian Embassy in the UK for guidance on paying any outstanding fines.

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Hungary guide .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Hungary, including pets, hunting weapons, alcohol and tobacco products and medicines containing drugs. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. More information is available from the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary .

Taking food and drink into the EU

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.

Taking money into Hungary

There are restrictions on the amount of cash you can bring into or take out of all EU countries, including Hungary. You must declare any amount over 10,000 euros (or equivalent). This includes cheques, travellers’ cheques, money orders, etc. This does not apply if you are travelling through the EU to a non- EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU . It also does not apply if you are travelling within the EU .

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad .

Terrorism in Hungary

Terrorist attacks in Hungary cannot be ruled out.

Political situation

Political demonstrations can take place in Budapest and across Hungary. Demonstrations often happen around important national holidays, such as 15 March (anniversary of 1848 Revolution) and 23 October (anniversary of 1956 anti-Soviet Uprising). Peaceful demonstrations have sometimes turned violent. Avoid demonstrations, monitor the local media and be aware of your surroundings.

Protecting your belongings

Tourists can be targets for petty crime in Hungary, especially in big cities. Take sensible precautions. Bag snatching and pick-pocketing are common, especially in Budapest. Theft of and from vehicles is common.

  • on busy public transport
  • in train stations
  • in places with high numbers of tourists

Scams in restaurants, bars and clubs

Some restaurants, bars and clubs might charge high amounts for food and drink. Tourists have been taken to cashpoints with demands for the money to pay the bill. Always ask to see the menu and price list before ordering drinks or food, and check your bill carefully before paying. Be wary of establishments where menus do not properly display prices. Report any incidents to the police.

Some taxi drivers are part of these frauds. They may receive a commission to recommend certain bars, clubs and restaurants to passengers. If a taxi driver offers to take you to a bar or club, or you are approached on the street with an invitation, be cautious. Use taxis from a reputable local company.

Use official ATMs or banks. Do not change money on the street.

Drink and food spiking

There have been reports of drinks being spiked, particularly in Budapest bars. Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times.

Laws and cultural differences

Personal id.

Carry your passport at all times. You must show ID if requested. A photocopy is not acceptable.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Hungarian laws on the possession and use of drugs are very strict and carry serious penalties and custodial sentences.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships and civil partnerships are legal in Hungary but same-sex marriages are not recognised in Hungarian law. Budapest is generally tolerant and open. Recent Pride events have passed without incident, but historically there have been counter-events which have led to verbal, and sometimes physical, confrontation. Outside of Budapest, public affection may receive unwanted attention. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

If you are going to a summer music festival in Hungary, see FCDO’s travel checklist for festivals in Europe .

Transport risks

Public transport.

You could be fined if you do not follow the rules of the transport ticket system. Make sure:

  • on the Metro, you validate your ticket before you get onboard at the entrance to the station
  • on buses, trams or trolley buses, you validate your ticket immediately after boarding
  • you keep your ticket until the end of your journey and show it to ticket inspectors if requested
  • you validate a new ticket each time you change lines or mode of transport
  • you have the special ticket which is required for the night service network

More information on ticket conditions and prices is available from the Budapest Transport Authority .

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Hungary, see information on driving abroad and read the RAC guide .

Licences and permits

You can drive in Hungary with a UK driving licence.

If you’re living in Hungary, check the Living in Guide for information on requirements for residents.

Driving a British car abroad

You may need a UK sticker to drive your car outside the UK . In 2021, UK stickers replaced GB stickers. Check guidance on displaying number plates .

Driving regulations

Hungary has a no-alcohol driving policy. It is illegal to drink any alcohol and then drive in Hungary.

You must use headlights on roads outside towns even in daytime.

If you want to use major highways in Hungary, you must buy a motorway vignette (ticket) in advance of your journey. The vignette is a form of toll. If you use the roads without purchasing a vignette, you will be fined.

Haulage vehicles

If you are driving a large haulage vehicle through Hungary, make sure you have full vehicle documentation. International loads must be supported by a TIR carnet providing a full inventory of the goods being carried. You must leave a financial bond with the Hungarian customs when transiting Hungary with a cargo. The financial bond, minus an administration fee, is returned when you leave the country.

If you are planning to transit Hungary with consignments of humanitarian aid following a disaster, or medical aid, contact the Hungarian Embassy in London in advance to apply for a waiver.

Rail travel

Take care when travelling by train (domestically and internationally) and keep your belongings in sight. Take extra care on night trains. Travel with companions where possible and secure your compartment from the inside.

Before you travel check that:

  • your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
  • you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 112 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

For more information read guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe .

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip check:

  • the latest information on vaccinations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s Hungary guide
  • where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro .

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad .

Healthcare facilities in Hungary

You can view a list of English speaking doctors in Hungary .

Health insurance cards

Apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card ( GHIC ) or European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ) before leaving the UK . If you already have an EHIC , it will still be valid as long as it remains in date.

The GHIC or EHIC entitles you to state-provided medical treatment necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as for Hungarian nationals. If you do not have your card with you or you’ve lost it, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team .

It’s important to take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. A or GHIC or EHIC does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover .

GHIC and EHIC cover state healthcare only, not private treatment. You will be responsible for the cost of any treatment provided by a private doctor or private clinic.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Hungary

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

  • where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
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Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

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  • dealing with a death in Hungary
  • being arrested in Hungary
  • getting help if you’re a victim of crime
  • what to do if you’re in hospital
  • if you’re affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack

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Help abroad in an emergency

If you are in Hungary and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British Embassy Budapest .

You can also contact FCDO online .

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Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

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The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

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A First Timer’s Guide to Visiting Budapest, Hungary

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Embarking on your first journey to Budapest? Our comprehensive guide is tailored for first-timers visiting Budapest and covers everything you need to know—from iconic landmarks and hidden gems to local cuisine and travel tips. Make the most of your Hungarian adventure with our expert insights.

Visiting Budapest Travel Guide

Budapest, often called the Pearl of the Danube, is a city that magically straddles both time and culture . The Hungarian capital unfurls an opulent canvas of history, from its regal castles and intricate architecture to its modern-day ruin bars pulsing with youthful energy.

As you wander along the cobblestone streets, you’ll find an endless array of activities that cater to all—be it the history or culture aficionado, the art lover, or a family on the move.

A mere three days in this enchanting city will sweep you off your feet, leaving you so enamored that, like us, you’ll find yourself planning a return trip. In fact, we were so smitten by Budapest’s charm that we’re heading back there with our family this coming March.

Trust me, Budapest doesn’t just meet expectations; it dramatically exceeds them.

Where is Budapest in Hungary?

Snuggled along the sweeping curves of the Danube River, Budapest holds the title of being the capital and the largest city of Hungary , a landlocked country in Central Europe sharing its borders with seven other nations — Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia , Slovenia , and Austria .

The city itself serves as a geographical and cultural crossroads, linking the eastern and western parts of the continent.

So, when you’re visiting Budapest, you’re not just stepping into the heart of Hungary; you’re essentially stepping into a vibrant epicenter of European heritage and history.

Why Visit Budapest

fishermans bastion castle hill

No need to search for excuses, but if you’re on the fence, here are a few irresistible reasons to make Budapest your next destination:

♥ Budapest is simply enchanting. It offers experiences that stir the soul. ♥ The city is a blend of old-world charm and modern flair. ♥ It’s a food lover’s paradise. serves up culinary delights like goulash and chimney cake that will leave an indelible impression on your food memories. ♥ The thermal baths are not just a dip but a tradition. ♥ For the stunning Danube River, which splits the city into Buda and Pest. ♥ To explore its compelling history and diverse architecture. ♥ For the ruin bars—there’s nothing like it anywhere else. ♥ It’s a city that never sleeps but also lets you relax. ♥ For Buda Castle, an iconic symbol of the city’s resilience. ♥ Because of the Fisherman’s Bastion, where fairy tales come to life. ♥ Its people make you feel like you’re home, even when you’re miles away.

Feel like packing your bags yet? Because I certainly do!

Best Time to Visit Budapest

view over budapest from buda castle

There’s no bad time to visit the Pearl of the Danube. It all depends upon your travel goals.

June to August (summer) marks the peak travel season. It’s when the weather is great, days are long, there are a host of events around the city, and all the attractions are open. However, if we talk about the cons, it’s the time of the year when the temperatures are at their highest and the hoards of tourists throng the city increasing the cost of accommodation.

November to February (winter) mark the low travel season. It’s when the weather is cold and dreary, days are short, and many of the attractions are closed. The pros include lower prices, the absence of crowds, and a chance to witness the winter wonderland.

If visiting one of the best Christmas markets in Europe is your travel goal, December is the perfect time to visit Budapest. The city comes to life during the Christmas season. With the blanket of snow covering the city’s iconic architecture, views over the frozen Danube, and the festive cheer filling the air – the city looks like a fairytale.

Hop from one Christmas market to the other, enjoy the outdoor ice skating rinks, ride the special Christmas tram, gorge on the warm chimney cakes, soak in the quintessential thermal baths, or party hard at the unique ruin bars around the city – whatever you do, you’d love Budapest in winter.

March to May (spring) and September to October (fall) mark the shoulder season. Overall, these are the best times to visit Budapest as they offer nice weather, affordable prices, and fewer crowds.

Getting to Budapest

You can get to Budapest by air, by car, by train, by bus, and even by cruise depending on where you are coming from.

Getting to Budapest by Air

You can easily fly into Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport from any part of the world. Most airline companies including low-cost airlines (LOT, Wizz Air, Ryanair, and Easyjet) offer flights to Budapest. We use Skyscanner to search and compare flights.

You can hire a Budapest airport taxi at any hour of the day which costs anywhere between 6,500 HUF to 9000 HUF or board a Budapest airport bus 100E which costs 900 HUF to get to the city center. Bus 100E leaves from Terminal 2 and runs every 20 minutes from 5 am to 1:20 am. It stops at Kálvin tér M, Astoria M, and Deák Ferenc tér M. You also have the option to book a shared airport shuttle bus transfer or private airport transfer .

Getting to Budapest by Car

Driving is one of the best and fastest ways to get to Budapest from nearby European cities. We use Discover Cars to rent a car wherever we go.

PS: It’s best to use public transport to get around Budapest so book a hotel close to the city center that offers safe parking.

Getting to Budapest by Train

Budapest is served by three main international railway stations viz. Keleti, Nyugati, and Déli offer direct connections between Budapest and other European capital cities. We use Eurail and RailEurope to book train tickets.

Getting to Budapest by Bus

Budapest is served by the Népliget Bus terminal which offers bus and coach services between Budapest and other European capital cities. We use Flixbus and Omio to book bus tickets.

Getting to Budapest by Danube River Cruise

If you’re coming from Vienna or Bratislava, the river cruise is the most scenic way to get to Budapest.

Understanding Budapest to Navigate it Better

Having a good grasp of Budapest’s layout can be a game-changer for your trip. At its core, Budapest is a tale of two cities: Buda and Pest , separated by the majestic Danube River. Each side has its own distinct personality and attractions, making it almost like visiting two cities in one.

Buda is the hilly, more residential area boasting attractions like the Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion. It’s where you’ll find winding streets, Ottoman-era thermal baths, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking Pest.

On the flip side, Pest is the urban heartbeat of Budapest. This is where you’ll dive into bustling markets, edgy ruin bars, and grand boulevards like Andrássy Avenue. It’s the commercial and cultural center, home to the Hungarian Parliament Building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and endless shopping and dining options.

It’s also important to understand the layout of districts of Budapest to give you an even fuller picture of this vibrant city. Budapest is divided into 23 districts, each marked by a Roman numeral and often referred to by their individual names.

The districts spiral out from the center, with District I being the historic Castle District in Buda, home to the Buda Castle and the quaint, cobblestone streets that surround it. District V is another crucial area to know, as it’s the political and financial heart of the city, boasting the Hungarian Parliament Building and St. Stephen’s Basilica.

With a bohemian vibe, District VII aka the Jewish Quarter is the birthplace of Budapest’s famous ruin bars and has a lively, youthful atmosphere filled with art, music, and culture.

District VI is the hub for shopping and entertainment, particularly along Andrássy Avenue, which leads to the iconic Heroes’ Square and City Park in District XIV .

With a laid-back vibe, District XIII offers a quieter, more residential feel but still provides a variety of restaurants and cafes along the Danube.

Getting Around Budapest

tramway in budapest getting around

The best way to explore Budapest is on foot. Buda and Pest are super pedestrian-friendly. If walking isn’t your thing, Budapest is well-served by fast and efficient public transportation. The public transportation system includes the metro, trams (streetcars or trollies), trolly buses, and buses. Outer districts and nearby towns are connected by the local suburban railway (HÉV).

PS: You can experience the first underground on the European mainland, the world’s second-oldest underground after the London Underground, and the oldest line of the Budapest Metro – Line 1 or Metro 1 or M1 or Millennium Underground Railway . Locals call it kisföldalatti or the small underground.

Tip: You must not miss riding Tram 2 in Budapest, one of the most beautiful trolley rides in the world. Boarding bus no. 16 is another amazing way to sightsee across Budapest.

We recommend buying a travel card  if you plan to use public transportation as it saves you time and money. You can buy a 24-hour, 72-hour, or 7-day travel card depending on how long you are in Budapest.

Alternatively, you can purchase a Budapest Card that not only gives free access to public transport but also gives you free entry to about 19 museums and attractions and discounts of up to 50% for other museums, sightseeing tours, and sights. That’s not all it also offers a free walking tour and free entry to Lukács Thermal Bath.

If using public transportation feels like a big hassle to you, you can safely book a hop-on-hop-off bus tour ! We booked a  48-hour Budapest Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Package  and loved the ease and freedom of exploring the city. It saves you money plus the hassle of figuring out the public transportation system in a new city. You can buy a 24, 48, or 72-hour ticket. The ticket comes with the free Danube cruise, night tour, and walking tour. Value for time and money.

How Many Days to Spend in Budapest

You need a minimum of 2 days to explore the highlights of Budapest.

If you don’t want to rush and prefer to take in the beauty of the queen of the Danube at a slower pace (vital if you’re traveling with kids), set aside at least 3 days. We recommend you spend a minimum of 3 days in Budapest.

And if you can spare 4 days (lucky you!), you can also discover the hidden gems in Budapest along with the popular attractions.

Staying Connected in Budapest

In the digital age, where would we be without our trusty gadgets and the internet, especially when exploring a new city? To truly make your trip seamless, a connected smartphone is almost non-negotiable.

Having continuous access to Google Maps transforms your travel experience from aimless wandering to targeted exploring. Navigating the city’s public transport system, discovering eateries where locals actually go, and, or even translating a foreign menu becomes easy as you stay plugged into the matrix.

Though, free Wi-Fi is widely available in public spaces, cafés, and even some metro stations.

But if you’re my type, you’ll need a connection as stable as your love for Hungarian pastries and thus, it’s vital getting a local SIM card. Major providers like Telekom, Vodafone, and Telenor offer a range of budget-friendly plans, tailored for tourists.

Just pop into a store, show your ID, and you’ll be Instagramming your goulash in no time.

And if swapping SIM cards sounds as outdated as a flip phone to you, then Airalo is your go-to for staying connected in Budapest. This eSIM service offers a variety of data plans that are not only affordable but also super easy to set up. Simply download the Airalo app, choose your Hungarian data pack, and voila—your phone will be buzzing with connectivity quicker than you can say “Egészségedre,” that’s ‘Cheers’ in Hungarian, by the way.

What’s more, Airalo’s eSIM works seamlessly across multiple countries, so if you’re extending your European escapade beyond Budapest, there’s no need to worry about changing plans or incurring roaming charges. It’s a fuss-free, ultra-convenient way to ensure you’re always connected, letting you focus more on soaking up the Budapest experience and less on hunting down Wi-Fi passwords.

Tipping in Budapest

While it’s not obligatory, leaving a tip for good service is customary in Budapest. Whether you’re dining at a restaurant, taking a taxi, or relaxing at one of the city’s famous thermal baths, a tip is a nod of approval and a thank-you for good service.

At restaurants and cafes, it’s standard to leave around 10-15% of the total bill. Some places might include a service charge (around 12.5%), but this is not a tip and goes to the establishment rather than the individual server. It’s always good to check your bill for a service charge and then decide how much extra you’d like to leave.

Taxi drivers usually look forward to a 10% tip on the fare. For minor services, like using a cloakroom or restroom, a tip of a few hundred Forints is enough. Instead of leaving spare change on the table, it’s more common to round the bill to the nearest whole number or specify the total sum you’d like to pay, tip included.

So go ahead, be generous but not extravagant, and when in doubt, 10% is a good rule of thumb. Your gesture won’t just make someone’s day; it’s a wonderful way to show appreciation and respect for the local culture.

Where to Stay in Budapest

District I (Castle Hill), District V (Downtown or Inner City or Belváros), District VI (Terézváros), District VII (Jewish Quarter or Erzsébetváros), and District VIII (Józsefváros)are the recommended neighborhoods to stay in Budapest.

If you are visiting Budapest for the first time or are short on time, staying in District V is your best bet! It’s the center of the city where most of the popular attractions, best restaurants, and hotels are located.

Some of the best hotels in District V are Aria Hotel Budapest , Prestige Hotel Budapest , and Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest .

For a quieter and more luxurious stay, you can choose District I . Buda Castle Hotel , Hilton Budapest , and Monastery Boutique Hotel Budapest  are some of the best properties in the Castle District.

District VI is packed with history and culture and makes a good stay option for culture lovers while District VII is home to the unique ruin bars Budapest is known for and can be a good fit for those who want to experience the vibrant nightlife of the city. Home to some of the finest and most charming streets and boulevards, the Hungarian National Museum, bohemian cafes, lovely art spaces, and extravagant mansions, District VIII is also a great place to stay in Budapest.

The best hotels in District VI include Stories Boutique Hotel , Mamaison Hotel Andrassy Budapest , and Barceló Budapest and the recommended ones in District VII are Bo33 Hotel Family & Suites , Roombach Hotel Budapest Center , and Vagabond Broadway .

The best properties to stay in District VIII are Brody House and Hotel Museum Budapest .

What to do in Budapest

attila jozsef statue kossuth square

To help you navigate the abundance of must-dos in Budapest, here are the city’s crown jewels that promise an unforgettable experience without overwhelming you.

Marvel at the Buda Castle

Your trip to Budapest would be incomplete without visiting the Buda Castle. This historic palace complex is not just an architectural masterpiece but also offers panoramic views of the city from its hilltop location. Don’t miss the Hungarian National Gallery within the complex.

Take a Dip in the Thermal Baths

A dive into the city’s spa culture is a must! Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, thanks to a bounty of natural hot springs beneath the city. The Széchenyi Baths and the Gellért Baths are the most famous, but for a less crowded experience, try the Lukács Baths or the Rudas Baths.

Walk Across the Chain Bridge

Connecting Buda and Pest, this iconic bridge is best crossed on foot. The views of the Parliament and Buda Castle at either end, especially during sunset, are simply unforgettable.

The Danube Promenade

Wander the Danube Promenade for a breathtaking tableau of Budapest’s illustrious landmarks. As you amble, you’ll come face to face with the haunting yet beautiful Shoes on the Danube Bank, an evocative tribute to the Jewish victims of World War II.

This stroll is not merely scenic; it’s a walk through the riveting chapters of Budapest’s past.

Visit the Hungarian Parliament

You can’t visit Budapest without marveling at one of Europe’s oldest legislative buildings.

It’s one of the largest and most intricately designed parliament buildings in the world. While its exterior is magnificent, the inside is equally grand, featuring marble columns, golden accents, and the Holy Crown of Hungary.

Whether you tour the inside or admire it from the Danube, its grandeur is awe-inspiring.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

This neoclassical church is not only a functioning religious institution but also offers some of the best views of the city from its dome. You can either climb the stairs or take an elevator to the top.

Fisherman’s Bastion

This fairytale-like structure provides another excellent vantage point for city views. It looks particularly magical at sunrise and sunset.

The Great Market Hall

For a dose of local life, head to this bustling market. It’s a great place to try local foods, buy souvenirs, and observe the daily life of Budapest residents.

Discover the Jewish Quarter

Home to ruin bars, street art, and the Great Synagogue—the largest in Europe—the Jewish Quarter is a fusion of history and hipster culture. Don’t miss a visit to Szimpla Kert, the original ruin bar.

Explore Andrássy Avenue

Imagine sauntering down an elegant avenue framed by magnificent Neo-Renaissance edifices and upscale boutiques, each step bringing you closer to the legendary Heroes’ Square. Here, larger-than-life statues of Hungary’s national heroes stand in solemn tribute, watched over by two cultural behemoths—the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Art.

Continue your journey, and you’ll soon be enveloped by the verdant embrace of City Park, where the enchanting Vajdahunyad Castle awaits to sweep you off your feet.

House of Terror Museum

This museum offers a dark but necessary look at the fascist and communist regimes that once ruled Hungary. It’s located in the former headquarters of the secret police, adding to its haunting atmosphere.

Cruise on the Danube

A river cruise on the Danube, especially in the evening when the city’s landmarks are lit up, is magical. It’s a wonderful way to see Budapest from a different angle.

Enjoy Hungarian Cuisine

Dive into local flavors at the Central Market Hall or at eateries like Kispiac and Mák Bistro. Make sure you try chimney cake, an irresistible local dessert.

Have a Cup of Coffee at New York Café

Often dubbed the “ Most Beautiful Café in the World ,” this cafe is a living piece of Hungarian history. With its grandiose chandeliers, opulent gold leafing, and frescoed ceilings, stepping inside feels like entering a bygone era of glamour and elegance.

It’s the kind of place where you half expect to see 19th-century poets and writers discussing their latest works over a cup of coffee. And speaking of coffee, their menu is a delightful fusion of traditional Hungarian treats and classic café staples.

Even if you’re not in the mood for caffeine, simply walking into this magnificent space to admire its historical and visual grandeur is an experience in itself.

In essence, a visit to the New York Café is like stepping into a living museum, one where the exhibits are best enjoyed with a cup of coffee in hand.

Hidden Gems in Budapest

If you’re in the mood to sidestep the well-trodden paths and discover Budapest’s less-heralded treasures, then you’re in for a treat.

Memento Park

Located a bit out of the city center, this park is a collection of statues from Hungary’s Communist period. It’s an eerie yet fascinating look into a bygone era.

Flippermuzeum

This pinball museum offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane with playable pinball machines from different eras. It’s quirky, fun, and a great way to spend an afternoon.

The Children’s Railway

Operated by children under adult supervision, this narrow-gauge railway takes you through the scenic Buda hills. It’s a unique experience that’s perfect for families.

Hospital in the Rock

A lesser-known site, this former hospital was turned into a nuclear bunker during the Cold War. Now a museum, it’s a fascinating dive into history.

Petofi Literary Museum

For the literature aficionados, a visit to this museum is like entering a time capsule of Hungarian literary history. Named after Hungary’s national poet Sándor Petőfi, the museum offers an intimate look into the nation’s literary accomplishments and struggles for freedom.

Koleves Kert

It’s a unique ruin pub where local artists have transformed discarded furniture and vintage items into an eclectic masterpiece. It’s Budapest’s alternative to mainstream nightlife, nestled in the Jewish Quarter but far enough from the crowd.

Szimpla Farmer’s Market

For a sip of Budapest’s underground culture, head to this unique market, hosted every Sunday in the renowned Szimpla Kert ruin bar. It’s a patchwork of local produce, handmade crafts, and that authentic Budapest community vibe you won’t find anywhere else.

Toth Arpad setany

Take a walk along this lesser-known promenade in Buda offering panoramic views of the city and a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle. It’s one of the best spots to catch a golden Budapest sunset.

Day Trips from Budapest

lake balaton day trip from budapest hungary

The city’s central location makes it a fantastic starting point for day trips that offer a whole new set of experiences. Here are some handpicked escapes that can effortlessly fit into your Budapest itinerary.

Lake Balaton

Often hailed as the “Hungarian Sea,” Lake Balaton stands as Central Europe’s largest freshwater haven. Less than two hours from Budapest by train, this alluring destination offers sailing, swimming, and even wine tasting.

Just a short train ride away, Szentendre is an art-lover’s paradise. This charming town is home to winding streets, quaint buildings, and several art galleries and museums.

This town is a medieval marvel, complete with a royal palace and a hilltop citadel offering panoramic views of the Danube Bend.

Known for its monumental basilica, which is the largest church in Hungary, Esztergom is a treasure trove of history and architecture. It’s an easy train or boat ride from Budapest.

This southern city offers a unique blend of Roman architecture, a vibrant arts scene, and Ottoman-era mosques. Pécs is around a three-hour train ride from Budapest but well worth the journey.

Also known as the Great Hungarian Plain, it is a day-tripper’s dream, especially if you’re keen to experience Hungary’s traditional countryside. Located about 90 minutes from Budapest, this expansive flatland offers horse shows, carriage rides, and a glimpse into the pastoral life that’s a world away from the city hustle. It’s the ideal spot for those who want to see Hungarian cowboys, known as “csikos,” in action and indulge in local folklore.

Famous for its castle, thermal baths, and the historic defeat of Ottoman troops, Eger also tempts visitors with its wine culture, including the renowned Egri Bikavér (“Bull’s Blood”).

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this village offers a glimpse into traditional Hungarian life. Its Easter Festival is especially worth experiencing.

Just a half-hour train ride from Budapest, Gödöllő hosts the Royal Palace, the world’s second-largest Baroque chateau. It was a favorite summer residence of Queen Elisabeth, affectionately known as Sisi.

What to Eat & Drink in Budapest

chimney cake molnars kurtoskalacs

Think rich stews and mouthwatering pastries—Budapest offers a flavorful peek into Hungary’s vibrant culture.

Goulash is the iconic Hungarian stew that’s a comforting blend of meat, veggies, and that all-important dash of paprika.

If you’re in the mood for something less hearty but equally delicious, Lángos is your go-to. This delectable deep-fried flatbread is usually adorned with dollops of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese.

Chimney Cake

Chimney Cake, or Kürtőskalács is a sweet, spiral-shaped pastry that’s crispy on the outside and soft within.

And don’t forget to try Pogácsa, a type of savory scone that’s perfect for snacking as you explore the city.

Hungarian Wine

Hungarian wine is often overlooked, but it’s a must-try while you’re in town. Venture to a local wine bar to sample a glass of Tokaji , Hungary’s famous dessert wine, or Egri Bikavér , a robust red. For something stronger, take a sip of Pálinka , a fruit brandy that packs a punch.

Where to Eat & Drink in Budapest

For a genuine taste of Hungarian cooking, head to this retro-chic eatery that revisits traditional recipes with a modern twist.

Costes Downtown

If you’re craving some Michelin-star dining, Costes Downtown offers a world-class experience right in the heart of the city.

Bors GasztroBar

This place is practically an institution for street food in Budapest. From soups to sandwiches, every dish is a burst of flavor, making it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Street food fans, brace yourselves for Karavan, a food truck yard serving up everything from chimney cake to gourmet burgers.

Molnar’s Kurtoskalacs

It’s the go-to place for chimney cake, a Hungarian dessert that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, literally a sugary spiral of joy that you’ll probably dream about long after your trip.

Vegetarians like me can savor plant-based delights at Vegan Love, known for its scrumptious vegan burgers and shakes.

Espresso Embassy

To soak in the city’s coffee culture, Espresso Embassy is an ideal haunt, serving artisanal coffees that are the talk of the town.

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Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

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Hungary is a party to the Schengen Agreement, which allows for free movement between certain European countries. U.S. citizens may enter Hungary for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. If you plan to stay longer, please visit the Embassy of Hungary for the most current visa information.

Traveling Through Europe : If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. Please review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page .

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Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

  • High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
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Terrorism: Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad, including in Europe. For more information, see our Terrorism page.

Crime: Although Hungary is generally a safe place to visit, you should use caution and stay alert. Be especially careful in crowded tourist areas, train stations, buses, trams, and metros.

Passports, cash, and credit cards are favorite targets of thieves. The Embassy regularly receives reports of pickpocketing on the trains between Budapest and Vienna, so please be especially mindful of your belongings when traveling this route. There have been some instances in Budapest where U.S. citizens were overcharged exorbitant prices for food, beverages, or taxi services. Always verify the cost before making a purchase.

There have been incidents, although rare, where U.S. citizens were unknowingly drugged. Do not accept food or drink from anyone but a server. Additionally, the Embassy has received reports of racially motivated assaults. Please report all crimes to the local police. In an emergency dial 112 for help and contact the U.S. Embassy for follow-up assistance.

General tips to avoid becoming a victim of crime:

  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Do not walk alone at night.
  • Be vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
  • Stay alert in crowded locations frequented by tourists.
  • Always keep your belongings secure.
  • Do not accept food or drink from anyone but a server.

Victims of Crime: Hungarian authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes committed in Hungary. Report crimes to the local police by calling 112 .

U.S. citizen victims of violent crime and sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. See our webpage about help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

  • Help you find appropriate medical care 
  • Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
  • Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
  • Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
  • Provide a list of local attorneys 
  • Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
  • Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
  • Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
  • Replace a stolen or lost passport

Demonstrations: Political gatherings and protests occur frequently in Hungary, mostly in Budapest. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Ethnic nationalist groups have gained popularity in Hungary in the past years, in some cases advocating intolerance towards migrants and minorities, including Jews, Roma, and LGBTI+ individuals. Although these far-right groups do not engage in violence and are not explicitly anti-United States, you should avoid public demonstrations and confrontations with their members.

  • Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and political rallies. 
  • Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
  • In a few instances where demonstrations have turned violent, authorities have used riot police to control crowds.

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

International Financial Scams: See the  Department of State  and   FBI webpages for information.

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally well-regulated and rules enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is generally available throughout the country. Outside of major metropolitan centers, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

  • Always carry your passport with you in Hungary. Local police may require you to show documentation to establish your identity upon request. Hungarian police may take you into custody if you attempt to prove your identity with documents other than a passport.
  • Hungary has a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Penalties are severe, including significant jail time.

Some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Special Circumstances regarding Banking and Customs:

  • Travelers’ checks are not universally accepted in Hungary. ATMs are readily available.
  • It is not possible to cash personal checks in Hungary without a local bank account, which requires residency.
  • Western Union is the most prevalent international money transfer company and has many locations throughout Hungary. You must have photo identification to receive a wire transfer.
  • Visit the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary for information about import and export of potentially restricted items.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

  • Faith-Based Travel Information
  • International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
  • Human Rights Report – see country report
  • Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
  • Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Hungary. However, organizers may encounter disruptive behavior by far-right wing extremists at events supporting the LGBTQI+ community.

See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Hungary prohibits discrimination against persons with physical or mental disabilities, and the law is enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is as prevalent as in the United States. The most common types of accessibility issues may include accessible facilities and ease of movement. Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, and general infrastructure. There can be a significant difference in accessibility between Budapest and the rest of the country.

Students:   See our Students Abroad webpage and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also provides Traveler Health Information for Hungary .

For emergency services in Hungary dial:

  • 104 for Ambulance Services
  • 107 for the Police
  • 105 for the Fire Department
  • 112 for English-Speaking Emergency Responders (All Types of Emergencies)

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Ambulance services are widely available in Hungary, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. All ambulances may not be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.

Adequate health facilities are available in the capital and other major cities, but health care in rural areas may be below U.S. standards. Medical staff may speak little or no English. Generally, in public hospitals only minimal staff is available overnight in non-emergency wards. Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.

Some hospitals and doctors require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not always available. Some private clinics and hospitals may require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient. Travelers should make efforts to obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care. Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage . Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Prescription Medication: Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the government of Hungary to ensure the medication is legal in Hungary. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines are widely available at pharmacies.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

  • World Health Organization
  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy: If you are considering traveling to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page . Hungarian law forbids surrogacy arrangements.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Roadside assistance, including medical and other services, is available. Dial 112 to speak to English-speaking emergency operators.

Highways and urban roads are generally in good condition. As in most European countries, you must pay a toll to use Hungary’s highways. Payments must be made either at a gas station or online .

  • Areas under construction are not always adequately marked.
  • Be on the alert when driving in rural areas. Rural roads are often narrow and poorly lit.
  • Pedestrians, tractors, and farm animals often share the use of rural roads.
  • Train crossings are not always well-designated.

Additional information on road conditions is available from “ Útinform ” at +36-1-336-2400.

Traffic Laws: Hungary has zero tolerance for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. Prison sentences for DUI violations or accidents caused by impaired drivers are severe.

  • Police often conduct routine roadside checks and administer breath-analysis tests.
  • Police stop vehicles regularly to check documents.
  • Use of hand-held cell phones while driving is not permitted.
  • Car seats are required for infants.
  • Children under the age of 12 may not sit in the front seat.
  • Seat belt use is mandatory.
  • You can drive in Hungary with a valid U.S. driver’s license for one year as long as you have a certified Hungarian translation of the license attached. After one year of residence, you must obtain a Hungarian driver’s license.
  • International driver’s permits (IDP) issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) are acceptable when used with a valid state driver’s license.

Hungarian police issue traffic violations in the form of a postal check that reflects the amount of the fine. You may pay the fines at any Hungarian post office. Police will confiscate the passport of a person who chooses to contest the fine and issue the person an “invitation letter” to appear at the police station to resolve the dispute. Police will return the passport after resolution and/or payment of the fine.

Public Transportation: Public transportation in Budapest is excellent. Budapest’s tram, subway, and bus service are reliable. Find more information online: Budapest Public Transport . Public transportation outside of Budapest is not as dependable.

  • To avoid being a subject to on-the-spot fines in public transportation, you must follow rules for purchasing and properly validating your ticket.
  • Taxis in Budapest are plentiful and generally inexpensive. All taxis are yellow, marked accordingly, and should have meters. The Embassy urges all travelers to insist on using a metered taxi, and to avoid entering into agreements with taxi drivers to an unmetered fare.
  • Hungary’s train service is generally reliable. The Embassy regularly receives reports of pickpocketing on the trains between Budapest and Vienna. Be mindful of your belongings when traveling this route.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Hungary’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Hungary’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

For additional travel information

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  • See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
  • Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
  • See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Hungary . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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hungary travel guide

Backpacking Hungary Travel Guide: Things To Do, Costs, Budget [2023]

  • March 28, 2021 October 17, 2023

Hungary is an easter European country full of history, traditions, and some interesting sights. Many people will know this country by the capital Budapest. But you will find many awesome places when going outside the city. The country is full of adventures. Thankfully it’s also healthy for the wallet while backpacking Hungary.

From this Hungary travel guide you will find the main things to do and see, how the approximate budget looks like, traditional foods and drinks, how to backpack around Hungary, how to say hello in Hungary, and finally some extra tips for budgeting.

Disclosure : This article features affiliate links, including Amazon.com. If you decide to buy through one of these links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra expense to you. For more details, please see my disclosure policy .

Quick Facts About Hungary

  • Language : Hungarian
  • Currency : Forints (HUF)
  • Capital : Budapest
  • Population : 9.6 mln (2021)
  • Highlights in Hungary : thermal baths, Lake Balaton, Budapest, ruin bars, agriculture.
  • What Hungarians like : soak in thermal baths, drink local wine, eat langos.
  • How Hungarians cure headaches ? With local spirit Palinka.

Things To Do & See in Hungary

Backpacking in Hungary main keywords are the capital Budapest, magnificent Balaton Lake, loads of thermal spas, vineyards, and unique agriculture. What to do and what places to visit in Hungary? Let’s dive in!

1. Explore Budapest Castles

Budapest is full of beautiful architectural buildings, and one of the most prominent constructions is their castles. There is also a district called Castle District and a hill called Castle Hill. Everybody should visit three main castles. Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion are close to each other on the Buda side of Budapest. Vajdahunyad Castle is on the other side of the capital in City Park, right next to Heroes Square.

Read more : Budapest travel guide .

2. Look Over the Budapest from Citadel

A place that you can’t miss during your long weekend in Budapest. It’s the main landmark of the city with the Liberty Statue . After some hiking, you will see Budapest and Danube river from the top of the hill. Recommended doing hiking in the daytime and also during the night to see Budapest city center full of lights. 

3. Walk Along with the Bank of Danube River

The Danube River flows through Budapest centrum and with that city is divided into two parts, known as Buda and Pest . The Danube is parallel with several important sights like Hungarian Parliament Building , Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, and Citadel. Also, the capital has an island between the Danube River. Margaret Island is a great place to chill, there are parks, fountains, thermal spa, sports fields, and even a mini zoo.

4. River Cruises on the Danube

Danube river connects several close-by capitals with Budapest like Bratislava in Slovakia and Vienna in Austria. You can move between these cities with River Cruises, but it takes time and is quite expensive (when you are on budget). Luckily there is a possibility to do daily river cruises just in Budapest. Starting with Budapest Daytime Sightseeing Cruise , having a romantic Dinner Cruise with Live Music , or having fun with friends on Party Boat . 

5. Soak in Thermal Baths

Hungarians are known for their thermal spa culture. The locals like to relax on paths after work, on weekends. They believe it has many healing effects and also that it’s the best cure for the hangover. Who knows? Budapest especially is filled with thermal springs. One of the most largest and popular thermal baths also in Europe is Széchenyi Thermal Baths . Other notable baths are Gellért and Rudas Thermal Baths .

6. Try out traditional Hungarian food

Hungary has two main national dishes to try out. The first one is goulash and other langos. Goulash is something between a soup and stew, including potato, carrot, beef, paprika, and some spices. Langos is more like street food. A deep-fried flatbread with varieties of toppings. The most common toppings are cheese, garlic sauce, and sour cream. 

7. Chill next to the Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is the biggest lake in central Europe and it’s a very popular summer vacation spot for local Hungarians and close-by nations, especially Germans. Balaton is surrounded by several villages with bars, beach areas, accommodation, boat rental, or any other activity. The high season is during the summer months when it’s filled with tourists. For the party spirit people, I recommend visiting Siofok or Balatonfüred . For local culture and history Tihany and Szigliget Castle . For wine tasting and hiking Badacsony . Endless options for backpacking Hungary travelers to chill and relax next to the Balaton.

Read more : What to do around Lake Balaton .

8. Check-In Ruin bars

One of the top things to do when backpacking Budapest. It’s a unique spirit for the capital. These bars are bizarre, and each of them has its unique atmosphere and theme. If not the biggest party spirit person, then I highly recommend just visiting the main ruin pub Szimpla Kert . It doesn’t look at all like a random pub, but more like a designed building with art installations. Other great ruin bars are the biggest Instant & Fogas Ház , low-priced UdvarRom , or communist theme Red Ruin Bar .

9. Hike in Bakony Hills

Hungary isn’t that mountainous, but there are still some places to go hiking. One of the places is Bakony-Balaton Highlands, which were formed by volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago. These hills are close-by Balaton Lake and from there you have the best views of the lake itself and surrounding volcanic look-alike mountains. I recommend hiking in Badacsony Hill.

10. Attend Music Festivals

Hungary has several music festivals. Most known are the Sziget Festival in Budapest (approximately at the beginning of August) and Balaton Sound next to the Balaton Lake (beginning of July). Both are mostly dance music festivals. Other music styles are also represented like Ozora Festival for psytrance, Strand Festival for most pop music, VOLT festival for multi-genre. 

11. Soak in Cave Bath

Another unique natural thermal bath is in Miskolctapolca. That thermal spring makes it special because it’s in the cave. The water temperature is around 30 Celsius degrees. It has been said that a thermal spring also has a curing power, especially reducing joint pain. The Cave Bath of Miskolctapolca has a lower salt content (below 1000 mg/liter), so visitors have no time limit to relax in that thermal spring. 

12. Visit Esztergom & Visegrád Royal Palace

Esztergom is a northern city along the banks of the Danube river. It’s about 46 km from the capital Budapest. The most remarkable building there is Esztergom Basilica , which is also the biggest cathedral in Hungary.

About half an hour ride from Esztergom along the Danube is Visegrád. There is for history fans a Royal Palace and also close-by Danube Bend . 

13. Explore the Bokod Floating Houses

Lake Bokod is an artificial lake, made for adjacent power plants to cool machines down with cold water. It has circular water, where cold water from the pond is for cooling down plants, and warm water is released back to the pond. Because of that the lake never freezes. But that’s not a reason people go there. It also became popular among fishermen and over time the locals built floating scenic houses in the lake. Because of these unique floating houses this place is visited. There are two separate villages: Bokod and Oroszlány . 

14. Discover Hungary local culture at Hortobágy National Park

Hortobágy National Park in the eastern part of Hungary is the largest protected area and is also listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site due to maintained local agriculture. It’s the right place to learn about Hungarian folklore and cultural history. Everybody can hike around off the beaten path and do some bird watching.

15. Hike around Matra and Bükk Mountains

When backpacking Hungary and wanting to do some hiking, then these two mountain ranges are close to each other in northern Hungary. Kékes mountain in Matra is also the highest peak (1014m) in Hungary. Bükk Mountain range has also an area for National Park with multiple caves, several peaks over 900 meters, and is also the main place for skiing. 

16. Discover the Aggtelek National Park & Caves

The park is located right next to the Slovakia border in northern Hungary. It’s an area where the sights are above and below ground level. Above the ground level has rich wildlife, castles, palaces, and hike trails. But when backpacking Hungary then the most amazing and unique are caves below the ground. Aggtelek Karst with about 280 caves is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site.

17. Try Hungarian Wines in Local Farms

Hungarians are really into wine-producing, in fact, about a hundred years ago they were one of the most well-known wine producers in Europe. Nowadays there are several wine regions, for example, Tokaj, Eger, Villány, Nagy Somló, Balaton. Hungary is well covered with different smaller vineyard regions. In these areas are several farms, who are open to host guests and let them try out their wine. For example next to Balaton, a well-known region is Badacsony, where smaller farms have their small wine shops. A glass of wine starts at about 300 HUF (0.8 EUR). 

18. Learn about Roman history in Pécs

Pecs in southern Hungary was founded in ancient Roman times which was named firstly Sopianae . Pecs has a rich history with architectural buildings like Pécs Cathedral, Mosque of Pasha Qasim, Synagogue. As already seen by buildings, Pecs has been over history multi-ethnic city with different cultures. To see Roman history, visit the Necropolis Early Christian Mausoleum .

19. Visit Eger

Eger is a northern Hungary city known for its castle, minaret, thermal spas, wine, and baroque buildings. The most prominent building in the historical town is Eger Castle, with a complex of houses and a museum. The 40-meter narrow circular Ottoman Minaret is also unique for this place because few minarets have survived from the Ottoman period. Also, close by is Bolyki Pincészet and Vineyards, where around the spectacular landscapes everybody can taste the local wine. 

20. Paddle on Lake Hámori

Lillafüred is located in Bükk National Park and is the most visited place in that area. The romantic place has several things to do. Chance to explore the neo-renaissance style Palace Hotel, paddle with a boat on artificial lake Hámori, explore natural caves Anna, István, and Szeleta, and also see the biggest waterfall in Hungary.

21. Soak in the biggest natural thermal bath: Lake Héviz

The largest natural swimming thermal lake in the world is located in western Hungary near Balaton town Keszthely. Apart from the lake bath, it’s also a spa with different treatments and therapies like medicinal mud, healing massages, physiotherapeutic treatment, drinking cure, and more. Lake ticket costs 3500 HUF (9.5 EUR) for 3 hours and 4300 HUF (12 EUR) for 4 hours.

22. Walk around Tengerszem Nature Preserve

Until 1907 it was a stone mine operation, after that, the place was abandoned and nature started to form it into one of the most beautiful natural locations in Hungary. The Tarn of Megyer Mountain is the most popular place in the area where there are several walking trails along the cliffs. An exciting place to a quick stop while backpacking through Hungary.

Backpacking Hungary Travel Costs

One of the best things about backpacking Hungary is that it’s incredibly affordable for any traveler. There aren’t many places in Europe with that exceptional ratio between quality and cost. 

Maybe because Hungary hasn’t joined with euros yet. They still have their currency – Forints ( HUF ). To put into perspective:

  • 1 EUR ≈ 360 HUF
  • 1 USD ≈ 300 HUF
  • 1 GBP ≈ 420 HUF

Accommodation costs

Hungary is a dream place for a budget backpacking trip because hostels are affordable. Prices start from 1800 HUF (5 EUR) and even for the ones that are in the center of Budapest. Most of the time you will get lower prices off-season or outside of the capital.

During the summer months, it’s still low and stays around 3600 HUF (10 EUR). But still, I found a hostel for 1800 HUF during the high-season in the center of Budapest. It’s pretty common that they also have a free wifi, a kitchen to cook meals and some even have breakfast included in the price. 

Budget hotels start from as little as 5500 HUF (15 EUR) per night. For a 3-star hotel except to pay 11000 HUF (around 30 EUR) and a 4-star double for that.

With the tight backpacking Hungary budget, the belly can be filled well with around 2500 HUF (7 EUR) per day. For example, in every Budapest corner, you will find several street food places. If kebab, burger, or pizza is good for you then you can have it around 1000 HUF (below 3 EUR). 

In restaurants, the main dishes start at around 2200 HUF (6 EUR). Beer in restaurants or cafes is about 650 HUF (1.8 EUR), in pubs even cheaper. Traditional food goulash in the restaurant is about 1400 HUF (3.8 EUR) and street food langos around 800 HUF (2.2 EUR).

Main activities costs

When backpacking in Hungary then as everywhere are several activities found for fun, tours, sports, party, or any other leisure. For Hungary, it’s peculiar thermal baths, so this should be on every Hungary backpacking bucket list. 

The prices start for soaking in baths about 3000 HUF (8.2 EUR). Another popular activity in Budapest is river cruises, which prices start at 5000 HUF (13.5 EUR). Paddling with a SUP board in Lake Balaton for an hour is around 4050 HUF (11 EUR). Budapest authentic food tour with tastings is around 11000 HUF (30 EUR) per person. Budapest ruin pub crawls start at 5900 HUF (16 EUR) for more party spirit backpacking Hungary travelers. Find more attractions from Get Your Guide.

How to get around Hungary

Hungary has a great public transportation system, especially in the capital. Backpacking across Hungary has several transport options by trains, busses, planes, and even boats. You will find several cheap flight tickets to Hungary.

A single ticket in Budapest for any ground transport (metro, tram, bus) is 350 HUF (1 EUR) and a 24-hour ticket 1650 HUF (4.5 EUR). 

A local bus company, Volán , operates between Hungary municipalities, cities, and different hotspots. Schedules and tickets for domestic transport are found from Omio .

Hungarian State Railways MÁV START covers pretty much every corner in Hungary, from north to south and from east to west.

Any sea doesn’t side Hungary but still has transport in waterways. Thanks to the big rivers some parts can be visited by boats. There are plenty of river cruises for tourist tours, however, these are also a bit more expensive.

Another alternative for transportation is to use the backpacking app BlaBlaCar for carpooling with strangers. You will search for the destination, and if the destination matches with a driving car, then you can have it at a small price. Although BlaBlaCar is used internationally, it isn’t the most popular app to carpool when backpacking in Hungary. Hungarians have their app, Oszkar . It works the same way as BlaBlaCar.

Hitchhiking is also a way to backpack around Hungary. For example, it’s an easy way (and free) to travel around Balaton. But make sure to check out these tips when hitchhiking in Europe .

If you want to avoid public transport and discover Hungary without transport limitations, then check the prices from Rentalcars .

Where to stay in Hungary

  • Grandio Party Hostel – Best budget Party hostel in Budapest.
  • Hive Party Hostel Budapest – Budget Party hostel in the center of Budapest nightlife.
  • Island Hostel – Hostel in Margaret Island, Budapest.
  • Wombats City Hostel Budapest – Close to nightlife, Budapest.
  • Maverick Hostel and Ensuites – A high star hostel in Budapest.
  • Hullam Hostel – A hostel in Revfulop, next to Balaton Lake.
  • Active Hostel & Guesthouse Keszthely at Balaton – Hostel in Keszthely, Balaton
  • Nap Hostel Pecs – Hostel in Pecs
  • Villa Benjamin – Siofok next to Balaton

Hungarian Traditional Food & Drinks

Traditional Hungary dishes often include meat, bread, cheese, seasonal vegetables. Two of the main dishes as previously mentioned are Goulash and Langos. For drinks are well-known local wine Tokaj and spirit Palinka. 

A meat soup or stew with potatoes, paprika, carrot, and some spices. It’s popular all around Hungary. There will be several varieties of goulash with small changes on the recipe, but the taste keeps mainly the same. Several restaurants will have that traditional cuisine on their menu with a price of around 1400 HUF (3.8 EUR).

Langos with deep-fried flatbread with varieties of toppings are considered street food. It’s again a traditional food all around Hungary, but it’s connected mostly as a local Balaton dish. You can get it in several street food sales boots and also in restaurants. The most common langos with topping cheese, garlic sauce, and sour cream (Sajtos-tejfölös lángos) price is around 800 HUF (2.2 EUR).

Hungary is a land with wine-producing traditions for centuries. The wine history starts already in the Kingdom of Hungary times and even about a hundred years ago Hungarians were one of the most important producers in Europe. 

Over the years one signature wine in Hungary has been in wine enthusiasts mouths – Tokaj. It has been a favorite for many people starting with the Russian Tsar’s back in history days to all kinds of wine friends like me. 

Sweet wine is made by locally grown vineyards in the Tokaj region. It’s located in northeast Hungary. A true golden standard to try out when backpacking around Hungary.

If the wine taste is too soft for you, then palinka would level up your sense of taste. Hungarian traditional spirit ingredients are mashed, distilled, and bottled by different homegrown fruits. Palinka has a variety of tastes depending on the main ingredient – grapes, apples, plums, apricots, pears, or any other creative way. 

Many farms produce their palinka, but to be called that way (palinka) you can’t be too creative. There is also a palinka law that indicates that it has to be farmated from locally grown fruit, also all the producing cycle (from growing ingredients to bottling) has to be made in Hungary, and is at least 37.5%. If these all requirements are met then you can call it palinka.

Budget for Backpacking Hungary

It depends highly on your needs. It’s possible to do a backpacking Hungary trip on a very tight budget like mostly everywhere in eastern Europe countries and also you can spend a lot.

For a tight backpacking budget , I would start about 20 EUR per day. On that occasion, you will stay in a very cheap hostel, getting hosted by locals, and doing some wild camping . Using carpooling or hitchhiking. Cooking own meals, cheap street food, or picnics everywhere. If you want to go wild and have some fun (drinks), then I would add another 10 EUR to the budget.

A convenient backpacker who wants to have more comfort and eat outside, I would start at about 40 EUR a day. Then you will get a nice hostel for about 10 EUR, have a meal in a restaurant, use public transport to move around, and some reasonably priced tours. But still have to track expenses to not go over the average daily budget. For the fun part again add at least 10 EUR to the budget, but be aware that it’s easy to go over the budget limit when you have drank some wine.

For the short weekend getaway or short trip is better to have for comfort, experiences, and fun at least 100 EUR per day. Then you can have a private room in the hotel, try out all the traditional foods, tours, and other activities.

NOTE! It’s an average daily limit and sometimes you can go over budget (thermal spas, tours, food experience), but then make sure that some days you will save additionally from daily budget goals.

Hungarian Language

Hungarians also have their language called Magyar. It’s a Uralic language and it’s spoken by around 13 million people. The Hungarian language is also known as one of the hardest languages to learn due to a variety of complex rules and vowels. Another helpful fact for Hungarians is that their names are written from the last name to first name. So don’t get confused when a Hungarian is introducing themselves. 

Nonetheless, the local language seems like tongue-twisting practice, it’s still easy to learn some basic words and phrases.

  • Szia [see ya] – Hi!
  • Jó napot [yoh nah-poht] – Good morning!
  • Igen / Nem [eeghen / nehm] – Yes/No
  • Köszönöm [kew-sew-newm] – Thank you!
  • Hogy vagy? [hodj vadj] – How are you?
  • Viszlát [vee-slaht] – Goodbye!

Best Time to Visit Hungary

The high season as everywhere in Europe is during the summer months (June – August). Also, the most pleasant weather is approximately from April till the end of September. During the peak season, there will be more traffic everywhere especially in Budapest and around Balaton Lake. But still, it’s time to consider your backpacking Hungary trip. Well because then most of the tourist attractions are opened. On the other hand, during that period prices have also reached their peaks. 

Anything from April to June or September are the best months for budget backpackers. The weather is still nice, there will be less hassle with crowds, and prices are cheaper. 

During the winter times, degrees drop to near zero and some places aren’t that attractive as in the summer. Especially around Lake Balaton, where the main spot is the lake itself. However thermal spas are mostly opened all year round if you’re not down with winter swimming.

Hungary Visa Requirements

Hungary is a European Union country and also in the Schengen Zone . When arriving in the country by plane, there will probably be some checks. But if backpacking to Hungary from another European Union country then there will be no check and you can enter the country without a stop. Check out more information about visas from here .

Is Hungary safe?

Backpacking in Hungary is pretty safe, people are friendly and speak English well (if need to solve some problems). But as everywhere you must be aware of scams or other tricks (tourist traps). Especially it can be seen in bigger tourist spots like Budapest. Still, overall it’s a safe country.

Anything can happen when traveling abroad and backpacking Hungary is no exception. Having travel insurance is a must (anywhere you go). I always have travel insurance, but luckily I haven’t used it yet. For me it’s okay to spend a little for my safety (if anything happens), then to pay afterward for extremely high medical bills. I recommend using trusted World Nomads .

Tips for Backpacking Hungary on a Budget

Hungary overall is an affordable eastern European country. Cheap food, accommodation, transport, and beer. But still, there are plenty of ways to spend less money with some basics. Here are some travel tips on how to save money in Hungary.

Couchsurfing – That would be my first recommendation in any country. It’s not about a free couch, but more about the awesome people you met through that. In short, it’s an app or more community where locals host travelers in their homes.

Student ISIC Card – Can use it in any country. With that will be found discounts in transport, attractions, or even on accommodation. Check out which discount options with an ISIC card you have.

Carpooling – It’s cheaper than public transport. The most internationally used is BlaBlaCar, but when backpacking Hungary, then for better luck use local Oszkar .

Hitchhiking – A fun way to do backpacking around Hungary. Safe to do it, but don’t forget to use your gut feeling when using that alternative way of traveling. 

Walk as much as possible – For example, the capital is a walkable city. The main attractions are around Budapest centrum. It’s also possible to see more surroundings and even crash by accident into some hidden gems.

Be you own chef – Easiest way to cut down expenses on food. Even though food isn’t that expensive, cooking by yourself will save a ridiculous amount of money.

Free Walking Tours – The best way to get to know about the city is through the guided tours. Most of the cities have free guided tours around the main sights. I recommend using that, but make sure to tip the guide in the end. 

Use the advantage of the Budapest card – Passes are from 24h to 72h. Including free public transport, some free attractions, and several discounts. Prices vary depending on which card to take from 22 to 65 euros. It will be money-saving if you aim to visit many attractions. Check out more about Budapest Cards.

Ready to go backpacking in Hungary?

Hopefully, you found some useful information and travel advice from that backpacking Hungary travel guide. For additional information about Backpacking, check out also these resources:

  • How to Plan a Backpacking Trip
  • Solo Backpacking Tips in Europe
  • Budget Backpacking Tips For Cheap Travel
  • Hitchhiking in Europe Tips
  • A Guide to Wild Camping
  • Backpacking Apps for Easy and Cheap Travel
  • My First Solo Travel Experience
  • Lightweight Backpacking Gear for Traveling

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8 thoughts on “Backpacking Hungary Travel Guide: Things To Do, Costs, Budget [2023]”

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Very informative post! I cannot wait to travel again! Thank you for sharing.

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Thanks, I am clad that you like it!

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I would love visit one day. I have never been inside a castle before. Also all the food looks so good. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you! You will find many castles in Hungary. Food tastes same good as it looks.

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Wow awesome photos, makes me want to visit. I would love to explore Budapest..

Thanks! Budapest is still one of my favorite cities in the world.

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Wow. What an awesome post. I will surely be ready to travel to Hungary by reading this post. You literally have everything anyone needs to know about this country.

Thank you! I am happy that you like it! Absolutely Hungary is worth visiting.

Comments are closed.

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