Hungary Traveler Essentials
- Capital
- Budapest
- Currency
- Hungarian Forint (HUF Ft)
- Best time to visit
- April to June and September to October — comfortable temperatures, smaller crowds, and the city at its most photogenic. Summer (July–August) is hot but festive. December brings beautiful Christmas markets.
Visa requirements
Part of the Schengen Area. EU/EEA citizens enter freely. USA, Canada, Australia, UK enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
Getting around
Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) and Volánbusz coaches radiate from Budapest to cities like Pécs, Debrecen and Lake Balaton, with no need for domestic flights in such a compact country. Budapest has an extensive metro, tram, trolleybus and bus network on integrated tickets, and booking taxis by app (Bolt) is the safest way to ride.
Safety
Very safe for tourists. Watch for overcharging at some restaurants and bars in Budapest's tourist zones — always check the menu for prices. Ruin bars are generally safe but be aware of drink spiking in party districts. Tap water is safe to drink.
Tipping customs
Tipping is customary, typically around 10%. Check whether a service charge has already been added to restaurant bills before tipping, tell the server the total as you pay rather than leaving it on the table, round up taxi fares, and leave small change for hotel staff.
Travel tips
The Széchenyi Thermal Baths are a Budapest institution — go early morning for a less crowded experience. The Budapest Card offers transport and museum discounts. Cross the Chain Bridge at sunset for classic views. A Danube river cruise at night is spectacular.