Factors To Ensure Before Traveling To Hungary This Summer

Posted on February 29, 2024February 29, 2024 by Budapest Guide

Hungary, famous for its rich history, astonishing architecture, and natural thermal spas, attracts travelers seeking Central European culture. Prepare for a seamless and memorable vacation if your summer plans include Budapest, Eger’s Vineyard Hills, or Lake Balaton. This comprehensive guide covers critical factors when traveling to Hungary this summer, maximizing your time in this beautiful country.

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Factors To Remember Before Traveling To Hungary

Before planning your trip to Hungary this summer, there are several factors you should take into consideration.

Visa And Travel Documents

Securing the appropriate visa and having the necessary travel documents is the first step toward a worry-free experience. Here’s what you need to know:

Understanding Visa Requirements

Most visitors to Hungary require a visa, except for EU and EEA citizens. Visa type (short-stay Schengen or long-stay national) depends on visit duration and purpose. Check the Hungarian embassy’s website for current details.

Gathering Travel Documents

You will require a valid passport that does not expire for at least six months from your planned return date. Additionally, you may need to provide:

A filled-out visa application form
Passport-sized photos
Proof of travel insurance
Itinerary details

Start preparing these documents in advance, as visa processing times can vary. Keep physical and digital copies handy during your trip for review by border officials.

Currency And Exchange Rates

Navigating the local currency and exchange rates is crucial to managing your finances in Hungary.

The Hungarian Forint (HUF)

The official currency in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). While some establishments might accept euros, having forints for smaller purchases and expenses is best.

Exchange Rate Considerations

For the best rates, skip airport or tourist center currency exchanges. Opt for ATMs or city exchange offices; watch out for high fees. Know the current rate to stay within reach.

Tips for Handling Money

Carry moderate cash for daily expenses and use credit cards for more significant transactions. Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas. Notify your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks.

Weather And Packing Tips

Understanding the weather conditions and packing appropriately will enhance your comfort during the trip.

Summer Weather in Hungary

Hungarian summers are typically warm, with occasional showers or thunderstorms. Temperatures can rise to high 80s and 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius).

Essential Items to Pack

Pack light, breathable clothes suitable for hot weather. Include a mix of casual wear for daytime activities and slightly more formal attire for evening events or dinners. You can also pack Mushroom Gummies into your essential kit, as they will add fun and flavor to your vacation.

Don’t forget:

Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing
An umbrella or a foldable raincoat

Pack any medications you need and a power adapter to keep your devices charged.

Language And Communication

While Hungarian is the predominant language, here’s how to ensure effective communication:

Common Hungarian Phrases

Learning basic Hungarian phrases can go a long way in engaging with locals and showing respect for their culture.

Language Tips

While Hungarian can be challenging, don’t lose heart. Young Hungarians often speak English, especially in tourist spots. Offline translation apps can help with quick communication.

Easy Communication Options

Carry a phrasebook or use a language app for quick reference. Pointing at words can bridge communication gaps. Stay patient and smile; kindness and positivity speak universally.

Transportation And Getting Around

Efficient transportation can make or break your trip. Here’s how to get to your destinations within Hungary.

Public Transport in Hungary

Budapest has an excellent public transport system with metro, bus, and tram services. Get a travel card or single tickets for your stay. The countryside has trains and buses linking major cities and tourist spots.

Car Rental

To explore the picturesque countryside at your own pace, rent a car. Expect toll roads and parking fees. Hungary drives on the right; you might need an international driving permit if not from the EU/EEA.

Travel Tips Within Hungary

Plan your route and consider traffic conditions and road closures. Apps like Google Maps and Waze offer navigational assistance. Validate your ticket in the designated machines for public transport to avoid fines.

Accommodation And Booking

Choosing suitable accommodation can contribute significantly to your overall travel experience.

Types of Accommodation in Hungary

Hungary provides accommodations, including luxury hotels in Budapest and cozy bed and breakfasts in the countryside. Hostels and rental apartments are great for budget travelers or those seeking a local experience.

Booking Platforms and Tips

Use trusted booking sites for a range of options and transparent prices. Filter based on your preferences – location, amenities, or budget. Check reviews to verify the accommodation meets your needs.

Budgeting for Accommodation

Accommodation costs can vary, with Budapest being more expensive than other parts of the country. Set a budget and remember a few cost effective tips to book well in advance, especially during tourist seasons, to secure the best deals.

Health And Safety

Your well-being is paramount. Here are some crucial health and safety factors to consider.

Health Insurance and Safety Precautions

Ensure your travel insurance covers medical emergencies, including repatriation. Pack a basic first-aid kit for minor needs. Follow standard travel health tips like staying hydrated and sun protection.

Emergency Contacts and Medical Facilities

Know the emergency numbers in Hungary for ambulances. Major cities offer Western-standard medical facilities.

Local Traditions And Etiquette

Understanding and respecting local traditions and etiquette is a mark of a conscientious traveler.

Cultural Norms and Traditions

Hungarians cherish their history and culture. Respect churches and historical sites. Learn Hungarian customs, such as greeting friends with a kiss on the cheek and removing outdoor shoes before entering homes.

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Etiquette Guidelines

Hungarians value punctuality and may find it rude if you’re late. When dining, wait for the host to eat and stick to casual topics. Only visit a bathhouse if you know the accepted behavior.

Dos and Don’ts

Stand for the national anthem in public areas. Avoid raising your voice or using aggressive gestures, as Hungarians prefer a more reserved communication style. When unsure, observe and follow locals’ lead.

Conclusion

Consider these factors before your summer trip to Hungary for an incredible travel experience. Get the proper visas, money, and documents, understand local customs and language, and prepare for weather and health. Planning is essential, but it leaves space for spontaneity and unexpected discoveries. Enjoy your trip!

Can I pay with Euros in Budapest?

Posted on November 23, 2022November 24, 2022 by Budapest Guide

Would you like to pay with Euros in Budapest? Hungary has been a member of the European Union since 2004. Does that mean that the Euro is an official currency for payments in Hungary? No!

When Hungary first joined the European Union in 2004, everyone expected Hungary to quickly introduce the Euro. That didn’t happen. Instead, the economy of the country has become worse and the current politics point more in the direction away from Europe, instead of moving closer and closer to Europe.

What does this mean for you as you come to Budapest? Can you pay with Euros in Budapest?

Is Euro an accepted payment currency in Budapest?

Even though the Hungarian Forint is the official currency of Hungary, most stores and restaurants accept payments by Euro. Many will say that they only accept Euro bills (not coins). But, there are a few things you should be aware of.

If you want to pay in cash.

Euro payments are normally accepted if you pay by cash. This is nice if you have brought Euro bills to Budapest. But, it isn’t always smart to use your Euro bills as you pay with cash in Budapest. Why is that?

Most restaurants and stores calculate with terrible exchange rates. If the real exchange rate of 1 Euro is 410 Forint, you will often see that restaurants and stores calculate with a much lower rate, for example, that 1 Euro is 370 Forint. As a consequence, you will end up paying much more than if you paid with the local currency.

What can you do about this? You can either go to an exchange office and change your Euro to Forint, or you can withdraw Hungarian Forint with an ATM. Would you like to learn more about the Hungarian currency and how you can find the best exchange rates? Click the link.

If you want to pay by card.

If you pay with your VISA or MasterCard, your bank will calculate with the exact exchange rate. But, you better be aware that many terminals will ask you in the payment process whether you want to pay with Euro or with the local currency (HUF). If you get such a question, pay in the local currency because you will end up paying less in this way.

A lot of things have changed in 2022…

The value of the Hungarian Forint has dropped a lot compared to the Euro and the US Dollar in 2022. As a result, prices in Hungary have increased a lot. To secure their income, many tourist companies now fix their prices in Euro instead of having fixed prices in Forint. In such cases, you have to pay the Euro price anyway. But, in most cases, the Forint price is the one that you should be looking for.

You can pay with Euro in Budapest, but you pay less if you use the Hungarian Forint

That is the answer to this question. If you have further comments, or questions, or want to share your experience paying with Euros in Budapest, use the comment field below.

Updated information about river cruises and public transportation in Budapest.

Posted on November 23, 2022November 23, 2022 by Budapest Guide

We love to create new content in our Budapest Guide. But, it is very important to update the content we have written earlier. That is why we have spent quite a lot of time today updating articles we wrote a long time ago. As a result, you can now see the correct prices if you read about the prices for public transportation tickets, and you can also see the new prices of the different river cruises in Budapest.

You probably don’t hear this in the news every single day, but Hungary is one of the countries in Europe that is suffering the hardest due to inflation at the moment. That is why we have seen a drastic increase in the prices of most goods. Not only have the gas prices skyrocketed, but so have the grocery prices. The official number tells us that the prices have increased by about 40% since the start of 2022, but for many products, the reality is much higher. While you could easily buy cheese for 5 Euros per kilo in January, you are now lucky if you find anything cheese costing less than 10 Euros per kilo. That is just one example.

This is a negative spiral because customers have less money to spend, and thus they buy less (but pay more). To earn more, producers ask for more for their products, and the prices increase.

That is why you will see that the prices for the different river cruises in Budapest have increased a lot. The programs are still cheaper than what a similar program would cost in big cities elsewhere in Europe, but seen with the eyes of a local, it all feels very expensive.

Luckily, the prices for public transportation in Budapest haven’t increased a lot, meaning that it still feels cheap to buy a single ticket, a day ticket, or maybe a 3-day pass for public transportation in Budapest.

Would you like to see the updated articles about river cruises and public transportation in Budapest?

We look forward to having you as our guest in Budapest!

What is the currency of Hungary?

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Budablogger

One of the most important subjects a blog can write about is money; everyone is interested in the subject and everyone likes to have money, and most of us like it even more if they have a lot of it. Since Hungary is not the largest and most important country in the world, many people ask themselves questions such as where is Hungary, what is the capital of Hungary and of course, what is the currency of Hungary. In our blog we will from time to time simply answer such normal and typical questions, though not with short answers, but with thorough information helping our readers find exactly the information they want and need.

So, what is the currency of Hungary?

The name of the currency used in Hungary is Hungarian Forint, which has been used since 1946. Before that the currency of Hungary was Adópengő, and before that they used Forint (1867-1892), Korona (1892-1918), Pengő (1919-1926) and then Adópengő (1927-1946) before the Forint finally became the currency of Hungary again in 1946. Currently the Hungarians would like to get the Euro as their local currency, so the end of the HUF might be on the horizon, but they have not yet been allowed to get it due to poor economy. But, if the economy starts rising, the Euro might come to Hungary as well in the future, thus making and end to the epoch of the Hungarian Forint.

The Hungarian Forint is often named only HUF which is the abbreviation for the real name, just like the Great British Pound is often shortened down to GBP. Another sign for the Hungarian Forint is Ft, which you can often see on price tags in both stores and on the internet and elsewhere. Earlier the currency of Hungary had a smaller part named fillér, where one Forint was the same as 100 fillér. The last fillér was withdrawn from usage in 1999. After that the smallest coin was the 1 Forint coin (0,0036 Euro or 0,0045 USD). The 1 and 2 Forint coins remained in circulation until 1998, but since then the 5 Forint coin is the smallest still in circulation.

So if you come to Hungary know you can find 5, 10, 20, 100 and 200 Forint coins and 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 and 20000 HUF bills. One piece of advice is if you jump on a taxi on the street or pay with larger bills in strange, hidden shops and at markets, is to make sure that you receive money back in Hungarian Forint. Some people we know have paid taxis with a Hungarian 20,000 bill and received back 10,000 Romanian Lei bill (which is worth nothing at all). This is not very common, but it happens, so it is worth watching out.

USD to HUF

If you would like to change your USD to HUF at the moment you can multiply the amount in USD with 225, and you will get almost the exact amount in HUF. This means that if you would like to change 200 USD to HUF then you will get somewhere around 45,000 HUF. It is not that easy with brain math, but if you remember the trick of multiplying with 225 and use the calculator at your mobile that should be of great help.

EUR to HUF

If you come from a European country with EUR (Euro) as the local currency then 1 Euro is at moment around 280 HUF. That is in fact a quite big difference to some months ago, because then you could in the most drastic times of Hungarian economy get 320 HUF for 1 Euro. Beneath this text you can find a graph showing the movement and changes in the relationship between the Euro and the Hungarian Forint in the last two years.

GBP to HUF

Budapest is a very popular destination for people coming in from Great Britain and there are quite a lot of pubs packed with Englishmen drinking bear and having fun. But to buy the beer you need to have some of the Hungarian currency, and if you want to change GBP to HUF then you should calculate that 1 GBP gives you about 350 HUF. If you then change 200 GBP you should get about 70,000 HUF.

Be aware!

When reading about the conversion from USD to HUF, from EUR to HUF or from GBP to HUF we have the ideal and current exchange middle rates. If you go to an exchange office at the airport they will have terrible rates compared to this, and even though it is not normal with commission rates at the exchange offices, they still have horrible exchange rates making up for the „no commission” sign. The best way to grab hold of the currency of Hungary, the HUF, is to use an ATM either at the airport or in the city center, or maybe by finding good exchange offices where the difference between the buy and sale price is nothing more than 3-4 Forint. You can read more about it this at the Currency page at Budapest Guide where you can also find an online currency converter.

Is Budapest an expensive city?

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Budapest Guide

How much money should I expect to bring with me if I am travelling to Budapest from the UK for 4 days on a holiday? Is it expensive?

First of all thank you for your question. Considering the fact that you will arrive from the UK Budapest will seem quite a lot cheaper than what you are used to, but not at all super cheap. One of the big differences is the hotel prices, as you in Budapest can get a room in a five star hotel for around 100 Euro per night, much, much cheaper than in large UK cities such as London, Dublin (ops… not in UK, but in Ireland) and so on. If you go for a hotel with three or four stars you can get even prices around 50-70 Euro per night.

For a service such as an airport transfer you should plan to spend around 25-30 Euro for a normal taxi from the airport to the city center. Taxi in the central parts of Budapest is also cheap, just make sure to order the taxi from your hotel or restaurant, not just jump into one in the city.

Restaurants in Budapest are fairly cheap, and you can find daily menus in quite a lot of Budapest restaurants costing around 1200 HUF (about 4 Euro). A menu in McDonalds cost 1300 HUF (4,5 Euro) and the same prices are valid for Burger King. If you plan on eating in nicer Budapest restaurants you should estimate spending 20-30 Euro per person, that price including 1-2 courses and some drinks. You will of course find cheaper places as well, and also more expensive, but that is a quite average price for a kind of nicer restaurant.

When you visit museums in Budapest several of them have a permanent exhibition free to citizens in the European Union, but if you want to visit the temporary exhibitions you need to pay for that. These entrance fees normally vary between 1000-3000 HUF.

The public transportation in Budapest is also fairly cheap and if you plan on using it quite a lot you should buy a one week pass costing 4600 (Hetijegy is the name in Hungarian). For those planning to shop a lot Budapest has quite international prices, so shopping in Zara or H&M in Budapest costs just as much as it would cost to buy clothes in the same stores in the UK. If you want to buy quality wine that is though cheaper here, at least if you buy the local wine produced in Hungary. A fine bottle of Hungarian wine can cost 10-15 Euro in a winestore.

All in all Budapest is a fairly cheap European capital, but you can spend a lot of money if you would like to. It is hard to answer and tell you exactly how much money is worth bringing, but hopefully this answer will help you calculate yourself how much you would like to bring!

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