Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Hungary depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for HungaryEmergency Numbers
- General
- 112
- Police
- 107
- Ambulance
- 104
- Fire
- 105
Currency
- Name
- Hungarian Forint
- Code
- HUF
- Symbol
- Ft
ATMs widely available. Cards accepted almost everywhere in Budapest. Cash preferred in rural areas and markets. Hungary is not in the Eurozone — EUR sometimes accepted informally but always at poor rates. Budapest is excellent value compared to Western Europe.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type F
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
CET (UTC+1) — CEST (UTC+2) in summer
Best Time to Visit
April–June and September–October are ideal — Budapest's ruin bars, thermal baths (Széchenyi, Gellért, Rudas), and architecture are best in mild weather. The Danube bend (Visegrád, Esztergom), Tokaj wine region, and Balaton Lake are summer highlights. December's Christmas markets are exceptional.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10–15% | Say the amount when paying — waiters bring a card machine to the table |
| Taxis | 10% | — |
| Thermal baths | Small tip for changing room attendants | — |
Dress Code
- Casual in Budapest
- Smart casual for Andrássy Avenue's restaurants
- Swimwear for thermal baths — some baths require a swim cap
Social Etiquette
- Budapest is arguably the world's most impressive capital city for its size — the Parliament, Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, and Fisherman's Bastion are extraordinary
- Hungarian thermal baths are a way of life — Széchenyi (outdoor pools, chess players floating in the water) is one of the great European experiences
- Hungarian is one of the world's most difficult languages to learn — Hungarians are always delighted when visitors attempt a word
- Ruin bars (romkocsma) — bars built inside abandoned buildings in the Jewish Quarter — were invented in Budapest; Szimpla Kert is the original
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ rights: same-sex partnerships legally recognised but no marriage equality; political environment has been hostile — legislation restricting LGBTQ+ content passed in 2021
- Crossing the road on a red light can be fined
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Hungarian) | Jó napot / Szia | YOH nah-pot (formal) / SEE-yah (informal) |
| Thank you (Hungarian) | Köszönöm | KUH-suh-nuhm — one of the most musical thank-yous in Europe |
| Please (Hungarian) | Kérem | KEH-rem |
| Cheers! (Hungarian) | Egészségedre! | EH-gays-shay-geh-dreh — 'to your health' — always say this when clinking glasses |
| Beautiful (Hungarian) | Gyönyörű | DYUH-nyuh-roo — Hungarians love when foreigners try this one |
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