Hungary – Travel Guide
Hungary, a Central European gem, invites travelers to explore its vibrant capital, historic landmarks, and thermal baths. Budapest, straddling the Danube River, dazzles with its majestic Parliament building, Buda Castle, and Chain Bridge. The city`s famous thermal baths, such as Szechenyi and Gellert, offer relaxation and wellness experiences. The charming town of Eger, known for its Baroque architecture and wine culture, provides a delightful retreat. Hungary`s rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, and scenic landscapes, including Lake Balaton and the Danube Bend, make it a captivating destination for travelers.
All about Hungary
Hungary FAQ
What is Hungary known for?
Perhaps the first thing you think of when you think of Hungary is its delicious cuisine; after all, it is the country that gave us goulash (gulyás) and fisherman`s soup (halászlé). It is also known the world over for its strong folk traditions, lively spring and summer festivals, its thermal spas in places like Héviz and Szeged, stunning and varied architectural styles befitting `the crossroads of Europe`, and some of the most gorgeous scenery you will find on the continent.
What are the best places to visit in Hungary?
People visiting Hungary must spend at least a few days in enchanting Budapest, the city divided by the Danube River. The western half of Hungary consists of an area called Transdanubia, where many popular cities and attractions are located. Make some time to visit Gyor and Pécs, and spend a few days along the shores of Hungary`s resort capital, Lake Balaton. If you don`t have time to stop in at all the towns along the lake, definitely visit Siofok and Keszthely. Much of eastern Hungary sits on the Great Hungarian Plain (Alföld), and if you are visiting this part of the country, definitely stop in Debrecen and Szeged.
How many days should I spend in Hungary?
We recommend approximately 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in Budapest, Lake Balaton, and other large cities.
What is the best way to get around Hungary?
We recommend seeing Hungary either by car or by train.
By Car: Hungary has one of the best-developed road systems in the former Soviet Bloc, and that was partly due to the fact that their motorway system began construction during the Communist era, affording them extra time to get the road network up to Western European standards. All major highways in Hungary lead to Budapest. Nearly all motorways are paid by toll, using an e-vignette system similar to ones used in the United States. Inquire with your car rental company about the purchase of an e-vignette before starting your trip.
By Train: Rail service in Hungary is administered by Hungarian State Railways, whose rail lines reach all corners of the country and whose rolling stock is (with a few exceptions) entirely modern, fast, and sleek today. Trains arrive regularly from Vienna, Bratislava, and other European cities to Budapest. Most international trains arrive at Budapest-Keleti Pályaudvar railway station. Buses operated by Hungary`s national bus network, Volán Association, as well as taxis, are available outside many train stations nationwide.
What is the currency of Hungary?
The currency of Hungary is the forint (written in shorthand as Ft). U.S. dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for forints upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at many locations throughout the country. For more information on tipping, visit Tipping in Hungary.
Do people speak English in Hungary?
English may be spoken at your hotel and in the tourist areas, but not everywhere. The further away you get from tourist surroundings, the less likely it is to speak English with someone unless they are expatriates or academics. We suggest you familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello (szia), goodbye (búcsú), excuse me (elnézést) and numbers 1-10. To ask someone if they speak English, show them this sentence: Beszélsz angolul?
Best time to visit Hungary
Hungary is a beautiful place to visit any time of year. The year begins with cold temperatures, followed by a welcome thaw that brings moderate rain chances and the start of the shoulder season by early April.
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By the time June and July come along, and rain is slowly replaced with sunshine, tourist attractions across the country will be at their busiest, as Hungarians join tourists in taking their vacations. Warm temperatures persist through the end of September. Autumn brings drier weather than normal and moderate temperatures, and the country transitions back into shoulder season. By the time the Christmas markets open for business in early December, much of the country has retreated to sub-freezing temperatures at night, and some places already see snow. As much of the country enters the low season toward the end of the year, this is when the ski resorts in the northwest kick into high gear.
No matter what time of year you are planning to travel to Hungary, we can help you plan a vacation you will be sure to enjoy. In this guide, we`ll let you know what to expect as far as weather, holidays and festivals are concerned.
January – March
Hungary reaches a lull in the tourist season in January, February, and March, except for the areas in the northwest of the country known for their ski resorts. Lines will be next to nonexistent at most tourist sites, and in some cases, points of interest may be closed until the spring. Be sure to check that the things you want to see will be open before leaving home.
While cloudy, most of the country sees drier conditions in January and February, with a slightly higher chance of rain and snow in March. Snow can be expected across Hungary in the winter months. Temperatures average in the mid-to-upper 30s Fahrenheit across the country in January, with lows in the mid-20s. By February the temperatures warm nationwide to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and lows are in the upper 20s to around 30. By March, the warming trend accelerates: highs hover around 50, and lows are in the mid-to-upper 30s.
Holidays and Festivals:
January 1: New Year`s Day (Új év napja) The day is spent visiting with family and friends and eating special foods that will bring you luck in the new year, such as pork and lentils. (national holiday in Hungary)
Late January: Budapest International Documentary Festival
March or April (Moveable): Easter weekend (Húsvéti hétvége), celebrated nationwide with feasts and religious services from Good Friday through Easter Monday. (national holidays in Hungary)
March 15: National Day (Nemzeti ünnep), which commemorates the 1848 Hungarian Revolution. (national holiday in Hungary)
Late March: Friss Hús Budapest International Short Film Festival (Friss Hús Budapest Nemzetközi Rövidfilmfesztivál)
April – June
Springtime brings warm temperatures in Hungary, and higher rain chances. The good news is that many tourist attractions that close up during the winter months open up again in April and May. Consider spending some time at museums and galleries during rainy days so you get the most out of your trip.
The wettest month of the year nationwide is June, with nearly all locations seeing higher rain probabilities by early May. Around Lake Balaton, highs rise from 60 degrees Fahrenheit in April to 70 in May, and finally 75 in June. Lows also rise from the low 40s in April to around 60 by June. In Budapest, temperatures rise from an average of 60 degrees in April to 78 degrees in June; lows are in the 40s to 50s during these months. Debrecen starts off April with highs in the low 60s, and warms quickly to 72 degrees in May and 77 degrees in June, on average. Lows in the northeast part of the country rises from the low 40s in April to the mid-50s by June. Szeged will see the warmest April on average, with highs in the mid-60s, but lows around 40. Expect highs in the 70s in May and June, and lows in the low-to-mid 50s.
Holidays and Festivals:
March or April (Moveable): Easter weekend (Húsvéti hétvége), celebrated nationwide with feasts and religious services from Good Friday through Easter Monday. (national holidays in Hungary)
Early-to-mid April: Budapest Spring Festival (Budapesti Tavaszi Fesztivál), Hungary`s largest cultural festival, featuring orchestra and chamber concerts, jazz, opera and ballet performances.
May 1: Labor Day (A munka ünnepe), a day for family activities and celebrating workers. Large-scale activities can be seen across the country, ranging from parades to parties. Hungary also joined the European Union on May 1, in 2004. (national holiday in Hungary)
May or June (Moveable): Pentecost (Pünkösd) and Whit Monday (Pünkösdhétfo), religious holidays observed nationwide. All shops except for the 24-hour variety close, as do most other attractions. (national holidays in Hungary)
June-August: Szeged Open-Air Festival (Szegedi Szabadtéri Játékok), the second-largest cultural festival in Hungary, featuring opera performances, ballet, classical music and folk dancing.
June–mid-August: Pécs Outdoor Festival (Pécsi Szabadtéri Játékok), featuring many outdoor evening performances.
Early June-late August: Budapest Summer Festival (Budapesti Nyári Fesztivál), an art festival with theater performances, music concerts, film screenings and other activities.
Early June: Keszthely Marathon (Keszthely Kilométerek)
Early June (2 weeks): Danube Carnival (Duna Karnevál), Budapest, featuring dancers skilled not only in the Hungarian folk tradition but from all corners of the world.
Mid-June: Bükk Mountain Marathon (Bükki Hegyi Maraton), Miskolc
Late June–late August: Summer on the Chain Bridge, Budapest. The Szechenyi Chain Bridge is closed to traffic on weekends, and it is lined with food stalls and street performers.
Late June: Hortobágy Equestrian Days (Hortobágyi Lovasnapok), eastern Hungary.
Late June: Miskolc Opera Festival (Miskolci Nemzetközi Operafesztivál)
July – September
The high season is in full swing by the month of July, as tourists arrive en masse from all over the world and Hungarians take their semi-annual vacations. Lots of sunshine translates to fun outdoor activities to be enjoyed by all, from sports to open-air festivals.
July and August are the warmest months of the year in Hungary. Most of the country warms to the upper 70s and low 80s, with cooler temperatures around Lake Balaton and warmer temperatures in the east of the country, in places like Debrecen and Szeged. Lows during this time are usually in the upper 50s (Debrecen and Szeged) or the low-to-mid 60s (Budapest, Lake Balaton). By September, temperatures start their retreat, but are still very warm. Expect highs in the low-to-mid 70s, with lows between 50 and 55. By September, Hungary reaches the second of its two `dry seasons`, with as few as five precipitation days per month on average.
Holidays and Festivals:
Early July (1 week): Early Music Days (Régi Zenei Napok), Eszterháza, Fertod. The largest pre-Beethoven music festival in Hungary.
Early July (1 week): Balaton Sound, Zamárdi, a lakeside electronic music festival.
Early July (weekend): Bull`s Blood Festival (Egri Bikavér Ünnep), Eger. Wine and traditional food are served all weekend.
Late July: The Hungarian Grand Prix, a Formula 1 race held at the Hungaroring, Mogyoród.
Early August: Debrecen Wine & Jazz Days
Early August (1 week): Sziget Festival, Budapest, a rock and pop music festival that is one of the biggest music festivals in Central Europe.
August 20: State Foundation Day (Az államalapítás ünnepe) and St. Stephen’s Day (Szent István király), celebrated with fireworks, speeches, and parties. (national holiday in Hungary)
Early September: Jewish Cultural Festival (Zsidó Kulturális Fesztivál), Budapest, the largest festival of its kind in the country.
Mid-September: Jameson CineFest, Miskolc, Hungary`s largest international film festival.
Late September: Eger Wine Harvest Festival
Late September or early October: Budapest Marathon
October – December
While the high season comes to a close in the east of the country by October, Budapest is still in-demand right now and will be through the beginning of November. As December rolls around, it brings the beautiful Christmas Markets, which can be found in nearly every major city. Budapest`s can be found at Vörösmarty Square.
By October, there is a chill in the air and temperatures retreat to around 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Low temperatures bottom out around the low-to-mid 40s. By November, snow is possible, and it is probable nationwide by the middle of December. Expect highs in the 40s in November and 30s in December, with lows in the upper 30s in November and below freezing by December.
Holidays and Festivals:
October (2 weeks): CAFe Budapest Contemporary Arts Festival (CAFe Budapest Kortárs Muvészeti Fesztivál), formerly known as the Budapest Autumn Festival, a two-week performing and visual arts extravaganza.
October 23: National Day (Nemzeti ünnep), commemorating the 1956 Hungarian Uprising against the Soviets. (national holiday in Hungary)
November 1: All Saints’ Day (Mindenszentek) (national holiday in Hungary)
Early December: Christmas Market season begins across the country.
December 24–25: Christmas Eve (Szenteste) and Christmas Day (Karácsony) (national holidays in Hungary)
December 26: Boxing Day (Karácsony másnapja) (national holiday in Hungary)
December 31: New Year’s Eve (Újév, also called Szilveszter); concerts and fireworks in Budapest and across the country.
Tipping in Hungary
This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
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In the U.S. tipping is customary and expected for everything from lackluster to outstanding service. It is an etiquette which is ingrained in all trades, from wait staff at restaurants to our baristas, valets, cab drivers, porters, and many more trades. In Europe tipping is not as habitual. In Hungary, the giving of gratuities is always appreciated but never mandatory, although in several circumstances tips are more commonly expected, including some that are quite unique here! The questions `when?` and `how much?` can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies.
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or Euros, or Forints?
You`ll often find that Hungary seems like a bargain compared to other European countries, because although Hungary is part of the European Union, it does not use the Euro as its currency. The Hungarian currency is the Forint (Ft, HUF). US dollars are not accepted. If you find prices quoted in Euros, which may be accepted in some larger locations, always ask their exchange rates. Most often the rates are unfavorable and you might be better off exchanging your currency first and paying in Forints. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Euros upon arrival. In our culture we can put everything on credit and debit cards, however, in Europe you will find it useful to always keep a little cash on hand. In Hungary you will find that credit cards, such as Visa, Master Card and American Express, are widely accepted but there will likely be a premium for using them! Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
To put this as politely as possible:when it comes to great service, Hungary just isn`t quite there yet. Do not let this dissuade you from leaving a tip. Try not to measure service in terms of friendliness, but by whether your order was taken promptly, your server was efficient, and whether or not you enjoyed you meal.
Nowadays many restaurants include a 12.5% `service charge` (szervízdíj in Hungarian) in the total, so make sure to check for this either on the bill itself or on the menu. Hungarians normally give an extra 10-15% of the price. It is considered rude if you don`t give a tip. It means that you were absolutely dissatisfied with the service. At more casual eateries, a tip jar will often be next to the cash register, or guests can round up to the next highest forint-bill denomination when paying the server. Bartenders in Budapest do not expect to always receive tips, but they are always appreciated. Typically, customers leave about 30-50 forints for each drink ordered, usually rounding up to the next 100-forint denomination above the total charge. In more upsale clubs or cocktail lounges, a 200-Forint bill is more in line with the norm.
Be aware that in many Budapest bars and ruin-pubs a restroom attendant is stationed outside the bathroom doors to provide everything from toilet paper to perfume to McDonald`s cheeseburgers (yes, for real). Oftentimes these attendants have a contract with the club to clean and service the bathrooms in exchange for the tips that they receive. Even if you do not take any of the toiletries or other offerings, it`s nice (but not required) to leave 20-50 forints per trip to the restroom, and more if you take advantage of the extra provisions – about roughly 500 forint if you have a fast-food burger, even though it won`t be fresh (but what do you expect?).
DO NOT: No matter what type of restaurant it is, leave your tip on the table when you leave. All tips should be given directly to the server or into the tip jar. When the waiter brings you the bill, he will stand around until you let him know how much you are going to pay in total. This is not meant to be rude, it`s just the way it`s done in Hungary. When paying by credit card, you may also find that the waiter will bring the card reader to the table to complete the transaction.
One local caveat: Some traditional Hungarian restaurants hire a house band to play live Gypsy music and other evergreen tunes, and the musicians may begin traveling from table to table to entertain individual dining parties. When the band is at your table, if you request a particular song and they can play it, you will be expected to provide a tip for the musicians; a 500-forint bill should suffice. However, if you do not request a song, there is no need to tip the musicians, even though you may experience mild pressure to do so.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Tipping in Hungarian hotels is not terribly complicated because you have to tip virtually anyone you come into contact with. 200-forint coins are excellent tender in hotels as you can use them to cover the tips for porters, room service attendants as well as hotel bar staff. To begin with the valet, a small tip is much appreciated. A 200-forint coin will suffice per occasion. Porters should receive a 200-forint coin per bag which they carry for you, or up to a 1,000-forint bill in total. Tip concierges with a 5,000 Forint bill if they do something extraordinary for you, or 500-1,000 forint for directions or making you reservations. Housekeepers do not expect tips, but when checking out it is greatly appreciated if you leave them approximately 200-300 forints for each day of your total stay.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
Once you have arrived at your destination, it is ordinary to tip approximately 5-10% of the total fare, or to round up the charge by about 100-200 forints for a typical ride of ten minutes or less. Airport-shuttle drivers will gladly accept a tip of 200-500 forints, especially if they assist with loading and unloading your luggage. If hiring a limousine or other specialty vehicle, drivers will expect a tip of about 5-10% of the total charge.
Needless to say, if your driver was rude or took you on an out of the way route to hike up the fare, do not leave a tip. Always remember when travelling abroad that it is good practice to either make sure the meter is on, or agree on a final fare, before the cab driver begins driving.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
Tipping tour guides is very much appreciated but not expected. Tip guides between 4,000 – 5,000 forint per person for small-group or full day tours and 2,000 forint per person per day for larger groups of half day tours. The guide of a short walking tour can be tipped 500 forint. Although most tour operators include a `tip` in quoted prices bear in mind that the guides are often paid a low wage, so if one is particularly enthusiastic or informative do not hesitate to slip them a little extra if you wish!
Miscellaneous: Is there anyone I should tip that I would not normally?
Spa/thermal bath attendants: Hungary is known for it`s fantastic thermal baths. Take advantage while you are here and check them out. Many major spas hire locker-room attendants to help every guest secure their valuables before submerging into the hot-spring waters. It is typical to tip these attendants 200 forints, usually at the conclusion of each spa visit (try to find the same attendant who helped you at the beginning of your visit). Masseurs should receive 500 forint as a tip. This gratuity is often not expected among foreign spa visitors, but it will certainly be appreciated!
Other Services: In the event that you are in Hungary for a special occasion (wedding, honeymoon, graduation gift, birthday, etc..) and employ the services of a hairdresser, make-up artist, party planner, personal shopper, tailor or spa services and the like, use your best judgment in tipping. Factor in the cost and quality of service and, as a general rule, stay in the 10% range.
Final Thoughts:
Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. Unlike in the U.S., waiters are paid a living wage, and the expectations for tipping are lower here than in America. This is also true for hotel staff, though if you encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager.
When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
Top cities in Hungary
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What to expect while traveling
