Explore Hungary
Discover magnificent architecture, historic cities, thermal baths, traditional food, beautiful countryside, and fascinating culture across Hungary.
DISCOVER HUNGARY
Hungary is a fascinating Central European destination combining impressive architecture, centuries of history, distinctive cuisine, thermal bath culture, and beautiful landscapes.
Budapest is the country’s most famous destination, dramatically divided by the Danube River into historic Buda and lively Pest. Grand buildings, spectacular bridges, thermal baths, markets, cafés, and viewpoints make it one of Europe’s most visually impressive capitals.
Beyond Budapest, Hungary offers historic towns, vineyards, countryside, castles, traditional villages, and Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe.
Here you’ll find my experience in Budapest, along with practical travel tips and useful information to help you plan your own trip to Hungary.
PLACES I’VE VISITED IN HUNGARY
Explore my experience in Budapest, Hungary’s beautiful capital, where grand architecture, historic streets, thermal baths, lively neighbourhoods, and spectacular views along the Danube come together.
Budapest
Hungary’s magnificent capital, known for the Danube River, Parliament Building, Buda Castle, historic bridges, thermal baths, beautiful architecture, and vibrant city life.
HUNGARY TRAVEL GUIDE
Everything you need to know to plan your trip to Hungary, from the best time to visit and travel costs to transport, accommodation, food, and practical tips.
BEST TIME TO VISIT HUNGARY
Hungary can be visited throughout the year, but April to June and September to October are particularly good periods for sightseeing.
Spring brings milder temperatures, longer days, and colourful parks, while early autumn can offer comfortable weather without the busiest summer crowds.
July and August are generally the hottest and busiest months. Budapest can become very warm, but long daylight hours make this a popular period for outdoor sightseeing, river cruises, festivals, and evening activities.
Winter is colder, but Budapest can be especially atmospheric during the Christmas season, with festive markets, illuminated streets, and warm thermal baths.
Weather can vary considerably between seasons, so check the forecast shortly before travelling.
HOW MUCH DOES HUNGARY COST?
Hungary can still offer relatively good value compared with some Western European destinations, although prices in central Budapest have increased and popular tourist areas can be considerably more expensive.
A budget traveller might spend approximately 20,000–35,000 HUF per day, excluding international travel, by staying in hostels or inexpensive accommodation, using public transport, and eating at affordable local restaurants.
For a more comfortable trip with a private hotel room, restaurants, transport, attractions, and occasional taxis, approximately 45,000–80,000+ HUF per day is more realistic.
Accommodation prices vary considerably depending on location, season, and weekends.
You can reduce costs by using Budapest’s public transportation system, eating away from the busiest tourist streets, and booking accommodation in advance.
GETTING TO HUNGARY
Hungary is well connected with the rest of Europe by air, train, bus, and road.
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is the country’s main international airport, with connections to destinations across Europe and beyond.
Budapest also has international railway connections with several neighbouring countries and major European cities.
Train services connect Hungary with destinations in Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and other parts of Central Europe.
International coaches are another option and can sometimes provide inexpensive connections between Budapest and nearby European capitals.
Hungary’s central location makes it easy to combine with destinations such as Vienna, Bratislava, Prague, and other cities in the region.
GETTING AROUND HUNGARY
Budapest has an extensive public transportation network including the Metro, trams, buses, and trolleybuses.
The city’s trams are particularly useful, and some routes provide excellent views along the Danube.
Many central attractions can also be reached on foot, although Budapest is larger than it may initially appear, so public transport can save considerable time.
Trains and buses connect Budapest with cities, towns, and other destinations throughout Hungary.
A rental car isn’t necessary for a Budapest-focused trip, but it can provide more flexibility if you’re planning to explore rural areas, vineyards, smaller towns, or destinations around Lake Balaton.
Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road.
WHERE TO STAY IN HUNGARY
For a first visit to Budapest, staying centrally makes exploring the city considerably easier.
District V (Belváros-Lipótváros) is very central and provides easy access to the Danube, Parliament, restaurants, shopping, and many major attractions.
District VII (Erzsébetváros) is known for its restaurants, nightlife, ruin bars, and lively atmosphere.
Areas around District VI (Terézváros) provide good access to Andrássy Avenue, restaurants, cafés, and public transportation.
Staying on the Buda side can provide a quieter atmosphere and convenient access to Buda Castle and some of the city’s best viewpoints.
Wherever you stay, being close to a Metro or tram stop can make getting around much easier.
FOOD IN HUNGARY
Hungarian cuisine is rich, filling, and full of distinctive flavours.
One of the country’s most famous dishes is gulyás (goulash), traditionally a soup or stew made with meat, vegetables, and paprika.
Other foods worth trying include lángos, chicken paprikash, stuffed cabbage, various sausages, and traditional soups and stews.
For something sweet, try kürtőskalács, commonly known as chimney cake, which is especially popular around markets and tourist areas.
Paprika is an important ingredient in Hungarian cooking and appears in many traditional dishes.
Budapest also has a diverse modern food scene, with restaurants serving both Hungarian and international cuisines.
Markets, bakeries, casual restaurants, and street-food locations can provide more affordable alternatives to restaurants in the busiest tourist areas.
MONEY AND PAYMENTS IN HUNGARY
Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF) rather than the euro.
Credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments are widely accepted in Budapest and other major destinations.
However, carrying a small amount of Hungarian forint can still be useful for smaller purchases and occasional cash-only situations.
ATMs are widely available, but check the withdrawal fee and exchange rate before completing a transaction.
Be careful with currency exchange offices in heavily tourist-oriented locations and always check the rate before exchanging money.
If an ATM or card terminal offers to convert your transaction into pounds, euros, or another home currency, check the conversion carefully before accepting.
STAYING CONNECTED IN HUNGARY
Getting online in Hungary is straightforward.
Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés, restaurants, airports, and many public places.
Visitors can purchase a Hungarian or European SIM card or use an eSIM for mobile data.
Mobile coverage is generally strong in Budapest and other populated areas, although reception can vary in more remote locations.
Having mobile data is particularly useful for public transport information, maps, restaurant searches, attraction bookings, and navigation.
Downloading offline maps can also be useful if you’re planning to explore countryside or smaller destinations.
IS HUNGARY SAFE FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS?
Hungary is straightforward to explore independently, particularly in Budapest, where public transportation makes moving around the city relatively easy.
Normal travel precautions still apply.
Keep your phone, wallet, passport, camera, and other valuables secure around crowded attractions, busy public transport, railway stations, nightlife areas, and tourist locations.
Pay attention to prices before ordering food or drinks in heavily tourist-oriented establishments, and check bills before paying.
At night, use the same precautions you would in any major European city and stay aware of your surroundings when walking through unfamiliar areas.
The European emergency number 112 can be used for emergency services in Hungary.
VISA AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Hungary is part of the Schengen Area, so entry requirements depend on your nationality.
British citizens travelling with a full British citizen passport can generally visit Hungary and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for tourism and certain other permitted activities.
Passport validity requirements also apply, so check your passport before travelling.
European border procedures are changing, including the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the planned ETIAS travel authorisation system. Requirements and implementation arrangements can change, so always check the latest official information before your trip.
Visitors with other passports may require a Schengen visa depending on their nationality and circumstances. Always confirm the latest entry requirements before travelling.
WHAT TO WEAR IN HUNGARY
What to wear depends on the season.
Summers can be hot, particularly in Budapest, so lightweight and breathable clothing is useful.
Spring and autumn can bring warm days alongside cooler mornings, evenings, and occasional rain, making layers and a lightweight waterproof jacket practical.
Winters can be cold, so bring a warm coat, layers, gloves, and suitable footwear.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring Budapest, particularly if you’re walking around Buda Castle, along the Danube, and between different neighbourhoods.
If you’re planning to visit thermal baths, remember to bring appropriate swimwear and check the individual bath’s requirements before visiting.
HOW LONG DO YOU NEED IN HUNGARY?
For Budapest alone, around 3–4 days is a good amount of time for a first visit.
This gives you enough time to explore both sides of the Danube, see Parliament, visit the Buda Castle area, experience a thermal bath, explore markets and neighbourhoods, and enjoy the city after dark.
With 5–7 days in Hungary, you can spend more time in Budapest while adding one or two day trips.
With 7–10 days, you’ll have more time to explore other parts of Hungary, including smaller cities, countryside, vineyards, or Lake Balaton.
Budapest has a lot to experience, so avoid trying to fit all of its major attractions into a single day.
FINAL TIPS FOR VISITING HUNGARY
Spend time exploring both Buda and Pest. The two sides of Budapest have different atmospheres and together provide a much better experience of the city.
Walk along the Danube during both the day and evening. Budapest’s Parliament, bridges, Buda Castle, and riverside buildings become especially impressive when illuminated after dark.
Try at least one of the city’s famous thermal baths, but check opening times, ticket options, and any specific requirements before visiting.
Use Budapest’s Metro and tram network to save time, especially when travelling between attractions on opposite sides of the city.
Remember that Hungary uses the Hungarian forint rather than the euro, and always check exchange rates and ATM fees before converting or withdrawing money.
And if you have more time, consider exploring beyond Budapest. Hungary’s smaller towns, countryside, vineyards, and Lake Balaton offer a very different experience from the capital.
READY TO EXPLORE HUNGARY?
From Budapest’s magnificent Parliament Building and historic bridges to thermal baths, traditional food, beautiful countryside, and life along the Danube, Hungary has plenty to discover. Start planning your trip and experience it for yourself.
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