Budapest

Currency

Hungary uses the forint, not the euro. Paying in euros is always a bad rate. Exchange offices in the centre are fine if they display a clear buy/sell spread — avoid any that advertise zero commission without showing rates.

ATMs & cards

Use OTP Bank, K&H or Erste machines. Avoid Euronet — they dominate the tourist areas and are expensive. Decline conversion, and be aware the ATM may suggest a large default amount.

Euronet dominates the tourist areas and defaults to large withdrawal amounts — check the figure before confirming.

Wherever you are: if the machine offers to charge you in your home currency, decline. That is dynamic currency conversion and the rate is set by the ATM's operator, not your bank.

Safety

Safe city. Two specific scams to know: taxi drivers who quote in euros, and bars where a friendly local invites you in and the bill arrives enormous. Use Bolt and pick your own bar.

Our own assessment, not a sourced index.

Entry & visa

Health & emergencies

Required to enter

No vaccinations are required for entry from Europe or North America.

Worth having

• Routine vaccinations up to date
• Tick-borne encephalitis for forest and countryside walking

Getting treated

EU/EEA and Swiss visitors are treated on the same terms as residents with an EHIC or GHIC card; UK visitors use a GHIC. Everyone else pays, and travel insurance is worth having for the repatriation cover rather than the treatment.

Orientation, not medical advice. Entry rules change and what you need depends on your own history and where you have been — check with a travel clinic or your national health service four to six weeks before you go.

Food tip

Goulash here is a soup, not a stew. Try lángos from a market stall and chimney cake for dessert. District VII has the best value dining alongside the ruin bars.

Getting around

• Metro — 4 lines, including line 1, the oldest underground in continental Europe
• Tram — lines 2 and 4/6 are scenic and useful, tram 2 runs along the Danube
• Walking — Pest is flat and walkable, Buda involves hills
• Bus — bus 16 gets you up to the Castle District without the climb
• Airport: bus 100E direct to Deák Ferenc tér (40 min, 2200 HUF)

Must-see

Things to do

• Soak at Széchenyi or Gellért baths
• Tour the Parliament interior
• Drink at Szimpla Kert ruin bar
• Walk across the Chain Bridge at night
• See the city from Fisherman’s Bastion
• Visit the House of Terror museum

Nearby day trips

Say a few words

Hungarian

• HelloJó napotyo NA-pot
• PleaseKéremKAY-rem
• Thank youKöszönömKUH-suh-nuhm
• Yes / NoIgen / NemEE-gen / nem
• Excuse meElnézéstEL-nay-zaysht
• How much is it?Mennyibe kerül?MEN-yi-beh KEH-rool
• The bill, pleaseA számlát, kérema SAAM-laat
• Cheers!Egészségedre!EG-ays-shay-ged-reh

Religion

Catholic, with a Calvinist minority

Religion is culturally present rather than practised widely. Basilicas ask for covered shoulders.

Do's and don'ts

Do

• Say jó napot on entering shops
• Toast with wine or spirits and make eye contact
• Bring a small gift if invited to someone’s home
• Try the thermal baths — they are an everyday institution, not a tourist novelty

Don't

• Do not clink beer glasses — the convention dates to 1849 and older Hungarians still hold it
• Do not put your hands under the table while eating
• Do not assume Hungarian relates to any neighbouring language; it does not
• Do not discuss the Trianon treaty lightly