12 Essential Hungary Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
Hungary offers the perfect mix of history, relaxation, and affordability. It offers grand architecture, thermal baths, stunning landscapes, rich cuisine, and a vibrant café and wine culture. Budapest alone is worth the trip, but we think Hungary has much more to discover beyond its capital.
If you’re visiting for the first time, our 12 essential Hungary travel tips will help you enjoy your journey like a local.
12 Essential Hungary Travel Tips
1. Hungary Uses the Forint, Not the Euro 💰
Although Hungary is a member of the EU, its currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF), not the euro.
Tips:
- Credit cards are accepted in most places, but small markets and some rural spots still prefer cash.
- Avoid currency exchange booths in tourist zones or airports as you ’ll be charged high commission rates. Use ATMs linked to banks instead.
- Remember to decline dynamic currency conversion (paying in your home currency). Always choose to pay in HUF as you’ll get better rates.
💡 Tip: The forint uses large denominations (e.g. 10,000 HUF ≈ €25). Don’t be intimidated by the numbers as you’ll find an item is not as expensive as it initially sounds.
2. Budapest Is Divided by the Danube 🌉🏙️
Budapest is actually two cities, Buda and Pest, which are divided by the Danube River.
Tips:
- Buda is quieter, more residential, and home to the historic Castle District and panoramic city views.
- Pest is livelier, with a busy nightlife scene, café culture, and shopping. You’ll find the iconic and ornate Parliament building in Pest.
- Base yourself in Pest for convenience and ease of getting around but we recommend spending time in both cities.
💡 Tip: Take a night cruise on the Danube as Budapest’s illuminated skyline is magical after dark.
3. Use Public Transport In Budapest 🚇🚶♀️
Budapest’s public transport is safe, extensive, and easy to use. It’s a cheap and efficient way to get around but also to see the city.
Tips:
- Buy tickets from machines, kiosks, or apps like BudapestGO. The app can also be used to plan your journey, check transport disruptions and book your bus to/from the airport.
- You can purchase single tickets, timed tickets or travelcards using the app.
- Don’t forget to validate both paper and mobile tickets before boarding trams, buses, or the metro.
- Trams 2, 4, and 6 are scenic and practical routes for tourists. Our favourite is Tram 2, which runs along the banks of the Danube to the Parliament building. Day or night, the views are fantastic.
💡 Tip: Walking is the best way to discover neighbourhoods like the Jewish Quarter or Andrássy Avenue.
4. Don’t Skip the Thermal Baths 🛁♨️
Hungary is famous for its thermal bath culture, and you’ll find stunning historic bathhouses in Budapest and beyond. Bathhouses can be indoors or outside and usually consist of several pools varying in temperature. We think it’s a perfect way to live like a local for a few hours!
Popular options:
- Széchenyi Baths – Budapest’s largest and most iconic baths in an impressive architectural setting.
- Gellért Baths – Known for its Art Nouveau architecture and mosaics
- Rudas Baths – Rooftop pool with Danube views
- Palatinus – A budget-friendly option popular with families set on attractive Margaret Island
Tips:
- Bring flip-flops, a towel, and a swim cap if you want to use the lap pool.
- Visit early to avoid crowds or in the evening for a unique night experience.
💡 Tip: Some baths offer nighttime parties (Sparties) but you’ll need to book in advance.
5. Tipping Is Expected in Hungary 💶
Tipping is part of everyday etiquette in Hungary.
Tips:
- In restaurants, leave 10–15% unless service is already included on your bill.
- Round up taxi fares.
- Tip guides, hotel staff, and spa workers a few hundred forints.
💡 Tip: Check the bill for “szervízdíj” (a service charge) before tipping again.
6. Learn a Few Hungarian Phrases 🇭🇺🗣️
Hungarian (Magyar) is unique and unrelated to most European languages so it’s not an easy language to master! But trying a few words shows respect and we found locals always appreciated our efforts.
Try:
- Szia – Hi / Bye
- Köszönöm (kurr-suh-nuhm) – Thank you
- Igen / Nem – Yes / No
- Elnézést – Excuse me
💡 Tip: English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but less so in smaller towns so make sure you download a translation app!
7. Enjoy Hungarian Food 🍛🍰
Hungarian cuisine is hearty, rich, and flavourful with paprika as a signature ingredient. You’ll find that eating out is more affordable than other European countries.
Must-try dishes:
- Gulyás (goulash) – A tasty and filling beef and vegetable soup with paprika
- Lángos – Fried dough with sour cream and cheese
- Hortobágyi palacsinta – Savoury meat-stuffed crepes
- Dobos torte – Layered sponge cake with chocolate and caramel
💡 Tip: We recommend visiting Budapest’s Great Market Hall (or a local market hall) to sample street food and shop for souvenirs.
8. Wine and Pálinka Are a Big Deal 🍷🥃
Hungary is a wine-producing country renowned for its excellent and affordable wines.
Tips:
- Try Tokaji (sweet wine), Bull’s Blood from Eger, and dry whites from Lake Balaton.
- Pálinka is a strong fruit brandy which is best sipped, not downed in one!
- Visit a wine bar or take a tasting tour to learn more about lesser-known Hungarian wines.
💡 Tip: Alcohol is sold in supermarkets and bars
9. Shops Close Early and Sundays Are Quiet 🕗🛒
Many businesses close earlier than you might expect, especially outside of Budapest. Shops and businesses have shorter opening hours on Sunday or may not open at all.
Tips:
- Supermarkets and shopping malls typically close around 8 pm.
- Check opening hours on Sunday in advance.
- Convenience stores, such as Spar, or small kiosks often stay open longer.
💡 Tip: Always carry snacks or bottled water when travelling between towns or outside peak hours, as vending machines are rare.
10. Hungarian History Is Deep and Complex 🕍🕊️
From the Austro-Hungarian Empire to communist rule and revolution, Hungary’s past is full of layers.
Tips:
- Visit museums like the House of Terror, Hospital in the Rock, or Dohány Street Synagogue to learn more about Hungary’s history.
- Be respectful when discussing politics, especially recent history or the present-day political system.
- We recommend taking guided tours at historical sites as they offer deeper insights.
💡 Tip: Monuments and memorials can be moving so take time to read and reflect.
11. Consider Day Trips Beyond Budapest 🚂
Hungary is a compact country so day trips from Budapest are easy and affordable by train or bus. We strongly recommend getting out of Budapest for at least a day as it will give you a different experience of Hungary and Hungarians.
Top picks:
- Szentendre – An artsy riverside town known for its museums and galleries
- Eger – Known for wine, spas, and baroque architecture
- Lake Balaton – “The Hungarian Sea” with summer resorts, picnic areas and parks providing bathing access to the lake
- Esztergom – Huge basilica and Danube views
- Visegrád – Medieval ruins and scenic hills
💡 Tip: The Hungarian railway (MÁV) website and app allow easy ticket bookings.
12. Respect Local Norms and Behaviour 🤝
Hungarians are polite but can be formal at first. Understanding social cues will help you fit in.
Tips:
- Address people by their title and surname until invited otherwise.
- Locals may seem reserved, but are helpful when approached politely.
- Use indoor voices as loud or boisterous behaviour is frowned upon.
💡 Tip: Public transport etiquette is important. Always offer your seat to elderly or pregnant passengers, and keep the noise down.
Final Thoughts
Hungary is an elegant, expressive, and affordable destination full of hidden gems, warm hospitality, and centuries of culture.
Whether you’re soaking in thermal baths, sipping wine by the Danube, or exploring grand Austro-Hungarian architecture, this country will capture your heart.
We loved our time in Hungary and left planning to return.
