Hungary travel itinerary

Planning a trip to Hungary? Here you'll find our day-by-day itinerary (Budapest, Lake Balaton, Eger, Danube Bend, Pecs, Tokaj), plus all the practical info to organise your journey: currency, visa, e-SIM, health, plugs and useful numbers.

When to go to Hungary

The climate is continental: cold snowy winters (often below zero in Budapest), hot summers. Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons, mild and less crowded. The thermal baths make Budapest enjoyable all year, though, and bathing in the steaming outdoor pools under the snow is a unique experience.

Practical info for travelling in Hungary

Updated: June 2026

Documents and visa

Hungary is in the European Union and the Schengen area: EU citizens only need a valid ID card or passport, no visa, for stays up to 90 days, and there are no border checks arriving from other Schengen countries. Citizens of other countries should check their own entry rules.

Currency and payments

Note: Hungary does NOT use the euro. The currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF): about 390-400 forints to 1 euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere (including contactless) and ATMs are widespread, but it is handy to have some forints for small purchases. Change money ONLY at banks or authorised exchange offices: changing on the street or with private individuals is illegal and a classic scam. Be wary of ATMs in isolated spots too (skimming risk).

Language

The language is Hungarian (Magyar), an isolated and very difficult language, unrelated to its neighbours. Fortunately English and German are widely spoken in Budapest, in tourist centres and among young people. A translation app helps in small towns and with menus.

Health and vaccines

No mandatory vaccines. Public healthcare is adequate; EU citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to emergency care, but travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation is still recommended. In outlying areas, equipment is not always up to date.

eSIM and connectivity

Mobile coverage is excellent and free WiFi is common in hotels, cafes and on transport. As Hungary is in the EU, EU SIMs roam at no extra cost, just like at home. Travellers from outside the EU can buy a local SIM or eSIM (Yettel, One, Telekom).

Electricity

Power is 230V/50Hz with type C and F (Schuko) sockets, identical to those in continental Europe: no adapter needed for European travellers.

Time zone

Hungary is at UTC+1 (UTC+2 with daylight saving time), the same as Central Europe.

Good to know

Driving: e-vignette and zero alcohol — An EU driving licence is enough. To use motorways an electronic vignette (e-matrica) is compulsory, to be bought online before setting off (there are no toll booths): without it, fines are very steep. There is zero tolerance for drink-driving: even one glass is a criminal offence (up to 2 years in prison). Dipped headlights on by day outside built-up areas, seatbelts for all, warning triangle and first-aid kit compulsory. Speeding fines are very high and foreigners can have their passport withheld until payment: always insist on a receipt and report.
Public transport and tickets — Budapest has an excellent transport network (metro - the oldest in continental Europe - trams, buses). Watch out for tickets, though: each ticket is valid for a single ride on a single vehicle (you can only change trains within the metro network), inspectors are numerous and fines are high. A daily ticket or pass valid on all transport is best.
Scams and petty crime — Hungary is safe, but watch out for pickpockets in crowded places (markets, transport) and for thefts of documents and money in the baths and pools (use the lockers). Be wary of anyone stopping you with a pretext (tyre problems, a fake lost-document story at the airport or stations). Avoid the strip-clubs that tout on the street in central Pest (district V) with 'free entry and first drink': bills are exorbitant and sometimes extorted with threats. For taxis use only registered companies or the Bolt and Uber apps, never unlicensed taxis parked on the street.
Drugs and banned symbols — Drug law is strict: cultivation, possession or dealing carry sentences of up to 5 years (10 for large quantities), and even possession for personal use is a criminal offence. Also good to know: the Hungarian penal code bans the public display of certain totalitarian symbols (swastika, SS insignia, the Arrow Cross, the hammer and sickle, the red five-pointed star).
Borders and customs — At the borders with Ukraine, Serbia and Croatia checks have been tightened and can mean long waits: carrying people who entered the country illegally in your vehicle is a serious offence (aiding illegal immigration). At the table, try the gulyas, paprika chicken and pastries without hesitation; a toast with palinka (fruit brandy) is a must, but in Hungary people do not clink beer glasses when toasting, due to an old historical tradition.

Useful numbers

112 — Single emergency number (also in English)
107 — Police
104 — Ambulance
105 — Fire brigade
188 — Roadside assistance (multilingual staff)
+36 1 4606200 — Italian Embassy in Budapest (emergencies: +36 30 9523053). For other nationalities, contact your own country's embassy

💡 The thermal baths are the soul of Budapest: treat yourself to at least an afternoon in the steaming pools of the Szechenyi or Gellert, where locals play chess in the warm water. And remember two things: Hungary does not use the euro (carry forints or pay by card) and only change money at banks, never on the street.

Hungary