Practical A–Z

Entry

As an EU citizen, you need no visa. Hungary is a Schengen member — you only need a valid ID card or passport.

Currency & Exchange

Hungary uses the Forint (HUF), not the Euro. 1€ ≈ 390–410 HUF (fluctuates). Card payment is widespread — most restaurants, shops, and thermal baths accept cards. You will need cash for:

• Street stalls (Langos, chimney cake)
• Small shops and markets
• Tipping
• Public toilets

Currency Exchange Rules

• NEVER exchange at the airport — the rates are terrible.
• NEVER exchange in hotels — even worse rates.
• Good exchange offices: Correct Change (Váci utca), Gold Change (several locations) — here you get rates close to the market rate.
• Best option: Revolut, Wise, or N26 — card payment or ATM withdrawal at top rates. For withdrawals: ALWAYS choose "without conversion" / "in local currency" — otherwise, the ATM charges an exorbitant rate.
• Beware of "Dynamic Currency Conversion": If the ATM or card terminal asks if you want to pay "in Euro" or "in Forint": ALWAYS choose Forint! The Euro option costs you 3–8% more.

Budapest is a safe city — safer than most Western European metropolises. Violent crime against tourists is very rare. The main risks:

Pickpocketing

• Metro (especially M1 and M3): Be careful in crowds.
• Great Market Hall: Tourist hotspot with pickpockets.
• Ruin bars at night: Crowded bars = opportunity for thieves.
• Váci utca: The tourist mile — classic hotspot.

Fraud

• "Pretty Woman" scam: In some bars/clubs downtown, you are approached by attractive women who invite you to a venue — everything there is astronomically expensive (bill: 200–500€). Bouncers at the door ensure "payment morale". Rule of thumb: Never go to a venue where strangers on the street invite you.
• Taxi fraud: Unlicensed taxis charge 3–5 times the rate. Only use yellow taxis with a meter or the Bolt app.
• Currency exchange offices: Some exchange offices advertise "0% Commission" — and then use a lousy rate. Before exchanging: compare the offered rate with the market rate (Google).

Mobile Internet

Thanks to EU roaming, you can use your German mobile contract in Hungary without additional costs. The network coverage in Budapest is excellent (4G/5G everywhere).

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi in cafés, hotels, ruin bars, and many public places. The Budapest Wi-Fi network in the city center is adequate for basic needs.

Language

Hungarian (Magyar) is completely incomprehensible for German speakers — no Latin, Germanic, or Slavic roots. Don't worry: In Budapest, most young people speak English, especially in tourist facilities. German is less common than in Prague or Vienna, but older Hungarians sometimes speak it.

A few words of Hungarian are greatly appreciated:

• Szia! (Hi / Bye — informal, pronounced: "Ssi-ja")
• Jó napot! (Good day — formal, pronounced: "Jo napot")
• Köszönöm! (Thank you — pronounced: "Kö-ssö-nöm")
• Kérem! (Please — pronounced: "Keh-rem")
• Egészségedre! (Cheers! — pronounced: "Egeh-scheh-gedre")
• A számlát, kérem! (The bill, please!)

What to Pack?

• Swimsuit/Swim trunks: THE most important! The thermal baths are a must — without swimwear, you'll miss Budapest's main attraction.
• Comfortable shoes: Pest is flat (good for sneakers), but Buda has hills and cobblestones. The Gellért Hill climb requires sturdy soles.
• Flip-flops/Water shoes: For the thermal baths — the floors can be slippery.
• Warm clothing (winter): Budapest gets really cold in winter (–5 to –15°C). Warm jacket, hat, gloves, scarf. But: You only need 5 minutes from the thermal bath entrance to the 38°C pool.
• Light layers (summer): In summer 35°C+ — light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, and a water bottle.
• Travel adapter: Not needed — Type C/F (German plugs) fit in Hungary.

Important Notes

• Tipping: In restaurants: 10% is customary. When paying, tell the waiter the desired amount (including tip) directly: "4,500, kérem" (instead of 4,000 HUF). NEVER leave the tip on the table — it's considered rude. In thermal baths: 200–500 HUF for the lifeguard/cabin attendant.
• Sunday Opening: Most shops are closed on Sundays (by law!). Exceptions: supermarkets in train stations, gas stations, and some stores in shopping centers. Restaurants, cafés, and thermal baths are open on Sundays.
• Smoking Ban: In all enclosed public spaces (restaurants, bars, clubs). Smoking is done outside or on terraces.
• Tap Water: Drinkable and good. In restaurants, mineral water (ásványvíz) is served by default — "csapvíz" (tap water) is free, but you must explicitly ask for it.