Travel Guide
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Discover
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
The Castle District on Buda's limestone plateau holds an eight-hundred-year-old complex of royal palaces, Gothic churches, and cobblestone lanes that together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1987 and expanded in 2002. From the terrace of Fisherman's Bastion, visitors take in a panoramic view across the Danube to the Hungarian Parliament Building on the opposite bank. Andrássy Avenue, the grand boulevard leading from the inner city to Heroes' Square, rounds out the UNESCO-listed ensemble with a succession of opera houses, academies, and museums.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath, opened in 1913 in the neo-baroque style, is one of the largest thermal bath complexes in Europe, with fifteen indoor pools and three outdoor pools fed by natural hot springs reaching 74 degrees Celsius. The grand yellow building in City Park has become one of Budapest's most visited and recognisable landmarks. Visitors come to soak in the naturally heated waters, use the steam rooms and saunas, or simply take in the spectacle of outdoor chess matches conducted from the pool.
Health & Safety
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for Hungary see where to get vaccines and whether
Full health advice (FCDO) →Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Guide
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Hungary page at Yoogo.
Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF), and despite being an EU member, it has not adopted the euro. Card payments are widely accepted in cities and larger towns, but it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments, markets, and rural areas.
Hungary is generally considered a safe destination, with low rates of violent crime. Travellers should exercise normal precautions in busy tourist areas of Budapest, where pickpocketing can occur around major landmarks and public transport.
Budapest has an extensive public transport network of metro lines, trams, and buses. Intercity rail services connect the capital to most regional cities, with MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) operating frequent routes. Car hire is practical for exploring rural areas such as the Tokaj wine region and the Hortobágy puszta.
Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds, making them ideal for sightseeing in Budapest and exploring the countryside. Summer (July to August) is the peak season for Lake Balaton, though temperatures in cities can reach 35 degrees Celsius.
Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, a Finno-Ugric language unrelated to most European tongues and considered challenging to learn. English is widely understood in Budapest's hospitality and tourism sectors, though knowledge is more limited in smaller towns and rural areas.
No specific vaccinations are required for entry into Hungary, and the country has a well-functioning public healthcare system. EU/EEA citizens should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), while non-EU travellers are advised to arrange comprehensive travel health insurance before departure.
Tipping is customary in Hungary, particularly in restaurants, where 10–15 per cent of the bill is the norm. Rather than leaving cash on the table, it is standard practice to tell the server the total you wish to pay when settling the bill. Rounding up the fare is appreciated for taxis.
Hungary has good 4G coverage across cities and major routes, with 5G available in Budapest and other urban centres. Travellers from outside the EU can use an eSIM from a provider such as Airalo for convenient data access without swapping a physical SIM card.
Hortobágy National Park covers approximately 820 square kilometres of the Great Hungarian Plain and is the largest protected grassland in Europe, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The open puszta landscape has been shaped by more than two millennia of pastoral land use, and traditional grey cattle, Hungarian racka sheep, and water buffalo are still kept here by csikos horsemen. Visitors can observe rare bird species including the great bustard, explore the nine-arched stone bridge (the longest in Hungary), and watch traditional equestrian demonstrations.
The great plain's proud capital, with a neoclassical church at its heart
Hungarians typically greet one another formally, and addressing people with courtesy titles is appreciated in professional or unfamiliar settings. When visiting churches or historic religious sites such as Pannonhalma Archabbey, modest dress is expected. Toasting with beer is considered bad form historically, though this tradition is observed less strictly among younger Hungarians.
Entry requirements by passport
Pick your passport to see the exact requirement, the stay limit, and the official source.