Attraction in Hungary
Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton stretches approximately 77 kilometres across western Hungary and at 592 square kilometres is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe, nicknamed the 'Hungarian Sea.' The lake's shallow, warm waters (averaging just 3.2 metres in depth) heat quickly in summer, making the shoreline towns of Siófok, Balatonfüred, and Keszthely popular destinations for swimming, cycling, and wine tourism. The Tihany Peninsula, jutting into the lake from the northern shore, is protected as a nature reserve and home to a Benedictine abbey founded in 1055.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Hungary. Wise doesn't.
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Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Hungary.
- No SIM swapping
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Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Hungary
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.