Hungary Quick Guide

Hungary is an enchanting landlocked country in Central Europe. Bordered by Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany and Italy, it shares borders with these countries in its immediate area. It has a unique European character due to its highly varied geography, which is characterized by rolling hills, fertile rolling hills, rolling landscapes, beautiful lakes, green fields, small plateaus, high mountain ranges and rolling sand dunes. The capital, Budapest, is segregated by the Danube River into two distinctive sections.

The first section is Budapest, the beautiful historic city that is the perfect blend of Western and Eastern European culture. Budapest is also the headquarters of the majority of the government and banking institutions in Hungary. Its cityscape is peppered with historic architectural landmarks on the hilltop castle hill, Buda, and grand neoclassical commercial buildings along Pest' s Andrassy Avenue. Turkish and Roman influence on Hungarian civilization includes the popular thermal baths, which are scattered all over the city.

The second part of Hungary, the Capital Budapest offers a more relaxed pace, characterized by wide streets and by residential villages nestled in small alleys or alleyways. However, the charm of Budapest is not lost on travelers who choose to spend their time here in the great outdoors, amidst the wonderful scenery that can be found all over Hungary. Walking through the streets of Budapest will give you an excellent view over the city's magnificent buildings, particularly the Grand Budapest Castle, National Theater, Modern Art Gallery and palaces such as Habsai Palace. A Hungary Travel Guide will allow you to get information about all the beautiful locations and tourist attractions in this great capital of Hungary.

Although traveling to Hungary by means of international Airlines may prove expensive, there are several cheap flights available from most of the world heritage sites. If your budget permits, then it is recommended to visit Budapest either in the summer months or in the winter. Budapest is well suited for tourists coming in the winter because most of the world heritage sites are closed during the winter season. In addition, the most comfortable and hassle free way to travel within the country is to take a guided tour. Although the cost may increase substantially while taking guided tours, the experience is comparable to being in the country.

If your budget does not permit expensive Budapest tours or guided tours, then you can opt to get around the country using the various public transports like the intercity bus, the metro and the taxi. Once in Hungary, you will definitely want to get around by tram or by foot. If you are not an adept traveler then it is recommended that you use the three major transport systems the buses, the metro and the taxi to get around.

After visiting all of the important cities of Hungary, you may wish to venture out of Budapest for some fun filled activities. One of these activities includes trekking and hiking through the majestic mountains of Hungary. You can obtain all of the necessary requirements for this trip by obtaining an international travel guide that lists all of the important places of interest in Hungary as well as detailed information on the most popular routes through which you can get around the country.

One of the best ways to really experience the tradition and culture of Hungary is to participate in a Hungarian food tour. This tour will introduce you to some of the most popular foods of Hungary as well as the region of the world known as "H Hungarask". The most popular dishes of the Hungarian cuisine include sages, kielbasa and blintzes. On your visit to the royal palace, you will be able to sample many of the different types of food that are made in Hungary. If you take part in the guided tours of Hungary you can even learn how to make the traditional food on your own.

For those travelling with children, a Hungarian family guided tour is an excellent choice. These tours combine food, wine and history in a beautiful setting to help families to relax and enjoy each other's company. One such family tour is entitled "Hogy od csakvit od hrvatske" or simply "Hungary od csakvit". It will take participants on a two and a half day trip through numerous sites of interest that are related to the history and culture of Hungary. This is one of the best ways to experience true European travel and to discover the rich beauty that lies within all of Hungary, Slovakia and Austria.

What vaccinations do I need?

Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Hungary are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.

Is it safe to travel?

Best time to visit?

The best time to visit Hungary is in spring and autumn, when the weather is fine, and you won't have to compete with thousands of other tourists. The high season is during the summer months between June – August, when all of Europe is on holiday.

Do I need a Visa?

If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don't need a visa to enter Hungary.

See which forms you may need for entry into Hungary.

What currency do i need?

The official currency of Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Hungary you can grab amazing Hungarian Forint deals via Wise.com (GBP to HUF).

What about the wildlife?

Farm Lator organises special trips to observe Dormouse and other mammals, such as Marten, Badger and Wild Cat

What is the traditional food?

Hungarian food? Goulash -- is it a soup? Is it a stew? Hungary's national dish (pronounced "gooyash," by the way) is a cross between the two, a steaming bowl of slow-cooked beef, carrots, onions and loads of Hungary's trademark paprika to give it a good kick

What Languages are spoken?

The official language of Hungarian is spoken by 98% of the 10.3m population. Minority languages have become more prominent in recent years, and they include German, Croatian, Romani, Slovak, Romanian, Serbian and Slovene. You can learn some basic Hungarian before you travel to Hungary and really impress the locals!

How much do you tip?

The currency in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (Tipping is widely practiced in Hungary. At a bar, tip 300 Ft to 500 Ft per drink or 10 percent of the total bill. In restaurants, tip between 10 and 15 percent, but be aware that many restaurants include a gratuity on the bill. Ask if you're not sure).

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Useful Numbers

  • Police: 112 or 107
  • Ambulance: 112 or 104
  • Fire: 112 or 105
  • UK Embassy: +36 1 266 2888

Time Difference

The GMT time difference is 1 hours

Travel Apps

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Learn Hungarian

Learn some Hungarian before your trip to Hungary


Hungary Guidebook

Stay informed before, during and after your trip to Hungary by buying a guidebook.