Hungary
Europe · Budapest · HU
Hungary is a country of thermal waters, baroque grandeur, and a culinary tradition that blends Eastern European heartiness with Mediterranean flair. Budapest, the capital, is built on two banks of the Danube, with the hillside Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion facing the grand boulevards and Art Nouveau facades of Pest across the river. The city's thermal baths, from the ornate Szechenyi to the hidden Rudas, offer year-round soaking in mineral-rich waters. Beyond Budapest, the Danube Bend winds through a landscape of vine-covered hills and medieval towns like Visegrad and Esztergom. Hungary's wine regions, particularly Tokaj and Eger, produce distinctive varieties from volcanic soils, while the Great Plain, or Puszta, offers vast grasslands where horse culture and folk music remain alive. Hungarian food is a revelation of paprika, sour cream, and slow-cooked meats, from the beef stew gulyas to the fish soup halaszle, and every region adds its own variation to the national repertoire.
Overview
Hungary is a country in Europe. Its capital is Budapest and the international dialling code is +36. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include Hungarian. Local currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Our guide covers 1 airport, including Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. We also list 1 city in Hungary: Budapest.
Getting around Hungary
Budapest's metro, tram and bus network is compact and efficient, and its famous yellow Line 1 (Millennium Underground) is the oldest on the European continent. Within the city, a "BKK" travel card or the phone app covers metro, tram, bus and the suburban railway (HÉV) with one fare.
Between cities, MÁV trains and Volánbusz coaches connect Budapest with Lake Balaton, Eger, Pécs and Szeged. Driving is on the right, and the motorways use an electronic vignette bought online or at border petrol stations — don't forget to activate it before entering.
When to visit Hungary
March to June and September to October are the most comfortable seasons: Budapest is ideal in spring and autumn, with plenty of sunshine and moderate temperatures. Summer (July–August) is hot and lively, especially along the Danube and at the lakeside resorts of Lake Balaton. The thermal-bath culture — Széchenyi, Gellért, Rudas — is a year-round attraction that reaches peak popularity in winter.
Prices and crowds peak in the summer tourist season. Saint Stephen's Day (20 August) brings fireworks over the river in Budapest, a good time if you like big events.
Eating and drinking
Hungarian food is warm and paprika-forward: goulash (gulyás) soup, pörkölt (stew), halászlé (fish soup) and lángos (fried dough) are the classics, and the "palacsinta" (pancake) desserts are famous. Budapest combines this with a growing café and ruin-bar scene — ruin bars such as Szimpla Kert serve beers in courtyards of old buildings.
Hungarian wine includes Hungarian tokaj aszú and the reds of Villány and Eger's Bull's Blood. The "csipek" aperitif tradition is real: a shot of pálinka (fruit brandy) before a meal. A 10% tip in restaurants is customary (included in some menus).
Money and local customs
Hungary is outside the eurozone and uses the forint (HUF). Cards are widely accepted in Budapest, but smaller restaurants, cafés and markets prefer cash — keep a few thousand forints with you. Visit an ATM (automata) before leaving the centre.
Hungarians greet with "szia" (informal) or "jó napot" (formal, shops). When paying, it is common to round up or ask to include a tip — say "számla"? when you want the bill. Personal distance is a bit closer than in northern Europe but still respectful; a firm handshake is expected.
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- Capital
- Budapest
- Currency
- Hungarian Forint (HUF)
- Languages
- Hungarian
- Calling code
- +36
- Internet TLD
- hu
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Hungary.
Which nationalities can enter Hungary?
Current visa status for tourism for the origins we cover, with links to the detailed requirements.
Airports (1)
All airports →Cities (1)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Hungary?
For the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina and Australia currently enter Hungary visa-free for tourism. Entry rules depend on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the current requirements for your own nationality with our entry requirements tool.
What is the capital of Hungary?
Budapest is the capital of Hungary, and the country sits in Europe.
What currency is used in Hungary?
You pay with Hungarian Forint (HUF) in Hungary. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Hungary?
The languages we list for Hungary are Hungarian. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Hungary?
The dialling code for Hungary is +36 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which airports serve Hungary?
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) in Budapest is the airport we cover for Hungary.
Which cities in Hungary do you cover?
Our guide lists 1 city for Hungary: Budapest (capital).