Hungary is known primarily for its capital, Budapest. While you don’t need any special knowledge to visit the country, we’ve compiled some essential and useful information (in our opinion) about Hungary. We’ll cover culture, practices, road networks, scams, etc. This information might help you avoid misunderstandings or unpleasant situations!
We hope this will prepare you for your adventure.
We had already heard of Buda and Pest, but never of Óbuda, so I did a little research to understand it all.
To be honest, the history of the country, particularly of these three cities, is quite complex, and I didn't grasp everything… but to summarize the situation very simply (because we’re not in a history class), during Roman times, the territory that is now Hungary was home to several cities, including Óbuda, Buda, and Pest.
Óbuda and Buda were located on the left bank, while Pest was on the right bank.
These three cities underwent successive conquests by the Celts, Romans, Turks, Mongols, Hungarian tribes, Austria, etc. It was in 1873 that these three cities unified under the same name to become Budapest.
Since then, the city has only continued to grow and develop until 1950, becoming what we know today.
Now that you have the “big picture,” just imagine the cultural and historical richness of this city! You won’t find yourself bored while visiting Budapest.
Hungary has been a member of the European Union since 2004. Therefore, it is very easy for French citizens (or any other EU nationals) to visit this country, as you only need your identity card to enter. Yes, there’s no need to carry a passport!
However, although Hungary is an EU member, the country has not switched to the euro and has retained its local currency: the "forint", abbreviated as "HUF". The exchange rate was 1€ = 412 HUF in December 2022.
And while we’re on the topic of money, know that credit cards are generally accepted everywhere in the country, so you shouldn’t have any issues there. Just be careful if you plan to withdraw cash not to use an ATM that charges withdrawal fees!
To avoid unnecessary banking fees, we recommend using a card with no foreign transaction fees. We have the Visa Ultim card from BoursoBank and after completing our European tour with it, we can say that we’re very satisfied. It’s free and has no withdrawal or payment fees in any currency. A little tip: if you don’t already have an account, you can open one using our referral code SILE2464 or through the link below, and you’ll receive a bonus ranging from €80 to €220 (depending on the current offer and conditions met).
In Hungary, we had no trouble being understood. The locals speak English well (and even German). If those languages aren’t your strong suit, use Google Translate, it will save the day 😉 !
This is really something we hate! Having to pay for public restrooms, seriously?! It makes me want to pee in the street (okay, fine, I don’t have the courage for that, but you get what I mean 😂).
Even if you go to a bar or a restaurant, you must consume something; otherwise, it’s pay to use the restroom (I can understand that, but still!).
Anyway, all this is to say that you should plan ahead and take care of your business in the morning before leaving the hotel, during lunch if you’re eating at a restaurant, and in the evening when you return to your hotel, for example.
And if you don’t mind paying for public restrooms, there are quite a few around the cities for about 200 HUF, or €0.50.
Sure, it’s not very expensive, but that’s not the point; it’s a matter of principle! No one should have to pay to pee (or 💩).
In Hungary, unlike in France, people really respect traffic lights. You won’t see a Hungarian rushing to cross the street! Consequently, drivers don’t pay much attention to potential pedestrians who might suddenly appear on the road. They aren’t used to that and won’t know how to react in time to stop or dodge! You really need to be vigilant because an accident can happen quickly! Also, if the police see you jaywalking, you’ll get a fine! So, we strongly advise against crossing the street on a whim (even if it’s tempting; we’re aware of that 😂) and to wait patiently for the pedestrian light to turn green.
Hungary has over 1,200 thermal springs across its territory. That’s impressive! It makes for an ideal destination to relax and enjoy a little rejuvenation.
During your stay, whether you’re in Budapest or elsewhere in the country, you can take advantage of the thermal spas. Yes, because 70% of the territory has water sources above 30°C, with nearly 200 baths and thermal stations. It would be a shame not to take advantage of them!
The most famous and therefore the most touristy baths are the Széchenyi Baths and the Gellert Baths (more authentic than the former) in Budapest, but we’re sure you’ll find something to enjoy among all the spas in the country (listed here).
In Hungary, especially in tourist areas, it's not uncommon for restaurants and bars to overcharge! So, if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises at the end of your meal, be sure to ask for a menu with prices! It sounds simple, but it can save you a lot of trouble.
Another thing we’ve learned: avoid asking taxi drivers or local guides for restaurant or bar recommendations because they probably won’t direct you to the best or cheapest place but rather to a friend's establishment with whom they might have struck a deal…
Hungary is a country where people eat early. Dinner is usually served around 6 PM, and many restaurants, outside of very touristy areas, close early.
It's important to know this in advance and to take it into account during your stay to avoid arriving at restaurants just as they're closing. Typically, these establishments are open from 11 AM to 10 PM. But unlike at home, where 10 PM means you can still be served, in Hungary, 10 PM is the closing time. So you need to arrive before then to have a chance to eat.
If you plan to visit Hungary by vehicle, know that you need to purchase an e-vignette to drive on the highways.
This e-vignette can be found:
The price of the vignette varies depending on the vehicle category and the duration of stay in the country. For a standard vehicle weighing less than 3.5 tons and carrying fewer than 7 passengers, the rates are:
Failing to purchase the e-vignette and driving on the highways anyway can result in a fine ranging from €30 to €700.
Speaking of regulations, know that you must have your low beams on 24/7 when driving in Hungary, even during the day… Yes, we don’t quite understand the utility of this, apart from changing bulbs more often, but oh well… 🤷
If you want to rent a car in the country, we recommend using DiscoverCars. This platform compares hundreds of offers to provide you with the best prices and conditions. So, with no hidden fees, you'll have unlimited mileage, partial coverage, and protection in case of theft.
We’ve shared our 10 key pieces of information about Hungary. We hope you’ve learned something and that this will be useful for planning your stay as well as once you’re there 😊.
If this article has inspired you to visit Hungary, you can book your tickets here:
Feel free to share your experiences and tips in the comments for other travelers.
1. No Toasting with Beer in Hungary
Yes, it sounds strange, but it's rooted in their culture… This custom (or rather, non-custom) dates back to the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s Revolution between 1848 and 1849, when the Hungarians attempted to gain independence from Austria but lost the battle… Following that, the Austrians celebrated their victory with beer (and toasts, of course). And the Hungarians, having struggled with this defeat, have since refrained from toasting with beer.
2. Hungary is in the same time zone as France (UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 in summer), but since the country is located further east, the sun rises and sets one hour earlier! This is important to consider if you're planning to spend a few days in the country, especially in winter! When planning your itinerary, keep in mind that the sun sets one hour earlier than in France, so to make the most of outdoor sites, it's better to visit them in the morning and early afternoon, and then focus on indoor visits once the sun has set (after 3:30 PM to 4 PM in December, for example).
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