Hungary travel guide
Hungary Tourism | Hungary Guide
You're Going to Love Hungary
You will marvel at the melting pot of architectural styles in Hungary. While you're there, try Goulash, a spicy meat stew originating from the medieval era.
What to do in Hungary
1. Visit Budapest
While Budapest's great night life will keep you up at night, a visit to the capital will also keep you busy during the day. Visits to the Hungarian parliament building, Buda Castle and the Central Hall Market are a must.
2. Pamper Yourself with a Thermal Bath
Do not miss out on experiencing a thermal bath in Hungary. Cave Bath at Miskolc-Tapolca and Sarvar Spa and Wellness Center at Sarvar offer spectacular settings.
3. Take a Day Trip to Lake Balaton
Visit the largest lake in Central Europe. In the summer, resort towns and beaches pop up around it. Around the lake you will find volcanic hills, a wine region and a walled Castle area.
4. Cruise Down the Danube River
Enjoy some relaxing time and take a trip down the famous Danube river. Cruises are available daily from Budapest.
5. Visit the Necropolis of Sopianae of Pecs
One of the largest UNESCO Heritage Sites, it presents ancient decorated tombs built in underground chambers. Visit the city of Pecs with its narrow streets and large number of museums.
When to visit Hungary
Hungary is cold in the winter and touristy in the summer, so if you want to avoid the crowds while still enjoying pleasant weather, the best months to visit are March to May and September to November.
How to Get to Hungary
Plane
Hungary has two main international airports, one in Budapest and the other in Debrecen. While the country doesn't have a national airline, a large number of carriers operate nonstop flights to either airport, with low cost flights available with budget airlines such as Ryanair, Wizzair and easyJet.
Train
Train travel to and from Budapest is very common, with frequent connections available from Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Ukraine and the Czech Republic.
Car
If you are planning to drive to Hungary, you can do so from Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia without border control, and from Romania, Serbia and Croatia with light border control. You must have international car insurance with validity in Hungary before entering.
Bus
Direct buses are available from all of Hungary's neighboring countries with companies including Orangeways and the local carrier Volanbusz.
Popular airlines serving Hungary
Where to stay in Hungary
In the cities, common accommodation options include hotels, furnished apartments and hostels. In the countryside, a very popular option is to stay in an Agrotourism, a rural traditional house in a village.
Where to stay in popular areas of Hungary
Most booked hotels in Hungary
How to Get Around Hungary
Public Transportation
Budapest has the most extensive public transport system in the country, with a metro system, trams and buses available. The rest of the country is mainly serviced by buses for local travel, and by trains and buses for regional travel.
Trains
MAV is the main Hungarian national railway network and operates trains throughout the country. GYSEV is another system that operates lines in the west of Hungary. All trains leave to and from Budapest, and the fastest ones are the Intercity trains.
Bus
There are 28 bus companies in Hungary that are state run, each serving one part of the country and all operating under Volan Association. The bus network is very efficient with frequent connections and you can go anywhere by bus. You must validate your ticket on the bus once you board.
Car
If you are planning to rent a car while in Hungary, please keep in mind that the expressways throughout the country are not free. It is recommended to have an International Driver's Permit as well as your local driver's license.
The Cost of Living in Hungary
When living in Hungary, you can expect to spend about 1800 HUF (6 USD) on a cheap meal, or about 4500 HUF (15 USD) at a more formal restaurant. A monthly public transport pass will cost around 9500 HUF (32 USD). Credit cards are accepted in most major and larger businesses with Visa and Mastercard being the most widely used, while you might need to keep cash on you if visiting smaller businesses.