After WW2 in 1949, Hungary was declared a people’s republic and was ruled by communism.
The iron curtain fell in 1989 but when you tour Budapest, you will see that there are reminders of the Communist regime scattered throughout the city today.
This Hungary travel guide will help you plan your next vacation.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Fast Facts about Hungary
- Hungarian power voltage is 230 V 50Hz; Plug C & F
- The Hungarian currency is the Hungarian forint and is around 280 HUF to 1 USD.
- The signature national dish is gulyás, which you probably know as goulash. Make sure to try a bowl or attend the annual goulash festival held in September in Szolnok.
- Sip on some tokaji or tokay wine from the Tokaj wine region. In fact, tokaji is so good that Louis XIV of France called it the “Wine of Kings the King of Wine.”
- Although Hungary is a Schengen member state, you will need to have a return ticket or proof of funds to purchase a visa when you enter the country.
Things to See and Do in Hungary
- Thermal Lake of Heviz – This is the second-largest thermal lake in the world and a great place to spend the day outdoors in the summer.
- Segway tour – Take a tour of Budapest and other larger cities by way of a Segway tour.
- Visit Budapest– It truly is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities on the continent.
- Take a history tour – The iron curtain fell in 1989 but when you tour Budapest, you will see that there are reminders of the Communist regime scattered throughout the city today.
Hungary Travel Guides
Budgeting
Accommodation
Budget – You can stay in budget hotels in Hungary starting at $10 US. These often have safes, free Wi-Fi, and TVs.
Mid Range – Mid-range hotels can be found in Hungary starting at $50. They often have family suites available, a breakfast buffet, and a pool.
High End – Luxury hotels begin at $100 and may include balconies with a view, minibars, restaurants, and a fitness center.
Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com, Tripadvisor and Air B&B for the best deals on accommodation in Hungary.
Food
- Lángos – This tasty snack is made of fried dough and topped with cheese and sour cream, garlic sauce, or ketchup.
- Palacsintas – If you love crepes, you’ll love palacsintas. They are often filled with meat, fried onions, and paprika sauce or sour cream.
- Rétes – This is similar to a strudel and a popular dessert filled with poppyseed, cherry, or apple filling.
- Töltött Káposzta – This stuffed cabbage dish is often filled with meat, rice, cabbage, and sour cream.
The Best Ways to Get Around Hungary
Getting to Hungary
Flights: There are 6 airports in Hungary, with the most popular one being the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. You can fly direct from many countries in Europe.
You can check for the best flights to Hungary on Skyscanner.
Transportation:
Buses: A one-way bus ticket costs around 350 HUF, or one euro.
Taxis/Uber: Taxis in Hungary have a base price of 700 HUF plus a mileage rate of 300 HUF/km. There are no Ubers in Hungary.
Car Rental: Car rentals in Hungary start at $40 for a basic car and increase with the make and model. You can also compare prices here.
When to go To Hungary
- The best time to visit Hungary is between April and May or September or October.
- These are the times the weather is still pleasant, but accommodations can be cheaper, as there are fewer tourists.
- But November and December are also great times to visit as the Christmas markets are in full swing and it is a magical time to be in places like Budapest.
Where to Stay in Hungary
- Hotel Palazzo Zichy – This Budapest hotel is close to a tram stop and located in a 19th-century palace. There is free breakfast each morning, a lobby bar, and a fitness center.
- Malom-tó – This beautiful hotel is a great place to stay when you’re looking to relax. The hotel offers rooms with terraces, family suites, and many nearby attractions.
- Danubius Hotel Gellért – This luxury hotel is close to the Danube River and many restaurants. Some rooms have balconies, breakfast is free, and a spa is available.
Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com, Tripadvisor and Air B&B for the best deals on accommodation in Hungary.
What to Pack for Hungary
Hungary has four very distinct seasons, a very warm summer from June to August, a very cold winter and spring and a mild autumn. Rain falls during the whole year with snowfalls in winter.
- Swimsuit – Hungary has more than 1,000 natural springs in the country and the largest thermal lake at Hévíz. There are around 118 natural springs in Budapest alone so make sure to bring along a swimsuit and towel.
- Classic Basic items – You do not need to be a fashionista to blend in. The key is in embracing neutral toned items that can be mixed and matched easily. Avoid logos, baseball caps, shorts, hoodies, flip-flops and running shoes as these items scream tourist!
- Leave your heels at home – Cobblestone streets are common in many cities and towns across Hungary. Heels and cobblestone do not mix so opt for flats, boots and/or sandals.
- Footwear – Pack a pair of lightweight, durable and comfortable shoes. Known for its outside activities, including breathtaking hiking trails in the countryside, travellers eager to hike should also pack a pair of hiking boots or trainers.
Hungary Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources
Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.
We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.
- Booking.com: This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
- Trip Advisor: What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
- VRBO: is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
- Hostelworld: With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
- Skyscanner: This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
- Rome 2 Rio: If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
- Get Your Guide: For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
- World Nomads Insurance: When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.
Hungary Travel Guide: Related Articles
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