Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Hungary, a Central European country best known for the city of Budapest. While most travelers to Hungary stick to visiting Budapest, there are other great spots to explore in Hungary. No matter where your Hungary travels take you, these travel tips and facts about Hungary will help you prepare for your Hungary vacation.
Language in Hungary
The Hungarian language is quite unique. For example, while we call the country Hungary, they call it Magyarország. It looks and sounds nothing like the word Hungary. It’s a very difficult language to learn, and translation is not very intuitive. As a tourist, you may be able to learn a few words like please and thank you, but rest assured you won’t have a hard time finding English speakers. Most Hungarians now learn English in school.
Seven Tips for Learning a Foreign Language
Money in Hungary
For Central Europe, Hungary is very affordable. Budapest is the most expensive place in Hungary because it’s so popular with tourists, but even Budapest is very affordable compared to other cities in Central Europe.
However, you will need to exchange your Euros when you visit Hungary. The currency in Hungary is the Forint; the exchange is approximately 300 Forint to the Euro or US Dollar. Because of this, prices and numbers get very big very quickly! When exchanging currency, pay attention to the rates and fees because this is an easy spot to get ripped off. Likewise for conversions; don’t let the seller do the conversion for you. Have your card charged in Forint and let your bank do the conversion; you’ll come out ahead if you do that.
Tips for Exchanging Money in Europe
Food in Hungary
If there’s one thing you should know about Hungarian cuisine, it’s that paprika and sour cream are major ingredients in most dishes. The food in Hungary tends to be hearty food and very heavy. I recommend having a Palinka after your meal; it’s a fruit-flavored schnapps that helps with digestion.
- Goulash is the most common Hungarian food; it’s a meat and vegetable stew. Some versions are more soupy than others. You’ve probably had goulash before, but it’s way better in Hungary!
- Fisherman’s Soup is another popular soup/stew in Hungary. It will consist of whatever the local fish is, plus paprika, of course!
- Chicken/Veal/Pork Paprikash is also a great dish to eat in Hungary. You’ll have a couple of pieces of meat, covered in a paprika cream sauce. It is often served over dumplings, noodles, or spaetzle.
- Stuffed Cabbage or Stuffed Paprika is another great Hungarian menu item. Just like stuffed peppers we make at home, you can have either cabbage or a pepper stuffed with meat and rice.
- Hungarian pancakes are a great alternative to some of the heavier food in Hungary. They are more like crepes than pancakes, and often filled with a savory meat filling.
- Lángos is a popular Hungarian street food; it’s fried dough that can be served plain or with toppings like sour cream and cheese curds.
- Sponge Cake is often served for dessert in Hungary; it’s really tasty, so try to save room for it!
Service in Hungary
Service in Hungary can be pretty slow. It can be helpful and friendly, just not fast. So, when you are ordering, I recommend you have your order ready and get everything you need as it may be a while before the server makes it back to your table. When it comes to tipping in Hungary, plan to tip between 10 and 15% of your bill.
The Official Hungary Tourism Website: https://visithungary.com/
Staying Connected in Hungary
It’s pretty easy to stay connected in Hungary. We found WiFi all over, especially in restaurants and cafes. I had no issues getting 4G service and no issues with dropped calls. Just like any country including the U.S., if you find yourself in rural areas, you may not have service, but the cities and towns will be just fine.
Getting Around Hungary
When you visit Hungary, it’s pretty easy to get around. There’s an extensive train and bus system that makes it easy to get around the country. When using the trains in Hungary, you will often need to connect through Budapest. This will usually be faster than taking some of the smaller train routes. Train tickets are super affordable, so don’t try to skip them and don’t forget to validate them when you enter the train station, especially on the Budapest Metro.
In Budapest, there are also plenty of taxis, but this is an easy spot to get scammed. Make sure you have your hotel book the taxi for you, or only use taxi companies, not the ones labeled “freelance.”
Where to Stay in Hungary
There are plenty of accommodation choices in Hungary. Budapest will have the most options and the widest variety, of course. You’ll find hotels, hostels, and lots of Airbnb home rentals. Pay attention to the accommodation description. As with most of Europe, hotel rooms in Hungary are much smaller than in the U.S. A double usually means two twin beds pushed together, or it might mean two single beds. If you are visiting Hungary with your family, you’ll get a lot more room in an apartment rental rather than a hotel room.
What to See in Hungary
When planning your Hungary trip, Budapest will likely take up the most time of your visit. Between the castle, Parliament and various cathedrals and churches, you can easily spend several days in Budapest. There are caves to explore, Roman ruins outside of Budapest, and the medieval village of Egar. Hungary also has some great national parks, as well as mountains and lakes to explore.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Hungary is a really great country to visit; it’s affordable and has a lot to offer with many interesting places to visit in Hungary. From the capital city of Budapest to the natural attractions and outdoor adventures, we love to visit Hungary. Want more Central Europe travel tips?