Hungary

Hungary is easy to explore, but Budapest deserves several days on its own. Divide your time between historic Buda, with its Castle District and panoramic Fisherman’s Bastion, and lively Pest, where the Parliament, Great Market Hall, and elegant cafés line the Danube. A sunset river cruise offers a memorable view of both sides of the city.

For a change of pace, take a train to Lake Balaton for swimming, cycling, and vineyard visits, or head to Eger for its castle, baroque streets, and nearby wine cellars. Szentendre makes a simple day trip from Budapest, with galleries, pastel-coloured houses, and riverside walks.

Plan your route in Hello before departure by grouping Budapest sights into walkable neighbourhoods and adding day trips separately. Budapest’s public transport network makes moving between districts straightforward, while Hungary’s intercity trains connect major towns. Download important reservations and addresses for offline access, and keep Hello eSIM connectivity active so maps, train updates, and translation tools work as soon as you land.

Hungarian food is comforting, paprika-rich, and far more varied than goulash alone. Try gulyás, a lighter beef soup traditionally flavoured with paprika; pörkölt, a thicker stew often served with dumplings; and lángos, fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese. At breakfast or as a snack, look for kürtőskalács, a spiral chimney cake coated in sugar and cinnamon.

Budapest’s Great Market Hall is useful for sampling local ingredients, while neighbourhood markets and simple lunch restaurants often offer better value than venues directly beside major attractions. Ask for the napi menü, a weekday set lunch, which commonly includes soup and a main course. Vegetarian travellers will find options, but traditional menus can be meat-heavy, so checking ingredients is worthwhile.

Meals are usually priced in Hungarian forints (HUF), not euros. Cards are widely accepted, though small bakeries, market stalls, and rural cafés may prefer cash. Hello’s budget tracking can keep food spending organized in HUF, while expense splitting makes shared goulash tastings, wine tours, and group dinners easier to settle.

Thermal bathing is one of Hungary’s defining experiences. In Budapest, the ornate Széchenyi Baths are famous for their outdoor pools, while Gellért, Rudas, and Lukács offer different atmospheres and, in some cases, historic Ottoman features. Bring flip-flops, a towel, and swimwear; lockers or cabins may cost extra, and rules can vary by bath and day.

Arrive early for a calmer experience, particularly at Széchenyi, and check the official schedule before visiting because some facilities have gender-specific or restricted bathing periods. Keep valuables to a minimum and follow posted instructions around thermal pools. Water temperatures can be intense, so take breaks and drink water between soaks.

Beyond the baths, experience Hungarian culture through classical concerts, folk music, ruin bars, and a walk along the Danube after dark. Hungarian is distinctive and not closely related to most neighbouring languages, but a few words go a long way: szia means hello, köszönöm means thank you, and egészségedre is used for cheers.

Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF). Keep some cash for markets, public toilets, small cafés, and rural stops, but cards work in most hotels, restaurants, and shops. When a terminal offers to convert a payment into another currency, choose HUF to avoid an unfavourable dynamic conversion rate. Bank-operated ATMs are generally a safer choice than standalone machines in busy tourist areas.

Budapest’s metro, trams, buses, and trolleybuses are frequent and practical. Buy the appropriate ticket or travel pass before boarding and validate paper tickets where required. The yellow trams along the Danube are particularly useful for sightseeing. Taxis should be booked through a reputable app or official stand rather than accepted from unsolicited drivers at transport hubs.

Activate Hello eSIM before departure so you can arrange airport transport, check maps, and contact accommodation immediately after landing without roaming charges. Add transport bookings and opening hours to Hello’s trip plan, and use its budget tracker to record fares, bath admissions, and accommodation in HUF. For groups, split shared train tickets and taxi rides as you go.