Buy Hungarian forint online

In the popular tourist spots such as Budapest you should be able to use your bank card. Cards are widely accepted in larger outlets, but you will probably need to make sure you have some cash to hand too.

Smaller shops off the main tourist trails may only accept cash. It’s also custom to tip in cash.

Hungary has a reputation for being very reasonable when it comes to costs. It’s why Budapest has become such a destination for groups looking for cheap breaks. Whether you’re looking for a budget hostel, or fancy treating yourself to something a little more luxurious, the Hungarian exchange rate usually means that your pounds sterling go a lot further than they would in the UK.

You can expect to pay around:

• 510 Ft for a coffee
• 12,000 Ft for a mid-range meal for two
• 3,200 Ft for a bed in a budget hostel

Check our currency converter to see the latest exchange rates for Hungarian forint.

The only official currency accepted in Hungary is the forint. If you are planning a trip to Hungary and want to take some travel money with you, you’ll need to make sure you have forints.

Hungary is a member of the Schengen area. This means that visitors from the UK are allowed to visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without needing a visa. You should always research the most up to date visa guidelines before planning a trip.

You’ll need to make sure that you have a valid passport, and also that there is enough time remaining before your passport expires. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you’ll be leaving Hungary.

Other passport holders should check the entry requirements with your country’s embassy.

Tipping is very widespread in Hungary. It’s a good idea to make sure you have access to some cash to avoid causing offence, as tips are expected in lots of different situations.

Tipping is normal for good service in restaurants or cafes. Adding 10-15% on to the total of your bill is standard to show you’ve been happy with your meal. It’s also expected to tip support staff, like washroom attendants, or porters.

If you’re visiting one of the famous thermal spas in Budapest, you’ll also need to plan ahead to tip the spa attendants – around 100 Ft would be standard.

The official language of Hungary is Hungarian. It’s spoken by most of the population. There are some minority languages spoken too, like Slovak, Romanian, Croatian, Romani, German and Serbian.

Hungary is generally a safe place for tourists to visit. Before you travel, as well as planning the essentials like your travel insurance, and ordering your travel money, you should check the latest government travel advisory notices to make sure there haven’t been any last minute updates.

If you’re planning a holiday to Hungary, the sunniest warmest time to visit are the summer months from June to August. The heat is combined with high humidity, which can mean the occasional storm, so you might want to pack a waterproof just in case.

Spring and autumn bring fresher temperatures, and are a great time to visit the many festivals in Budapest and surrounding areas.

As the temperatures drop and the nights draw in during the winter months, make the most of the Christmas markets in Budapest, or huddle into a cosy restaurant to nourish yourself with hearty Hungarian food.