Hungary | Europe

Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe, sharing borders with Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. The country is primarily defined by the Carpathian Basin and the Danube River, which bisects the territory; the capital city is Budapest.

Visa & Entry Policy

Citizens of the US, UK, and EU do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Starting in late 2026, non-EU visa-exempt travelers must obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) before arrival. Entry requires a biometric passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended date of departure.

Language & Communication

The official language is Hungarian (Magyar), a Uralic language unrelated to neighboring Indo-European tongues. English proficiency is medium to high in Budapest and major tourist hubs but is low among older populations and in rural regions. German is the most common secondary foreign language.

Currency & Payment Systems

The currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Card payments and contactless "tap-to-pay" are standard in urban retail, supermarkets, and restaurants. However, cash remains necessary for small transactions at traditional markets, rural guesthouses, and some public restrooms. ATMs are widely available across all municipalities.

National Transport Grid

Intercity travel is primarily served by MÁV (Hungarian State Railways), with high-speed InterCity trains connecting Budapest to regional hubs. Volánbusz operates an extensive national bus network reaching areas without rail access. Domestic flights do not exist due to the country's compact geography and centralized transport infrastructure.

Digital Infrastructure

Primary mobile network providers are Magyar Telekom, Yettel, and One (formerly Vodafone). 5G coverage is widespread in Budapest, the Lake Balaton region, and county-level cities. 4G reliability is high across the Great Plain, though signal strength may fluctuate in the Northern Hungarian Mountains.

Climate & Seasonality

Hungary has a continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. The wettest months are typically May and June, characterized by heavy thunderstorms. The Great Hungarian Plain (Alföld) in the east experiences more extreme temperature fluctuations than the western Transdanubian region.

Health & Safety

No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry. Tick-borne encephalitis is an environmental risk in forested areas and the hills of western Hungary during spring and autumn. The universal emergency number for Police, Ambulance, and Fire is 112.

Top 3 Major Regions & Cities

Central Hungary: Primary hub is Budapest.

Transdanubia: Primary hub is Veszprém (Lake Balaton region).

Northern Plains & Highlands: Primary hub is Debrecen.

Local Cost Index

1L Water: 250 HUF ($0.70 USD)

1 Domestic Beer: 800 HUF ($2.25 USD)

1 Sim Card (Data Plan): 5,000 HUF ($14.00 USD)

Facts & Legends

Hungarians traditionally refrain from clinking beer glasses when toasting, a custom originating in 1849. Legend states that after the defeat of the Hungarian Revolution, Austrian generals celebrated the execution of 13 Hungarian martyrs by clinking their beer mugs; in response, Hungarians vowed not to clink beer glasses for 150 years-a tradition that persists in social etiquette today.