Hungary Travel Guide A Vagabond Life
Hungary Travel Guide
Welcome to Hungary, a captivating European destination where history, culture, and natural beauty converge to create a memorable travel experience. Nestled in the heart of Central Europe, Hungary boasts a rich and storied past that dates back over a thousand years. Its strategic location along the Danube River has made it a crossroads of civilizations, resulting in a unique blend of influences from its neighbors.
Hungary’s history is a tapestry of empires, from the Roman and Ottoman to the Austro-Hungarian, all of which have left indelible marks on its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. The capital city, Budapest, is a living testament to this historical legacy, with its stunning Buda Castle, magnificent Parliament Building, and the famous Chain Bridge spanning the Danube.
Beyond Budapest, Hungary offers a wealth of attractions. The charming town of Eger boasts a picturesque castle and a renowned wine region, while the enchanting village of Hollókő is a UNESCO World Heritage site preserving traditional Hungarian architecture. For those seeking relaxation, the country’s thermal baths, like the Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest, provide rejuvenation and cultural immersion in one.
Hungary’s culinary scene is equally enticing, with dishes like goulash, paprikash, and chimney cake (kürtőskalács) beckoning your taste buds. As you traverse this enchanting land, you’ll discover that Hungary’s treasures extend far beyond its well-known landmarks, inviting you to explore its hidden gems and make lasting memories.
Table Of Contents
Table of Contents
Hungary Travel Guide
Need To Know - Hungary Travel Guide
Five Quick Facts About Travelling In Hungary
- Hungary is in the top 15 most popular places in the world to visit. In peak season it is busy so planning ahead is essential. Budapest is listed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world so make time in your schedule to explore it.
- Hungary is a relatively safe, cheap and easy to travel in however normal safety precautions should be taken.
- Hungary has the Schengen Visa Policy. See the VISA tab for further information.
- English is spoken widely in Hungary in main cities and tourist areas. It is recommended (and polite) to learn a few basic words.
- Hungary has an excellent and relatively cheap public transport system with trains and buses travelling all over the country.
Hungary is a great place to travel to at any time of the year. Here is a guide to the different seasons and times of year.
High Season (July & August)
European summer and when most Europeans take their holidays means long lines at main attractions and busy roads. There are loads of festivals across Hungary throughout the summer. Book ahead for accommodation as places get booked out early. The weather is usually warm to hot with mild nights.
Shoulder Season (April to June & September / October)
Spring and Autumn see milder weather and less crowds. Spring flowers are abundant in the fields and villages and in the later months the tress are in their full Autumn colours.
Low Season (November to March)
The weather is cold with both snow and rain, a great time to visit theatres and museums.
Hungarian Currency
The currency in HUngary is the Hungarian Florint (HUF).
ATMs can be found throughout Hungary. It is advisable to always carry a small amount of cash as not all eftpos machines accept foreign cards.
Hungary Visa Policy
Hungary is part of the Schengen Area Visa Policy.
Nationals / Citizens from Schengen States have right of movement and entry without a visa but will need a passport as proof of identity.
The policy applies to the Schengen Area which is 22 E.U member states and 5 non E.U states which are part of the EFTA – Iceland, Liechenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania are not part of the Schengen Area but have visa policies based on Schengen acquis.
For more information on travelling in the Schengen zone read our in depth article here
Germany has an excellent internal transport system with many options to get around the country.
Plane
Hungary has no regular domestic flights.
Train
Hungary has an excellent railway network with lines fanning out from Budapest. The Hungarian railways are run by MAV and YSEV which control some lines in the west of the country.
MAV has an on-line train schedule.
Types Of Trains
Intercity Trains (IC)
Fast, clean, efficient and compared to other parts of Europe relatively cheap Intercity trains connect major cities with Budapest and International cities.
Other Trains.
Not as fast or as clean as the Intercity trains. Fares are calculated by class.
Bus
Hungary has an excellent bus network run by 28 different providers under the Volán Association banner.
Long distance buses are a similar price to the train and can be quicker as they do not have to travel through Budapest.
Tickets are sold by the bus driver and buses fill quickly so if travelling long distance it is advisable to get to the bus station early and queue.
Airport Bus An bus runs from the airport to Budapest, tickets can be bought at the airport or on the bus. Ensure you validate you ticket on the bus in the orange box.
Boat
Arriving at Budapest by boat is very popular particularily in the summer.
There are a number of boats and hydrofoils that run between Budapest, Szentendre, Visegrad and Esztergom. which are operated by MAHART PassNave Ltd.
From May to September a hydrofoil runs between Vienna and Budapest.
What To Pack In Hungary
What to pack for Hungary is very dependent on when you will be travelling to the country and where you will be going. Summers are warm to hot but if travelling to the mountains a jacket or coat is advisable.
Winters are cold with temperatures getting down to -20C in the winter so cold-weather gear will be needed.
It’s all about layering which allows you to add or loses clothing as needed
Packing List
Clothing
1 pair jeans – I know they are heavy and take ages to dry but I wear them constantly and find them comfortable
1 pair black travel type pants – Black pants are little smarter than jeans so good if going somewhere a little dressier. Mine is the lightweight fabric in the style of jean,
2 x pair of shorts. 1 denim and one lightweight travel fabric
2 x singlets – good for layering and sleeping in
4 x short sleeve cotton shirts, lightweight and breathable
1 x long sleeve sloppy joe.
1 x zip-up shell jacket
1 x lightweight raincoat – packable version that packs down into a small bag.
5 x socks
5 x underpants
2 x bras
Shoes
1 x pair walking or hiking shoes.
1 x pair slip on flats
1 x pair flip flops (great for hostel showers)
Toiletries
Shampoo & Conditioner
Bar of Soap
Deodorant
Razor
Tweezers
Brush / Comb
Hair Ties
Electronics
1 x Earbud headphones.Light and small,
1 x IPad
1 x 6S iPhone
Charging leads for above
2 x USB
1 x power bank
1 x Cable organiser which keeps everything tidy
1 x 14” laptop – we run a business so this is essential for us.
Photography
This year I have left behind my DSLR and lenses to travel only with a GoPro and a LUMIX TZ80. At the end of the day it came down to weight when travelling a long way and having to carry a pack – so let’s see how we go….
1 x GoPro Hero 5
2 x Spare GoPro Batteries
1 x LUMIX TZ80
Spare micro SD Cards
Other Stuff
1 x padlock
1 x headlight or torch
1 x Swiss knife
1 x medical kit
Ziplock bags
Hungary Travel Guides
Hungary Travel Stories
Budapest Hungary
Budapest Budapest – I immediately liked Budapest, it just has a good feel to it. We stayed in a small apartment off a square in