Hungary Travel Guide - Essentials

Safety: crime can be a concern in touristy areas, particularly in Budapest, where bag-snatchers sometimes operate in crowded areas. Make sure to guard your belongings at all times and consider keeping your cash in a money belt. In less touristy areas, however, crime is unlikely to be a threat.

When to go: visitors come to Hungary just about any time of year, although clearly the summer enjoys the most pleasant weather. Travellers here can expect warm weather from May until September although rain can strike at any time of year.

Money: the Hungarian currency, the forint, remains the money of choice in Hungary. There are approximately 200 forints to the US dollar with the largest domination available being the 20,000 forint note. The filler, of which there are 100 to the forint, is effectively obsolete. With Hungary’s entry to the EU in 2004, the euro has become increasingly prominent and can be used in certain restaurants and hotels, especially in Budapest.

Expect, however, to receive an unfavourable exchange rate in doing so – it is usually best to exchange euros first and then spend forints to receive the best deal. ATM coverage is very good in Hungary and the rates on foreign exchange reasonable when withdrawing forints on a foreign cash card.

The best idea is to try to a few basic greetings and other useful phrases to smooth things along while making sure to carry a phrase book for difficult situations. Most visitors to the country find themselves regularly engaging in a lot of gesticulation and pointing in an attempt to break down the language barrier.

Emergency: by EU standards, Hungarian emergency services are inefficient and patchy; although if you need an ambulance and medical care in any of the country’s big cities then few problems are likely.

Ambulance: 104

Police: 107

Business needs: foreign investment and trade-wise, business has never been better in Hungary. Foreign businesses now have access to Hungary since its entrance into the EU that would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago. As a result, Hungary now accounts for one-third of all foreign investment in Central Europe and local laws are opening up the country all the time.

It is still relatively difficult for foreign nationals to get the necessary papers to work in Hungary but that is also expected to change. Budapest is the major business centre of the country and enjoys excellent facilities.