FAQ
Do I need a visa to come to Hungary?Is Hungarian like German?
I have heard Hungarian is a difficult language. How do I communicate with people?
How do I make a phone call to or within Hungary?
What will the weather be like?
When are the main public holidays?
Can I take my pets to Hungary?
What about money?
Are museums open every day?
Will I need an adapter to charge my phone?
Do I need to leave a tip when paying in a restaurant or bar?
Do I need a visa to come to Hungary?
Visitors from the European Union, as well as Australians and New Zealanders, with valid passports do not need a visa to enter Hungary. If you require further information, click here.
Is Hungarian like German?
No, Hungarian does not belong to any of the local language groups, it is a member of the Ugric languages, a sub-group of the Finno-Ugric language family, which in turn is a branch of the Uralic languages. You can find more comprehensive information here.
I have heard Hungarian is a difficult language. How do I communicate with people?
Because the majority of Hungarian words are unrelated to any foreign words you might already have learnt, it takes longer to pick up than most other languages. To help you get around, we have outlined the very basics here. However, you will find that most people in the tourist industry speak English or German.
How do I make a phone call to or within Hungary?
Country code: +36
Budapest area code: 1
International calls: 00 + country code + local number
Domestic long distance calls: 06 + area code + local number
Mobile phone calls: 06 + 20, 30 or 70 and seven-digit number
What will the weather be like?
Temperatures regularly exceed 30 degrees in summer, so if you don’t like it hot, you may be better advised to visit off season in late spring or autumn. Winter is colder than in Britain, temperatures below freezing are the norm, so wrap up warm. Click here for an up-to-date weather forecast.
When are the main public holidays?
Hungary is a predominantly Catholic country and Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Easter Monday (but not Good Friday), Whitsun (the Monday following the seventh Sunday after Easter) and All Saint's Day (November 1) are public holidays. Celebrations specific to Hungary fall on March 15 (commemorating the beginning of the 1848 revolution), August 20 (St. Stephen's Day), and October 23 (which marks the outbreak of the 1956 revolution). Mayday (May 1) is also a well-earned day off. These are always celebrated on the day on which they fall, even if that is a weekend. Museums, tourist shops and restaurants are open, except after 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day.
Can I take my pets to Hungary?
Yes, provided it has a valid EU pet passport. For more information on the regulations for travelling with pets, take a look at the relevant section of the Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) website.
What about money?
Hungary’s national currency is the forint (Ft), and you will get around 350 forints to a pound or 250 forints to a euro (1,000 Ft is roughly equivalent to three pounds or four euros). By far the most convenient, and by no means most expensive, way to change money is to draw it out at a cash machine using your debit card. ATMs can be found all over Hungary, and there is one at the airport. Most large restaurants and shops accept credit cards.
Are museums open every day?
Most museums are open from 10 am to 6 pm and are closed on Mondays. For up to date listings and information see www.museum.hu or visit the comprehensive Caboodle portal.
Will I need an adapter to charge my phone?
Yes, Hungary uses the Continental standard two-pin plug, you can purchase an adapter at the airport upon departure from the UK.
Do I need to leave a tip when paying in a restaurant or bar?
Generally speaking, it is customary to leave a tip of between 10 and 15 per cent, but there really is no hard and fast rule, most people simply round up to a convenient figure. When paying with a larger denomination of cash, it is customary to tell the waiter how much you are paying and then to receive change from that amount. If your Hungarian skills are not up to it, simply leave the tip on the table once you have finished.
