Tripwell
My Trip

Budapest

Practical know-how for Budapest: when to go, getting around, money, tipping and the small things that make a trip easier.

Plan your Budapest trip

Best time to go
April–June and September–October; Christmas markets in December.
Currency
Hungarian forint (HUF)
Tipping
10 to 12% is usual; check whether a service charge has been added.
Language
Hungarian. English is common in Budapest’s tourist areas.
Plugs
Type C/F (two round pins), 230V. UK visitors need an adapter.
Emergency
112
Getting there and around

Airport: Budapest Ferenc Liszt (BUD). Direct flights from London take about 2h 29m.

Public transport: a single ticket is typically £1.1–£1.5. A day pass or a travel card is usually better value if you ride several times a day.

Search flights to Budapest

Money and tipping

Currency: Hungarian forint (HUF).

Tipping: 10 to 12% is usual; check whether a service charge has been added.

Take a debit or credit card with no foreign transaction fees if you can, carry a little cash for markets and small cafés, and when a machine offers to charge you in pounds, choose the local currency.

Typical daily spend: see the Budapest cost guide.

Language, culture and daily rhythm

Language: Hungarian. English is common in Budapest’s tourist areas.

Rhythm of the day: Ruin bars come alive after 9pm. Thermal baths are best on a weekday morning.

  • Bring swimwear and flip-flops for the thermal baths and book popular ones ahead.
  • Change money at banks or ATMs, not on the street.
  • Use a ride-hailing app or an official taxi to avoid overcharging.
Booking ahead and saving money

Book ahead: Hungarian Parliament. These are best reserved in advance.

Free things to do: 8 of the 23 places in our Budapest guide are free. See them.

Book timed-entry sights, popular restaurants and weekend trains ahead. Flights and hotels are usually cheapest booked 6 to 12 weeks out for city breaks, and earlier for summer beach holidays.

Safety, health and watch-outs

Emergency number: 112.

  • Some bars and restaurants add a service charge automatically: check before tipping.
  • Check the bill carefully in the busiest tourist streets.

A UK GHIC gives you access to state healthcare in the EU on the same terms as locals, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance. Take out insurance that covers medical care, cancellation and your activities.

Practical details

Plugs and voltage: Type C/F (two round pins), 230V. UK visitors need an adapter.

Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.

Entry and documents: Entry rules, passport validity and any pre-travel registrations change. Always check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice page for your destination before you book and again before you travel.

General guidance for Hungary, written for UK travellers. Rules, prices and opening hours change: check official sources (GOV.UK foreign travel advice, venue websites) before you travel.