Planning your first trip to Budapest? These Budapest travel tips will help you navigate Hungary's beautiful capital city like a pro! From its gorgeous architecture and historic thermal baths, to its vibrant nightlife and delicious cuisine, Budapest offers an unforgettable experience for every traveler. Before you pack your bags, there are a few key Budapest travel tips that you should know to make the most of your visit. Whether it is understanding the currency, mastering public transportation, or knowing the best times to visit this incredible city, this blog post is packed with essential Budapest travel tips to ensure that you have a stress-free and fantastic trip!
Budapest Travel Tips Table of Contents:
Without further ado, here are my eight essential Budapest travel tips!
Although Hungary is a part of the European Union, the country does not use the Euro as its official currency. Instead, the local currency is the Hungarian Forint (denoted as HUF and/or Ft). For general conversion purposes, know that $1.00 USD is equal to approximately 365 Ft. Some shops, restaurants, and hotels may accept Euros (€). (These businesses will likely be international chains that cater to tourists.) However, be prepared to pay a surcharge if you choose to pay in Euros instead of Forint. This includes paying with a credit or debit card in Euros, too, not just in cash. You can also expect any change you may be owed when paying in Euros to be returned to you in Forint.
While visiting Budapest, you likely will not need much cash, if any, since credit cards are widely accepted in Budapest. From my personal experience when visiting Budapest in 2023, the majority of shops and restaurants accepted credit cards. A number of businesses, including the thermal baths, are actually cashless, so having a credit card on-hand will help you make the most out of your visit. All taxis in Budapest are required, by law, to accept credit cards. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit card networks in the city.
Regardless of how you choose to pay, whether it be with a credit/debit card or cash, I always recommend that you pay in Forint. If you need Hungarian Forint, your best bet will be to find a reputable ATM and withdraw however much money you need there instead of visiting a currency exchange. I recommend UniCredit Bank, OTP Bank, and Erste Bank in Budapest.
Tipping is actually commonplace in Budapest (and Hungary as a whole), unlike many other European countries. There are a few instances of when you are expected to tip in Budapest, which I have outlined below.
The best way to see Budapest is undoubtedly on foot. However, in a city as large as Budapest, using public transportation is also a necessity. For tourists, the main means of public transportation in Budapest will be a combination of the metro and trams. I found the public transportation in Budapest to be very easy to use, safe, and clean. Google Maps made getting around Budapest using the public transportation really easy and signage was almost always available in both Hungarian and English.
I definitely recommend purchasing a Budapest TravelCard if you are going to be using any of the public transportation in Budapest during your stay. The Budapest TravelCard offers unlimited travel on the metro, trams, trolleybuses, and buses. The Airport Bus 100E is NOT included in the TravelCard. The TravelCard is available in 24-hour and 72-hour increments, making it an affordable way to get around the city.
If you would prefer to use your smartphone to pay for your public transportation in Budapest, that is also an option thanks to the BudapestGo app, which is available for both iPhone and Android. Additional information regarding BudapestGo can be found on the BKK website.
The Budapest Metro consists of four lines (M1, M2, M3, M4) that connect key areas of the city. The M1 (Yellow Line) is the most popular for tourists as it makes stops at Heroes' Square, Andrassy Avenue, and Széchenyi Thermal Baths. The M1 is a UNESCO-listed metro line with charming, old-fashioned yellow trains! The M2 Line connects Pest and Buda. The M3 Line offers an airport shuttle connection at Kőbánya-Kispest. The M4 Line connects Keleti Railway Station (Budapest's Central Station) and Gellért Hill. A single metro ticket costs 450 Ft (approximately €1.12/$1.24 USD), but day and tourist passes (i.e., Budapest TravelCard) are available. The Budapest Metro runs daily from 4:30 AM to 11:00 PM.
The tram system in Budapest is one of the most scenic in Europe, offering fantastic views of the city while getting you from point A to point B. Tram 2 is the most scenic tram route, running along the Danube Promenade with breathtaking views of the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle, and Chain Bridge. Trams 4 and 6 are the busiest tram lines, running 24/7, and connecting major districts like Pest's Grand Boulevard, Oktogon, and Margaret Island. Trams 19 & 41 are great for sightseeing on the Buda side, with stops near Buda Castle and Gellért Hill. Tram tickets are the same cost as the metro and day passes can be used on both forms of transportation within the city.
Budapest also has a large public bus and trolleybus network, however, it is not as frequently used by tourists, with the exception of the Airport Bus 100E. The Airport Bus 100E connects the city center to Budapest Airport. If you purchase a transit pass, please keep in mind that it is NOT valid for the Airport Bus 100E.
Budapest’s metro system operates differently from what you might be accustomed to in cities like New York or London. Unlike those systems, Budapest’s metros do not have traditional turnstiles at the entrances. Instead, you must validate your ticket before boarding the metro to avoid fines.
You will want to look for either small yellow or grey validation machines near the station entrances. Note, they may be on the platform if you do not see them immediately after entering the station. If you are using a single ticket (i.e., not a travel pass), you must validate your ticket at the start of your journey and each time you transfer lines. Paper tickets will need to be inserted into the validation machine. For tickets purchased on the BudapestGo app, you will need to tap your smartphone to the NFC stickers on the ticket validation machines. Travel passes, like the Budapest TravelCard, only need to be validated once, at the beginning of their use. For additional information regarding ticket validation, particularly for the BudapestGo app, please visit the BKK website.
Metro stations have ticket inspectors stationed at entrances and exits and they frequently conduct random ticket checks to ensure that you are traveling with a validated ticket. During the three nights I spent in Budapest in October 2023, I saw ticket inspectors on probably half of my metro rides. If you are caught without a validated ticket, you can face a fine of up to 25,000 Ft ($70 USD). If you are unsure of where and how to validate your metro ticket, watch how locals validate their tickets before boarding the metro, or opt to purchase a travel pass.
Do not take any taxis in Budapest that say "freelance" or "független szolgáltató" on the side as you may get scammed. It can be confusing because these "freelance" taxis are also bright yellow, but instead of having a company logo on the door or side of the vehicle, they say "freelance." Instead, if you need to take a taxi, either use an app to call an authorized taxi or ask your hotel to call you a taxi on your behalf. You can identify an official taxi in Budapest by looking for the company's logo prominently displayed on the side of the vehicle. The most reputable authorized taxi companies in Budapest include: Főtaxi, Bolt, City Taxi, and 6X6 Taxi. Additional licensed taxi companies operate in Budapest. For a full listing of the licensed taxi companies in Budapest, please visit the BKK website.
While most of Budapest’s top attractions do not require advance booking, a few do and if you do not secure your tickets ahead of time, you may miss out on experiencing them!
Tickets for the thermal baths in Budapest can be booked about one month in advance. I highly recommend making reservations for the thermal baths in Budapest ahead of your visit, especially if you are planning on visiting Széchenyi Thermal Bath, which is the most popular thermal bath for tourists. Making advance reservations can save you time waiting in line and allow you to secure a private changing room (sometimes called a cabin) to safely secure your belongings while you are enjoying the thermal baths in Budapest. Massages and spa treatments, including experiences like the Thermal Beer Spa, must be reserved ahead of your visit, as availability is limited and spots tend to fill up quickly. To make reservations for the thermal baths in Budapest, I recommend using the official websites for each of the thermal baths in Budapest, linked below.
If you are looking to book a massage or add-on experience at one of the thermal baths in Budapest, please note that bookings become available approximately two weeks in advance. You can always book your admission ticket for the thermal baths in Budapest and then book a massage or add-on experience at a later date.
Most first-time visitors to Budapest are eager to see the city's iconic Hungarian Parliament building, which stands majestically along the banks of the Danube River. Beyond admiring its stunning exterior, you can also explore its opulent interior on a 45-minute guided tour. The Hungarian Parliament building's interior features gold ceilings, ornate frescoes, and the Holy Crown of Hungary (also known as the Holy Crown of St. Stephen), a national treasure dating back to the 12th century. Tours are available in a number of languages aside from Hungarian, including English, German, Italian, Spanish, and French.
Unfortunately, many visitors do not realize that tickets for the Hungarian Parliament building are limited and often sell out around six weeks in advance. If you are interested in touring the Hungarian Parliament building, I highly recommend that you book your tickets as early as possible via the official Hungarian Parliament ticket partner website, Jegymester. A limited number of same-day tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in the Hungarian Parliament's Visitor Center, but the only way to guarantee your entry to the Hungarian Parliament building is with a ticket purchased online, in advance of your visit.
A jewel of Budapest’s cultural scene, the Hungarian State Opera House is an architectural and artistic marvel. Opened in 1884 and designed by Miklós Ybl, this Neo-Renaissance masterpiece boasts a lavish interior and is largely considered one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world.
Visitors can attend an opera or ballet performance to experience its world-class acoustics or take a guided tour to admire its opulent decor and learn about its history. The opera season runs from September through June. Tickets for performances held at the Hungarian State Opera House, as well as guided tours, can be booked on the Hungarian State Opera House website. Performances do sell out, so be sure to book your tickets several weeks in advance. A limited number of last-minute, standing room-only tickets can be purchased on the day of the performance. The view for standing tickets is partially obstructed. If standing tickets are available, you can purchase them directly from the Hungarian State Opera House's box office.
If you are visiting the thermal baths in Budapest during your time in the city, you will want to pack accordingly and keep the following Budapest travel tips in mind.
By now, you have likely learned that Budapest is divided into two distinct halves by the Danube River: Buda and Pest. While Buda is undeniably beautiful, especially the Castle District, most of the city's top attractions, hotels, and restaurants are found on the Pest side. For a more central and convenient stay, I recommend booking a hotel in Pest. More specifically, I recommend staying in either District 5 (Belváros-Lipótváros) or District 6 (Terézváros). District 5 is the most central and tourist-friendly area, home to top attractions like the Hungarian Parliament Building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Shoes on the Danube Memorial. The elegant Váci Street (Váci utca) is a busy pedestrian shopping street, while the Danube River promenade provides stunning riverside views. Meanwhile, District 6 is best known for its grand Andrássy Avenue, a beautiful tree-lined street with historic mansions, designer boutiques, and the magnificent Hungarian State Opera House.
If you are a budget-conscious traveler, less expensive hotels and hostels can be found in District 7 (Erzsébetváros), which is the Jewish Quarter. The Jewish Quarter is still centrally located within Budapest and walkable to may of the top sites in the city. The city's famous ruin bars, like Szimpla Kert, are located in the Jewish Quarter.
Below is a list of some of the hotels I highly recommend in Budapest. As always, if you book a hotel through one of our Expedia Group affiliate links, we may earn a small commission that helps us continue to produce this content for you!
Unlike in neighboring Austria, you will find that shops and restaurants are open on Sundays in Budapest. Museums are also open on Sundays. Some small local retailers may be closed and stores may close early, but large supermarkets and shopping malls will be open. Hungary briefly did have a law in place that closed stores and business on Sundays, but that law was repealed in April 2016. It is important to note, however, that the Great Market Hall in Budapest is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Banks are also closed on the weekends, but ATMs remain available for you to use. You can expect standard business hours in Budapest to be from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Public holidays in Budapest may impact opening hours of popular tourist attractions, shops, and restaurants throughout the city. The public holidays observed in Budapest, include: New Year's Day (January 1), Memorial Day of the 1848 Revolution (March 15), Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, May Day (May 1), Pentecost Sunday, Pentecost Monday, St. Stephen's Day (August 20), 1956 Revolution Memorial Day (October 23), All Saints Day (November 1), Christmas Day (December 25), and Boxing Day (December 26). In 2025, Easter Sunday is April 20, Easter Monday is April 21, Pentecost Sunday is June 8, and Pentecost Monday is June 9. In 2026, Easter Sunday is April 5, Easter Monday is April 6, Pentecost Sunday is May 24, and Pentecost Monday is May 25.
St. Stephen's Day, August 20th, is one of the largest national holidays in Hungary. Many museums offer free admission on St. Stephen's Day in Budapest each year, so you can expect the museums to be busier than usual.
Most of the thermal baths in Budapest remain open every day of the year, including on public holidays, though their opening hours may be reduced. I definitely recommend double-checking the schedules of the thermal baths in Budapest and booking tickets in advance, before your visit on a public holiday.
The best time to visit Budapest completely depends on what kind of experience you are looking for when visiting Budapest. Each season offers something unique, however, the summer months, particularly August, are going to be the busiest. No matter the destination, I always recommend traveling during the shoulder seasons. Typically the weather is still great, you can snag some good travel deals, and the crowds will be smaller. The shoulder season in Budapest is May through June and September through October. Winter is the low season for tourism in Budapest, with the exception of the month of December when Christmas markets are in full swing.
Spring (March through May) is a great time to visit Budapest since temperatures start to warm-up, flowers bloom, and the crowds are still very manageable. The weather, however, is rather unpredictable in spring. While snow is unlikely in spring in Budapest, you can see pretty large temperature swings with lows of 30°F (-1°C) and highs of 73°F (22°C). Spring is also the rainiest season in Budapest, so make sure you pack an umbrella if you are visiting in Spring, especially in May. Easter does bring a small spike in visitors, thanks to the city's Easter markets.
Autumn, particularly the months of September and October, offer mild and pleasant weather. The crowds have died down from the peak of summer and hotel prices are typically low. When I visited in early October 2023, the weather was really comfortable! In the sun, it was warm enough for me to wear a skirt with a light sweater. In the mornings and evenings, I needed tights and a jacket, but it was honestly perfect weather for sightseeing. Seeing the autumn foliage along the Danube River is an added bonus, too.
This would not be a blog post about Budapest travel tips without mentioning the city's iconic Christmas markets. While I have not personally visited them, I have heard some truly incredible things. Budapest can be pretty cold in December, but that does not deter the influx of visitors eager to visit the Christmas markets that dot the city. The Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market and the Christmas Fair at St. Stephen’s Basilica are two of the most popular, featuring traditional Hungarian Christmas treats, mulled wine, and festive holiday lights. Plus, Budapest’s thermal baths are even more enjoyable in the chilly weather. If you are planning a visit to Budapest in December, be sure to dress accordingly and book your hotel well in advance of your visit.
Regrettably, LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary have been under attack over recent years. It is important to know that these anti-LGBTQ+ laws do not criminalize same-sex relationships, but they restrict LGBTQ+ visibility and limit legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in Hungary. Same-sex marriage is not legal in Hungary and, since 2020, legal gender recognition for transgender and non-binary individuals has been banned. Most recently, in March 2025, a new anti-LGBTQ+ law banning Pride events passed in the Hungarian Parliament. While this law not only makes it an offense to hold or attend Pride events, it also allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify those attending the banned festivities. Attending a prohibited event carry fines up to 200,000 Ft (€490/$550 USD). More information about the most recent anti-LGBTQ+ law banning Pride events can be found in this article from the Associated Press.
LGBTQ+ travelers are generally safe in Budapest, but it is best to be mindful of the local climate, particularly outside of tourist-heavy areas. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples may attract unwanted attention, but violence is rare. If you are traveling as an LGBTQ+ couple, discretion is advised in more conservative settings, but many areas, especially central Budapest, remain welcoming to visitors of all backgrounds.
If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, know that you are still able to travel to Budapest, but you should be aware of the recent LGBTQ+ laws that have been enacted by the Hungarian Parliament before your trip. If these laws in any way impact you or your travel plans, you may want to reconsider travel to Budapest and instead opt to visit a friendlier country, like Malta, Portugal, or Spain.
Budapest is an incredible city filled with stunning architecture, rich history, and unique experiences. Whether you are soaking in its world-famous thermal baths, admiring the beautiful Hungarian Parliament building, or exploring the charming streets of Pest, memories are waiting to be made on your trip to Budapest.
To make the most of your visit, remember the key travel tips outlined in this blog. Book tickets in advance for popular attractions like the Hungarian Parliament building and the thermal baths to avoid disappointment. When visiting the baths, do not forget to bring a swimsuit, towel, and flip-flops. The public transportation in Budapest is cheap and efficient, but do not forget to validate your metro ticket. Also avoid hailing a taxi and if you need to use a taxi, make sure it is a licensed one! While many places accept credit cards, Hungary’s currency is the Forint (Ft), and paying with a different currency, like Euros, may end up costing you more money.
Timing your visit is also important. Spring and autumn offer the best weather for sightseeing without the crowds of the summer months, while December transforms Budapest into a winter wonderland with magical Christmas markets. However, visitors should also be aware of Hungary’s recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws, though Budapest remains relatively welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers.
With these Budapest travel tips in mind, you will be well-prepared to enjoy everything this vibrant city has to offer. Happy travels!
Looking for even more information about Budapest? Check out our Budapest Travel Guide for restaurant recommendations, things to do, and even more Budapest travel tips!