Travel Information Hungary

Hungary is a very beautiful country with a pleasant climate and incredibly diverse nature. There is a lot to see and some activities that will turn your stay into an adventure. But of course, you can also relax. You can stroll through various cities, walk in the national park or go hiking, visit a cave, watch animals or bathe in steaming thermal baths. This post is about the information you need for your trip to Hungary, but also about recommendations and tips.

The most important facts at a glance

• You need a vignette.

• The blood alcohol limit for driving is 0.0.

• In Hungary, you are not allowed to drink alcohol everywhere in public.

• Smoking is prohibited in restaurants, cafés and bars.

• The consumption, trade and possession of drugs (even small amounts) is punished with significantly higher penalties in Hungary.

• The currency in Hungary is the forint.

• Border controls are not uncommon; valid identification documents are mandatory.

• A pet passport is also required for certain animals (dogs, cats, ferrets). Among other things, to prove that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.

• Hungary is generally considered safe for tourists.

Entry requirements

To enter Hungary, German nationals only need an identity card or passport that is valid for at least another 6 months. Children need a child's passport.

Language

The official language in Hungary is Hungarian. Hungarians themselves call their language "Magyar". Around 10 million Hungarians speak Hungarian.

Although the German language has left some traces in Hungarian, the two languages differ greatly from each other. Hungarian is considered one of the most difficult languages to learn. The language constructs are said to make the language so difficult, for example through 40 cases compared to the 4 cases in German. Nevertheless, the language is built up very logically and harmoniously.

Driving in Hungary

Traffic regulations

Even though many traffic regulations match the German traffic regulations, there are some important differences. You should be aware of these to ensure your safety and avoid fines. In this section, we list the most important differences for you.

• The blood alcohol limit is 0.0.

• Although there is no legal requirement for winter tyres, their use may be mandated by appropriate signage.

• If your vehicle already shows damage when entering Romania, you must report this at the border crossing and have it documented. Vehicles that show visible damage after the trip are often only allowed to leave with a police damage confirmation.

• A German driving licence is sufficient

• In addition to your driving licence, you must carry the vehicle registration certificate part I. We also recommend bringing the IVK (International Insurance Card).

• Carrying a high-visibility vest is mandatory.

If you would like to learn more about the traffic regulations and driving behaviour, or would like to read a detailed article on specific topics related to traffic regulations, feel free to take a look at the traffic regulations here.

Toll and vignette

Whether you need a digital vignette in Hungary depends on which roads you use during your trip. On Hungarian motorways and expressways marked with an "M", electronic vignettes are required for all motor vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, which are automatically checked via the licence plate.

Motor vehicles over 3.5t gross vehicle weight are subject to distance-based tolls (HU-GO system) and cannot use a vignette.

The corresponding fees depend on the respective vehicle class into which your vehicle falls. The following classes apply:

• D1M: Motorcycles (weekly and monthly vignette)

• D1: Motorcycles (annual vignette) / cars and motorhomes of vehicle class M1 up to 3.5t gross vehicle weight and up to 7 seats (including with trailer)

• D2: Commercial vehicles (vehicle class N1) as well as all motor vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight that do not fit into any other category.

• U: Trailers up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight belonging to vehicles of class D2

A vignette requirement applies to cover the costs of maintaining the motorways and expressways in Hungary. The vignette is only available digitally in Hungary; there are no sticker vignettes to attach to the windscreen.

With us, you have the opportunity to purchase a vignette for Hungary quite easily. Here you will find more information and explanations about the toll and vignette requirement in Hungary.

Charging and refuelling

Hungary has a well-developed network of petrol stations. It covers both urban and rural areas. The largest petrol station chains include OMV, Aral, BP, Shell and MOL. These providers are present nationwide and offer all common fuels.

There are now also over 2,000 charging stations for charging electric cars in Hungary. Major cities such as Budapest, Győr and Debrecen are particularly well served. There are also many charging stations along the M1, M3 and M7 motorways. In rural areas, the network still has room for improvement.

In remote regions such as the Balaton Uplands or the Puszta, the number of petrol stations and charging points is significantly lower. Plan your refuelling and charging breaks in advance. This will help you avoid unnecessary detours and frustration.

The terms for fuel in Hungary are as follows:

• Super: Szuper Benzin

• Super Plus: Szuper Plus / 98 Octane

• Diesel: Dizel / Diesel

At most petrol stations in Hungary, you can pay both in cash and by credit card. However, please note that the forint (HUF) is the official currency of Hungary. Payment in euros is therefore only accepted at a few petrol stations. Mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay or Google Wallet are also becoming increasingly common, especially in larger cities.

Here you can find out more about refuelling and charging in Hungary.

Safety and health

Crime

Petty crime such as pickpocketing occurs particularly in markets, train stations, public transport, shopping centres and touristy crowded places.

Especially around Lake Balaton, burglaries and thefts in holiday flats are not uncommon, sometimes even while the occupants are present.

Keep a close eye on your valuables and pay with cash as little as possible. In large crowds, you should be especially careful with your belongings. Do not leave valuables or documents in the holiday flat if you are out for a longer period. You should only park your vehicle in guarded car parks and be cautious of suspicious emails, phone calls, alleged prize notifications and chance acquaintances who offer you invitations (for example, to a club - you could then face high bills if you don't ask about the price beforehand).

Border controls

You can expect border controls. Especially when entering Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia. You should check the validity of your travel documents before your trip (at least 6 months' validity is still required) and, of course, carry them with you. If these requirements are not met, you may face fines and other penalties. A pet passport is also required for certain animals (dogs, cats, ferrets). Among other things, to prove that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.

Vaccination protection

There are no mandatory vaccinations for entering Hungary. Nevertheless, some vaccinations are recommended. Find out about the current status and requirements before your trip.

Medical care

Despite well to very well trained doctors, the standards of medical care may differ from Western European standards. Medical care is not always available at the highest level, and language and communication can also be a problem. However, there are private facilities with good treatment in the major cities. Bring your health insurance card with you and take out travel health and repatriation insurance for the duration of your stay. Nevertheless, Hungary is considered safe.

Legal peculiarities

The consumption, trade and possession of drugs (even small amounts) is punished with significantly higher penalties in Hungary.

Climate and best time to travel

Hungary has a transitional climate between the continental climate in the east, the maritime climate in the west and the Mediterranean climate in the south. The generally temperate continental climate results in hot summers and cold winters.

The temperatures are very similar to those in Germany. The coldest month is January, with an average of -4°C. From October onwards, the days become noticeably shorter and it gets colder. It is warmest between June and August, with summer temperatures of around 25 to 27°C, and it rains the most in June.

The best time to travel is from May to September.

Geographical location

Hungary lies in the middle of Europe and borders several countries. Hungary borders Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia.

Hungary is a landlocked country, which means the country has no connection to the open sea.

In the west, the foothills of the Alps shape Hungary's landscape, while the north is characterised by the Mátra Mountains. Kékes (1,014 m) is the country's highest mountain.

There is no time difference between Hungary and Germany, as both countries are in the same time zone.

Currency

The currency in Hungary is the forint (HUF). In addition to cash (forint), credit cards and some debit cards are usually accepted as means of payment.

Sights

Hungary has a number of sights to offer. Here we list five of the most popular sights for inspiration.

• Lake Balaton: The largest inland lake in Europe. Picturesque beaches, hotels, clubs, various shops and restaurants stretch along its 179 km shoreline. Several festivals also take place there in summer.

• Budapest: The capital of Hungary. Whether you want to stroll along the banks of the Danube or try Hungary's culinary specialities. There is something for everyone in this diverse capital. Beautiful photo opportunities and numerous activities make it almost impossible not to love this city.

• Baradla: A stalactite cave in Aggtelek National Park (in northeastern Hungary). This already very impressive cave system currently contains the tallest stalagmite in the world. There are 200 stalactite caves in total within the system.

• Sódomb (Salt Hill): A basin with steaming thermal water. The most famous thermal bath in the region impresses with its steaming thermal water pools and delights visitors with various natural spas.

• Bükk National Park: A gigantic forest area. The Bükk National Park is ideal for getting to know Hungary's nature. You can explore the national park by bike or on one of the many hiking trails, allowing you to get to know Hungary's flora and fauna in the best possible way.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant trip!

Hungary is a wonderful country with diverse nature, dreamlike landscapes, worthwhile cities and great activities. A visit is definitely worthwhile! Be sure to remember to get a vignette to save yourself the stress and avoid fines. You can find more information on the toll in Hungary in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and see the appropriate toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we are available at any time via email.

If you are interested in more exciting topics about Hungary, feel free to check out our guide and discover interesting articles such as the culinary specialities in Hungary, the most popular cities in Hungary or scenic natural attractions.