Capital city, Hungary
Budapest
A grand Danube capital with historic thermal baths, ruin bars and a strong food and nomad scene, at lower prices than Vienna or Prague. Summer heat and tourist-trap bars are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,440–3,660Comfortable, one person · Ft800,000–1.2MDetails
- Value for money20/100Better value than 19% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–Jun, SepWarmest: Jul, 29°CDetails
- Air quality14 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2020) · ModerateDetails
- Internet271 MbpsFixed broadband, Hungary medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe and good; Budapest's supply comes from riverbank filtration.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$46–92Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless almost everywhere; carry forints for markets, small bakeries and public toilets.Details
Where to stay in Budapest
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| District V (Belváros–Lipótváros) | Central, walkable, sights and good transit; pricey |
| District VII (Erzsébetváros) | Ruin bars, nightlife, Jewish quarter; noisy at night |
| District VI (Terézváros) | Cafés, Andrássy Avenue and central location; lively |
| District IX (Ferencváros) | Cheaper flats, restaurants, markets and Danube access |
| Buda (I and II districts) | Quieter, hilly, castle views and family feel |
Apps that work in Budapest
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber
- BudapestGO: Budapest transit tickets and journey planner
- MÁV: Train tickets and timetables
- Taxis: Avoid hailing taxis on the street; use Bolt or Főtaxi. Insist on a metered fare or agree on a price.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Hungary.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless almost everywhere; carry forints for markets, small bakeries and public toilets.
- Currency: Forint (HUF). US$1 ≈ Ft327.47 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Avoid Euronet ATMs (fees, bad conversion); use OTP or other bank ATMs and always decline conversion.
- Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants, but check the bill first: many Budapest places already add a 10–15% service charge (szervizdíj).
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; contactless is standard.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen country. Non-EU visitors are fingerprinted and photographed under the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) at first entry; passports are no longer stamped.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation is not required yet; its launch has slipped beyond 2026.
- Borders with Serbia and Ukraine are Schengen external borders; expect full EES checks and queues there.
Emergency numbers
Police 107 · Ambulance 104 · Fire 105 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from Telekom, Yettel or One shops need your passport for registration; EU SIMs and eSIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Hungary
Going to Budapest solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.