GOOD TO KNOW

Climate & Weather

Hungary has a typical continental climate with hot dry summers and mildly cold snowy winters. There are four seasons in Hungary: winter (December, January, February), spring (March, April, May), summer (June, July, August), and autumn (September, October, and November).

The average annual temperature is 9.7 °C (49.5 °F). The average high temperature in the summer is 23 to 28 °C (73 to 82 °F) and the temperature can climb up above 35 °C on the hottest days in July–August. The average low temperature in the winter is −3 to −7 °C (27 to 19 °F) and the temperature might drop below -10 °C on the coldest days.

Generally, the weather is warmest from May to September.

Currency

Hungary's official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Many stores and other places accept Euro as well.

Coins are HUF 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200. Denominations of banknotes are HUF 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000.

There are some places where you cannot pay by Euro, like markets, small grocery shops, bakeries, souvenir shops and some restaurants. Theoretically, from the 1st of January 2021, it is obligatory for shops to accept credit or debit cards, mobile payments or bank transfers, but unfortunately, in reality, it is not always possible.

Costs:

• 1 kilo loaf of bread: 600–800 HUF / 1.6–3.1 EUR
• 1 litre milk: 400–700 HUF / 1.1–1.9 EUR
• 1 bottle of beer: 300–400 HUF / 0.8–1.1 EUR
• 1 bottle of table wine: 1000– 5000 HUF / 2.7–13.3 EUR
• Eating in restaurant: 5000–8000 HUF / 13.3–21.3 EUR
• Eating in fast food restaurant: 2700–4000 HUF / 7.2–10.7 EUR
• 1 litre of petrol / gasoline (octane 95): 600–700 HUF / 1.6–1.9 EUR
• High-speed internet per month: 2000–8000 HUF / 5.3–21.3 EUR per month
• Taxi: basic fee – 1000 HUF / 2.7 EUR, toll – 400 HUF/km / 1.1 EUR/km, waiting – 100 HUF/minute / 0.27 EUR/minute
• Cinema ticket: 2500 HUF / 6.7 EUR
• Museum entry fee: 2000–4000 HUF / 5.3–10.7 EUR
• Pool entry fee: 4500–9500 HUF / 12–25.3 EUR

exchange rate approx. 1 EUR = 375 HUF

ATMs

Automated teller machines (ATMs) and cash points are common in Budapest and accept major debit cards or credit cards.

Smaller shops or country guesthouses may only accept cash.

ATMs are often located in the lobby of banks, and you need your card to open the door. Banks open between 8 and 9 am and close between 4 and 5 pm (the opening hours of banks at malls are longer).

Changing money

The money exchange points at airports use the least convenient exchange rates. We recommend exchanging only the smallest amount necessary (you can also pay by card for cabs or bus tickets). It is recommended to exchange money at banks, private money exchange points or maybe even at hotels or travel agencies, where the exchange rates are displayed. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, always ask whether they apply for a commission. Exchanging money in the streets is not recommended. Hotels usually use less convenient exchange rates than banks or private money exchange points.

Only a few banks are willing to cash traveller’s cheques, so it is recommended to bring your debit or credit card when you visit Hungary.

Credit cards

Most stores are accepting debit or credit cards. As well hotels, car-rental agencies, shops, pharmacies, entertainment venues and restaurants will accept Visa and MasterCard; Amex isn’t as widely accepted as the others and Diner isn’t accepted often. Smaller shops or country guesthouses may only accept cash.

Time zone

Winter: UTC+1 (CET)
Summer (DST): UTC+2 (CEST)

Emergency numbers

• Fire service: 105
• Ambulance: 104
• Police: 107
• Tourist Police: 06-1-438-8080

Electricity

The types of standard power plugs and sockets are marked with 13 letters worldwide. In Hungary, the types C (Europlug) and F are used.

The electric current in Hungary is 230 V and 50 Hz.

Language

Hello

Szia

Good Morning

Jó reggelt

Good Day

Jó napot

Good evening

Jó estét

Good night

Jó éjt

Please

Kérlek

Thanks

Köszi

Yes

Igen

No

Nem

I want

Azt akarom

When?

Mikor?

Today

Ma

Tomorrow

Holnap

Where?

Hol?

My name is...

nevem...

Water

Víz

Milk

Tej

Beer

Sör

Wine

Bor

Tea

Tea

Coffee

Kávét

Food

Étel

Be careful!

Vigyázz!

Monday

Hétfő

Tuesday

Kedd

Wednesday

Szerda

Thursday

Csütörtök

Friday

Péntek

Saturday

Szombat

Sunday

Vasárnap

Cuisine

For a thousand years or so, Hungary's food, like its culture, has had an intriguing double identity, cleverly blending eastern mystique with the traditions of the west. Recipes were adapted to suit their tastes, which also gave the dishes a national flavour.

Authentic Hungarian dishes are not for people on a diet. You may find Hungarian dishes a bit too heavy and fatty; however, their rich flavour, aroma and texture compensate you for the slightly excessive calorie intake.

But don't think that everything is soaking in pork fat and paprika. These ingredients are essential for authentic Hungarian dishes, but properly portioning them and using modern cooking methods it is possible to make healthy as well as delicious dishes.

The ingredients which are cooked are simple. The fertile Hungarian plain and the favourable climate provide excellent conditions for growing tasty vegetables, and fruits, and to raise domestic animals whose meat is savoury.

Must try Hungarian dishes

Soups:

• Goulash or in Hungarian: Gulyás
• Újházi chicken broth
• Palóc soup with tarragon
• Jókai bean soup with smoked pork knuckles
• Cold cherry soup

Main courses:

• Chicken paprika or in Hungarian: Csirke paprikás
• Stuffed cabbage
• Goose liver
• Hortobágy style pancakes (filled with minced chicken paprika)
• Rose duck with forest fruit sauce and potatoes croquettes
• Lecsó (Hungarian style Ratatouille)
• Goose leg with steamed red cabbage and sautéed potatoes mashed up with onion
• Túrós csusza (Pasta with cottage cheese and bacon bits)
• Any kind of Főzelék (Vegetables simmered usually in water and thickened with roux)

Desserts:

• Apple or cherry strudel
• Gundel palacsinta (Gundel crepe)
• Somlói galuska (Somló sponge cake)
• Túró gombóc (Cottage cheese dumplings)
• Szilvás gombóc (Plum dumplings)
• Dobos cake
• Eszterházy cake
• Rákóczi Túrós (Cottage cheese cake)
• Kürtős kalács (Funnel cake)
• Gesztenye pure (Chestnut pure with whipped cream)
• Túró Rudi (sold in supermarkets)

Other:

• Csabai sausage (spicy)
• Pick salami
• Csalamádé (home-made mixed pickles)

Working Hours

Most stores in Hungary are open from 10 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, and from 10 am to 1 or 2 pm on Saturdays. Most stores are closed on Sundays, except for large malls and popular tourist destinations.

Smaller shops and family restaurants often close in August for 10–14 days.

Grocery stores open early, at 6 or 7 am, and they are usually open until 6 or 7 pm.

So-called Non-stop stores are open 24/7. However, there are not so many; you can find them mostly in larger cities. Fuel stations along freeways are also open 24/7.

Banks are open Monday to Friday, but on Fridays, they close earlier than usual. Banks at malls have the longest opening hours.

Museums are usually closed on Mondays, just like a few restaurants.

All banks, offices and stores are closed on National Public Holidays.

Tipping

The usual amount of tips is 10%. This goes for cabs, restaurants etc. If you pay by card at a restaurant, the staff prefers to receive the tip in cash. The 10–15% service charge added to the total of the bill, is just starting to spread in Hungary. If it is included you don't need to tip.

For more detailed information please see the official website for the Hungary Visitors information: https://visithungary.com/