Travel Information Hungary
Hungary is a very beautiful country with a pleasant climate and an incredibly diverse natural landscape. There is plenty to see and many activities that can turn your stay into an adventure. Of course, you can also relax. You can stroll through different cities, take a walk in a national park or go hiking, visit a cave, watch animals, or bathe in steaming thermal baths. This article covers the information you need for your trip to Hungary, as well as recommendations and tips.
The Most Important Things at a Glance
You need a vignette.
The blood alcohol limit for driving is 0.0.
In Hungary, you cannot drink alcohol everywhere in public.
Smoking is prohibited in restaurants, cafés, and pubs.
The consumption, trade, and possession of drugs (even small amounts) is punished in Hungary with significantly higher penalties.
The currency in Hungary is the forint.
Border checks are not unusual; valid ID documents are mandatory.
For certain animals (dogs, cats, ferrets), a pet passport is also required, among other things as proof that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.
Hungary is generally considered safe for tourists.
Entry Requirements
To enter Hungary, German citizens only need an ID card or passport that is valid for at least another 6 months. Children need a children’s passport.
Language
The official language in Hungary is Hungarian. Hungarians call their language “Magyar.” Around 10 million Hungarians speak Hungarian.
German has left a few traces in Hungarian, but the two languages differ greatly. Hungarian is considered one of the most difficult languages to learn. Its grammatical structures are said to make it so challenging—for example, it has 40 cases compared to 4 cases in German. Nevertheless, the language is very logical and harmoniously structured.
Driving in Hungary
Traffic Rules
Even though many traffic rules are similar to those in Germany, there are some important differences. You should keep these in mind to ensure your safety and avoid penalties. In this section, we list the most important differences.
The blood alcohol limit is 0.0.
Although there is no mandatory winter tyre requirement, their use can be required by appropriate signage.
If your vehicle already has damage when entering Romania, you must declare it at the border crossing and have it documented. Vehicles that show visible damage after the trip are often only allowed to leave with an official police damage report.
A German driving licence is sufficient.
In addition to your driving licence, you must carry the registration certificate Part I. We also recommend carrying the International Insurance Card (Green Card).
Carrying a high-visibility vest is mandatory.
If you would like to learn more about traffic rules and driving behaviour, or read a detailed article on specific topics related to traffic rules, feel free to take a look at our traffic rules page.
Tolls 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, and are checked automatically via the licence plate.
Motor vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight are subject to a distance-based toll (HU-GO system) and cannot use a vignette.
The fees depend on the vehicle class your vehicle falls into. The following classes apply:
D1M: Motorcycles (weekly and monthly vignette)
D1: Motorcycles (annual vignette) / cars and motorhomes in vehicle class M1 up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight and up to 7 seats (also with trailer)
D2: Commercial vehicles (vehicle class N1) as well as all 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 for vehicles in class D2
To cover the maintenance costs of motorways and expressways in Hungary, a vignette requirement applies. In Hungary, the vignette is only available digitally—there are no sticker vignettes to attach to the windscreen.
With us, you can easily purchase a vignette for Hungary. Here you can find more information and explanations about tolls and the 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 fuel 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 EV charging in Hungary. Major cities such as Budapest, Győr, and Debrecen are particularly well supplied. There are also many charging points along the M1, M3, and M7 motorways. In rural areas, the network is still in need of expansion.
In remote regions such as the Balaton Highlands or the Puszta, the number of petrol stations and charging points is much lower. Plan your refuelling and charging stops in advance to avoid unnecessary detours and frustration.
Fuel labels 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. Please note that the forint (HUF) is Hungary’s official currency. Payment in euros is therefore accepted at only a few stations. Mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay or Google Wallet are also increasingly common, especially in larger cities.
Here you can find more on the topic of refuelling and charging in Hungary.
Safety and Health
Crime
Petty crime such as pickpocketing occurs particularly at markets, train stations, on public transport, in shopping centres, and in crowded tourist areas.
Especially around Lake Balaton, break-ins and thefts from holiday apartments are not uncommon—sometimes even while the residents are present.
Take good care of valuables and pay with cash as little as possible. In large crowds, keep a particularly close eye on your belongings. Do not leave valuables or documents in your holiday accommodation if you are away for longer periods. Park your vehicle only in guarded car parks, and be cautious with suspicious emails, calls, alleged prize notifications, and chance acquaintances who invite you somewhere (for example, to a club—very high bills can await if you do not ask about prices in advance).
Border Checks
You should expect border checks, especially when entering Austria, Slovakia, or Slovenia. Check the validity of your travel documents before your trip (they must be valid for at least 6 more months) and, of course, carry them with you. Failure to meet these requirements may result in fines and further penalties. A pet passport is also required for certain animals (dogs, cats, ferrets), among other things as proof that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.
Vaccination Protection
There are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter Hungary. Nevertheless, some vaccinations are recommended. Before travelling, check the current recommendations and requirements.
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 at the highest level, and language/communication can also be an issue. In large cities, however, there are private facilities offering good treatment. Bring your health insurance card and take out travel health insurance including repatriation cover for the duration of your stay. Nevertheless, Hungary is considered safe.
Legal Particularities
The consumption, trade, and possession of drugs (even small amounts) is punished in Hungary with significantly higher penalties.
Climate and Best Time to Travel
Hungary has a transition 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 brings hot summers and cold winters.
Temperatures are very similar to those in Germany. The coldest month is January with an average of -4°C. From October, the days become noticeably shorter and colder. June to August are the warmest months with summer temperatures of around 25 to 27°C, and June is the rainiest month.
The best time to travel is considered to be from May to September.
Geographical Location
Hungary lies in the heart of Europe and borders several countries: Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia.
Hungary is a landlocked country, meaning it has no access 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
Hungary’s currency is the forint (HUF). In addition to cash (forint), credit cards and some debit cards are usually accepted as payment methods.
Sights
Hungary has many sights to offer. Here we list five of the most popular sights as inspiration.
Lake Balaton: The largest lake in Central Europe. Along its 179 km shoreline, you’ll find picturesque beaches, hotels, clubs, shops, and restaurants. Several festivals also take place there in summer.
Budapest: Hungary’s capital. Whether you want to stroll along the Danube or try Hungary’s culinary specialties, there’s something for everyone in this diverse city. Beautiful photo spots and numerous activities make it nearly impossible not to like this city.
Baradla: A dripstone cave in Aggtelek National Park (northeast Hungary). Within this impressive cave system you can currently find the tallest stalagmite in the world. The system includes a total of 200 dripstone caves.
Sódomb (Salt Hill): Pools with steaming thermal water. The region’s most famous thermal bath impresses visitors with steaming thermal pools and a variety of outdoor spas.
Bükk National Park: A vast forest area. To experience Hungary’s nature, Bükk National Park is ideal. You can explore the park by bike or on one of its many hiking trails and get to know Hungary’s flora and fauna.
The Europamaut Team Wishes You a Pleasant Trip!
Hungary is a wonderful country with diverse nature, stunning landscapes, cities worth seeing, and great activities. A visit is definitely worthwhile! Be sure to remember a vignette to save yourself stress and avoid fines. You can find more information about the toll in Hungary in our guide. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and have suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, you can reach us anytime via email.
If you’re interested in more exciting topics about Hungary, feel free to visit our guide and discover interesting articles such as culinary specialties in Hungary, the most popular cities in Hungary, or places worth seeing in nature.
