What is the best way to get there?

Flying:

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is the primary airport in Budapest. It offers service to/from many international cities on most major and smaller airlines.

Train:

There are three rail stations in Budapest: Keleti, Nyugati, and Déli, which all offer regional and international service.

Bus:

Flixbus, Omio and Eurolines offer service to/from Budapest to many European cities.

Do I need a visa?

Since Hungary is one of the 26 Shengen Area countries, tourists from those countries do not need a visa for visits less than 90 days, but passports must be valid for at least six months after departure dates. The same goes for Americans. See here for more info.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer is festival season in Budapest, and highlights include the Budapest Summer Festival.However, that’s not to say winter isn’t wonderful as well. To see Budapest’s UNESCO-listed monuments covered in a dusting of snow, visit in winter. The cold season is the perfect time to tuck into goulash, warm up at the thermal baths and visit festive Christmas markets.

On the ground

What is the timezone?

Central European Summer Time

What are the voltage/plug types?

230V and 50Hz, with plug types C and F.

What is the currency?

The official Hungarian currency is forint, though euros are accepted at some places.

Are ATMs readily accessible?

Yes.

Are credit cards widely accepted?

Yes.

Are there local customs I should know?

Drinking

The legal drinking age in Budapest is 18.

Budapest

It’s Boo-da-PESHT, not Boo-da-PEST.

Greetings

Shaking hands is a customary greeting in Budapest, though some older locals may still bow to women. Pronounced see-ya, “Szia” means “hello.”

Public toilets

Be sure to have forint coins on hand for when nature calls as most public toilets aren’t free.